Allardyce says no to England
Sam Allardyce has committed his future to Newcastle United
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Thursday, 22, Nov 2007 10:02
Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has ruled himself out of the running for the England manager's job after the sacking of Steve McClaren.
Allardyce was one of the favourites to take the national job when he was at Bolton Wanderers.
He even admitted that he was interviewed by the Football Association (FA) before they handed the job to McClaren.
But the 53-year-old says circumstances are different now and he is committed to Newcastle where he only took over in the summer.
"I am contracted to Newcastle United and from my point of view, that contract needs to be honoured," said Allardyce.
"I am not in a position like I was at my old club where the chairman openly extended the invitation for me to go for the position. I am not in that position now."
Although he is not interested in the England job, Allardyce said he felt English football is not in a good state.
"The bottom line is are we really as good as we think we are? That's where the problem really lies, that we probably think we are better than we really are," said Allardyce.
"I do think the first 11, 14, perhaps 16 players are high quality for England, but looking at last night, after that we are finding it difficult at international level to cope."
Meanwhile, bookies' favourite Jose Mourinho has yet to comment on whether he is interested in the job. He has though expressed his disappointment at England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
"This is sad, a big loss for European football," said the former Chelsea manager.
"I was always a supporter of the England national team and England's clubs.
"A European Championships without England is not the same as one with them."