Thursday 21 July 2016 20:49, UK
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes Sam Allardyce is the best man for the England job but must be given the right support.
The Sunderland boss is set to be ratified as successor to Roy Hodgson on Thursday and Mourinho is convinced he can deliver.
Two-and-a-half years ago Mourinho criticised Allardyce's West Ham side for playing "19th-century football" when frustrating Chelsea, but the new United boss believes the FA has made a wise choice.
Speaking at a news conference in Shanghai where Manchester United are on tour, he said: "Well, it is your country and I think you are a complicated country for the person that gets the job.
"I think he's the right person for that, yes. I think he is a good choice but I think he needs support and I think you can do better in respect to that because my experience in your country shows that me you, [the] football world, could do a bit better.
"I think Sam never had the big chance at the highest level - lots of experiences in the Premier League but never that big one.
"And now he has the big one, so I think he is more than ready. I think he is a good motivator, I think he can create a good team spirit with his player and I wish him the best.
In Portugal we were waiting and waiting and finally we got it. I think it is time for you because '66 was a long time ago.
"From my side, not just as a friend but my side as Man United manager, the only thing I can promise is that I am going to try to support him the best way, prepare the players for him, try to have the English players always available in a good condition to help him.
"I hope you can do the same because it's your time. In Portugal we were waiting and waiting and finally we got it [at Euro 2016]. I think it is time for you because '66 [when England won their one and only major international trophy] was a long time ago, so good luck Big Sam."
