Sam Allardyce pans Everton's indecisiveness and rules himself out of the running for Goodison job

Sam Allardyce has blamed Everton's indecisiveness for his decision to withdraw from the race to become their next manager.

The former England manager met representatives of the club in London earlier this month and was understood to be interested in the job. However, while Everton saw Allardyce as a short-term fix, the 63-year-old was thought to be keen on a much longer deal, which could have potentially included two more seasons after the current campaign.

The Toffees subsequently ramped up their interest in Watford's manager Marco Silva, prompting Allardyce, who left Crystal Palace at the end of last season after leading them to safety, to rule himself out of the running.

"It never materialised as I thought it would, unfortunately," he told talkSPORT.

"For me such a long time without a decision, I had to make a decision myself. The decision was it was probably better it wasn't me, and I'd move on to something else. It would have been a fabulous job, but it just didn't feel right.

"I think when you're sat in my position you want people to be decisive and feel like they want you. I didn't get that feeling overall. They were hesitating that I was the man."

Everton sacked Ronald Koeman at the end of October and have been looking for a replacement since, but the process has not gone as smoothly as the club would have hoped.

David Unsworth was appointed as interim manager following the Dutchman's departure and Everton chairman Bill Kenwright is understood to be keen on him landing the job on a permanent basis, while the Toffees' major shareholder Farhad Moshiri is reportedly determined to bring in a more high-profile replacement for Koeman.

Following three defeats in his first three games in charge, Unsworth saw his men secure a much-needed win as they came from behind to beat Watford 3-2 at Goodison Park before the international break.

The result moved Everton up to 15th place in the table, but they remain just two points clear of the relegation zone and face back-to-back away fixtures against Crystal Palace and Southampton.

The former Everton defender has publicly spoken of his desire to succeed Koeman permanently, and Phil Neville, who skippered the Toffees for seven seasons, is desperate to see a young British coach in Unsworth be given the reins at a top Premier League club.

"I want David Unsworth to get an opportunity," Neville told Sky Sports. "He knows the club, he was a player he's coached the U23s, he's produced so many brilliant young players. I know he's had four games but I hope he gets longer than that.

Meanwhile, the Toffees reportedly made contact with Silva on Monday (13 November) but their chances of securing the Portuguese's services appear slim, as his contract does not include a break-up clause.

"We will not countenance an approach for our manager, either from Everton or indeed any other club, be it in the Premier League or abroad," a spokesman for the club was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

However, according to the Telegraph, Burnley manager Sean Dyche remains in the running even though Everton have made no formal contact with him.