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Sam Allardyce 'absolutely distraught' over England exit - Martin Glenn

Sam Allardyce is "absolutely distraught" after he agreed to leave his job as England manager after one match following an undercover sting operation, according to FA chief executive Martin Glenn.

Allardyce was targeted in a Daily Telegraph investigation into alleged corruption in English football, and the departure of the 61-year-old after just 67 days at the helm was announced following crisis talks involving FA chairman Greg Clarke and Glenn.

"Sam is absolutely distraught," Glenn told FATV. "He recognises that he made a terrible error of judgement and I think that he recognises as well that, whilst it's a tough decision that The FA is taking, he can see that at least we have a point.

"Once again, I have to say how personally disappointed I am. I thought Sam had already made a big difference to The FA -- he came to St. George's Park and showed real leadership there and had clear enthusiasm for the job at hand.

"I know personally that he is deeply, deeply upset and deeply regrets the error of judgement but I also think that he understands why The FA has had to take this tough decision."

Allardyce described the Three Lions post as the culmination of his career in football and his dream job, but it has ended in embarrassment and Glenn revealed it was not an easy decision.

"It's been a really painful decision because obviously we've only just hired Sam, and Sam we think is a great fit for England manager and we think could have been extremely successful," he added. "But the FA is more than just running the England men's team. We have to stand up for the right behaviours across the whole game.

"We are the guardians of the game -- we set the rules and we have to be seen to apply those rules consistently and evenly, whether you are the England manager or someone low down in the organisation.

"That consistency, that trust that people have in us to behave in the appropriate manner, is core to what any football association is about and certainly true of the English Football Association. It's a painful decision because we thought he was a great manager, but it's the right decision if we are to protect the integrity of The FA."

Information from the Press Association was used in this report.

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