Sam Allardyce expresses interest in Ireland job
Former England boss Sam Allardyce has thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant Ireland job and insists he plays ‘winning football’.
The 69-year-old has been out of work since June after a 30-day spell at Leeds United where, assisted by Robbie Keane, he failed to keep the club in the Premier League during his four-match stint.
The England native, whose managerial CV includes stints in charge at West Ham, Everton and Bolton Wanderers, has now expressed interest in becoming Ireland boss following the departure of Stephen Kenny last month, after the FAI decided not to renew his contract at the conclusion of a poor Euro 2024 qualification campaign.
Allardyce also feels Ireland have ‘failed’ under Kenny in recent years, and while he says there has been no official offer from the FAI as of yet, he insists he’d be interested in an interview for the hot seat.
“Yes, I would always have an interest and always like to speak to them, of course,” said Allardyce, speaking at the Second Captains live show in Dublin last Friday.
“It would be nice to be interviewed and see where they’re going and what they’re thinking. Of course, it’s just a short journey over by plane.”
“You’re not to forget, I spent a full season at Limerick. That was an eye-opener to say the least,” added Allardyce, who, as player/manager, led Limerick to the 1991/92 First Division title in his first job in management
“Nobody has officially made any offer, in terms of whatever shortlist may have been brought up. Obviously that’s all done through my agent which is the way things go today.
Allardyce also feels that under Kenny, the national side have failed of late having slipped from 34th to 60th in the FIFA world rankings under the Dubliner’s watch, as well as losing six out of eight Euro 2024 qualifiers this year.
“Whoever they choose is a big decision for them, of course, because obviously they have failed a bit recently in the last few seasons to say the least,” said Allardyce.
“I don’t know whether that’s the manager, or whether that’s a combination of the manager and of course the team.
“You have got to get the best out of your players and getting the best out of your players is not all about… I don’t know whether you have got the brainwashing over here about playing tippy-tappy football.
“I’ve always been pragmatic in terms of, how good are the players and we will suit a system and a style for those players, play to their strengths, and of course try and cover their weaknesses when alls said and done.
“If you’re playing a team that is so much better than you, it will be about what you can do with the limited possession you’ve got and how good you are at defending to try and get the opportunity to score a goal to win a game of football.
“I play winning football, that’s what I play.”
