Sam Allardyce EXCLUSIVE: ‘It could have been me’ – Former England boss admits watching the World Cup was tough after being forced to leave role
Big Sam was speaking on talkSPORT show ‘On the Sporting Couch’ – tune in for the full interview on Sunday November 4 at 8pm
Sam Allardyce has admitted he found it hard to enjoy England's run to the World Cup semi-finals in the summer after his acrimonious dismissal from his role as coach in 2016.
The former England manager was speaking to sports broadcaster and psychotherapist Gary Bloom on the latest episode of talkSPORT’s ‘On the Sporting Couch’ – the second series begins on Sunday November 4 at 8pm.
The 64-year-old had to leave the job after just 67 days and one match - a 1-0 win over Slovakia - when the Daily Telegraph published the results of an undercover investigation.
His successor, Gareth Southgate, has been an inspired replacement, leading England to the last four of the World Cup in Russia, while he recently guided the Three Lions to a victory over Spain.
And Allardyce revealed it's been tough to watch on knowing he could have done something similar.
Latest Football News
“It took me a long time to be able to watch England after what had happened with the Telegraph," he told Gary Bloom on talkSPORT.
“I couldn’t watch the games at the beginning and I didn’t enjoy the World Cup as much as I had done in the past.
“It could have been me.
“That wouldn’t have been my team, I don't know whether I would have been as brave as Gareth was when he picked that side…
“But I think they’re on a great road now.
“It could have been me, but it isn’t.
“I’m comfortable in life and I’m comfortable with the position I’m in at the moment.
“Everton dumped me, we finished eighth and you’re still not good enough, so you have to move on.”
On the Sporting Couch starts on Sunday 4th November on talkSPORT with Sam Allardyce, with a podcast of each episode available on Acast.