Sam Allardyce has told talkSPORT playing football management computer games could help prepare people for life as a professional football manager.

The former England boss was a special guest on Wednesday’s mid-morning show and, when the conversation turned to e-sports and video games, Allardyce revealed that he believes the new breed of football simulation games are so realistic they could help develop a new generation of coaches.

Discussing his theory with talkSPORT presenter Max Rushden, the conversation went like this:

Sam Allardyce: “When will the first manager manage at a professional level having learned his trade on FIFA and Football Manager?”

Max Rushden: “But they’re very different…”

SA: “They’re not. I’ve watched my grandson on it and watched him buy players and sell them to get to the top of the league – it’s teaching him how to manage.”

MR: “But he’s not dealing with any humans…”

SA: “I know. It’s very farfetched, I know, but with the knowledge base they build up…it would be very interesting later down the line.”

Listen to the clip IN FULL above!