Gareth Southgate to manage England for next four games as FA search for Sam Allardyce replacement

Philipp Schmidli/Getty Images
Standard Sport28 September 2016

The FA has confirmed that England under-21s manager Gareth Southgate will take charge of the Three Lions' next four senior matches after Sam Allardyce's contract was terminated by mutual consent.

The decision to part company with Allardyce comes following an investigation into a newspaper sting which appeared to show the Three Lions boss advising reporters posing as businessmen how to sidestep transfer laws.

The 61-year-old was secretly filmed by the Daily Telegraph's investigations team in August and appeared to tell the group claiming to represent a Far East business that there are ways around rules prohibiting third-party ownership of players.

In the footage, Allardyce also criticises former England coach Gary Neville, while mockingly referring to his predecessor Roy Hodgson, who suffers from rhotacism, as "Woy".

It is also alleged he used his position as England manager to verbally agree a £400,000 business deal to fly out to Singapore and Hong Kong to be a keynote speaker.

Allardyce repeatedly told the undercover reporters that he would need to get clearance from his bosses at the FA before any deal could be finalised.

The FA has confirmed that England under-21s boss Southgate will oversee the senior team in the short term, releasing a statement on Tuesday evening which read: "The FA can confirm that Sam Allardyce has left his position as England manager.

"Allardyce's conduct, as reported today, was inappropriate of the England manager. 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.

"Gareth Southgate will take charge of the men's senior team for the next four matches against Malta, Slovenia, Scotland and Spain whilst The FA begins its search for the new England manager.

"The FA wishes Sam well in the future."

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