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Sam Allardyce: Lack of PowerPoint facilities cost me the England job

The Sunderland boss prepared a 'real knock-your-socks-off' presentation

Tuesday 13 October 2015 12:08 BST

Allardyce was ultimately overlooked for the post in favour of Steve McClaren (Getty Images)

Sam Allardyce has put his failure to be appointed England manager in 2006 partially down to a lack of PowerPoint facilities.

The new Sunderland boss was one of the names on the Football Association's shortlist to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson, who had elected to leave his post after that year's World Cup finals.

Allardyce had, at that point, guided Bolton Wanderers from the second tier of English football into mid-table Premier League security.

However, Steve McClaren, now manager of Newcastle United, was ultimately chosen to replace Eriksson, and the decision frustrates Allardyce to this day.

"I wanted to do a real knock-your-socks-off interview for the FA, so I put together a PowerPoint which looked at every single detail," Allardyce wrote in his new book, Big Sam: My Autobiography, which is being serialised in the The Sun.

"There was nothing missing. Nobody but nobody was going to beat it.

"But then Brian Barwick, the chief executive, told me there were no PowerPoint facilities at the interview venue, so I had to print off hard copies for the panel.

"So much for the progressive FA."

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Show all 11

1/11Lithuania vs England player ratings

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Jack Butland: 7 out of 10

Hardly saw the ball in the first half, but reacted well when faced with Spalvis’ shot with the score 1-0 – making a fine one-handed save to deny the Lithuania striker – before dealing with Slivka’s chipped free-kick in the second half.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Kyle Walker: 6 out of 10

Had a couple of disappointing moments on the ball when defending and attacking, but combined well with Oxlade-Chamberlain in the second half to set up the Arsenal man for his goal.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Phil Jones: 6 out of 10

Was solid alongside Jagielka in the heart of England’s defence although the duo were never really tested.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Phil Jagielka: 6 out of 10

Performed well on his first outing as England captain, marshalling his back line well despite the lack of cutting edge from Lithuania’s forwards.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Kieran Gibbs: 6 out of 10

The left-back was never really threatened down his flank and regularly moved forwards to help England build their attacks, exemplified when he cut inside to set up Vardy on the stroke of half time.

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Jonjo Shelvey: 5 out of 10

The Swansea midfielder was involved in some of England’s attacks, but didn’t really have any trouble containing Lithuania’s midfielders in front of the defence.

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 8 out of 10

After a quiet first half, the Arsenal winger sprang into action in the second period after scoring England’s third of the night and nearly creating another with his fine pass to Kane minutes earlier.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Adam Lallana: 6 out of 10

Set up England’s second goal with his neat flick to Kane and linked up well several times with the England striker. Was replaced by Alli in the 66th minute but enjoyed a good game.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Ross Barkley: 8 out of 10

Started the game further back but proved the difference after scoring a superb goal in the 28th minute to give England the lead before testing Arlauskis with a fine header in the second half. Was replaced by Townsend with 20 minutes to go.

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Jamie Vardy: 5 out of 10

Endured a disappointing night in Vilnius after allowing Novikovas to get past him too easily to test Butland with a shot and – after being set up by Gibbs – opting to go for goal instead of finding a team-mate. Was shown a yellow card for encroachment with 10 minutes to go.

2015 Getty Images

Lithuania vs England player ratings

Harry Kane: 7 out of 10

Looked bright throughout the game and tested Arlauskis with several early chances before he set up Barkley for the opener. The striker’s good work on the ball ended in England taking a 2-0 lead - although his goal was officially given as an own goal – and should have made it 3-0 before being taken off. Still, a positive game for the Spurs star.

Allardyce believes he was the best candidate for the role nine years ago and still believes he could take on what many call 'the impossible job'.

"I should have got it and, as I'm a better manager now than I was then, I believe I should be in the running whenever it comes round again," he wrote.

"That's not vanity or being full of my own importance. My track record entitles me to be considered.

"I'm ambitious and I still want the England job, but I have less chance now even though I'm better equipped to do it.

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