West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce has admitted that it is unlikely that he will remain in football management as long as his old friend and ally Sir Alex Ferguson.

Allardyce celebrates his 60th birthday as his Hammers side visit Burnley in the Premier League today, though he cannot see himself spending his 70th birthday in the dugout.

"No, I don't think so," he told reporters when asked if he could emulate the Scot. "I think that when it comes to the crunch when you get to your senior years you judge each year as it goes on. You don't want to overstay your welcome, sometimes I think you possibly can do.

"I don't want to fall into the trap of doing it for the sake of it. You've always got to have that internal pride and desire. For me, it's never been work. I've always said it's all about the enjoyment you get out of the game and what a wonderful life it's given you from the time you've left school.

"There is plenty of life left in me but I can't believe I've got 'six-oh' next to my name. I don't know where it's all gone but as everybody warns you, it goes quicker and quicker the older you get."

Allardyce was recently praised by Arsenal legend Martin Keown for turning West Ham's fortunes around.