Poll: Are you happy with Sam Allardyce as England manager?

Sunderland's unhappiness at the way the process has played out - despite giving permission for the FA to speak with their manager in a 'secret' interview last week - will not make negotiations comfortable for the FA but realistically there is nothing standing in the way of Allardyce taking over.

The former Bolton, Blackburn, Newcastle and West Ham boss emerged as the primary contender from a short list which included Hull's Steve Bruce, who was interviewed earlier this week, Bournemouth's Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klinsmann after Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger gave no indication he would be willing to accept the role.

Allardyce is unlikely to bring any of his Sunderland backroom team with him, having accepted a series of club appointees when he arrived last season, removing one potential stumbling block in talks.

Favoured assistants such as Neil McDonald and Mark Taylor are available as is Teddy Sheringham, who worked as attacking coach under Allardyce at West Ham and would fit the FA's desire to have a distinguished former international in the set-up.

Thursday's meeting represented the final day as FA chairman for Greg Dyke, who was not involved in the search for the new manager.

"Clearly the three-man group are convinced he's the right man and I go along with that, yes," he told Sky Sports News.

"We appointed a three-man committee to go out and look at all the candidates, come back with a recommendation who they thought was the best man.

"They've taken that decision and obviously we'll agree with them.

"I think you'd have to ask them but as far as I understand it that's the discussion."

It is thought Allardyce will be offered an initial two-year deal, covering the 2018 World Cup campaign, but there is a desire within the FA to integrate Allardyce into the wider system, working alongside coaches of the national age-group sides from Under-16s up.