Allardyce...the right man at the right time?
- Jul 25, 2016
- 3 min read
As expected, Sam Allardyce has become England manager, replacing Roy Hodgson and there has been much comment on whether his style and his past record suit the role as England manager. Full Time has all the answers.
England endured a dismal exit from EURO 2016 against Iceland which saw Roy Hodgson leave the role as England manager, and a search for his predecessor was almost instantaneous. While almost all of Europe’s elite managers were currently employed, the choices for unemployed managers was sparse at best. The FA categorically stated their desire for another Englishman to take the helm, leaving an even thinner pool of candidates left to choose from. Allardyce seemed the front runner from the opening, with Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe the only other serious rivals for the position, and having spoken to both Allardyce and Bruce, the former came out on top and has been offered the job.
Allardyce is a well-travelled manager, having worked with Limerick, Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and Sunderland following the conclusion to his playing career. He is also a tactically astute manager, who sets up his side with the opposition in mind, as opposed to his own sides strengths. His style is often more direct, with balls up to the front or wide players preferable to a steady buildup of possession. Allardyce enjoys flooding the area with crosses, and thus his England team will be reliant on the taller and more physical players to score the goals. It is no secret that set pieces in Allardyce’s sides are an integral part of his ethos, and England should now pose a greater threat from dead ball situations. Similarly, all Allardyce sides are built with organization and defence rigidity in mind, meaning costly mistakes such as the two goals scored by Iceland – one from a simple throw in – should be minimised.
It could mean that overlooked players such as Mark Noble and Andy Carroll may be given opportunities under the new man, and Noble is certainly a player who understands Allardyce’s footballing philosophy and would give his all for his nation as he does for his club. Jermaine Defoe is another who, regardless of his age, may now benefit from Allardyce’s appointment. Despite a 16 goal tally last season, Defoe was overlooked by the previous England set up but he may now have a greater chance of returning to the international set up.
When it comes to whether Allardyce suits the job, judging by his first interview as the new manager and the message to fans that was put out by the FA late Friday evening, Allardyce’s passion and commitment to the job will be unquestionable. His style is possibly what England need at this time, a character who can grab the players by the scruff of their necks and tell them that they’re capable and talented, but who can also be stern and forthright with his criticism. He’s waited a long while for this job, having previously been a candidate in 2006 when Steve McClaren was appointed, and with his organisation, man management skills and his passion for this job, Allardyce is the best man for the job at the current time and England could now have a major opportunity to rebuild, recover, and begin a new era under a new man.
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