England manager Sam Allarydce could be out of a job sooner than many predicted after he offered advice to businessmen on how to get around FA rules on player transfers.
In an exclusive from The Telegraph, the former West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers manager used his England position to negotiate a £400,000 deal where he would advise a Far East firm on how to work around FA rules which prohibit third parties “owning” players.
Unfortunately for Allardyce, the businessmen were in fact undercover reporters who filmed their meetings with him as part of a bigger investigation into bribery and corruption in British football.
Allardyce insisted that others were “doing it all the time” while he also added that: “You can still get around it. I mean obviously the big money’s here.”
Aside from the damning evidence above, he also criticised former England boss Roy Hodgson, gave his verdict on why England players were performing well below expectations and criticised the FA for their decision to redevelop Wembley.
Further, former assistant Gary Neville also received criticism, and other comments will not reflect well on him as he assessed the situation left behind by his predecessor.
All in all, the 61-year-old has ultimately now landed himself in hot water, and it remains to be seen what action the FA take after they gather all the relevant evidence.
At a minimum, this is a hugely embarrassing situation for Allardyce, while many will even argue that it’s more than enough for him to face the sack having abused his position.
Having only replaced Hodgson after Euro 2016, it would undoubtedly be a huge shock to see Allardyce replaced already, but he may well have done enough to force that decision on the FA.