England manager Sam Allardyce has left his job after his contract was terminated by mutual consent with the Football Association – in the wake of unguarded comments about third-party ownership made to a national newspaper in an undercover interview.
We recount some of the key quotes from Big Sam’s short reign…
1. After his appointment on July 22:
“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.”
2. More patriotism after his appointment:
“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.”
3. At his first press conference on July 25:
“Bring it on, hey lads. I’m hardened over many, many years. You toughen yourself for whatever job you take. You take the good with the bad, otherwise you don’t do it – don’t bother. I am here because I want to be here, because I want the challenge, I’m here because I think I can make the team better and I think I’m tough enough to take it.”
4. After confirming Wayne Rooney as his captain:
“Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue. Wayne’s record speaks for itself, he is the most senior member of the squad and he is hugely respected by his peers.”
5. On September 3, the eve of his first match in charge against Slovakia:
“I think there’ll be nerves, yeah. I think in every new job you get you’re nervous. But you’re hoping the players will do the talking for you, that when they walk over that white line they’ll deliver what we all want and that’s the victory. I’ll be very nervous in the early part, the build-up, but once the game starts that leaves me and the focus on the match comes in.”
6. After the 1-0 win over Slovakia on September 4:
“I got this lucky penny off a lad today in the hotel. A father and his son in a wheelchair came to the hotel this morning and asked if it was okay to have a picture. When we finished he said: ‘Let me give you a lucky coin.’ Here it is. I had it with me in my pocket, we won, so it’ll stay with me. I’m not really superstitious but I’m going to keep it. It’s got us a last-minute winner. I wonder how far it will take us.”
