Allardyce: I'm still in England running

Tuesday, 25, Apr 2006 09:16

Bolton Wanderers manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that he is still in with a chance of becoming the next England boss.

Allardyce has been linked with the job since Sven-Goran Eriksson announced he would leave the post at the end of the World Cup.

Middlesbrough manager Steve McClaren and current Portugal coach Luis Felipe Scolari have established themselves as favourites in the last couple of weeks but the Bolton boss insists he is still a contender.

"I am still in the frame because no decision has been made yet and I've not heard anything otherwise," Allardyce said.

"I have had my opportunity and I hope that was good enough but we will have to wait and see."

Much of the attention has been focused on English bosses since it became clear that the Football Association would like a home-grown manager to succeed Eriksson.

Allardyce's name has been mentioned, along with McClaren, Manchester City's Stuart Pearce, Charlton's Alan Curbishley and former Celtic manager Martin O'Neill.

Scolari's name has moved up the pecking order though in the last few days but Allardyce believes the job should go to an Englishman.

"Being an Englishman, I'm bound to be biased in saying that an Englishman would be the best man for the job," Allardyce added.

"Like everything else in this country, every job that becomes available is a worldwide attraction, not just confined to Europe or the British Isles."

The FA hinted last week that it might be ready to name the next England manager in the near future.