He also played for Motherwell, Leicester, Liverpool and Coventry, whom he managed for 18 months before leaving to look after his wife Denise, who died of cancer in 2006.
McAllister, who won 57 international caps, was considered for the Scotland post before Alex McLeish was appointed in 2007.
However, he pulled out of the running to succeed McLeish early on and George Burley got the position this month.
Wise left the club on Tuesday after 15 months in charge, while assistant Dave Bassett has also departed. Technical director Gwyn Williams will take charge of the game at Southend tonight.