Ever since Roy Hodgson resigned as England manager following another pathetic showing at a tournament, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce has been the bookies favourite to replace him.
The FA approached the Black Cats for permission to talk to Big Sam. After persuasion from the man himself, the club agreed.
Since then, we have been stuck in limbo. Our pre-season has been disrupted after Sam flew home to be interviewed and we’re struggling to sign players because they don’t know who they will be playing under.
It is no wonder Ellis Short is foaming with the governing body.
After once again surviving a relegation battle, it seemed as though Sunderland finally had the chance to progress under a manager that “got” the club. Now, as things stand, relegation is a certainty.
Whilst we’d be reluctant to see him go, England can have Big Sam if they want him. He’s also more than welcome to stay at Sunderland – but we need an answer soon.
Should he go, the FA end their hunt and Sunderland can give their new man two and a half weeks to sign the squad he wants and train them his way. Should he stay, Sam can start getting in the players that this team so desperately needs.
Yet, today, we are told in the press that Steve Bruce has been interviewed for the role and it is known that the FA also want to interview Eddie Howe when Bournemouth return from their pre-season tour. That is completely unacceptable.
Sunderland need answers and they need them now. If Sam resigns, he may be without a job should he once again fail to get the international gig. Should Short sack Sam, the club will lose any compensation paid to them by the FA if he does get the job. Leave things as they are, we face going into the season without any new players.
Something has to give and as a lifelong fan of this club, I beg the FA to get on with it for the sake of this fantastic football team.
