‘The world will be laughing at us’ – Rio Ferdinand’s damming verdict after Sam Allardyce leaves role as England manager

'Comical': Former England captain reacts to Allardyce's departure
Chris Brunskill/Getty Images
Richard Parry28 September 2016

Sam Allardyce’s departure as England manager will leave the footballing world ‘laughing at us’ said Rio Ferdinand.

Allardyce lasted just 67 days in the role following his appointment on July 22, after Roy Hodgson advocated the role following England’s disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.

The 61-year-old’s position became untenable following what the FA considers an ‘inappropriate and significant error of judgement’ following the revelations from the Daily Telegraph’s investigation.

Footage emerged on Monday night from an undercover operation in which Allardyce is claimed to have met people who he thought were representatives of a Far East firm from which a £400,000 deal was said to be negotiated.

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

Following emergency talks with FA chiefs at Wembley Stadium this morning, English football’s governing body confirmed that Allardyce had left his role my mutual consent.

Reacting to the news, BT Sport pundit and Evening Standard columnist Ferdinand branded the situation ‘comical’.

In Pictures: Sam Allardyce's managerial career

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“The rest of the football community around the world will be laughing at us,” said Ferdinand, while working as a pundit for BT Sport.

“The England role has become comical. This was a man who was passionate about getting the job. He forced the FA to act. Naivety seems to be the word coming up. It’s disappointing for English football.”

England Under-21 coach Gareth Southgate will take charge of the senior squad for their next four matches, including the forthcoming World Cup qualifier against Malta on October 8.

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