Sam Allardyce: 'There's no coach more sophisticated than me in Premier League'

Sam Allardyce believes that his top-flight experience ensures that that there is not another manager in the Premier League "more sophisticated" than him.

The 60-year-old has turned around West Ham United's fortunes this season following an abject campaign last time out, which led to calls for him to be dismissed.

However, with the Hammers now playing a more stylish brand of football, and with positives results to match, Allardyce argues that he is as good a boss as anyone in the league.

"I don't think there is any coach more sophisticated than me anymore," he is quoted as saying by Goal.com. "That's not trying to criticise any other coaches but there is only Arsene [Wenger] who has done it longer than me.

"They may well have gained more experience by managing abroad like Louis van Gaal, Ronald Koeman and people like that but, in this country, with the experience they've got, I don't think there is any coach that would be in that position [as more sophisticated].

"I'm just as good as everybody at this stage. That comes from the amount of time you do the job, how much experience you gain in the job and how much knowledge you strive for on a regular basis to keep the cutting edge."

Allardyce's West Ham side travel to Southampton this evening looking to push on from their current position in eighth place.