Sir Bobby Robson has tipped Stuart Pearce to be a future England manager, rather than the next.
The Manchester City boss is one of those in line to replace Sven Goran Eriksson, but Robson insists that Pearce is not yet experienced enough for the top job in English football.
"I still think it's a job for experience," Robson told Sky Sports News.
"I think Pearce is going to be a very good manager and could very well be England manager.
"I think Stuart Pearce, and he won't mind me saying this, is the next England manager after this next one."
Former England boss Robson, currently working for Republic of Ireland, admitted his preference would be for an Englishman, but Irishman Martin O'Neill would still be acceptable.
"Those of us who are English would want an English manager," he said.
"I suppose in a sense we might talk about being British as well so that would let in Martin, he looks as though he's done a very good job at Celtic.
"He is a bright boy, very intelligent and passionate and he does want the job so there you are, he's a strong candidate but there are others. Englishmen who do very good jobs at their respective clubs where the financial budgets are not great."
The Manchester City boss is one of those in line to replace Sven Goran Eriksson, but Robson insists that Pearce is not yet experienced enough for the top job in English football.
"I still think it's a job for experience," Robson told Sky Sports News.
"I think Pearce is going to be a very good manager and could very well be England manager.
"I think Stuart Pearce, and he won't mind me saying this, is the next England manager after this next one."
Former England boss Robson, currently working for Republic of Ireland, admitted his preference would be for an Englishman, but Irishman Martin O'Neill would still be acceptable.
"Those of us who are English would want an English manager," he said.
"I suppose in a sense we might talk about being British as well so that would let in Martin, he looks as though he's done a very good job at Celtic.
"He is a bright boy, very intelligent and passionate and he does want the job so there you are, he's a strong candidate but there are others. Englishmen who do very good jobs at their respective clubs where the financial budgets are not great."
