Sam Allardyce leaves England job after one game in charge
Arrogant clot, for sure, but did this really merit ditching Allardyce?
9.26pm BST
That’s it for tonight, at least for this liveblog. But there is plenty more to read on Big Sam’s departure.
Related: Sam Allardyce leaves England manager job after one game in charge
Related: Arrogant clot, for sure, but did this really merit England ditching Allardyce?
Related: What exactly is Sam Allardyce accused of?
Related: England managers and off-field controversies: from Revie to Hodgson
Related: Why the Daily Telegraph's Sam Allardyce sting was justified
9.24pm BST
We know that Gareth Southgate will be at the helm for England for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain, but who is favourite to take the job on a more permanent position?
Southgate is the favourite, with Steve Bruce, Alan Pardew and Eddie Howe all candidates to succeed Allardyce, according to these odds.
Goes without saying that every Wembley farce is greeted by sniggering in Zurich and Nyon and makes the moral high ground harder to hold.
8.56pm BST
FA chairman Greg Clarke, meanwhile, thinks Allardyce’s departure “is not embarrassing.”
Crucially, he also says that Allardyce could face further action from the FA’s disciplinary department, with an investigation pending.
Sam #Allardyce's resignation from the @England job is "sad" says @FA Chairman Greg Clarke https://t.co/L4kr0dGJWD
8.54pm BST
Some more Martin Glenn quotes, straight from the FA’s website. Remember folks, the FA are the “guardians of the game.” Jesus wept.
Just how hard was that decision, given it has come so soon in Sam’s reign?
“It’s been a really painful decision because obviously we’ve only just hired Sam, and Sam we think is a great fit for England manager and we think could have been extremely successful. But The FA is more than just running the England men’s team. We have to stand up for the right behaviours across the whole game.
8.43pm BST
With all this excitement, you might forget that it’s a Champions League night. Here are the half-time scores:
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8.36pm BST
A very difficult 24 hours, in light of the media allegations that we’ve seen, we’ve decided, and Sam has agreed that his behaviour has been inappropriate, and frankly not what is expected of an England manager discussing a range of issues from potential contravention of FA rules through to personal comments that frankly just don’t work when you’re the manager of England.”
So now he’s not.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn speaks about the decision to end Sam Allardyce's tenure as @England manager: pic.twitter.com/eOmyxweEs0
8.29pm BST
Two other England managers have lasted just one match in charge (albeit on a caretaker basis):
Related: England 2-3 Holland | International friendly match report
8.06pm BST
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.”
7.53pm BST
Unrelated managerial pattern. 1 Make Wayne Rooney captain 2 Get sacked. He's burning through them these days
7.52pm BST
Gareth Southgate oversees England's World Cup qualifiers against Malta, Slovenia and Scotland, and the friendly against Spain
7.49pm BST
The FA have released a statement, confirming Allardyce’s departure:
The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager.
Allardyce’s conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised. However, due to the serious nature of his actions, The FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
7.36pm BST
Related: Sam Allardyce is to leave England job after one game in charge
7.30pm BST
Allardyce gone, expect Gareth Southgate to take over as caretaker in the short term.
7.08pm BST
Related: What exactly is Sam Allardyce accused of?
7.02pm BST
It is being widely reported that Sam Allardyce has offered his resignation and that his departure is expected to be confirmed shortly after today’s emergency talks.
I suspect, when confirmation drops tonight that Sam Allardyce has left his position with England, it will be classed as "mutual agreement"
6.50pm BST
“Get that smile, I can’t imagine … I can’t imagine why we can’t get that smile.”
Better, simpler times.
6.40pm BST
Hello everyone. Should Allardyce depart, it is thought that Gareth Southgate will be the man to oversee England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia, on 8 October and 11 October respectively.
Steve Bruce has replaced Alan Pardew as the bookies’ favourite to be the next permanent England manager, and it is unlikely that Southgate’s view on the permanent job will have shifted from the summer, when he distanced himself from the position before Allardyce was appointed.
Related: Gareth Southgate not interested in succeeding Roy Hodgson with England
6.08pm BST
More from PA:
The Telegraph will release the “relevant transcripts” to the FA following its investigation into alleged football corruption, a spokeswoman for the newspaper said.
But not full transcripts. Hmmmm https://t.co/MAWuipChAA
Not having full transcripts obvs gives FA a problem. Can they sack Allardyce based on incomplete evidence?
6.02pm BST
The meany-moo bookies are, predictably, circling the situation like vultures, and if Sam’s post were to become vacant, the second favourite to replace him is Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe.
Another attendee at Soccerex is Howe’s chairman, Jeff Mostyn, who joked that – for his club’s sake – he hoped the outcome of the current furore was for Allardyce to emerge with “another five-year contract”.
When pressed for a reaction to the Allardyce comments, Mostyn said it would be “inappropriate” for him to speculate about “alleged offences” and it was a matter for Allardyce and the FA.
“As far as Eddie is concerned, he has a contract with AFC Bournemouth and he says he wants to stay and I hope he does for many years,” said Mostyn.
5.56pm BST
The former Club England managing director Adrian Bevington has described Allardyce’s current predicament as “very embarrassing” for him and The FA.
The quote, made at the Soccerex conference in Manchester, echoes one of his earlier comments to Talksport:
This is so early into his reign and I’m sure there is still a hell of a lot of goodwill for Sam within the organisation, particularly with those people who appointed him.
“It’s not helpful, but I don’t believe it would be so problematic that it would prevent him from working with the England players in the future, that’s for sure. But, if Sam does come through this, it’s still highly embarrassing for him.
5.46pm BST
The agent who arranged the meeting that formed that basis of Sam Allardyce’s current predicament says he set it up in good faith.
This just in from the Press Association:
Football agent Scott McGarvey has said the meeting he arranged for Sam Allardyce with what turned out to be a fictitious firm was arranged in good faith, according to his solicitor. McGarvey is said to have been “shocked” by the turn of events, and adamant he has not engaged in any wrongdoing.
Graham Small, a partner at Manchester-based JMW Solicitors, representing McGarvey, said his client had been “naive” and is denying comments being attributed to him.
5.32pm BST
As it was only 67 days ago, it’s hard to not have a peek back at The FA’s statement announcing Big Sam’s appointment as England manager.
The unanimous choice of The FA’s three-man selection panel, comprising FA chief executive Martin Glenn, technical director Dan Ashworth and acting chairman David Gill, Allardyce arrives with a proven track record of getting the best results out of the teams he has managed and a strong reputation as a forward-thinker with progressive ideas …
Allardyce said: “I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted. For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football.
5.17pm BST
The FA’s former communications director Julian Eccles has spoken to the BBC about a potential way forward for Allardyce, involving naming names of those who the England manager says are navigating their way around the rules related to the third-party ownership of players …
We cannot have such a senior figure in our game being so disrespectful of such important rules and also having his head turned by the prospect of earning extra money by an outside commercial organisation.
“The only way he can survive is if he apologises profusely for this, secondly that he declares himself to be absolutely devoted, single-mindedly, to England’s qualification for the World Cup – and does not take any outside commercial interests. And thirdly, that he provides evidence to the FA of these agents who he says are still indulging in this malpractice.
5.06pm BST
Here’s a little more on the breaking Nigel Pearson news …
Derby County have told their manager Nigel Pearson to stay away from their Tuesday night fixture against Cardiff City.
The former Leicester City manager has been in charge since the summer but has won only two of his 12 games at the club. The Rams are 22nd in the Championship after nine games, having scored just three goals and won only once.
5.03pm BST
Today’s Fiver has landed. And you’ll never guess who the subject is …
There is a splendid second-hand anecdote in Joey Barton’s autobiography, No Nonsense, that features a young Sam Allardyce, wearing a thong and basted to within an inch of his life with suntan lotion on a Spanish beach, being buried up to his neck for hours as a forfeit for losing a wrestling match with one of his Preston team-mates and becoming so hungry during his incarceration that he ate 14 fried eggs in one sitting afterwards.
While The Fiver is prepared to doubt the veracity of this possibly apocryphal story on the grounds that we can’t imagine how anyone covered in lotion could possibly be pinned into submission for a three-count, we couldn’t help but wonder if Big Sam wasn’t perhaps yearning for those days of puckish seaside abandon on the long drive to meet his bosses at FA HQ on Tuesday morning. It might be his head that he would now rather have buried in the sand …
5.00pm BST
Bit of legal insight on what could happen next from Greg Burgess, an employment law specialist at DMH Stallard:
Allardyce is apparently on a contract which sees him through to the end of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The FA’s lawyers will be focusing on two key parts of his contract – firstly, they will look to see what provisions there are for early termination on notice; secondly, they may look at whether Allardyce’s actions are sufficient to justify summary dismissal, without notice or any further payment.
If they deem his comments to the undercover reporters do show a severe breach of trust, or a breach of a code of conduct that is central to the contract, then this may justify summary dismissal. If we see an agreed statement to the press, then that may suggest a deal has been done through which the FA pay monies to Allardyce, but the precise terms would inevitably be subject to confidentiality obligations.”
4.50pm BST
Little bit of breaking news involving another with England links – the former under-21s caretaker manager Nigel Pearson, who was a 50-1 shot for the senior side’s vacancy earlier in the year, “will not be carrying out his duties” for Derby County at tonight’s league match at Cardiff.
A statement on the club’s website says:
4.41pm BST
A different angle on what emerged in Allardyce’s meeting with undercover reporters, and a very interesting one.
Claire Mitchell, a research speech and language therapist at the University of Manchester, argues that Allardyce’s ridiculing of Roy Hodgson’s speech should be grounds for dismissal in this Opinion piece …
We know it is not acceptable in society today to offend or insult people because of their gender, race or disability. We also know it is not acceptable to be offensive to people because of the way they look, their weight and their hair colour. So why do we still find it acceptable to mock people for their speech and the way they sound?
This is highlighted in the derogatory way the previous England football manager, Roy Hodgson, has been mocked again for the way he pronounces his “r” sound – this time by his successor. If Sam Allardyce does lose the job it won’t be for referring to Roy as “Woy” – but perhaps it should be.
4.34pm BST
Hello – Stuart here taking over from Tony.
While we await word from the FA’s talks with Allardyce, others have been weighing in. Earlier this afternoon Ian Wright was a guest on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Afternoon Edition:
Former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright believes it would be a “a terrible shame” if Allardyce lost the England job for “non-footballing reasons”.
“When you look at Sam and his career, he was never ever going to get the opportunity to manage a top four club. He got the England job and for him to now stand on the brink of losing that job is a crying shame.”
4.17pm BST
Kaveh Solhekol at Sky Sports is reporting that Sam Allardyce has finished his talks with Football Association executives for the day. The reporter also reveals on Twitter that he has been given a list of seven managers who have been “stung by the Telegraph”, including the names of “two ex-international” coaches.
Sam Allardyce has held discussions with FA about his future. Discussions now over
Given list with names of 7 managers who fear they've been stung by Telegraph just like Sam Allardyce. 5 English, 2 ex international managers
4.02pm BST
Damian Collins, the acting chair of the House of Commons select committee for culture, media and sport, says if the allegations against Allardyce are proven to be true the England manager’s position is “untenable”. The MP for Folkestone & Hythe has made his comments known on Twitter.
Allardyce story leaves big questions for FA on policing 3rd party ownership rules and for the broader poor culture of football governance
If the allegations against Sam Allardyce are proven to be true his position is simply untenable and he should resign @BBCNews
3.58pm BST
Veteran football scribe Brian Glanville has given Sam Allardyce short shrift today. “The very embodiment of greed ... a voracious lout,” he opines in his World Soccer piece.
3.51pm BST
Sam Allardyce is far from the first England manager to find himself embroiled in a problem that has nothing to do with his ability to coach the national team. Dominic Fifield takes us on an entertaining tour of ‘England managers and off-field controversies: from Revie to Hodgson’.
3.46pm BST
Related: England managers and off-field controversies: from Revie to Hodgson
2.43pm BST
New information released by the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday claims Sam Allardyce also complained about the United Kingdom’s tax system, taking aim at HM Revenue and Customs.
The England manager was reported to have said: “The most corrupt business in our country would be what? You’ll be shocked when I tell you this - HMRC.
Exclusive: Sam Allardyce claimed HMRC is 'the most corrupt business in Britain' #football4sale https://t.co/QZPrvA5Gh7 pic.twitter.com/OwAncqXEtc
2.28pm BST
Wondering what third party ownership is and why it's been banned? Thought not, but here's a video we made in 2014: https://t.co/w9k3vmuZr7
1.48pm BST
One question which will arise from the Sam Allardyce story is the ethical one about using undercover reporters to gather information. The Guardian’s media commentator Roy Greenslade has given his verdict and thinks the Telegraph was justified in the sting operation it carried out.
My unhesitating answer, based on my reading of the newspaper’s articles (and not on any extra inside knowledge) is yes.
There is a clear public interest justification in knowing that a man employed by the Football Association is offering advice on how to circumvent its rules.
Why the Daily Telegraph's Sam Allardyce sting was justified https://t.co/cuwUBV44WV pic.twitter.com/9vSvDPbwAx
1.38pm BST
West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has said she is “saddened and disappointed” at the allegations against Allardyce. Brady worked alongside the England manager when he was Hammers manager from 2011 to 2015.
“This is a man who spent his whole life trying to get that job and got it in his 60s,” she told BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat. “And what a great shame if he loses that job through non-footballing reasons. And I think he’ll be disappointed in himself.”
1.35pm BST
Arsène Wenger has said he hopes Sam Allardyce can keep his job as the England manager heads to Wembley for talks with Football Association executives about his future following the widely publicised comments he made to undercover reporters.
In response to a question requesting his comments about the Telegraph story, the Arsenal manager said: “I can’t tell you anything about Sam because I don’t know. I really haven’t read the story. I wouldn’t like to come out on that as the story is too heavy. Let Sam defend himself and just hope he will clear his name.”
1.07pm BST
Chico Flores is having the last laugh on Twitter over the Sam Allardyce affair. Back in 2013 the former Swansea defender was laughed at by Allardyce, who was then West Ham manager, when the player went down rather dramatically after a clash with the Hammers’ Carlton Cole. Here’s footage of the incident from the Clare Balding show on BT Sport. This morning Flores couldn’t help but have a dig.
pic.twitter.com/0GckjawZqO
12.40pm BST
The Football Association hierarchy are holding a series of emergency meetings at Wembley to determine the future of the England manager, Sam Allardyce, after allegations he offered advice on how to circumvent the governing body’s rules on player transfers.
The FA’s recently appointed chairman, Greg Clarke, is speaking with the chief executive, Martin Glenn, to discuss the comments made by Allardyce to undercover reporters from the Daily Telegraph. The hierarchy are understood to be disturbed by the allegations, which were made in two meetings secretly filmed in London and Manchester and surfaced just 67 days after Allardyce had secured what he had claimed was his “dream job”.
Related: FA holding crisis talks as Sam Allardyce fights to keep England manager’s job
12.23pm BST
Sky Sports are reporting that Sam Allardyce is adamant his actions were not corrupt and that he was “badly advised” over his meeting with the reporters posing as Far East businessmen. The England manager has also told them he will be issuing an apology to his predecessor Roy Hodgson over remarks he made about him.
Sam Allardyce believes his comments ill advised but not corrupt, and he plans to apologise to Roy Hodgson for "deeply embarrassing" comments
Allardyce will tell FA he was approached about giving speeches on motivation and management not football & told hacks he'd need FA approval
Allardyce will say he was asked to give opinion on 3rd party ownership but now understands as England manager he was wrong to offer opinion
12.07pm BST
The Guardian has spoken to the chairman of the Football Association, Greg Clarke, who has confirmed that no decision has been taken on Sam Allardyce’s future. The England manager is understood to be on his way to Wembley where his future is being discussed by Clarke and FA chief executive Martin Glenn.
11.25am BST
Some reaction via Twitter to the Sam Allardyce sting and the fallout.
We can get on our high horses about FIFA etc. but we have a large glass house of our own.
The main problem for Sam Allardyce is that he appears to be giving advice on how to get around third party ownership rules.
One of Allardyce's biggest problems is - and always has been - the people he surrounds himself with. At the very least that needs addressing
10.57am BST
Pressure group Transparency International have responded to the revelations overnight by suggesting that suspensions may be necessary. “We would expect the Football Association – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country,” stated their executive director Robert Barrington, whose full statement reads:
These are extremely serious allegations. The scandals at FIFA have already shown how big money in football can lead to corruption. Further allegations are apparently to be set out by the Daily Telegraph over the coming days. We would expect the FA – and any clubs implicated – to launch an immediate and independent investigation in response to any substantiated allegations to help keep the game clean in this country. During such investigations, organisations typically suspend employees against whom there is credible evidence, and cooperate fully with the authorities if there has been wrongdoing.
If there has been a breach of the Bribery Act, an investigation by the Serious Fraud Office should follow, and in such an investigation affected entities would come under scrutiny to demonstrate that they had in place adequate procedures to prevent bribery. The broadcasters and sponsors who pour money into the game should also be making sure that their sponsorship is not fuelling corruption.”
10.42am BST
Sam Allardyce could end his England career with a 100% record. If he has to make an exit who can we expect to be in the running for the job, which, if you need reminding, is the best-paid managerial post in world football. The odds with all the bookmakers are supplied here by Oddschecker and these are the leading candidates according to the people at Paddy Power.
10.23am BST
One question our useful feature doesn’t answer is what exactly is the England boss drinking in the picture on the front page of the Telegraph. The beverage is in a pint glass but it’s definitely not beer and doesn’t look like lager. Football365 are suggesting it’s wine and have a terrace chant already prepared.
Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allardyce met possible business partners; he drank a pint of wine. Allard
10.17am BST
Colleague Matthew Weaver has put together one of those very useful Q&As summarising the key issues arising from the Telegraph story. You can find out what Sam Allardyce is accused of here and what the implications are.
10.07am BST
The experts have spoken ... and this one’s too close to call. The big guns from the sports desks in Fleet Street (some shorthand terms will never die) have had their say and the consensus appears to be that it’s “50-50” whether Big Sam stays or he has to go.
8.56am BST
England football manager Sam Allardyce is facing an investigation by the Football Association, only two months after starting what he described as his dream job, following a newspaper sting in which he was secretly taped negotiating a £400,000 deal with reporters posing as Far East businessmen.
Crucially, Allardyce was caught on camera giving advice on how to “get round rules” about third-party ownership of players. In footage, filmed by an undercover Daily Telegraph investigations team, Allardyce says it is “not a problem” to bypass the rules introduced by the FA in 2008.
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