FA and Allardyce mutually agree to terminate contract

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The Football Association decided that Sam Allardyce had to go as England manager following the revelations in a Daily Telegraph investigation because it is “the guardian of the game” and he had fallen below the standards expected.

Allardyce’s private apology in talks, and his offer to make a public one, for his ill-judged remarks were not enough to save him after a day of intense discussions. His tenure was effectively ended around 4pm with a formal announcement delayed until closer to 8pm once the details were agreed.

Crucially, Allardyce will still face an FA inquiry into the comments he made during the investigation, specifically on third-party ownership and offering advice to businessmen on how to get around the governing body’s rules on transfers.

Allardyce knew once a conference call had taken place on Monday evening with FA chief executive Martin Glenn and chairman Greg Clarke that he was unlikely to keep his job. The odds dwindled dramatically yesterday with the reaction to the Telegraph’s story.