Sunderland have give permission to the FA to speak to manager Sam Allardyce, about the vacant England job.

One of the favourites

​Former manager Roy Hodgson resigned from his post after the country's embarrassing exit from Euro 2016.

Allardyce has been one of the favourites for the job, alongside the likes of; Eddie Howe, Steve Bruce and Jurgen Klinsmann.

Allardyce left the Black Cats pre-season training camp in Austria, believed to be heading back to front the club's transfer efforts.

However it is now been confirmed that Allardyce was interviewed for the role, at the house of FA Vice-Chairman David Gill, on Tuesday evening.

A Sunderland AFC statement read: "The Football Association contacted Sunderland AFC to seek permission to speak with our manager as part of what was supposed to be a confidential discussion process with potential candidates for the position of England manager."

Above: Sam Allardyce's celebrating Sunderland AFC's survival after their 3-0 win over Everton | Photo: PA
Above: Sam Allardyce's celebrating Sunderland AFC's survival after their 3-0 win over Everton | Photo: PA

Swift resolution

Allardyce has had a major impact at the Stadium of Light, since coming in for Dick Advocaat back in October.

The manager and his signings played a huge role in the club's eventual survival and in a club statement, Sunderland said they are looking for swift resolution to their managers situation.

It read: "Sam is very much key to our plans. After what was an extremely challenging season, we are keen to see a period of stability, both on and off the field, and we want him to remain as manager of our football club."

They concluded: "The ongoing speculation over Sam’s position is extremely damaging to Sunderland AFC, particularly at this crucial time of the season and we urge the FA to respect the disruption that this process is causing and bring about a swift resolution to the matter."

Sunderland AFC will take on Hartlepool United at Victoria Park on Wednesday, July 20 with kick-off at 7:30pm BST.

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About the author
Danial  Kennedy
Award-winning sports journalism graduate. Currently studying a PR Masters at the University of Sunderland. Writing for VAVEL since August 2014. Twitter - @ddkjournalism.