Sir Alex Ferguson was consulted by the Football Association (FA) and recommended Sam Allardyce as the next England manager because the former Sunderland manager is a "winner," Martin Glenn has confirmed.
Glenn, CEO of the FA, said that four candidates were interviewed for the job but did not reveal the identities as the process was confidential. Steve Bruce has already publicly admitted that he was one of the men that the FA spoke to.
Glenn revealed that Glenn Hoddle, Harry Redknapp, Gary Lineker and Rio Ferdinand were among the people the FA consulted for opinions on who should be appointed, before adding the name of Ferguson to the list of those who they turned to for advice.
He said: "We also spoke to Sir Alex Ferguson. He said Sam's single biggest quality was he's a winner, that he's got an edge. Winners can sometimes be a bit awkward, that was his phrase."
Ferguson had given his support publicly to Allardyce on July 7, saying that he was the best English candidate for the job. He had said: "It's very difficult to think of the right man and there are only three English managers in the Premier League. With Sam's experience, he is the obvious choice.
"But I think they have to search wider to make sure they get the right one. If it's Sam, fine. But they have to have someone with the capabilities, the tactical awareness and the feel for the national side.
"Thank goodness I'm not making the choice because it's a difficult one but Sam's the best English candidate because he's in the Premier League."