SUNDERLAND manager Sam Allardyce has arrived at Victoria Park for tonight's pre-season friendly - despite claims that he will be named the new England boss within the next 24 hours.
Allardyce, who was formally interviewed by the Football Association ten days ago, is understood to have won the battle to succeed Roy Hodgson and a statement is expected tomorrow.
Personal terms and compensation for Sunderland are still to be discussed, although the FA's three man selection panel is believed to have already made up their mind that Sam is the man and they will offer him the post.
BREAKING NEWS: 'Big' Sam Allardyce is new England manager.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 20, 2016
Excellent choice. He'll bring the passion back. pic.twitter.com/CbUzNaUGyY
Delighted for @OfficialBigSam . Spoke of never representing ENG as a player but how much he wanted to manage them with our youth team @pnefc
— Kevin Kilbane (@kdkilbane77) July 20, 2016
Congrats @OfficialBigSam a great manager and a guy players will run through walls for. Can't wait for my call up. #SeeYouInRussia
— Jack Whitehall (@jackwhitehall) July 20, 2016
In 2 spells 8yrs apart I saw a very different @OfficialBigSam. A lot more relaxed but still organised & innovative. Good luck gaffer!
— Stephen Harper (@steveharper37) July 20, 2016
Sports editor Scott Wilson on why Big Sam is the man for England
Hull boss Steve Bruce, USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann and Bournemouth's Eddie Howe have all been spoken to, but Allardyce has the greatest support from within the corridors of power.
It now seems that Allardyce will oversee his final game as Sunderland manager at Hartlepool tonight and he had a smile when he skipped off the team coach at Victoria Park.
The match kicks-off at 7.30pm and Allardyce is expected to speak to the media after the game.
When Allardyce does depart, Sunderland owner Ellis Short is understood to have already identified David Moyes as his primary target for the Stadium of Light job.
And for what looks likely to be his last team sheet as Sunderland boss, he has included trialist Charles N'Zogbia on the bench to face Hartlepool. Craig Hignett, the Pools boss, has also included a trialist among his subs in the form of Liam Donnelly.
HARTLEPOOL: Carson, Richards, Nsiala, Bates, Carroll, Featherstone, Laurent, Woods, Deverdics, Alessandra, Amond. Subs: Magnay, Bartlett, Nearney, Green, Thomas, Orrell, Paynter, Oates, Harrison, Donnelly.
SUNDERLAND: Mannone; Jones, Kaboul, Kone, van Aanholt; Cattermole, Rodwell; Lens, Borini, Khazri; Defoe. Subs: Robson, Pickford, T Robson, Beadling, Ledger, Honeyman, N'Zogbia, Greenwood, Gooch, Watmore, Maja, Stryjek.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel