England

Sam Allardyce "deeply disappointed" with England departure

By Giuseppe Labellarte, Reporter | 27 September 2016

Former England manager Sam Allardyce says that he is disappointed to leave the Three Lions post after comments he made relating to circumventing FA rules on player transfers.

Former England manager Sam Allardyce has expressed his disappointment over leaving the job following allegations that he had offered advice on how to circumvent Football Association rules on player transfers.

The 61-year-old, who was at the helm of the Three Lions for 67 days and one game, has departed the hotseat by mutual consent after discussions with the FA on Tuesday in the wake of an investigation conducted by undercover journalists working for The Telegraph.

A report in the newspaper claimed that Allardyce had told the reporters it was possible to "get around" an FA rule, introduced in 2008, banning third parties from owning part of a player's economic rights.

A statement published on BBC Sport quotes Allardyce as saying: "Further to recent events, the FA and I have mutually agreed to part company. It was a great honour for me to be appointed back in July and I am deeply disappointed at this outcome.

"This afternoon, I met with Greg Clarke and Martin Glenn and offered a sincere and wholehearted apology for my actions. Although it was made clear during the recorded conversations that any proposed arrangements would need the FA's full approval, I recognise I made some comments which have caused embarrassment.

"As part of today's meeting, I was asked to clarify what I said and the context in which the conversations took place. I have co-operated fully in this regard. I also regret my comments with regard to other individuals."

Allardyce, who succeeded Roy Hodgson in July following England's last-16 exit at Euro 2016, becomes the national side's shortest-serving full-time manager.