 | KEY DATES 10/03 - FA meets with Curbishley for informal discussions 27/02 - Three-man team report to FA chairman Geoff Thompson 02/02 - The FA appoints three-man team to find new boss 26/01 - Barwick signals intention to appoint successor before World Cup 23/01 - Eriksson reveals he will stand down after World Cup |
The Football Association's search for a successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson is under way. The Swede will step down after the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.
FA chief executive Brian Barwick (pictured right), international committee chairman Noel White and Premier League chairman Dave Richards are the three men who have been appointed to find a new boss.
BBC Sport rounds up the latest news and speculation surrounding the vacant England job.
17 MARCH:
According to some of the papers, talks with Martin O'Neill are imminent.
The former Northern Ireland international and Celtic boss has been at the Cheltenham Festival this week but could meet Barwick as soon as next week.
O'Neill is reported to be Barwick's favoured choice.
That news may not be music to the ears of striker Michael Owen who would prefer an Englishman to take over at the helm.
"I think everyone would say they want an English manager. I'm no different. As long as he is the best man for the job," said the 26-year-old.
"But the main criteria is obviously 'is he good enough?' If that's the case then I definitely would side with an English manager."
And 24 hours after reportedly saying he wanted the job, Juventus coach Fabio Capello has ruled himself out of the running.
WHAT ARE THE MANAGERS SAYING?
Fabio Capello:
16 March - "I am very happy at Juventus. It is my idea to continue coaching for three years."
Steve McClaren:
15 March - Studiously avoided answering questions about the latest speculation surrounding the England job before his Middlesbrough team beat Roma to reach the Uefa Cup quarter-finals.
Alan Curbishley:
14 March - "I want the England job. I have no idea what will happen next or even where I now stand"
Stuart Pearce:
13 March - "England is not a distraction for me, I don't take a great deal of interest in it"
Sam Allardyce:
3 March - "Everyone knows I would love to have the opportunity to be interviewed for the England job"
Luiz Felipe Scolari:
5 February - "I know if I want to take over England I need to learn the language more"
Guus Hiddink:
25 January - "There's been no contact but he would definitely be interested in hearing from the FA," said Hiddink's agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
Send us your comments on who should be England coach and why using the form below and we will post a selection here. Stuart Pearce all the way. Bring back the passion.
Sam, New Zealand
It has got to be either Guus Hiddink or Steve Mclaren. The latter preferably because I feel he is the only English manager with international experience by being at Eriksson's side during many national matches.
James Kelly, England, Amesbury
Why has the next England manager got to be English? I can only think it's xenophobia because it surely can't be on track record or talent. Sam Allardyce is the best of a mediocre bunch but he's yet to achieve anything. He's not in the same class as Wenger, Mourinho, Hiddink or Capello. Why don't we make one of them an offer they cannot refuse! I don't care about nationality of the coach I just want England to win something.
Jon,, England
The almost-perfect choice would be Martin O'Neill. We have seen how good he managed a mediocre team like Leicester and big team like Glasgow Celtic. He has proved that he's good on both. Why not give him a try?
Wirawan Winarto, Indonesia
Appointing Fabio Capello would be great for the England team. He would be able to ensure the team structure and their performance on the pitch would be as a team and not wholly rely on individual brilliance.
Takako Nemoto, UK
The England team is probably one of the best in the world and should have a coach who knows international tactics with a blend of domestic shrewdness. England under Sven Goran Eriksson have improved a lot. They will only improve further with Fabio Capello as the new manager.
Dominic Chan, Malaysia
Anyone who wants to see McClaren as manager should have watched the Roma game. Middlesborough didn't have one decent move, and that's the sort of England we want to see? Do the players under his management learn any ball control? There certainly was no evidence of that in the week! Anyone but McClaren! Please!
Jamie, Germany
I keep hearing Martin O'Neill, and I keep asking why? Leicester were boring to watch and ask any Celtic fan what they were like under O'Neill, long ball to the big lads. Do we want that for England? Got to be Big Sam, great man-management and shows he can handle the "name" players.
marc, england
In response to the comment about Martin O'Neill's management technique at Leicester and Celtic. Yes, Leicester might have been boring and as a Celtic fan, yes he did coach Celtic to play the long ball to the big men up front, but what you have to remember is that he got results. England have tried to play attractive football and where has it got you? A World Cup win almost 40 years ago. So would you rather have attractive football that wins you nothing or a manager that will get results when you need them?
Al, Scotland
I am very surprised that no-one recognises the qualities of Steve Coppell. An ex-international of some standing, extensive not always easy managerial experience at a top level and currently leading Reading to runaway success in the First Division. Also very unlikely to end up as front page news for the wrong reasons!
John Robson, England
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MMIX
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