OUTGOING England boss Sam Allardyce has apologised for the "silly" decision that cost him his dream job, bemoaning "entrapment" winning but refusing to rule out a return to management.
Exiting Euro 2016 at the last-16 juncture to a country the size of Leicester should have been the Three Lions' lowest ebb, yet Roy Hodgson's successor managed to add another embarrassing chapter.
Allardyce called the England job the "pinnacle" of his long career, yet after one match and 67 days the Football Association has been thrown into a tailspin once again after acting following the Daily Telegraph's revelations.
Read more: Stewart Fisher: Big Sam goes after 67 days ... not a lucky manager after all
Secretly-filmed video footage appears to show the 61-year-old making numerous controversial remarks about subjects varying from England players to circumventing FA regulations, and side work to his employers.
Allardyce was talking to undercover reporters rather than businessmen, though, and less than 24 hours after the video emerged left his role with England by mutual consent.
Read more: Stewart Fisher: Big Sam goes after 67 days ... not a lucky manager after all
The outgoing manager released a statement on Tuesday evening and addressed the media the following morning outside his Bolton home.
"Obviously I've got to do this before I go away," he told reporters.
"I think that on reflection it was a silly thing to do, but just to let everyone know I'd sort of helped out what was somebody I'd known for 30 years (football agent Scott McGarvey).
"Unfortunately, it was an error of judgement on my behalf and I've paid the consequences.
"Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that.
"The agreement was done very amicably with the FA. I apologise to those and all concerned in this unfortunate situation I've put myself in.
"I have a confidentiality agreement and I took the time to talk to you on this matter. I can't answer any more questions just now. I'm going to go away and reflect on it.
"I am off abroad, just to chill out and reflect. I'd like to wish all the England lads, Gareth (Southgate) and the staff all the best."
Asked if this would be his last job in football, Allardyce said: "Who knows? We'll wait and see."
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