Sam Allardyce is set for a sensational return to football with the USA men’s team role becoming vacant after Jurgen Klinsmann’s dismissal. The former England boss ruled himself out of the Leicester City job but is 2/1 with bookmakers to take over managing the US Mens National Team (USMNT).
ESPN reports that Allardyce is highly regarded in US football circles and following revelations in the UK media, the Daily Telegraph sting which led to his dismissal from his “dream job”.
Doubts were cast upon the ethics of the newspaper’s reporters in obtaining their story to the point where Allardyce is practicallly redeemed in football’s eyes. Not enough for English clubs yet and moving abroad may provide a clean break from his past.
Allardyce is keen to return to football management but faces strong competition from Laurent Blanc, the former PSG manager. However, Blanc is believed to be waiting to see how France fair at Russia 2018 before making a decision over his future with Didier Deschamps likely to leave if Les Bleus have a poor tournament.
Bruce Arena’s departure created the vacancy as the USMNT sunk to new lows in the CONCACAF qualifying campaign, missing out entirely on Russia 2018 following defeat to Trinidad and Tobago.
However, there may be further casualties of that failure with USSF chief Sunil Gulati under severe pressure to resign at what is seen as a massive retrograde step for soccer in the United States.
