Allardyce: ‘Too early’ to decide captaincy

New England manager Sam Allardyce has admitted that he hasn’t decided whether Wayne Rooney will carry on as captain of the national team.

Allardyce came up against the English press for the first time since his appointment as the new Three Lions manager on Monday after being handed the reins last week.

The former West Ham and Newcastle boss, who succeeds Roy Hodgson in the hotseat, was beaming from ear to ear as he began answering questions after quitting Sunderland to take the job he has coveted for many years.

First on the agenda for Allardyce was the future of Rooney and whether the forward would continue his captaincy under the new regime and ‘Big Sam’ didn’t give much away.

“No, it’s far too early [to say whether Rooney will be captain] or make any more predictions of that kind.” he told reporters.

Allardyce was clearly delighted to be new the boss as he spoke to the assembled media and says he is already focused on qualifying for the World Cup.

“I have a very warm feeling about taking up this position. I’m very proud. First of all I want to qualify for the World Cup and take it from there.”

The 61-year-old thinks he is a good “fit” for the job and is relishing the opportunity to “challenge” himself.

“It was 10 years since I was last interviewed and to sit here is a huge thrill to me. I think fit the chair,” he says.

“I have the experience to pass and to challenge myself. I think five Premier League clubs has given me a huge amount of experience. It’s the most any manager has managed at, five clubs.

“Man-management is my thing. I want players to enjoy themselves and to improve.”