Big Sam's own goal leaves his England dreams in tatters

The contract of the 61-year-old former Newcastle and Sunderland boss was terminated by mutual agreement on Tuesday night after crisis talks with the Football Association triggered by a Daily Telegraph investigation in which he was covertly filmed advising undercover reporters on how to sidestep FA transfer regulations.

Clearly shaken by events, Allardyce told reporters outside his home in Bolton on Wednesday morning: "Entrapment has won on this occasion. I have to accept that."

• Scott Wilson on why Big Sam had to go

Allardyce suggested he thought he was helping out an associate when he was caught in the sting.

He said: "I think that on reflection, it was a silly thing to do. But just to let everybody know, I sort of helped out what was somebody I've known for 30 years and unfortunately it was an error of judgment on my behalf and I've paid the consequences."

He said the agreement to leave his job after just 67 days and one match "was done very amicably with the FA".

He said he had apologised to those concerned for the "unfortunate situation that I put myself in".

Sam Allardyce leaves his home in Bolton. Photo: Press Association

The former Bolton and Newcastle boss said he had a confidentiality agreement and could not answer further questions.

He added: "I am off abroad just to chill out and to reflect and I'd like to wish all the England lads, Gareth and the staff all the very best."

Asked if that was his last job in football he said: "Who knows. We'll wait and see."

Allardyce's departure means the FA is once again wounded and on the lookout for a new manager just months after crashing out of the Euro 2016 tournament at the hands of lowly Iceland.

His reign in what he gleefully described as his "dream" was the shortest of any full-time England manager.

The Telegraph, as part of a wide-ranging operation, covertly filmed the newly-appointed Three Lions boss making a variety of indiscreet and controversial comments to undercover reporters posing as businessmen.

Some were merely disparaging or offensive - such as those aimed at predecessor Roy Hodgson, who was demeaningly called 'Woy' in a reference to his speech impediment - while some constituted even graver lapses in judgment.

The willingness of Allardyce and his adviser Mark Curtis to negotiate a £400,000 pay day to act as a keynote speaker for investment firms in the Far East was not viewed kindly by employers who already paid him £3m a year.

And his thoughts on ways around the FA's ban on third-party ownership of stars was arguably even more damaging.

In an official statement released on Tuesday night, Allardyce gave a "sincere and wholehearted apology" for his part in the messy divorce.

"Further to recent events, the FA and I have mutually agreed to part company," Allardyce said.

"It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome.

"This afternoon, I met with (FA officials) Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for my actions.

"Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need the FA's full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment.

"As part of today's meeting, I was asked to clarify what I said and the context in which the conversations took place. I have co-operated fully in this regard.

"I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals."

England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior side's next four games - the first of which is at home to Malta on October 8 - with a squad announcement due on Sunday.

After addressing the media outside his detached property, Allardyce and his wife, Lynn, were driven away with suitcases packed for their break abroad.

LEADING CONTENDERS TO TAKE THE ENGLAND JOB:

ALAN PARDEW

Seemed to be a new man after swapping Newcastle for Crystal Palace and some fine early-season results saw him seriously linked with the England job for the first time in his career. Reached the FA Cup final but league results tailed off badly, but a slow start to this campaign has been followed by three successive Premier League victories.

EDDIE HOWE

A smart, erudite and tactically-savvy coach who, at 38, looks to have a bright future at the top of the game. The manager has flourished at Bournemouth and only last week described coaching England as the "ultimate" job. "I would never say no," Howe said.

GARETH SOUTHGATE

Highly thought of by the decision-makers at the Football Association, the former Middlesbrough boss was brought into the fold to coach the Under-21s with an eye on future progression. Faltered at last year's Under-21 European Championship but led the team to victory at the Toulon tournament in the summer. Had no interest in succeeding Hodgson, but will take charge for England's next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain while the FA looks for a new permanent boss.

STEVE BRUCE

The former Manchester United defender was interviewed in the summer about the vacant England manager's job. Just days after speaking to the FA, Bruce decided to call time on his spell at Hull, where he had become the most successful manager in the club's history. He remains out of work.

JURGEN KLINSMANN

The former Tottenham striker has managerial experience at international level, having been in charge of the United States for almost five years and Germany before that. America fell to a semi-final Copa America exit in the summer while Klinsmann guided Germany to the last-four stage at the 2006 World Cup.

GARY NEVILLE

Seemed a heavy favourite to progress from his role as Hodgson's assistant until his ill-advised stint with Valencia saw his stock plummet. It may yet be decided that was a case of the wrong job but the right man. Out of coaching since exiting with Hodgson during the summer, the videos of Allardyce appear to show him saying Neville was the "wrong influence" on his predecessor.