Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has denied England are a "basket case."
The CEO was speaking after new boss Sam Allardyce was unveiled at St George's Park following England's disastrous Euro 2016 campaign.
Former manager Roy Hodgson quit following a last-16 defeat to Iceland as England's trophy drought extended to 50 years.
Allardyce has signed a two-year deal to lead the Three Lions into their World Cup qualifying campaign which starts in Slovakia in September.
And Glenn insists Allardyce was not put off by the chaotic nature of England's summer in France.
"I think he just sees it as a big opportunity. It's not quite the basket case, not at all the basket case, that was suggested," he said.
"If you reflect back his intense desire to want to do it [was key]. He really believes. It was [an] awful exit but there were quite a few good things in the tournament. It's a good young squad that actually played well in parts.
"He was so well referenced, when we asked people in the game what were his qualities and what weren't his qualities."
Glenn also revealed Allardyce wants England to channel the spirit of the New Zealand rugby team.
"We don't want a mercenary to do a job for two years then move on, we want it left in a better place," he said. "Interestingly in the interview Sam quoted the All Blacks -- 'leave the shirt in a better place than you found it.'
"It will help that whoever comes in in however many years will have a stronger foundation to build on."
Allardyce left Sunderland after keeping the Black Cats in the Premier League last season and has not been a universally popular appointment but Glenn believes he can inspire and win over any doubters.
He added: "It's remarkable how loyal England fans have been if you think of the gates we've had at Wembley for quite small teams, the San Marinos etc.
"I think the England fanbase will want re-inspiring, and I can't think of a better person to re-inspire an England fanbase than Sam Allardyce."