Sam Allardyce refuses to confirm that Wayne Rooney will stay as England captain
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Updated 25/07/2016 at 11:02 GMT
Sam Allardyce refused to confirm that Wayne Rooney will remain as England captain under his management.
England manager Sam Allardyce poses after the press conference
Image credit: Reuters
The former Sunderland boss, who was appointed following Roy Hodgson's resignation after the country's defeat to Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016, said it was too early in his reign to make a decision over whether the Manchester United striker will keep the armband.
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England's Wayne Rooney reacts
Image credit: Reuters
“It’s far too early to make any predictions on that area,” said Allardyce when asked about Rooney’s position at his first news conference as England boss.
The 61-year-old also confirmed that Sammy Lee, his former assistant at Bolton, will be his right-hand man in the new set-up and insists that he can fix the fortunes of the team that crashed so badly in France over the summer.
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Southampton manager Ronald Koeman celebrates at the end of the game with first team coach Sammy Lee as Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp looks on
Image credit: Reuters
'I can turn things around quickly'
Asked if the team had hit rock bottom, he said: "I wouldn’t suggest we are at rock bottom. People see me as being able to turn a club around very quickly and that comes around by taking West Ham up, keeping Blackburn and Sunderland up but I consider myself to have much more than that label.
"I can turn things around quickly and get amongst staff and create a successful journey and that starts by us all pulling together."
Hitting back over style of play
Many of his critics claim that Allardyce is wedded to a "long-ball" style of play. But he used an example from last season at Sunderland to rebut that accusation.
"Style of play has always been a tag that I can't shake," he said. "Everybody says it is this style or that style. But I played with Jermain Defoe down the middle on his own at 5ft 10in last year.
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FA chief Executive Martin Glenn, England Manager Sam Allardyce and FA Technical Director Dan Ashworth during the press conference
Image credit: Reuters
"I think working on people's strengths is the main factor. [I was told] 'Jermain Defoe cannot play up front on his own Sam'. What did he do? He played up front on his own all season with me, scored 15 goals in the Premier League, 18 in total.
"So whatever people may tell me, it doesn't stop me from trying something else, or trying to create another opportunity."
'Man management is my biggest asset'
Allardyce also said he thinks that he deserves the role. "It is 10 years since I was last interviewed and to be here is a huge thrill for me," he added. "I fit the chair, I hope I do and I have the experience to pass on and to challenge the team and myself the five Premier League club has given me a huge experience, no-one else has done that.
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Sunderland's Jermain Defoe celebrates with manager Sam Allardyce after the game
Image credit: Reuters
"Man management is my biggest asset. One - to help the players enjoy themselves and two - to make them better than they already are."
The new England boss was also asked about his qualifications, given that he has never managed a Champions League club and not won a major trophy. He insisted that the stars he had been in charge of before, stands him in good stead.
“I have managed some world-class players," he said. "Fernando Hierro, Youri Djorkaeff, Jay-Jay Okocha, Gary Speed, Nicolas Anelka and Michael Owen. I have managed some talented players, the good thing about that is they make your life easier, they know what you want.
"Working with the England elite players will be very exciting for me because they will take on board ideas very quickly. Winning no trophies or cups, unfortunately, as an English manager I never got to go right to the top of the Premier League. I saved clubs and never got relegated, and they are not the same as winning the FA Cup or Capital One Cup, but they are big achievement."
'Bring it on!'
Asked about the pressure of being England boss, the Dudley-born boss said he can deal with it, despite being under the microscope constantly. "I am hardened over many years," he said "You take the good with the bad or don’t bother. I am here because I want the challenge and I think I can make the team better and I think I am tough enough to take it so bring it on, lads!"
It is reported that Croatia, who reached the same stage in France, have been lined up as Allardyce's first match in charge. The first competitive game will be on September 4 in Slovakia for a World Cup qualifier.
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