West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has spoken of his desire to stay at the club for the long-term.
Allardyce's newly-promoted Hammers currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, above a number of established top-flight sides including Liverpool, Aston Villa and Fulham.
Earlier in December, West Ham were confirmed as the 'preferred bidders' to take over the Olympic Stadium site in 2015 and Allardyce is eyeing the stadium move as a potential milestone in his management at the club with a view to establishing himself as "one of the longest-serving managers around".
Allardyce told the Daily Express: "For every manager, the sack is just around the corner but the Olympic Stadium is a nice light at the end of the tunnel.
"It would be a massive achievement for anyone to stay at a club that long these days. But after a number of experiences, you get confidence in your own abilities. If you don't have that, you won't survive."
In his last two jobs, at Blackburn and Newcastle, Allardyce was sacked following protests and abuse from fans, but Allardyce stated his belief that he has gradually won over any Upton Park sceptics.
He said: "Even when we've lost, the crowd have appreciated what we've tried to do. The Chelsea turnaround (in a 3-1 victory at Upton Park) was a huge booster for everybody."
Allardyce is in the final season of a two-year contract with the Hammers, although a decision on his future is thought to be unlikely to be made until West Ham's Premier League safety is secured.
West Ham currently sit eight points off the drop zone after 17 league games.
Don't miss any live and exclusive football coverage this festive season. Click here to visit Sky Sports' Festive Calendar
For the first time since 1999, more teams from the Bundesliga made it out of the initial group stage of the Champions League than their English counterparts.
With Bayern Munich, Schalke and Borussia Dortmund all seeded for Thursday's knockout round draw, they are well placed to make deep inroads in the competition.
So, with cheap ticket prices fuelling a soccer boom in the country, Ferguson believes they offer a genuine challenge to England's position.
"The Premier League is still the most exciting in Europe," Ferguson told www.eurosport.com.
"The great thing about our league is that anyone can beat you.
"It has always had that great quality and in general it is 100 per cent commitment, which the supporters recognise.
"But Germany is very successful at the moment also.
"The crowds there are fantastic and it is very cheap in relation to English football, which encourages supporter participation.
"The stadiums are great and the games are good quality with a lot of goals.
"Germany is creeping up but ours is still the most exciting."
For the second season running, England lost half its Champions League contingent at the group stage.
Big-spending Manchester City have found the acclimatisation process much harder than they hoped, whilst this term Chelsea also bowed out, just as United did 12 months ago.
"Europe has been disappointing for the Premier League teams over the last couple of years," said Ferguson.
"For quite a few years we were getting three teams in the semi-finals, or at least two. In 2008 it was an all Premier League final.
"But sometimes you get blips.
"I don't think it is going to be a consistent thing. I think English teams will always be challenging to be in the latter stages of the European Cup."
The 19-year-old Birmingham City goalkeeper has been widely tipped for a move in the January transfer window, with a number of top-flight sides poised to battle it out for his signature.
The speculation follows Butland's impressive summer, when he appeared for Team GB in the Olympics, went to the European Championship with England and made his debuts for both club and country.
Liverpool and Everton are understood to be among the teams keen on Butland, who says he would relish playing in the top flight.
"I have got confidence in my ability," he said. "I would always back myself.
"I have been fortunate to play in quite a few big stadiums and I would like to think I have handled myself very well.
"I don't think the occasion would be a problem. I want to be playing at the top level for as long as I can in my career. And those summer experiences gave me an idea of what to expect and how I need to be at that level."
Despite being flattered by the interest in him, Butland insists he is in no rush to leave St Andrew's and would like to make his Premier League bow with Birmingham.
With Lee Clark's side currently in 19th in Championship, they have a tough task to be there next season, but Butland is nevertheless happy just to be playing regularly and building his experience.
"I know everything won't come along at once," he added. "I'm still 19 and learning my trade.
"I have a great chance here to play a lot of games and hopefully get this team in the top flight, which is my aim. The Blues are a very big club - one that belongs in the Premier League.
"It is about getting us back there this season, hopefully. We have a lot of players that have played in the Premier League and there are a few of the younger lads that really want to be part of the Premier League.
"It's a good mix and if we continue playing the way we are then we'll be up there."
