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Michail Antonio has revealed he is saddened to see Sam Allardyce leave England and has called for the job to go to Alan Pardew.

The West Ham attacker was called up by Allardyce for his sole squad before the 61-year-old was sacked this week after just 67 days in charge.

Antonio, currently one of the Premier League’s top scorers on five goals, said: “He gave me my first opportunity so I’m definitely sad but you’ve just got to move on, that’s how it is in football.

“People move on, you’ve got to move on and keep doing what you’re doing. It was a great time, he's so laid back.

(Image: Reuters) (Image: Action Images via Reuters / Matthew Childs)

"I feel like he was a good manager, the way things have happened, it was 67 days into his job, at least he’s leaving with a 100 per cent record, but I think things have ended prematurely for him."

Gareth Southgate, promoted temporarily from the Under 21s, will take charge for the next four games while the Football Association look for a permanent replacement.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, Bounemouth’s Eddie Howe and former Schalke boss Ralf Ragnick have all been touted.

But 26-year-old Antonio, would prefer his former boss, Crystal Palace manager Pardew, to get the job.

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He told ITV football: “The manager I really like and who’s done well over the years, I’d say Alan Pardew, I was with him at Southampton and I think he’s a quality manager, I think he’d do well as England manager.

"I wouldn’t say it’s important the England manager is English, [but] it would be a nice feel to it and it would be easier to get things put across to the players.”

Although he did not win a cap in Allardyce’s sole game against Slovakia, Antonio has no fears about breaking into the England team.

“Not at all,’ he went on. “It’s just one of those things, I’m a footballer, I’ve got perform, and if I’m performing the way I am performing it’ll be hard for the next England manager to ignore me.”