Don't rule me out: Allardyce

London: Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has slammed suggestions that he does not have enough clout and experience to be manager of England.

Allardyce's successes in keeping his unfashionable Lancashire side in the Premiership has brought him praise, but he is for the most part untested on the international stage.

England skipper David Beckham set tongues wagging with his recent comments that the man who takes over from Sven Goran Eriksson after this summer's World Cup "has to have a certain amount of experience."

"That's part and parcel of being a top-flight manager, to be able to handle big games like in the Champions League and World Cups," the Real Madrid midfielder said.

The spin placed on those words was that Allardyce would be out of his depth among the game's elite, having only plied his trade with Blackpool, Notts County and Bolton.

However, Allardyce insists that the high intensity of the Premiership is enough to prepare any manager for the requirements of international football.

"So the England manager must have Champions League experience, at least on the back of what David Beckham says? I don't think so!" he said.

"Of course, experience of the game at the highest level would help. But it is not essential.

"All that matters is that you are a great manager - if that applies, you are right for the job.

"It's the same when people say you should have played international football to have the right credentials to manage a national team.

"Was Sven-Goran Eriksson an international footballer? No.

"Were Jose Mourinho or Rafael Benitez? No.

"Nobody seems to question their coaching qualifications.

"Everyone knows I would love to have the opportunity to be interviewed for the England job. If that happens it would be fantastic.

"But until those decisions are made I have a duty to my club."