LONDON: Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is expected to be named England’s new manager inside the next 24 hours, British press reports said on Wednesday, tasked with guiding the under-performing national side to the 2018 World Cup. The 61-year-old former Bolton, Newcastle and West Ham manager will take over from Roy Hodgson, who stepped down after England’s humiliating last-16 exit to Iceland at the European championships in June. The Press Association said that Allardyce, the long-time frontrunner for the job, will be officially named as the new manager at a Football Association board meeting on Thursday. Allardyce was in line for the job a decade ago when Sven-Goran Eriksson departed after the 2006 World Cup, but lost out to Steve McClaren. He will become England’s 15th permanent manager with Allardyce’s appointment coming on the 50th anniversary of the country’s 1966 World Cup triumph. Hull manager Steve Bruce was also interviewed for the job while Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann were also reported to be on the FA’s shortlist. Both Sunderland and Hull publicly called for a new England manager to be hired immediately so they can focus on finding a replacement or get back to planning for the new season, which gets under way on August 13. England are hoping to have a new boss in place in time for a scheduled friendly on September 1 and the opening 2018 World Cup qualifier in Slovakia on September 4.