His career began in the League of Ireland but after a long time waiting, Sam Allardyce's dream of managing England is about to come true.
The FA are expected to name the current Sunderland manager as the new national team boss in the next 24 hours, following the resignation of Roy Hodgson after England's Euro 2016 humiliation.
Allardyce and Hull City boss Steve Bruce were interviewed over the last few days while Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe and USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann have also been linked with the vacancy.
There are widespread reports this evening though saying Allardyce will get the job and Mark Noble - who played under him at West Ham - feels he is the right manThe 61-year-old was famously overlooked for the job when Steve McLaren was appointed in 2006 and it obviously hurt him at the timeBig Sam's managerial career began on these shores and despite financial issues at the club, he got Limerick promoted to the Premier Division as player-manager in 1992.
He went on to manage Preston North End, Blackpool, Notts County, Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Sunderland.
Allardyce was never short on self-belief and always felt that he could manage at a bigger club and, even though tongue-in-cheek, explained once why he thought they never considered hiring him.
"I won’t ever be going to a top-four club because I’m not called Allardici, just Allardyce."
Now he has a BIG job and one of his former Bolton stalwarths Kevin Davies told Sky Sports, he doesn't believe that his lack of experience with a big club will be a disadvantage
