WANDERERS fans were cheering Sam Allardyce’s name within minutes of his England reign coming to an end but his path to forgiveness with the rest of the country will not be so straightforward.

For loyal folk in Bolton, it will take a lot more than a newspaper sting and a poor impression of Roy Hodgson to queer the pitch of a local hero.

Though most agree their former messiah is, to use a famous quote, “a very naughty boy,” Allardyce’s indiscretions have been met with considerably less venom on his doorstep than elsewhere in the land, and are viewed more mischievous than anything more sinister.

Bleary-eyed and with a distinct quiver in his normally-booming voice, the former Wanderers boss stood outside his Bromley Cross home yesterday morning to give a first interview since his resignation was accepted by the FA.

Anyone looking for a contrite apology would have been disappointed. Allardyce admitted his actions were “silly” but was sure to mention pointedly it had been his friend of 30-odd years, Scott McGarvey, who had lined up the interview, adding that “entrapment had won”.

Certainly, scorn in these parts was directed more towards the journalists at the Telegraph who were involved in the article, rather than the man himself. Another England manager crucified, the people say.

The FA’s statement might have said “mutual termination” but Allardyce does not seem the type to fall on his sword easily. He would have ridden out the storm, given half a chance.

Whether the footballing powers were right to act so swiftly, time will tell. Until the full transcript emerges from the Telegraph interviews and all context can be given to the revelations, it is difficult to judge how ‘unlucky’ the 61-year-old was to lose his dream job just 67 days after it began.

Right now, many feel he has fallen victim to a conservative FA chairman in Greg Clarke, who post-Euros disaster has to find some way of restoring the reputation of the national team.

Allardyce announced plans to fly out on holiday to “chill out and reflect” and could not say for sure whether this had been his last job in football. But no-one who knows him would seriously entertain the idea he is done for good. In fact, with his beloved club on its haunches in League One, it is a safe bet that Big Sam will bounce back faster than Wanderers.

Some have floated the idea of a return, a rumour which had gathered some momentum when Dean Holdsworth first made serious in-road into a takeover late last year. But those longing to see Big Sam in the dugout are destined to be left disappointed. Passionate though he is about it, Wanderers are not the club he once knew. And right now, they are in a safe set of hands with Phil Parkinson despite their recent wobble.

Football tends to hand out second chances and Allardyce would surely be of more value to Sunderland, another of his former clubs stuck in a Groundhog Day cycle of last-gasp escapes and currently labouring under his good mate David Moyes.

But buyer beware. Opposing fans were harsh enough on Steve McClaren and his umbrella when he came back into football and though Sam has rhino-thick skin, any potential employer must take into consideration he would be a target from here on in.

Abroad, Middle East especially, could be the next move, albeit in the short term.

The job Allardyce left behind has been handed, almost by default, to Gareth Southgate, a studious and thorough character much more suited to the FA stereotype.

The former Boro boss has a good reputation within football, at least outside Teesside, but would not capture the imagination of a disenfranchised public. Likewise, the bookies’ favourite Steve Bruce, or – perish the thought - Glenn Hoddle. Such names highlight the paucity of genuine English candidates with both relevance and pedigree. Flavour of the month Eddie Howe admitted just a few weeks ago in a BBC interview he was nowhere near ready for such a role, despite impressing with his work at Bournemouth.

So once again we look abroad for inspiration. Guus Hiddink remains an ever-present option, as does US coach Jurgen Kilinsmann, while some are pointing to Arsene Wenger, who has surely spent long enough on these shores not to touch that particular job with a barge pole.

Just don’t phone Big Sam for a recommendation.