Sam Allardyce sacked: Former England boss Steve McClaren says ‘It could happen to any of us’
STEVE MCCLAREN has said what happened to Sam Allardyce could've been the fate of 'anyone in a high profile sports position'.
The former England boss, 55, spent a year in charge from 2006-07 but failed to qualify for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland.
And he has leapt to the defence of Allardyce after the Three Lions chief left his job following a newspaper sting - which Big Sam has labelled as 'entrapment'.
McClaren said: "It's been a hugely disappointing couple of days for English football. And I'm very sad for what has happened to Sam Allardyce. It could happen to any of us in high profile sports position.
"Sam innocently paid the price. It just shows the level sport is at the elite that privacy can only really be found within the four walls of your home."
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The Daily Telegraph have revealed that they have names of eight other high-profile managers also caught up in the scandal - all with links to the Premier League.
And McClaren wants the FA to fully investigate further allegations with the utmost care.
He continued: "We need closure on this and any information given to the FA they will make enquiries into the game. If any wrongdoing can be proved it should be cut out from the game.
McClaren's reign as England boss was a disaster, with his side failing to qualify for Euro 2008 despite a group containing Israel, Macedonia, Andorra and Estonia.
Since he has managed Newcastle, FC Twente and Derby but has been out of management since leaving St James' Park last season.
Allardyce was adamant this morning that his intentions had been honourable and was just trying to secure a job for friend Scott McGarvey.
He told reporters: “On reflection it was a silly thing to do, but just to let everybody know I’d helped out somebody I’d known for 30 years.
“It was an error in judgement on my behalf and I’ve paid the consequences.
“But entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that.
"The agreement was done very amicably with the FA, I apologise to those and all concerned with the unfortunate situation I've put myself in.
"I have a confidentially agreement, I took the time to talk to you, I can't answer any more questions just now, I'm going to go away and reflect on it."
Allardyce has now jetted off to his £1.5million villa on the Costa Blanca.
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