Sam Allardyce has been in charge of over 400 Premier League games in his career

Southampton v West Ham Venue: St Mary's Stadium Date: Wednesday, 11 February Kick-off: 19:45 GMT Coverage: Updates on BBC Radio 5 live, Live text commentary online, mobile, the BBC Sport app and Connected TV. Highlights: Watch Match Of The Day on Wednesday night, 22:45 GMT BBC One; 23:10 BBC One Scotland; 23:10 BBC One Wales; 23:40 BBC One Northern Ireland

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce says "there is no coach more sophisticated" than him in the Premier League.

Allardyce, 60, has guided the Hammers to eighth place in the top flight before Wednesday's trip to Southampton.

"I don't think there is any coach more sophisticated than me any more," said Allardyce. "That's not trying to criticise any other coaches.

"But there is only Arsene Wenger who has done it longer than me. I'm just as good as everybody at this stage."

Arsenal boss Wenger has been in charge since September 1996, with Allardyce first managing in the Premier League with Bolton in 2001.

Allardyce was under heavy pressure at Upton Park a year ago after a run of bad results and criticism of his style of play, but has turned their fortunes around.

Premier League: Allardyce v other English bosses Manager Played Won Drawn Lost For/Against Points Win % Pardew 233 86 50 97 287/348 308 36.91 Redknapp 641 236 167 238 818/846 875 36.82 Hodgson 216 75 54 87 257/278 279 34.72 Allardyce 423 146 116 161 509/574 554 34.52 Bruce 379 107 106 166 392/498 427 28.23 Source: Opta

His criticism of Manchester United's "long-ball" tactics in the 1-1 draw at the weekend led to United boss Louis van Gaal defending his style of play with documents in his news conference on Tuesday.

West Ham face another Dutchman on Wednesday in the form of Saints boss Ronald Koeman and Allardyce, who has managed Bolton, Newcastle, Blackburn and West Ham in the Premier League, believes he deserves respect for his record.

Van Gaal defends 'long ball' tactics with dossier

He said: "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 [of being more sophisticated than me].

"That comes from the amount of time you do in 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.

"The cutting edge is what's new in football, what's the next level, where is it going to be, how can you find it, how can you implement it into your club?

"I've always been that way inclined. I've never stood still and it's probably why I am still here managing in the Premier League for the last 13-14 years."

In 2010, while manager of Blackburn, Allardyce said he would be able to take charge of the biggest clubs in Europe.

"I would be more suited to Inter Milan or Real Madrid," he said.

"It wouldn't be a problem for me to manage those clubs because I would win the double or the league every time.

"Give me Manchester United or Chelsea and I would do the same, it wouldn't be a problem."

Earlier in his career, Allardyce would often sit in the stands and speak to the dug out via a microphone