Sam Allardyce was not the FA’s first choice for the vacant managerial position

If anyone's ego is strong enough to withstand the knowledge of being a plan B, it's that of Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce is expected to be announced as the new England manager at some stage over the next 24 hours and opinion is divided on whether or not his appointment will prove to be a good one. But it turns out that Allardici was not the first name on the list in the FA's search for Roy Hodgson's successor. The Telegraph has revealed that, in fact, Arsene Wenger was the top target for the FA but the Arsenal manager spurned their advances in favour of a 20th year with the Gunners. Wenger's rejection led the FA to Big Sam, who most recently saved Sunderland from relegation and added another feather to a cap that he believes is much more feathery than it actually is. David Moyes is the frontrunner to take Big Sam's post at Sunderland.