England boss Allardyce resigns in disgrace
Sam Allardyce has resigned as England manager after just one game in charge after being secretly filmed talking about how to break FA rules.
The Football Association confirmed on Wednesday (AEST) that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager after just 67 days in charge.
After just one game at the helm — a 1-0 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Slovakia — Allardyce hit trouble after damning footage of him was secretly filmed by journalists from The Telegraph in the UK posing as businessmen, and showed him talking about how to beat third-party ownership rules.
"Allardyce's conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager," an FA statement read.
"He accepts he made a significant error of judgement and has apologised. However, due to the serious nature of his actions, The FA and Allardyce have mutually agreed to terminate his contract with immediate effect.
"This is not a decision that was taken lightly but The FA's priority is to protect the wider interests of the game and maintain the highest standards of conduct in football. The manager of the England men's senior team is a position which must demonstrate strong leadership and show respect for the integrity of the game at all times."
England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has been put in temporary charge of the national side, which tumbled out of UEFA Euro 2016 after losing to Iceland in an upset that cost Roy Hodgson his job at the helm and saw Allardyce put in charge.
Southgate will oversee the next four England matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain as another search for a new England manager begins.
"The FA wishes Sam well in the future," the FA statement concluded.
