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Sam Allardyce says becoming the England manager is a 'privilege'

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New England manager Sam Allardyce says it's time for the team to deliver success after signing a two-year contract. Video courtesy of FATV

Sam Allardyce says he has not been able to stop smiling since it was confirmed that he is to become the new manager of the England team.

It was confirmed on Friday that the experienced 61-year-old is to leave his position at Sunderland, having been handed an initial two-year contract by the FA.

Rooney backs Allardyce hiring
Rooney backs Allardyce hiring

Wayne Rooney says new England boss Sam Allardyce is a 'good appointment'

Allardyce replaces Roy Hodgson, who stepped down after England were knocked out of Euro 2016 by Iceland last month.

Roy Hodgson si è dimesso: lascia la panchina inglese (Getty)
Image: Allardyce replaces Roy Hodgson (right) following England's poor Euro 2016 campaign

And Allardyce's first task will be to ensure England qualify for the next big tournament, the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The manager will soon be hard at work but on Friday he was able to celebrate the fulfilment of a long-held ambition, having been pipped to the job by Steve McClaren back in 2006.

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Kevin Davies, a former player of Allardyce, believes he can be a success with England

In a video posted by The FA, a laughing Allardyce said: "Excuse me, I can't stop smiling because I have got this job.

"This is a job I have waited for, for many, may years, and I am absolutely delighted that I now sit in this privileged position of being the England national team manager.

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Image: Allardyce led Sunderland to Premier League safety last season

"It is going to be a great thrill for me to take the team forward, from the nation's point of view, and hopefully make everybody proud of the England team again."

Allardyce will hold a news conference on Monday at St George's Park and his first match in charge will be a friendly at Wembley on Thursday 1 September against yet-to-be-named opponents, ahead of the World Cup 2018 qualifier in Slovakia on 4 September.

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