Okocha the best captain I’ve worked with, says England manager Allardyce

The midfield whiz skippered Bolton Wanderers for three years, and his former coach reveals he is the best leader he ever worked with

 England manager Sam Allardyce says Austin Okocha is the best captain he has ever had.

Okocha, 43, was named skipper of Bolton Wanderers following Guðni Bergsson’s retirement and as leader, he led the Trotters to the 2004 League Cup final where they bowed to Middlesbrough.

And Allardyce – who manager of the team then reveals Okocha was proficient in the role and also a brilliant player.

“Jay Jay Okocha. On and off the field he was the captain you looked for,” the Three Lions boss told Mirror.co.uk.

“In a multi-national side from all over the world he could speak four different languages, communicate very well with some of the players who couldn’t speak quite as good English.

“He sorted the odd scuffle out in the dressing room, talked to the players about how we had to go out and win. He’d take the manager’s instructions and apply them in the right way.

“Then there was outstanding ability on the field, leading by example and showing everybody he wasn’t a mercenary which was suggested in the beginning, that he’d only come for the money. He became an iconic figure at Bolton Wanderers.”

Allardyce leads out England for the first time in Sunday’s 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Slovakia.