Sam Allardyce England deal almost done

Sam Allardyce’s imminent appointment as England manager was discussed at last night’s Football Association board meeting, leaving only final negotiations between the 61-year-old and his dream job.

The FA’s three-man selection panel, consisting chief executive Martin Glenn, vice-chairman David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth, presented the findings of their three-week search to the rest of the board at Wembley and explained why Sunderland boss Allardyce had been selected as Roy Hodgson’s successor.

Steve Bruce, who was interviewed earlier this week, Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klinsmann are the other names to have been seriously considered by the trio, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave no indication he would be willing to accept the role.