Sam Allardyce says now is ‘the right time’ for him to become manager of the England team.
The 61-year-old was confirmed as Roy Hodgson’s successor on Friday afternoon, agreeing an initial two-year deal to lead the Three Lions into the 2018 World Cup qualifying process.
Allardyce came close to landing the job in 2006, when the then-Bolton boss missed out to Steve McClaren.
But, after what he says was a nervous wait, Big Sam was informed at the end of last week that he would be the new England manager.
“It’s been a whirlwind couple of days, I have to say,” Allardyce said in the first part of an exclusive interview with FATV.
“And of course you are often wondering and thinking if it is going to be yourself. Are they going to choose you this time? Certainly for me it was a very nervous occasion to wait and see who would be successful.
“When you finally get the call you are absolutely delighted that you are the most successful in the interviews and you are the way forward for the England team.
“For me, with my experience, now it is the right time. It is the right time for me. 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.”
Watch part one of FATV's exclusive interview with Sam Allardyce
Allardyce, who will face the media at St. George’s Park on Monday, admitted that he has been dreaming of the role ever since taking up his first managerial position, at Irish second-tier side Limerick, 25 years ago.
“As a youngster you start and you dream of playing football,” he explained, “and, when you finally make it, your next dream has to be what is the next level for you.
“You dream of being a manager, you achieve it and you work your way through the ranks and you look for the ultimate goal.
“If you strive for the ultimate goal you might never get there but if you keep going and keep being successful ultimately you will.
“So for me it is a privileged position to now get to the top of the tree, the top of the ladder and this job couldn’t be bigger. No job is bigger than this for me.”
