Former Manchester United boss Ron Atkinson says Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce deserves the England job.

Big Sam, 61, may not be the perfect choice in a perfect world but – as Big Ron, 77, point outs – England are in a far from perfect place after their embarrassing Euro 2016 exit.

Big Ron told the Daily Star: “Sam is the obvious favourite – with Bruce and Hoddle also in the frame. That's fine with me.

“The starting point for the FA is to find an Englishman. There may not be a huge number of top English candidates around but that's life.

“If the FA went for a foreigner they would be failing in their duty to our game and to the country.

“Sam may not have experience at a really top club but which English coach does. Bruce has done a very good job with most of his clubs but, again, has never had a really big one.

“You could go for Eddie Howe but I feel it's too soon for the Bournemouth boss. He needs another 12 months or so there before stepping up to the next level.

“I still like Hoddle. He did a great job with England first time and I don't believe his time away matters. He could still do the job, maybe on an interim basis with Harry Redknapp.''