England

Wayne Rooney: 'Sam Allardyce exit is a shame'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 04 October 2016

England captain Wayne Rooney admits that it was a "shame" to see Sam Allardyce leave as manager after just one match, but is keen to focus on football matters now.

England captain Wayne Rooney has admitted that it was a "shame" to see Sam Allardyce lose his job as national team boss after just one match in charge.

Allardyce left the role by mutual consent last week after being secretly filmed offering advice on how to circumnavigate Football Association rules on third-party ownership of players.

Gareth Southgate has been drafted in as interim boss for the next four matches, and Rooney is now keen to focus on footballing matters.

"It is a shame. I think everyone could see how excited Sam was for the job. He showed that to the players, it is a shame. I am sure he deeply regrets it but that was a decision for the FA to take. Everyone seems fine and happy, we just need to work on how to play on Saturday," he told reporters.

"Of course we have to come here and be prepared to do the job. I am not sure if it is starting again, we need to build on the three points in the last game. We have to concentrate on football. I am sure there will be no problem doing that and the other side is not our issue. It is not for us to be concerned about it we just have to play the game.

"Not just myself, as group of players we need to stick together and concentrate on football. For the FA it has been a tough couple of weeks but for players we have been with our clubs. We have to focus on the games and training and I know it is a big opportunity for the new manager but we have to work together and not get involved."

England will take on Malta and Slovenia in their first two games under Southgate.