Greg Dyke confirms Sam Allardyce as England's No 1 choice

Sam Allardyce signs autographs for supporters during Sunderland's pre-season friendly at Hartlepool on Wednesday night. Picture: PA.

SAM ALLARDYCE will be appointed as England's next manager at Thursday's Football Association board meeting at Wembley, outgoing chairman Greg Dyke has confirmed.

Allardyce has been selected as Roy Hodgson’s replacement by a three-man panel comprising FA chief executive Martin Glenn, vice-chairman David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth, beating out the likes of Steve Bruce, Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klinsmann.

Reports suggest Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger had been their first-choice but with no indication the Frenchman would accept the job, the Sunderland boss won out.

The meeting represents Dyke’s final day in office after three years and, although he was not involved in the head-hunting process, he will be present as Glenn and Gill present their reasons for nominating Allardyce.

FA chairman Greg Dyke Picture: John Walton/PA.

Asked if Allardyce was the man for the job Dyke said: “Clearly the three-man group are convinced he’s the right man and I go along with that, yes.

Sam Allardyce: So, what do you want to know?

“We appointed a three-man committee to go out and look at all the candidates, come back with a recommendation who they thought was the best man. They’ve taken that decision and obviously we’ll agree with them.

“I think you’d have to ask them but as far as I understand it that’s the discussion.”

Once that is ratified the business of finalising the details will take precedence - with personal terms still to be settled and a compensation package for Sunderland among the outstanding issues.