Leicester City’s assistant manager, Craig Shakespeare, is to take up a part-time position with England as Sam Allardyce continues to build his backroom team, the Premier League champions have announced.
Allardyce has been busy shaping his staff, including his former Bolton assistant Sammy Lee, plus Martyn Margetson joining as goalkeeping coach from Wales.
Shakespeare’s responsibilities at Leicester will remain unchanged as he will link up with England during the international breaks, having completed his Uefa Pro Licence earlier this summer.
“It’s an honour and a privilege to be asked to work with the England team and I’m grateful to both the FA and Leicester City for finding a solution that works for everybody,” Shakespeare said in a statement.
“I am entirely committed to my role at Leicester and to helping the club build on its recent success. To have the opportunity to do that while also trying to help move the England team forward is a really exciting prospect.”
Leicester’s director of football, Jon Rudkin, believes the new role can also aid the Foxes in the long term. He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Craig to broaden his coaching experience at the very highest level – experience that will ultimately be of benefit to Leicester City.
“Craig’s professionalism and dedication is exemplary and I know the experience he develops with England during the international windows will enrich the work he undertakes with us on a day-to-day basis.
“We can also be very proud that such a central figure in our football operation has been selected to make what I’m sure will be an outstanding contribution to the development of our national team.”
England begin their season with a trip to Trnava to play Slovakia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier on 4 September. Shakespeare will join the England set-up for the first time on Monday 29 August.