Sam Allardyce has claimed that "entrapment" resulted in his England managerial career coming to a swift end.
The former Sunderland boss spent just 67 days in charge of the national team, overseeing one game, which ended in a 1-0 victory over Slovakia.
The Football Association announced last night that Allardyce left his role by mutual consent after he allegedly tried to negotiate a £400,000 deal with a fake Far East investment firm.
The ex-West Ham United manager was secretly filmed by undercover journalists from The Telegraph appearing to discuss how to "get around" the FA's ban on third-party ownership in transfer deals.
He also described Gary Neville as the "wrong influence" during England's failed Euro 2016 campaign, and mocked the speech impediment of his predecessor Roy Hodgson by calling him "Woy".
While leaving his house this morning, Allardyce told reporters: "On reflection it was a silly thing to do but I helped out someone I have known for 30 years. It was an error in judgement and I paid the consequences. Entrapment has won on this occasion and I have to accept that.
"The agreement was done very amicably with the FA and I apologise to those and all concerned in the unfortunate position I've put myself in. I have a confidentiality agreement and I can't answer any more questions. I am going to go and reflect on it.
"I would like to wish Gareth [Southgate] (his interim replacement) and all of the England lads the best."
Allardyce is also believed to be keen to return to management in the future.
Danielle Joynson
