Bryan Robson does not believe Martin O'Neill should get the England manager's job because he is not English.

Robson, the former England skipper who is now manager of West Brom, believes there are enough English candidates who can succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson, and claims the job should go to Sam Allardyce or Alan Curbishley.

He said: "I have nothing against foreign coaches and Mr Eriksson has done a great job for England but I would like to see an Englishman back in the job.

"Bobby Robson took England to the semi-finals of the World Cup and Terry Venables took them to the semi-finals of the European Championships so English managers have proved they can do the job and do it very well."

Asked by BBC News 24 whether that would rule out Ulsterman O'Neill, Robson said it did in his eyes and he would prefer Bolton manager Allardyce or Charlton boss Curbishley.

He added: "Only the FA can rule anyone out but it would do as far as I'm concerned because I would like it to be an English manager. It doesn't mean that if Martin O'Neill got it he wouldn't do a great job - just look at what Jack Charlton achieved with the Republic of Ireland.

"I would sooner see someone like a Sam Allardyce or Alan Curbishley being given a chance in the job."