Micky Mellon is backing Sam Allardyce
Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon has backed Sam Allardyce to be a 'great success' as the next England manager.
Allardyce was today set to be confirmed as Roy Hodgson's replacement having agreed a two-year deal with the FA.
Mellon, who played under Allardyce at Blackpool in the 1990s and still speaks regularly with his old boss.
He believes the 61-year-old's man-management skills make him the ideal man to rebuild the national team following a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.
He said: "I think what you have with Sam is a fantastic man manager. He really takes his time to get to know players very well and he builds brilliant relationships.
"You want to do well for him. I still speak to him very regularly, even now. I am just delighted he has got the job."
Dudley-born Allardyce was interviewed for the England job in 2006 only to lose out to Steve McClaren.
He's been chosen ahead of Hull City boss Steve Bruce and leaves Sunderland after nine months in charge.
His first competitive game with England will be a World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on September 4 and Mellon believes Allardyce has the qualities to get strong performances.
He added: "Sam won't go in like a bull in a China shop. He will take his time and find the best way at getting results out of the players.
"That is his quality and he is fantastic at it. I am sure he is going to be a great success."
Allardyce will become the 15th permanent England boss, the pinnacle of a managerial career which at Limerick in 1991, where he won promotion while player-boss.
A spell as caretaker boss at Preston followed, before he took charge of Blackpool in 1994. He has never won a trophy but did secure promotion to the Premier League with both Bolton and West Ham.
