[Jager]

Pearce not convinced over England credentials

Stuart Pearce remains convinced he will not be the next England manager.

Almost since the moment Sven-Goran Eriksson confirmed he would quit after this summer's World Cup, speculation has been rife about who was going to succeed the Swede.


Pearce's immediate response was to claim it was 'embarrassing' to have his name put forward at such an early stage of his managerial career.

However, the rumours have persisted and the admission of Football Association board member Dave Richards that a 'British' coach is the preferred option has narrowed the choices and with Martin O'Neill being strongly tipped to take over at Newcastle, Pearce, Alan Curbishley and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce are the favourites.

All three were at Eastlands yesterday, where Pearce's Manchester City side record a 3-2 win over Curbishley's Charlton and Allardyce used his platform as Sky Sports pundit to call for an Englishman to become the next England boss.

But Pearce is adamant the powerbrokers at Soho Square will not be calling on him, even though he has also revealed he would attend an interview if FA chief executive Brian Barwick asked him to.

'As far as I am concerned, it is total pie in the sky,' he said.

'It is nice to have your name associated on a daily basis with such a prestigious job after only 40 games in club management.

'But I don't think when the job is being given out I will be in the hot seat that's for sure.'

Allardyce is convinced he has the right credentials to succeed in the role and, given the amount of coaching badges required to manage in the Premiership, feels it is only just that an Englishman should be asked to do the job.

'If the FA are talking about the next England manager being British it is good news for everyone in this country,' he said.

'The public seem to want that, so obviously I would want to go that way - not just from the point of being in contention but because I am English.

'It is very important for this country - and for the FA - to go down that route because we are all taught through their system and we are all going through the curriculum for the badges and qualifications.'

Curbishley insists the constant speculation is not a distraction, but he does think it would be immensely helpful for the FA to give some 'clarity' to the issue by confirming no appointment would be made until the Barclays Premiership campaign reaches its conclusion on May 7.

'The situation should be clarified,' said Curbishley. 'In my opinion, the FA should turn round and say they will not make an announcement until after the final Premiership game on May 7, which will just allow everyone to get on with what they have to do.

'All we are getting at the moment is 'Curb Watch', 'Pearce Watch' and 'Sam Watch', plus a fictional horse race with our heads on little horses seeing who is in front.

'It is not distracting but all three of us have important jobs to do. There is still three months of the season left and every day someone is saying something else.

'Who knows what people are thinking. I just think we should all be given a chance and the FA say they are not going to talk about it until after the season is over.'

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