SAM ALLARDYCE is the man being lined to become the new face of Indian football, according to bizarre reports.
The former England manager has been without a job after leaving Everton last summer but has an impressive 100% win rate on the international stage.
The 64-year-old became the national side’s shortest-serving full-time manager when he left his role by mutual consent after just 67 days in September 2016.
However, an injury-time goal from Liverpool’s Adam Lallana against Slovakia meant Allardyce also incidentally has the best win ratio for a full-time England manager.
Allardyce has expressed his desire to have a second shot at international management and shown his interest in becoming the new India boss, according to Sportstar.
He said in 2017: “International football is completely different from Premier League football.
It would depend on the opportunity and how successful that international team can be
Allardyce on a return to international football
“And having worked at six clubs and kept three of them up after coming in midway through the season – what more can I achieve?
“Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal aren’t going to come in for me so maybe international football would be a challenge I would be willing to take.
“It would depend on the opportunity and how successful that international team can be.”
India have never participated in the World Cup and finished bottom of their group in the Asian Cup in January which let to Stephen Constantine’s resignation.
Allardyce, who was also keen on succeeding Martin O’Neill as Republic of Ireland manager, faces competition from another ex-England boss.
Sven-Goran Eriksson, who was in charge of the Three Lions for five years until 2006, has also reportedly notified the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of his availability.
However, sportskeeda believe the Swede is unlikely to be appointed because the AIFF doesn’t consider his achievements worthy enough to justify the salary.
A senior AIFF official said: “We have received a lot of applications and now the process of shortlisting will begin. The Technical Committee will be informed of the shortlisted candidates and based on their view, the coach will be finalised.”
