I’m still in the running for England job, says Allardyce

SAM ALLARDYCE has admitted he has yet to be discounted from the FA’s shortlist for the England manager’s job. Bolton boss Allardyce also feels the credentials of Luiz Felipe Scolari stand up to close scrutiny, even if his heart tells him he would ideally prefer an Englishman to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Scolari has quickly emerged as the leading candidate, even if he and his current employers at the Portuguese Football Federation have tried to distance themselves from the speculation.

It was perceived that the Brazilian and Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren were in a two-horse race, with Allardyce, Charlton’s Alan Curbishley and Martin O’Neill becoming also-rans. But Allardyce yesterday insisted: “I’m still in the frame because no decision has been made yet. I haven’t heard anything otherwise. I’ve had my interview opportunity, and I hope that was good enough, but we will have to wait and see.”

With Scolari seemingly firmly in the running, the debate in recent days has centred on the possibility of the FA appointing another overseas coach. Even FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday expressed his surprise that the FA are considering heading down such a route.

Allardyce added: “In being an Englishman I’m bound to be biased in saying that an Englishman would be the best man for the job.”

However, Allardyce fully respects Scolari as a former World Cup-winning coach with Brazil, and at present as Portugal manager.

“Like everything else in this country, every job that becomes available is a worldwide attraction, not just confined to Europe or the British Isles,” he said.

Blatter was less circumspect as he said: “I am surprised England is considering a foreign coach again. It has never happened with Italy, Germany, Spain, Argentina or Brazil — never.

“My personal opinion — and I was once a coach — is that when you speak to your players, and in the national team they are all one nationality, you should speak in their language. This is the first thing in order to motivate the national team.

“But this principle has been over-ruled several times, so much so that we have had demands from different associations that when the manager goes on the sidelines to give instructions he should be allowed to be accompanied by an interpreter.”

The message from the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) yesterday was loud and clear as they are adamant Scolari’s position is not open to debate until after his contract expires on July 21.

FPF spokesman Felipe Felix said: “The FPF and Luiz Felipe Scolari are committed to not feeding this sort of speculation. We have decided to talk about this issue only after the World Cup.”