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Martin Glenn says England boss Sam Allardyce has good base to work with

File photo dated 28-06-2016 of FA Chief Executive Martin Glenn.
Image: Martin Glenn says England have plenty to build on despite Euro 2016 disappointment

Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has denied England are a "basket case" after the unveiling of Sam Allardyce as manager.

Former manager Roy Hodgson quit following a last-16 defeat to Iceland as England's trophy drought extended to 50 years but Glenn feels there were still some positives to come from the tournament.

Allardyce has signed a two-year deal to lead the country into their World Cup qualifying campaign which starts in Slovakia in September.

And Glenn insists Allardyce was not put off by the chaotic nature of England's summer in France.

"I think he just sees it as a big opportunity. It's not quite the basket case, not at all the basket case, that was suggested," Glenn said.

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Sam Allardyce is excited to manage England's elite and thinks they'll be able to adapt to his methods very quickly

"If you reflect back his intense desire to want to do it (was key). He really believes. It was (an) awful exit but there were quite a few good things in the tournament. It's a good young squad that actually played well in parts.

"He was so well referenced, when we asked people in the game what were his qualities and what weren't his qualities."

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Sam Allardyce
Image: Sam Allardyce is the man charged with guiding England to the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia

Glenn also revealed Allardyce wants England to channel the spirit of the New Zealand rugby team.

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Allardyce feels he 'fits the chair' of England's manager and that his man management skills will increase the quality of the national side

"We don't want a mercenary to do a job for two years then move on, we want it left in a better place," he said. "Interestingly in the interview Sam quoted the All Blacks - 'leave the shirt in a better place than you found it'.

"It will help that whoever comes in in however many years will have a stronger foundation to build on."

Sam Allardyce, 61 anni, è il nuovo ct dell'Inghilterra (foto Getty)
Image: Allardyce was presented as England boss at St George's Park on Monday

Allardyce left Sunderland after keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League last season and has not been a universally popular appointment but Glenn believes he can inspire and win over any doubters.

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The FA's technical director Dan Ashworth explains why they picked Allardyce as England's new manager

He added: "It's remarkable how loyal England fans have been if you think of the gates we've had at Wembley for quite small teams, the San Marinos etc.

"I think the England fanbase will want re-inspiring, and I can't think of a better person to re-inspire an England fanbase than Sam Allardyce."

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