‘Big Sam’ admits error of judgement
BOLTON: Sam Allardyce admitted an “error of judgement” on Wednesday after his career as England manager came to a humiliating end following controversial comments made to undercover reporters.
“Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that,” Allardyce told reporters outside his home in Bolton.
Allardyce added he had simply been helping out a longstanding associate.
“I think that on reflection it was a silly thing to do,” he said. “But just to let everybody know, I sort of helped out what was somebody I’d known for 30 years (football agent Scott McGarvey).
“Unfortunately it was an error of judgment on my behalf and I’ve paid the consequences,” he added the morning after he was forced out of the England job following a mere 67 days in charge of the national side.
Meanwhile, amid reports he had a received a £1 million (1.1 million euros) pay-off, Allardyce apologised to England’s governing Football Association, his former employers, as he refused to rule out a future role in football.
“The agreement was done very amicably with the FA and I apologise to those and all concerned in the unfortunate position I’ve put myself in,” he added. “I have a confidentiality agreement and I can’t answer any more questions. I am going to go and reflect on it,” explained Allardyce, who was preparing Wednesday to go on holiday with his wife.
Allardyce also wished England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate, who has been put in charge of the senior team’s next four matches, well for the future. “I am off abroad just to chill out and to reflect.”
Asked if the England job would be his last in football, he replied: “Who knows. We’ll wait and see.”