He replaces, Roy Hodgson, who resigned after the team had lost in the last 16 of Euro 2016 to Iceland in June.
Allardyce, had been considered for the role, back in 2006 when Sven Goran Eriksson left after the world cup. But the FA decided to give it to his assistant at the time, Steve McClaren.
Speaking about the role, Allardyce, said “This will be the greatest challenge for me in my long career and hopefully I will be as successful as I have in the rest of my career.”
The former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager was also keen to have a mid-winter break which would help the international side. “The Premier League is the best league in world so demand has to be on the players. It would help the Premier League and us at international level if we could try and achieve it. In my time when we finish at Christmas, in January and February it is always the most difficult time to get players through.”
Speaking about the players, the 61-year-old was keen to stress that those in the squad are not youngsters with potential anymore once they’re competing on the international stage.
“It is not potential anymore, it has to be reality and they have to stand up and be counted. The young players have a lot of experience now and some has been bitter. They don’t want to feel like that again. Potential is not a word I want to use; you want the quality player to produce his best performances immediately. This squad of players is very experienced and going forward hopefully will produce better.”
Allardyce, who has signed a 2-year-deal through to the next world cup in Russia, dismissed his style of football used over the years to counteract teams who tried to play football against one of his clubs. “I think choosing styles of systems depends on the players available and who we are playing. My coaching technique is to try to give players the opportunity to win football matches, home or away, and make them aware of the opposition,” he said.
England fans who have been dismayed by past performances of the team, lacking character, passion and playing for the country, hope Allardyce’ appointment change all that. “”I think the bonding of the team is exceptionally important and trying to create that team spirit and have some fun. I have enjoyed my life in the game, this job is the pinnacle and I want to enjoy this the most.”
The new manager, who begins in charge on September 1 with a fixture at Wembley wants his team to make everyone ‘proud’ of them. “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.”
Speaking after the announcement, Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn said: “His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realise the potential of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos. We could not help but be energised by his personal perspective on England’s future.”
