Sam Allardyce on verge of being hired to coach England

England is on the verge of hiring Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce to take charge of the national team as Roy Hodgson’s successor. A person with knowledge of the situation told AP on Wednesday that the English Football Association is close to finalizing Allardyce’s appointment. The FA has to secure Allardyce’s release from Sunderland, which urged for a swift resolution last week after revealing that the 61-year-old Englishman had held talks with England. “At the present time Sam Allardyce remains Sunderland manager,” Sunderland said in a statement on Wednesday evening. “We share in the anger and frustration of our supporters and would like to assure them that we are working to conclude the matter in the best interests of Sunderland.”

Mario Gomez leaves Besiktas because of political situation

Germany striker Mario Gomez says he is leaving Besiktas because of “the political situation” in Turkey. Gomez scored 26 goals last season to help Besiktas win its first Turkish championship since 2009. Gomez played one season on loan from Fiorentina and Besiktas wanted to keep him. Gomez says the “only reason” for leaving was “the political situation.” He says the “terrible events of the past few days” made him take the decision. Gomez was on vacation during the failed coup attempt five days ago. Gomez says he would love to return and play again for Besiktas once the “political problems are solved peacefully.” In a personal statement, he says he has become very fond of the club and the country in the past year.

New York teams up with A-Rod, MLB to build baseball academy

New York state is teaming up with Major League Baseball and others including Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez to create a youth baseball and softball academy in the Bronx. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the USD11.25 million initiative Wednesday. He says the academy at Roberto Clemente State Park will immediately begin serving 1,500 young ballplayers. The facility will be funded by $6.5 million from the state, $4 million from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association and $750,000 from Rodriguez. The new field will be named Alex Rodriguez Field. Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred Jr. says the academy will establish the next generation of New York’s baseball legacy. Rodriguez says the park will give kids a chance to “dream big from the field as well as in the stands.”