Jose Mourinho
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has backed the appointment of Sam Allardyce as England manager – which is expected to be confirmed on Thursday.
“He is a good motivator and can create a good team spirit. I wish him the best,” said Mourinho.
“From my side, I promise to try to make sure the English players are always available in good condition.”
Ex-England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson also backed Allardyce, saying he had always performed in English football.
“I think it is good. Sam’s been in English football for a long time. He’s always been doing very well,” Eriksson told BBC Sport.
But Eriksson, who led England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments between 2001 and 2006, warned success was “not that easy”.
“What is successful for England? Is it quarter-final or semi-final? Winning?” asked Eriksson, who now manages Shanghai SIPG in the Chinese Super League.
Sunderland boss Allardyce, 61, was interviewed for the England job by hte Football Association (FA) when Eriksson left after the 2006 World Cup.
“If the FA want an Englishman he is one of several good names. I wish him the best of luck,” continued Eriksson, 68.
“I know he is very organised. He knows all the players and he wants the job.”
Eriksson said that a result like England’s Euro 2016 last-16 defeat by Iceland, which led to Roy Hodgson’s resignation, “should not happen”.
“I know the fans and the FA are dreaming about reaching semi-finals and finals and winning a big tournament,” he said, adding that England’s World Cup triumph in 1966 was “a long time ago”.
Source:: PM Newspaper
