SAM ALLARDYCE has put Wayne Rooney out of his misery - by confirming he's still England skipper.
The new Three Lions boss gave the Manchester United captain a wake-up call by making him sweat until he joined up with the squad at the FA’s base at St George’s Park today.
The 115-times capped Rooney - England’s record scorer with 53 goals - came in for some stinging criticism for the way he failed to lift the team, as his and their game fell apart, in the shocking 2-1 KO by minnows Iceland at Euro 2016.
Allardyce has had ample opportunities to confirm Rooney, 30, was keeping the armband.
But has kept him on tenterhooks for over five weeks since being appointed Roy Hodgson’s successor.
Last night Allardyce said: “Wayne has been an excellent captain for England and the manner in which he has fulfilled the role made it an easy decision for me to ask him to continue.
"Wayne’s record speaks for itself, he is the most senior member of the squad and he is hugely respected by his peers. All of these factors point towards him being the right choice to lead the team.”
Rooney, who took over the role when Steve Gerrard quit international football following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, will lead out his country for the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on Sunday.
Allardyce also revealed yesterday the best captain he has ever worked with - Jay Jay Okocha, who played under the 61-year-old at Bolton, where the midfielder was from 2002-6.
"On and off the field he was the captain you looked for,” he said. “In a multi-national side from all over the world he could speak four different languages, communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English.
"He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing-room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way.
"Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money.
"He became an iconic figure at Bolton Wanderers.”
0 comments:
Post a Comment