New England manager Sam Allardyce believes it is just the right time in his career for him to be taking on what some have called the impossible job.
Allardyce, who will give his first news conference today, has left Premier League club Sunderland to succeed Roy Hodgson with the England team at a low ebb after poor performances at the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.
Allardyce, 61, was upset to be overlooked for the job in 2006 after being interviewed before Steve McClaren was appointed.
Ten years on, he is convinced the extra decade in management will prove beneficial in a job successive managers have found comes with elevated expectations and intense media scrutiny.
“It is the right time for me,” he told the English Football Association’s website (www.thefa.com).
“I’m at the right age with the right experience. Hopefully I can pass on that knowledge to the team and the staff that works behind the team to try to get a very happy camp that becomes successful.”
Allardyce will be expected to devote more time than previous England managers to all age groups, working at St George’s Park, the national football headquarters in Burton where today’s news conference will take place (1000GMT).
He can expect to face questions about his supposed preference for direct football, a reputation he has never been able to shake off.
It proved costly in his four years at West Ham United from 2011-15, where supporters never took to him and his contract was not renewed.
Sunderland fans were more grateful after he took over last October with the team bottom but one in the Premier League and steered them to safety as bitter local rivals Newcastle United were relegated instead.
Sunderland appointed the former Everton, Manchester United and Real Sociedad manager David Moyes to succeed Allardyce on Saturday.
Allardyce told his players to use their shock Euro 2016 exit at the hands of Iceland as motivation for the future on Saturday.
Allardyce, who dramatically kept Sunderland in the Premier League last season, wants a young England team to stay positive despite the recent disappointments.
“It’s a very bitter experience as we all know but that inner drive...
Players should keep that, they should hold it and use it as a positive, say ‘we don’t want to experience that again’,” he said in an interview with FATV.
“I think first and foremost it’s about regaining, perhaps, a bit of confidence they have lost after the Euros. Let’s get started from day one. Let’s put that to bed, let’s start delivering, gain from the experience that you gained at the Euros.
“We are going to get into the qualifiers, try to qualify for the World Cup and when we go next time we’re better prepared, I think mentally, to succeed.”
Allardyce, who was overlooked for the England job when Steve McClaren was appointed for his ill-fated spell as manager in 2006, brings a wealth of experience having managed five different Premier League clubs.
But his task is a difficult one as England remain without a major trophy since their World Cup triumph 50 years ago, and without a semi-final appearance since hosting Euro 96.
He also used his first interview as manager to give a rallying call to the English supporters.
“There’s nothing wrong with England fans, they have supported the team through thick and thin and there’s nothing wrong with the support they give,” he said.
“Fans will get behind you if you’re hitting that level.
If you’re showing that passion and commitment but ultimately that quality, that team spirit they recognise they will get behind it and support you.
“We all have to face criticism at this level; the level of criticism sometimes is far greater at international level because it’s just a short time together, but also praise is also far greater as well.
“We have to accept both for what it is.”
Allardyce’s two-year deal includes the task of trying to bring a clear identity to the junior sides as well as the first team.
“Man-management, I think,” he said when asked what he would bring to the job.
“(And) creating a backroom staff that delivers a great service in all areas and departments.
You have to manage that, not just manage players but manage staff, to delegate to them and give confidence to produce the qualities they have which are actually better qualities than me.”
Allardyce, who has never won a major trophy in his 22-year managerial career, will see his players in action for the first time in a friendly at Wembley on September 1 against an as yet unnamed opponent.