Sam Allardyce was a ticking timebomb as England manager – and the FA chose to ignore that
Now the tortuous process of finding another poor soul to take the job starts again after the embarrassment of their boss quit
SAM ALLARDYCE loved nothing better than to hold court.
Big Sam was always a ticking time-bomb. The FA knew that — they chose to ignore it.
Dan Ashworth, Martin Glenn and David Gill carried out their “due diligence” on Allardyce at breakneck speed.
In the end it resulted in an England boss who lasted 67 days.
Now the tortuous process of finding another poor soul to take the job starts again.
It took less than two months for the FA to decide they did not like the cut of Allardyce’s jib.
It is a big call to get shot of someone 67 days into the most prestigious job in the country.
Even bigger when the FA’s lawyers accept Allardyce was not in breach of his contract.
Irregular? Yes. Improper? Yes. Illegal? No.
That’s why Allardyce’s exit had to be hastened with a pay-off.
The FA moved quickly to have a contingency plan in place.
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While chairman Greg Clarke and chief executive Glenn were grilling Allardyce, they were already lining up his temporary successor.
Ashworth, director of elite development, was at St George’s Park begging Gareth Southgate to take the England senior side for the next four internationals.
Ashworth, who was instrumental in the decision to hire Big Sam, has most to lose if they don’t get the right man.
There is a time for acting quickly — but not when carrying out due diligence.
This time, failure is not an option for the FA.
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