Sam Allardyce appointed as England manager on a two-year deal

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has been appointed as the new England manager on an initial two-year contract.

The 61-year-old takes over from Roy Hodgson, who left his role following the disastrous 2-1 defeat to Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016 last month.

The FA’s three-man panel opted for the Black Cats boss, who has never won a major trophy in his managerial career, over Hull City’s Steve Bruce, who was also interviewed.

On his appointment, Allardyce said: “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.”

Allardyce, who joined the Black Cats nine months ago, leading them to survival in the Premier League, has also managed West Ham United, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers in the English top-flight, taking charge of a total of 467 games there.

His first competitive match in charge of the Three Lions will be the 2018 World Cup qualifier away in Slovakia on September 4, with a friendly set to be arranged at Wembley three days earlier.