Finally, Allardyce confirmed England manager

Sam Allardyce, the former Sunderland coach, has been confirmed as the new England manager.

Allardyce is on a two-year initial contract.

The 61-year-old leaves his post at Sunderland with immediate effect to succeed Roy Hodgson as England’s first-team boss.

The FA announced the appointment on Friday after striking a deal worth £3m with Sunderland.

“It’s official. We are delighted to announce that Sam Allardyce is the new manager of the Three Lions,” said the official England Twitter.

The club itself tweeted: “Sunderland AFC confirms the departure of Sam Allardyce, who takes up the position of England manager with immediate effect.”

A happy Allardyce described the job as”absolutely the best job in English football” and promised to “deliver”.

“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,” he told the FA’s official website.

“I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve. Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud.

“While my main focus will be on the senior team and getting positive results, I want to add my influence to the great work being done across the development teams at St. George’s Park – a facility I have used with my previous clubs.

“I know we have talented, committed players and it is time for us to deliver.”

Allardyce leaves Sunderland after nine months, having helped save them from relegation against all odds last season.

Allardyce, an experienced Premier League manager with Bolton, West Ham and Sunderland narrowly missed out on the job when it was given to Steve McClaren 10 years ago and has frequently spoken of his desire to manage his country.

Allardyce’s first match in charge will be the World Cup 2018 qualifier against Slovakia on September 4 before back-to-back qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia in October.

Current and former Manchester United managers Jose Mourinho and Alex Ferguson are among those to have expressed their support for Allardyce in the role.