Sam Allardyce was confirmed as the new England manager on Friday, penning a deal as Roy Hodgson’s successor following the Three Lions’ humiliation at Euro 2016.

The FA announced the news:

Allardyce said: “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.

“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.”

The England manager’s job has been vacant since Hodgson resigned the position in the wake of his side’s 2-1 defeat to minnows Iceland, which saw them crash out of Euro 2016 in France at the last-16 stage.

Allardyce, 61 has his role as Sunderland manager in order to take up the top job with the national team.

Per BBC Sport, Arsenal‘s Arsene Wenger, Bournemouth‘s Eddie Howe, Hull City‘s Steve Bruce, United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann and former England manager Glenn Hoddle were all also linked with the job, but the Football Association has opted for Allardyce.

Over more than two decades Allardyce has managed a number of different clubs, most prominently Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Sunderland.

He kept intact his record of never being relegated from the Premier League in 2015-16 as he led the Black Cats to safety after taking over in October last year.

While not the most glamorous appointment for England, Allardyce is undoubtedly qualified to lead the national team as they look to regain some respectability following a largely disappointing four years under Hodgson.

The former Inter Milan, Udinese, Fulham and Liverpool boss managed to keep his job despite leading the Three Lions to a group-stage exit at World Cup 2014 in Brazil only to befall an arguably more embarrassing fate at Euro 2016.

As noted by Eurosport’s Graham Ruthven, “English football can’t afford to be snobbish any longer” and Allardyce’s oft-criticised simplistic style could be just what the Three Lions need to get the best out of the players available.

Allardyce’s first game in charge of England will a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Sept. 1. 

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