SAM Allardyce's position as the people's choice to succeed Sven Goran Eriksson has been strengthened by a national radio vote.

The Wanderers boss topped a poll of listeners to BBC Radio Five Live, receiving 40 per cent of votes cast to comfortably beat Charlton's Alan Curbishley and Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren in the popularity stakes.

Sam for England: Earlier reports

Allardyce also received a public endorsement from Joe Royle, the former Oldham, Manchester City and Everton manager who is now in charge at Ipswich.

"Sam's the best around in the Premiership," Royle said. "He's the perfect blend of old and new. He shouts from the dugout but is also strong on the technical side."

Allardyce used an interview with the BBC on Wednesday night to fly the flag for English managers.

The lack of home grown managers in top English jobs has been a matter of debate but the Bolton boss believes the best of them are as well equipped as any of the foreign coaches in the country.

Allardyce has respect for the likes of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez but sees no reason why the top English talent cannot do their jobs.

He told Five Live: "I believe I do as much, in some cases more, than anyone else in the Premiership, not just foreign coaches.

"We are all striving for that extra half or one percent. To get that is extremely difficult and we have spent a huge amount of time researching that.

"I think we (English coaches) are up to speed because we have to be and we have been challenged by people coming from abroad.

"It has made us have to compete more and get better than we already were. I think we've done that.

"From the point of view that foreign coaches do more than us, I don't quite believe that.

"I don't want to show any disrespect, they do a fantastic job and coming to a foreign country to coach is a fantastic challenge.

"It is something I may want to challenge myself with later in my career, if I could get that opportunity."

Allardyce has no doubts that the top British coaches can succeed abroad and feels he could prove it.

He added: "In the past we have had very good managers leave this country and do exceptionally well.

"It is a challenge I would like to take up to show that is still the case, that we are on the same level as them, that we can compete at that level."