Allardyce the right man - Mourinho

Forum 7 years ago

Allardyce the right man - Mourinho

The Manchester United boss has backed his friend to deliver in his new role, which he is expected to take up on Thursday, following the resignation of Roy Hodgson
Jose Mourinho believes Sam Allardyce is the “right person” for the job of England manager, and has wished him good luck in ending the Three Lions’ long trophy drought.

The Football Association is set to confirm Sunderland boss Allardyce as Roy Hodgson’s successor on Thursday, and, speaking in Shanghai ahead of his club’s involvement in the International Champions Cup, the Manchester United manager backed Allardyce to succeed in the role which to many has become a poisoned chalice.

“You are a complicated country for the person that gets the job! I think he’s the right person for that. I think he’s a good choice but I think he needs support,” Mourinho said.

“I think you can do better in respect of that, because my experience in your country shows me that in the football world you could do a bit better.

“I think Sam has never had the big chance at the highest level, lots of experience in the Premier League but never that big one.
But now he has the big one, so I think he is more than ready.
I think he is a good motivator, I think he can create a good team spirit with his players.

“I wish him all the best. From my side, not just as a friend but as a Man United manager, the only thing I can promise is that I will try to support him in the best way, preparing the players for him, trying to have the English players available in good conditions to help him, and I hope he can do the same.”

The Portuguese boss added that it is high time England won a major trophy again following the solo success of the 1966 World Cup, even drawing parallels with his own nation’s first international title at Euro 2016.

“It is your time, you know! In Portugal we were waiting and waiting and finally we got it. I think it’s time for you because 66 was a long time ago.
So good luck, Big Sam.”