London (AFP) – Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is expected to be named the new England manager inside the next 24 hours, British press reports said Wednesday, and 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.

“Big Sam” Allardyce was in line for the job a decade ago but lost out to Steve McClaren.