Sam Allardyce confirmed as new England manager

The 61-year-old former West Ham and Sunderland boss has signed a lucrative two-year contract 

Sam Allardyce has replaced Roy Hodgson on initial two-year deal
The 61-year-old has option of a further two years depending on success
He beat off competition from Steve Bruce to land England job

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as England's new manager following weeks of speculation

Bruce left his role at Hull moments before Allardyce confirmation   

Sam Allardyce pledged it was 'time for us to deliver' after being confirmed as the new England manager on Friday. 

The 61-year-old has agreed an initial two-year deal with the Football Association, worth around £6million, and vowed to 'make the whole country proud'.

Allardyce wants to appoint Sammy Lee, with whom he enjoyed a very successful spell at Bolton Wanderers, as his assistant manager — as first revealed by MailOnline on Friday morning. 

'Dan Ashworth, David Gill and I have carried out a thorough process in the last three weeks and ultimately we could not look beyond Sam as the ideal candidate.'

Allardyce was still in the North East on Friday afternoon, saying goodbye to the players he guided to Premier League safety last season.

On Friday night, Sunderland were on the brink of appointing former Everton and Manchester United boss David Moyes as their new manager. 

Allardyce did not take training on Thursday or Friday, but had the opportunity to explain his decision and say his farewells to his squad and club employees.

He leaves Sunderland after activating a release clause in his contract and the club declined an opportunity to wish the England boss good luck in their statement announcing his departure.

ALLARDYCE'S PLAYING CAREER 

1971-1980: Bolton Wanderers

1980-81: Sunderland

1981-83: Millwall

1983: Tampa Bay Rowdies

1983-84: Coventry City

1984-85: Huddersfield Town

1985-86: Bolton Wanderers

1986-89: Preston North End

1989-1991: West Bromwich Albion

1991-92: Limerick

1992: Preston North End

It read: 'Sunderland AFC confirms the departure of Sam Allardyce, who takes up the position of England manager with immediate effect.

'The focus of everyone at Sunderland AFC now is on moving forward quickly and decisively, with the appointment of the club's new manager to be confirmed at the earliest opportunity.'

Allardyce will be presented at St George's Park on Monday, by which time he hopes to have finalised his backroom staff.

Lee, 57, had a part-time role with England under Sven Goran Eriksson from 2001 before going full-time until he joined Allardyce at Bolton in September 2005. He was also offered the chance to manage the Under 21s by Steve McClaren in 2006 but stayed at Bolton.

Lee and Allardyce enjoyed two successful years together at Bolton, achieving qualification for the UEFA Cup before Lee took over from Allardyce following his move to Newcastle United.

Ex-Liverpool midfielder Lee, who won 14 England caps, is out of work after leaving Southampton following Ronald Koeman's departure.