SUNDERLAND are pressing ahead with attempts to persuade David Moyes to become the new manager as chairman Ellis Short looks to draw a line under a frustrating few weeks which has left Sunderland in limbo and Sam Allardyce in the England job.

The Football Association have confirmed that Allardyce has signed a two-year contract to become the new boss. In a sign of how his relationship with the club was soured during the saga, neither Allardyce nor Sunderland mentioned each other in statements issued.

Sunderland’s preparations for the new season have had to be put on hold during the last few weeks, while the 61-year-old has waited to learn if he was going to be handed the opportunity to lead his country.

And now, after the FA agreed to pay compensation to the tune of around £3m to Sunderland, Short is desperate to make a quick appointment himself. There will be further talks with former Manchester and Everton boss Moyes over the weekend to try to get something tied up.

Sunderland’s statement read: “Sunderland AFC confirms the departure of Sam Allardyce, who takes up the position of England manager with immediate effect.

“The focus of everyone at Sunderland AFC now is on moving forward quickly and decisively, with the appointment of the club’s new manager to be confirmed at the earliest opportunity.”

Sunderland have described on a couple of occasions how they shared the ‘fans’ anger and frustration’ for the way things have been handled. Allardyce was interviewed 11 days ago by the FA’s three-man selection panel and then had to wait to hear if he had got the job.

There was also two weeks of speculation tipping Allardyce for the job beforehand, which led to him leaving Sunderland’s pre-season warm weather training camp in Austria early. He left Victoria Park on Wednesday night shortly after half-time rather than watch the second half of Sunderland’s 3-0 win over Hartlepool, on a day when it emerged he had been offered the post.

But Allardyce, who successfully kept Sunderland in the Premier League after succeeding Dick Advocaat last October, also ignored referring to Sunderland in his statement issued by the FA. He will be asked about his departure when he his paraded in front of the media for the first time at St George’s Park on Monday morning.

Allardyce said: "I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football.

"I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud.

"While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St George’s Park – a facility I have used with my previous clubs. I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver."

Allardyce impressed the FA’s three man panel – vice-chairman David Gill, technical director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Martin Glenn - more than his rivals for the job.

Steve Bruce, who left Hull on the same day and has been linked with the Sunderland job as well as being Allardyce’s right-hand-man, Jurgen Klinsmann and Eddie Howe were all spoken to by the FA.

Glenn said: "Sam Allardyce is the right man for the England job. His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realise the potential of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos and embrace modern methods that enhance performance, made him the outstanding choice.

“That was underlined when we sat down to talk and we could not help but be energised by his personal perspective on England’s future and how it complemented the extensive work that we are looking to build on at St George’s Park. Dan Ashworth, David Gill and I have carried out a thorough process in the last three weeks and ultimately we could not look beyond Sam as the ideal candidate."

Allardyce’s initial two-year deal is with the aim of guiding England to the World Cup in Russia. He will select his first squad at the end of August ahead of a friendly on September 1 and he will have a qualifier in Slovakia three days later.

His exit from Sunderland leaves his assistant Paul Bracewell and first team coach Robbie Stockdale in charge of team affairs ahead of a week-long trip to the banks of Lake Geneva. Sunderland are due to face Stade Nyonnais on Monday before Dijon on Wednesday and then Montpellier next Saturday.

It will be hoped sufficient progress can be made in discussions with Moyes to have him in charge during that week, while there also needs to be quick progress made on the transfer front once the new boss has been installed.