Monday 25 July 2016 13:05, UK
Sam Allardyce gave his first press conference as England manager at St George’s Park on Monday.
The 61-year-old addressed the issue of a disappointing Euro 2016, his plans for the future and the England captaincy.
Here, we pick out five things we learned…
No Rooney promise
While Jose Mourinho was keen to stress that Wayne Rooney would remain as Manchester United's captain, Allardyce made no such promises that the country's record goalscorer would retain the role of England's skipper that he's held since the summer of 2014.
Roy Hodgson had a close relationship with Rooney but some saw this as a problem once other forwards emerged. Allardyce is not bound by those commitments. "It's far too early to make any predictions," he said, leaving the opportunity open for a fresh start.
Youth is no excuse
It's clear that Allardyce is looking forward to working with the finished article and has little truck with the notion of an England senior side showing potential. "It's not potential anymore," he said. "It's got to be reality. These young players have had a lot of games now.
"This is the England first-team. You want the players to be producing their top quality immediately." The FA repeatedly reminded people that England had the youngest squad at Euro 2016. Allardyce appears to have little appetite to hide behind that as an excuse.
The mood must change
Hodgson had a reputation for dull and repetitive training drills with former Liverpool defender Daniel Agger recently describing them as "so uninspiring" that he completely lost his desire to go to work. Allardyce seems conscious of the need to change the mood.
The game of football is to be enjoyed. As the pinnacle of my career, I want to enjoy this the most.
"Have some fun," he stressed. "The game of football is to be enjoyed. As the pinnacle of my career, I want to enjoy this the most." If Allardyce can improve the feel-good factor around the England squad it could have the knock-on effect of reducing the stifling pressure.
Psychology is crucial
After much introspection over the team's tactical and technical flaws at previous tournaments, it was England's mental strength that was questioned in France as the players appeared to panic during their defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.
I will exploit all areas, particularly psychologically.
The new manager seems willing to tackle that issue full on. "I will exploit all areas, particularly psychologically," said Allardyce. He cited the mental side of the game as one he intended to "look at in depth" - especially ahead of the World Cup in Russia in 2018.
Qualifying is first job
Before the World Cup, Allardyce must get there. "It's important to do what we've always done and do well in qualifying," he said. "We all had great hopes for the Euros because of the way we qualified. I hope the lads carry on as they left off from that point of view."
As he also said, England are not at "rock bottom" but they can improve. There's little opportunity for Allardyce to qualify in better style than his predecessors. What he delivers if and when England get there will dictate whether his reign will be viewed as a success.
