Big Sam For England

Last updated : 09 September 2005 By Matt Bottom

According to Sam Allardyce's agent, the current Bolton manager wants to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson when he leaves the England job.

Agent Mark Curtis said: "Sam wants the job whenever Sven leaves - and the Bolton chairman knows it."

Former Bolton assistant manager Phil Brown also backed his claims to succeed Eriksson.

He said: "There would be no better man to replace Eriksson. Sam would have no problems dropping big-name players.

"He has proved he can handle the superstars. He has worked with some of the best at Bolton, like Jay-Jay Okocha, Fernando Hierro and Ivan Campo. He has left them all out at some time.

"Sam was always ahead of his time. He was using technology long before other managers and could give you the lowdown on every team in the league and every individual player."