PREMIER LEAGUE: Allardyce - I still want to be England manager

Sam Allardyce is hoping getting the Sunderland job can bring him one step closer to his dream of becoming England manager.

The 60-year-old succeeded Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light last week and is still seething he was overlooked for the England role when interviewed for it nine years ago.

Instead, Steve McClaren was appointed and Allardyce has told The Sun: "I should have got it then and as I'm a better manager now, I believe I should be in the running when it comes round again."

At the time Allardyce was in charge at Bolton and thought he would get the job when Sven-Goran Eriksson revealed he would quit after the 2006 World Cup.

[ALLARDYCE: IT'S NICE TO BE LOVED AT SUNDERLAND]

In The Sun, serialising his book 'Big Sam - My Autobiography', Allardyce added: "The longer I thought about it the more I felt I should get it.

"I wanted an insight from Becks into what the players needed and how to improve their lot and stop them getting so much criticism.

"He could see I was serious and I think I left him convined I could do it."

However, the FA offered Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari the job but he turned it down allowing McClaren his chance.