Spain have been urged to “give it Big Sam ’til the end of the season” after sacking Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the World Cup.

Having seen Lopetegui’s acceptance of the Real Madrid job as a betrayal, the Spanish FA are now seeking a new coach to guide their team through the tournament in Russia.

Sam Allardyce has made his name in the English Premier League as a managerial firefighter, but it is believed his demand of specially enlarged tapas may prove to be a sticking point.

Nevertheless, his appointment is now being willed into existence by a sizable proportion of the non-Spanish football community.

Dave, a part-time Spain watcher from Altrincham, said: “Give it Big Sam ’til the end of the season.

“The man took Everton to 8th, for crying out loud – if that’s not qualification enough, I don’t know what is.

“He’ll soon knock that tippy tappy rubbish out of them, you mark my words.”