Sam Not Out Of England Running

By Mark Heys
April 26 2006

Sam Allardyce has refused to rule himself out of the running to become the next England manager despite slipping out of favour in recent weeks

Allardyce had seen his Bolton team go six games without a win during the month of April and this was said to have unimpressed the powers that be at the Football Association who are now believed to have put Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren and Portuguese national boss Felipe Scolari at the top of their wish list to replace Sven Goran Eriksson after this summers World Cup.

However, despite the newspaper reports Big Sam says that he is still very much amongst the main contenders to become the next leader of the England national side and is waiting for a decision to be made.

"I'm still in the frame because no decision has been made yet. I haven't heard anything otherwise, I've had my [interview] opportunity, and I hope that was good enough, but we will have to wait and see."

"I appreciate that for The FA this is the biggest decision they have had to make since appointing Sven. There's been a few changes in the structure at The FA since then, so those in position at the moment have a responsibility to take as long as they need to hopefully find the right man.

"At this moment I am just waiting to hear a decision has been made and what that decision is."