By Mark Heys
November 18 2005

Birmingham City manager Steve Bruce beleives that Bolton counterpart Sam Allardyce would be the perfect choice to eventually succeed Sven Goran Eriksson as the English national coach. Bruce's struggling Blues side come up against the Wanderers at St Andrews on Monday evening and the former Manchester United captain has praised Allardyce for the job that he has done during six years in charge at the Reebok Stadium.

"Sam has done a fantastic job, He should be credited for what he has done." said Bruce in his post match interview

"I know he is a mate but what a fabulous job he has done over the last four or five years. Where he has taken Bolton is a fabulous achievement. Should he eventually replace Sven? He has got to be a candidate.

"Sven is the best thing since sliced bread now after the win over Argentina and it shows how quickly things change. But when he decides to leave, Sam has got to be a contender with his attributes and what he has done."

Many criticise Allardyce as not being high profile enough to take on a privelaged role with the national team but Bruce feels that the credentials of the former Notts County and Blackpool boss speak for themselves.

"Why not him? I get asked 'is he fashionable enough for the England job?'. But who could have done a job like he has done?. But we've never really spoken about the England thing. I saw him a couple of weeks ago and we just talk about football in general like everyone else".