Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho to help new England manager Sam Allardyce 'in the best way'

Mourinho and Allardyce clashed last season but the Manchester United manager has said he is happy to work with Allardyce as the national team manager

Jose Mourinho has given Sam Allardyce his seal of approval as England manager (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has backed Sam Allardyce’s imminent appointment as England manager, but warned that the country must support the 61-year-old if he is to end the 50-year wait for international success.

Sunderland manager Allardyce is set to be ratified as Roy Hodgson’s successor at an FA board meeting later today after being interviewed last Tuesday.

The former Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham manager has seen off competition from Jurgen Klinsmann and Steve Bruce to become England boss, but Mourinho, speaking in Shanghai on Manchester United’s two-game tour of China, insists Allardyce needs help to succeed in the job.

“It is your country and I think you have a complicated country for the person who gets the job,” Mourinho said. “But I think he (Allardyce) is the right person for that.

“He is a good choice, but he needs support and you can do better in respect of that.

“Sam never had the big chance at the highest level – some big jobs – but never the big one. Now he has the big one and he is more than ready.”

Allardyce will now be handed the task of ending England’s wait for glory which extends back to the 1966 World Cup.

But after seeing his native Portugal win Euro 2016, Mourinho insists it is now England’s turn to win.

“It is your time,” Mourinho said. “In Portugal we were waiting and waiting and finally we got it.

“1966 was a long time ago, so good luck Big Sam.

“But he is a good motivator, can create a good spirit among his players and I wish the best and, as a friend and United manager, I will try to support in the best way.

“I will prepare his players for him, and always try to have English players ready for him.”