Sam Allardyce is to become the next England manager

Sam Allardyce has been confirmed as the new England manager and will be the man charged with taking the national team to the 2018 World Cup.

The former Sunderland boss inherits a side that disappointed at Euro 2016, eliminated by Iceland in the last 16.

Here, we take a look at his managerial career so far, the numbers behind it and his England in-tray…

Allardyce's record

Limerick

Allardyce learned the ropes on the coaching front as a player-manager in the League of Ireland, leading Limerick to the 1991-92 second-tier title before heading for Preston to take up the number-two post there.

Blackpool

In July 1994 he took charge of Second Division Blackpool, who had avoided the drop to the fourth tier of English football by a single point at the end of the previous campaign. They finished 12th in his first season and third 12 months later but much to his shock, Allardyce was dismissed following a play-off semi-final defeat by Bradford.

Allardyce won the Division Three title with Notts County in 1998

Notts County

Arriving in Nottingham in January 1997, Allardyce inherited a side which had struggled through the first half of the season, and he was unable to prevent them from slipping into Division Three. However, he led the club to promotion as champions on 99 points at the end of the following campaign.

Bolton

His efforts at Notts County helped land the job at Bolton in October 1999, and it was there that he started to enhance his reputation. Having steered them into the Premier League at the second attempt, he established Wanderers there after two difficult seasons and eventually guided them to European qualification for the first time in the club's history.

Newcastle

Allardyce was seen as the man to stop the St James' Park door revolving as then-chairman Freddy Shepherd sought stability. But his reign lasted just 24 games when new owner Mike Ashley decided to give disgruntled fans what they wanted and replaced him with Kevin Keegan.

Allardyce guided Blackburn to a top-half finish during his time at Ewood Park

Blackburn

Rovers were sitting inside the Premier League relegation zone when Allardyce arrived in December 2008, yet they ended the season in the relative comfort of 15th place. They finished 10th in his first full campaign at the helm, but new owners Venky's dispensed with his services in December 2010.

West Ham

Allardyce waited almost six months before returning to the game with relegated West Ham in June 2011 and led them back into the Premier League via the Championship play-off final. His style of play did not sit happily with the expectations of Hammers' fans and although the club finished in 10th, 13th and 12th places in the top flight, there was a parting of ways in May 2015.

Allardyce was appointed as West Ham manager in 2011

Sunderland

Tasked with pulling off another great escape after Dick Advocaat bade farewell in October, Sunderland were still seven points away from safety at the start of January. However, only champions Leicester beat them after February as Allardyce kept a top-flight relegation off his CV.

Allardyce in numbers

7 - Number of clubs in England Allardyce has taken permanent charge of. After starting at Blackpool in 1994, he went to Notts County, Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn, West Ham and then to his current position with Sunderland.

467 - Premier League matches Allardyce has taken charge of. Harry Redknapp is the only Englishman who has been at the helm for more games in the division.

3 - Promotions Allardyce has achieved in his career, taking Notts County up to the third tier before bringing Bolton and West Ham into the top flight via the play-offs.

Allardyce enjoyed plenty of success during a lengthy stay at Bolton

6 - Bolton's highest league position achieved under Allardyce was sixth in 2004-05. They reached the last 32 of the UEFA Cup the following season, having progressed from a group that included Besiktas, Zenit St Petersburg and eventual winners Sevilla.

24 - Games Allardyce had at the Newcastle helm before he was sacked in the shortest stint of his managerial career to date. Having won six of his first 11 games in charge, the Magpies would win just twice more before Allardyce was axed in January.

19 - The century Jose Mourinho claimed Allardyce's West Ham played football from in 2014 following a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.

7 - Number of points Sunderland were adrift of safety at the start of January. Allardyce prevented relegation as the Black Cats lost just one of their final 11 matches.

Allardyce's in-tray

Restore some confidence

England's players looked gripped by fear when the going got tough against Iceland. Allardyce is famed for his man-management and credited with reviving the careers of players who many thought were past their prime. Repairing the damaged confidence of the likes of Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley would be a good start.

Will Harry Kane still be taking corners for England?

Sort the set-pieces

Harry Kane taking corners? Not on Big Sam's watch. Allardyce is meticulous when it comes to working on set-piece routines on the training ground. England need to be more of a threat from dead-ball situations, and better at defending them after being undone by a simple long throw in the defeat to Iceland.

Square pegs in square holes

Wayne Rooney is not a midfielder. Daniel Sturridge is not a winger. Hodgson's muddled thinking cost England dearly in France. Allardyce chooses a system and sticks with it, picking the best players in those positions. Although his preference for one up front may leave a few strikers disappointed.

Joe Hart could come under pressure after a poor Euro 2016

Be a Hart breaker?

Joe Hart's unconvincing displays have left a question mark over his previously undisputed role as England's first-choice goalkeeper. With Jack Butland expected to be fully fit in time for the new season, the number one shirt is up for grabs and Allardyce has a big decision to make.

Play the England way

The Football Association still appears wedded to the concept of the 'England DNA' but there is a strong case for English players getting back to doing what they traditionally do best. Defensive solidity allied to attacking with power, pace and aggression, precisely what Allardyce preaches. It may not be pretty, but pragmatic football did not do Portugal any harm this summer.