Tuesday 27 September 2016 23:29, UK
Football Association bosses have been left "with egg on their face" over the appointment of Sam Allardyce, Alan Smith says.
Allardyce left his role as England manager on Tuesday evening after agreeing with the FA that comments he made to undercover Daily Telegraph reporters had left his position "untenable".
FA chairman Greg Clarke denied the abrupt end to Allardyce's 67-day reign was embarrassing for the organisation, calling his departure "rather sad".
But Sky Sports pundit Smith told Sky Sports News HQ: "The whole episode is embarrassing.
"I think they made the right decision initially to appoint Sam Allardyce. He was the best man for the job but the FA will now be feeling they've been left with egg on their face."
The Telegraph filmed Allardyce mocking his predecessor Roy Hodgson and criticising his employers' decision to renovate Wembley.
But Smith believes it was the allegation that Allardyce discussed how to "get around" rules on player transfers that ultimately sealed his fate.
"I think it's the comments during the conversation about getting around the third party ownership rules and calling them ridiculous," he said.
"The FA, quite rightly, take those rules seriously. It was a naive thing to say really for someone of his experience and his age. He knows how these things work in the world and I'm surprised he got sucked in and caught."
Iain Dowie told SSNHQ: "Of course you've got sympathy. I know him personally. Anyone who has done the time he's done in the game - to find a way [to get the England job] and for it to be taken away in this manner is disappointing.
"A lad who's so meticulous in his preparation - Malta and Slovenia will have been done already. He'll know what their moves are on every set piece, the patterns of play are and when they're going to attack you.
"For him to go into a meeting almost unarmed and as open as he was, was his mistake."
And Tony Gale said: "Whether you thought he should be manager or another person - he was the manager and we wanted him to do well.
"There are always people that are scheming and looking for stories, but a man of his experience has just been caught out."
