Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has claimed that Sam Allardyce was the "outstanding choice" for the England job.

The governing body announced the appointment of the former West Ham United boss this afternoon on a two-year deal.

Jurgen Klinsmann, Eddie Howe and Steve Bruce were thought to be under consideration, but Allardyce was unanimously chosen by a hiring panel comprising of FA technical director Dan Ashworth, vice-chairman David Gill and Glenn.

"Sam Allardyce is the right man for the England job," Glenn said in a statement. "His excellent managerial credentials, including his ability to realise the potential of players and teams, develop a strong team ethos and embrace modern methods that enhance performance, made him the outstanding choice.

"That was underlined when we sat down to talk and we could not help but be energised by his personal perspective on England's future and how it complemented the extensive work that we are looking to build on at St. George's Park.

"Dan Ashworth, David Gill and I have carried out a thorough process in the last three weeks and ultimately we could not look beyond Sam as the ideal candidate."

Allardyce, who took charge of Sunderland just nine months ago, will oversee his first England match on September 1 in the form of a friendly at Wembley.