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PEARCE: I DON'T WANT HAMMERS JOB

Pearce - loves England role.

Stuart Pearce maintains he is happy helping shape England's future as head coach of the under-21s, rather than having to endure the trials and tribulations of management in the Barclays Premier League.

Alan Curbishley became the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season, resigning at West Ham following a row over transfer policy.

Former England defender Pearce spent two seasons with the Hammers from 1999.

Although he was among the early favourites to succeed Curbishley, the 46-year-old has been quick to rule himself out of the running and reaffirm his commitment to the under-21s, who play Portugal in their final European Championship qualifier at Wembley tomorrow night.

Pearce's other managerial role was a spell in charge following Kevin Keegan at Manchester City, which ended in February 2007.

The former Nottingham Forest stalwart insists he is in no hurry to jump back into the frying pan.

"I can still pick up the buzz. I have a mentality which switches me onto the job in hand - and that is this one at the moment," Pearce said.

"Sometimes I go into Premiership clubs and look at the writing all over their manager's face and think: I have got a good job, you know."

Pearce, who also assists senior England manager Fabio Capello, continued: "My contract runs until next summer, which will hopefully be at the end of the [European Championships] tournament, and I can take stock then of where my education will go - but once I give a commitment to do a job, I honour it.

"I ask the players for commitment, and my commitment to them is that come Hell or high water, Stuart Pearce will be their manager next summer.

"I still feel as though I have a lot to learn as a manager.

"I am improving, and the involvement with the seniors is a fantastic boost for me from an educational point of view.

"I also enjoy working with this group of players. There are some fantastic boys in there."

While Pearce suggested a return to club management was likely "some time in the future", given the current climate with billions being pumped into the game by foreign investors - which now includes his old team at Eastlands - the England Under-21 coach feels the relationship between dugout and boardroom is now under more strain than ever before.

"The European model of having an owner at the top who buys and sells players with the manager looking after the team is all well and good - but there has to be a relationship with a manager," he said.

"It needs to be open and fair, sitting down as group and saying 'what are the financial constraints we are working under as a football club? What players do you need to bring in? And which ones do you need to get out?'

"But that is just like it has to be for every other industry in the country, not just football, otherwise you can see problems ahead."

Pearce added: "The manager is the one who has to deal with the players on a daily basis on the pitch, to get the best out of them and he needs full support and understanding."

Friday night will mark the under-21s' competitive debut at the new Wembley, having opened the renovated stadium against Italy in a friendly during March last year.

Pearce's youngsters need only a draw to secure first place in Group 3 - and even if they lose to Portugal, England should have enough points to reach a two-legged play-off in October as one of the best runners-up.

The chance to get a taste of the national stadium is something Pearce believes can only stand the players in good stead.

"Playing here are Wembley is vital. It will be a tremendous experience for them," he said, with a crowd of more than 25,000 expected.

"What you don't want is a group of players who are trying to break into the senior national team for it to be their first time stepping out at Wembley.

"It will then not be new to them, not be daunting and be their home."

Pearce believes the under-21s are progressing in the right direction as they work towards the 2009 championships in Sweden.

He said: "Our aim is winning the tournament. This is another step of that way.

"If we can get out of the group and make sure Portugal do not qualify, then that will help us in the long run."

Pearce has seen his preparations for the match hampered by injuries to Manchester City duo Michael Johnson and Micah Richards, while Aston Villa defender Craig Gardner has also withdrawn.

Given Arsenal forward Theo Walcott had been called up into the senior squad, and Matt Derbyshire is out with a groin strain, the news Gabriel Agbonlahor did not train at Wembley today because of a stomach virus was a concern.

Pearce said: "We did not want to drain the tank out of him and also did not want him passing the bug onto the players, but I am hopefully he will be available."