SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is backing Sam Allardyce to be a big success for England and has not ruled out joining him in the coaching set up.

Brown worked closely with Allardyce at both Blackpool and Bolton Wanderers.

And the Blues boss has been flattered by speculation linking him with a role in the new Three Lions set up.

"Of course it's nice to be linked with England," said Brown.

"It shows you must be doing a half decent job in the domestic game and working for your country remains the pinnacle in football.

"But I've had two or three clubs interested in me since I've been at Southend and I'm still here.

"I've pledged my loyalty to Southend and we'll see what happens in the future.

"It would be an honour to work with England but my focus is all on making sure Southend prepare as well as possible for the new season."

Brown, who saw his side beat a young West Ham team 3-2 on Saturday, has yet to speak to Allardyce since his appointment.

However, he always believed the 61-year-old would end up in charge of the national team.

"I've been with Sam for a number of years, I started with him at Blackpool and I always thought he would go on to be England manager," said Brown, who turned down the chance to be Allardyce's assistant at Sunderland last October.

"If I'm honest I thought he would get it sooner than he has but he's done a great job for a long time and he's the right choice.

"He's 40 or 50 games short of 1,000 games now so he has all the experience you could want and I think he'll help the national team get our identity back.

"That was missing in the Euro's and I'm delighted he's got the job.

"I haven't spoken to him about it just yet but I've left him a message and I'm sure we will talk in the near future."

Allardyce has signed a two year deal in charge of England and replaces Roy Hodgson who stepped down after a disastrous Euro 2016 campaign which saw the Three Lions beaten 2-1 by Iceland in the last 16.