“Entrapment has won”: Allardyce talks on his “silly” mistake
Sam Allardyce has vowed to reflect on the “error of judgement” which has brought his reign as England coach to an embarrassingly early end, and has not ruled out a return to management.
Former England soccer team manager Sam Allardyce leaves his home in Bolton. Photo: Dave Howarth PA via AP
The 61-year-old left his dream job after just one match and 67 days at the helm following the emergence of secretly-filmed video footage which showed him making a number of controversial remarks.
The Football Association clearly felt compelled to bring an end to Allardyce’s tenure following the comments about subjects varying from England players to circumventing FA regulations.
As Gareth Southgate was parachuted in from the under-21s to take charge of England’s next four matches on an interim basis, Allardyce could seek solace in qualified support offered by the likes of Jose Mourinho and former England boss Steve McClaren.
He addressed the media on Wednesday morning outside his Bolton home.
“Obviously I’ve got to do this before I go away,” he told reporters.
“I think that on reflection it was a silly thing to do, but just to let everyone know I sort of helped out what was somebody I’d known for 30 years (football agent Scott McGarvey).
“Unfortunately, it was an error of judgement on my behalf and I’ve paid the consequences.
“Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that.
“The agreement was done very amicably with the FA. I apologise to those and all concerned in this unfortunate situation I’ve put myself in.
“I have a confidentiality agreement and I took the time to talk to you on this matter. I can’t answer any more questions just now. I’m going to go away and reflect on it.
“I am off abroad, just to chill out and reflect. I’d like to wish all the England lads, Gareth and the staff all the best.”
Asked if this would be his last job in football, Allardyce said: “Who knows? We’ll wait and see.”
With the World Cup qualifier against Malta just 10 days away, the FA acted swiftly to appoint Southgate, initially on an interim basis.
The 46-year-old is the overwhelming favourite to be given the job on a permanent basis despite having ruled himself out of replacing Roy Hodgson in the summer, and earlier this month expressing doubt that he would have been ready for the job.
“I think with England there are one or two other things that I would want experience of before I took that role to be going into it in a position of real strength,” Southgate said.
Southgate’s role with the under-21s has been taken by current under-20s coach Aidy Boothroyd, who will lead them through their final two Euro 2017 qualifiers next month.
– PA
