Sunday 28 August 2016 15:44, UK
England manager Sam Allardyce has met with, and been questioned by, some of the chief competitors for his new role.
Allardyce surprised 11-year-old Harlan Moss and his friend Jonathan Trant, 10, during their recent Wembley Stadium tour, ahead of his first England squad announcement on Sunday evening.
Harlan and Jonathan, who hail from Jersey, were among a wide variety of candidates to put their hands up for the England role when it was vacated by Roy Hodgson at the end of their Euro 2016 campaign.
Although they lost out to the former Bolton, West Ham and Sunderland boss, the Football Association was so impressed by their application they were invited to the national football stadium along with planned backroom staff members James Douglas, Felix O'Connor and Bertie Cooke, all aged 10.
During the trip they were met by Allardyce, who handed over some England training kit to the quintet before sitting down for a question and answer session.
"I read Harlan and Jonathan's letter and was impressed with not only their passion for the national team but their desire to get into football coaching." said Allardyce, whose first game in charge will be in Slovakia on September 4.
"They were all very knowledgeable about the game and that's good to see. If they stay focused and keep working hard then then you never know, they could be in my position in 30 years.
"I had great fun surprising the lads and I hope it topped off a thoroughly memorable day at Wembley Stadium."
Please click on the attached video to see Sam Allardyce meet with England's potential coaching team...perhaps in 30 years time at least. Clip courtesy of FATV - see more at youtube.com/FATV.
