Kevin Davies has backed former manager Sam Allardyce to succeed in his new role as England boss.

Weeks of speculation came to an end earlier this afternoon when the Football Association confirmed that Allardyce would be the next national team manager, signing a two-year deal to take him through to the 2018 World Cup.

Davies played under Allardyce at Bolton Wanderers, and he believes that the 61-year-old has all of the attributes to flourish in the role.

"I'm sure he's going to be a success. I think this is something he's been thinking about for a number of years. I feel he has plans in place. Looking at our tournament failures I think he knows already what he feels has gone wrong and how he can make it better for us," Davies told Sky Sports News.

"The first thing that strikes you about him is his ambition, his determination to be the best, and that filters through to his players. He's one of those managers you want to play for. He's got that character about him, he's a big personality.

"He knows when to push, when to give the carrot, when to crack the whip. His man-management skills for me - and I've worked under a dozen or so managers - are second to none."

Allardyce's first match in charge of England will be a friendly at Wembley on September 1.