SAM Allardyce has reacted angrily to reports claiming he is being lined up as a replacement for under-pressure Manchester City manager, Stuart Pearce.

Five straight defeats have seen City slide into the Premiership relegation zone, prompting speculation that the axe is set to fall on Pearce and touting the Wanderers boss as the man the Blues board want to revive their fortunes.

The speculation intensified after City lost 1-0 at home to Chelsea on Wednesday, but Allardyce is unhappy with the reports that have served only to add to the pressure on a fellow manager.

"I don't like rumours like that," he said. "They are horrible, when Stuart's scrapping and fighting away for his life, under very difficult circumstances. I don't like the rumours that link me with the job."

Allardyce met Pearce at the recent Blackburn-Arsenal FA Cup replay and says the City boss appeared to be coping well.

"He seemed in good spirits," he added. "Everybody knows Man City's problems, they just haven't scored enough goals. Stuart knows that. They've only scored 20 and that's a huge problem for them. Everywhere else, they're OK."

Wigan Athletic boss Paul Jewell also condemned reports that have linked him with the City job.

Jewell said: "It is disrespectful for my name to be linked with the job when there is a man already in charge."