Monday 25 July 2016 23:14, UK
England could have won Euro 2016 with the squad Roy Hodgson selected, according to new manager Sam Allardyce.
Hodgson's squad went to France on the back of 10 straight wins in qualifying only to suffer a humiliating defeat to Iceland in the last 16.
The manager resigned immediately, kick-starting a process which ended with Allardyce's appointment to the job he has always coveted more than any other.
The 61-year-old is confident his man-management skills can make a difference to England's tournament football.
And reflecting on this summer's disappointment he said: "I think they [could have lifted the trophy] had they all performed to their best, which they suggested they were going to beforehand.
"I was extremely excited by the performances that came before they actually got to the tournament, I thought there was some outstanding ability in the team to beat teams.
"This is a different level, this is a different challenge and so I am challenging myself to be able to meet that challenge to help England get to a tournament and do better than they've done before.
"I'm ready for this now. After 950 games as a manager there is something you want to change in your life sometimes and this was it for me."
