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Sam Allardyce has charmed ­Wearside by keeping Sunderland in the Premier League – but the Black Cats’ boss insists he isn’t sexy enough to take charge of England.

Big Sam admits that missing out on the England job to Steve McClaren in 2006 is the biggest regret of his career.

Ideally, the FA would like to appoint another Englishman when Roy Hodgson leaves his post, which could be this summer, depending on how the Three Lions perform at Euro 2016.

Allardyce, 61, hinted he would be ­interested, but is convinced his chance of realising the “ultimate dream’’ has gone and is channelling all his energies into consolidating Sunderland’s top-flight status.

(Image: Getty)

He said: “Aye, that’s gone. For me to be interested in the England job, Roy would probably have to leave at the end of the Euros – and would England be interested in me?

“They say they want an Englishman, don’t they? But will they do it? You’ve got this, ‘What’s sexier?’ element now, rather than how good you are at doing the job.

“Roy’s done a fantastic job, but if you look at his record, internationally, he’s been all over the world.

(Image: Getty)

“He has a huge amount of experience at international level with other countries. He, obviously, failed at Blackburn, but was successful eventually at Fulham.

“All that experience helped him get the England job, which was a good choice.

“But, for me, it’s far distant in my mind, talking about the England job.’’ Allardyce, however, remains rueful on the matter. “Oh aye, no doubt about it,’’ he said. “When you’ve hit the bar, when they choose the wrong one. Sorry, Steve! He is a mate.

“You think what you might have done that he didn’t, if you’d got the chance then. It was the ultimate dream and, sadly, I didn’t quite get it, but I’ve enjoyed my life since.’’

In pictures - Sunderland 3-0 Everton:

Sunderland sealed a fourth successive escape from ­relegation by beating Everton 3-0 at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, when they also condemned arch-rivals Newcastle – along with Norwich – to the drop.

Now, they end the season at Watford today, with club captain John O’Shea warning the cycle of struggle must end next term.

The Republic of Ireland ­centre-back, 35, said: “We enjoy this moment now and then we build massively, in terms of the pre-season work that we do, to make sure it is much improved.

“We have to start the season much better because you can’t always give yourselves that catch-up scenario. We had three points after nine games. It’s a hell of an ­achievement when you look at it that way.’’

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

READ MORE: Allardyce wants Yann M'Vila to stay

Owing to the successful pairing of Younes Kaboul and new boy Lamine Kone in defence, O’Shea has been kept on the bench.

But Allardyce paid tribute to him when he said: “John is going to make a fantastic coach or manager. He’s a dedicated ­professional and he’s been very good, in terms of the frustration he’s had.”

(Image: Ian MacNicol)

*Sunderland will offer Spurs around £2million to turn DeAndre Yedlin’s loan move into a permanent deal.

The 22-year-old USA international joined Sunderland in September after finding himself behind Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier in the pecking order at White Hart Lane.

Those two have impressed for Spurs this season, while Yedlin has enjoyed life with Sam Allardyce at the Stadium of Light and, with all parties happy for the deal to happen, it should be sorted out soon.