England New Manager Allardyce Can't Stop Smiling

Allardyce was confirmed as Roy Hodgson's successor on Friday after putting pen to paper on a two-year contract and agreeing his departure from Sunderland.

 A laughing Sam Allardyce has spoken of waiting "many, many years" for the England job in his first message to supporters as the national team's new manager.

The new boss looked in a state of delighted disbelief in a video message which saw him vow to make the country proud of their national team again.

The 37-second clip starts with Allardyce, 61, chuckling into the camera before pointing a finger forward as he struggles to get his words out.

"Get that smile… I can't imagine… I can't imagine why we can't get that smile… Excuse me, I can't stop smiling because I've got this job," the former West Ham and Bolton Wanderers manager says.

"This is a job that I've waited for for many, many years and I am absolutely delighted that I am sat in this privileged position of being the English national team manager.

It's going to a be a great thrill for me to take the team forward from the nation's point of view and hopefully make everybody so proud of the England team again."

Allardyce had earlier posed for his first photos in England gear, sporting a Three Lions-branded Nike polo shirt to accompany another big grin.

His joy comes from finally getting hold of a job that he has craved for more than 10 years.

Allardyce was interviewed for the manager's role in 2006 and was famously unable to deliver a PowerPoint presentation due to the FA's lack of available equipment.

Now, though, he finally has the top job and Allardyce has pledged that it is 'time to deliver' after his public unveiling on Friday.

Allardyce said: 

"I am extremely honoured to be appointed England manager, especially as it is no secret that this is the role I have always wanted.

"For me, it is absolutely the best job in English football. I will do everything I can to help England do well and give our nation the success our fans deserve.

"Above all, we have to make the people and the whole country proud."

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