 | KEY DATES 05/04 - FA decides on a shortlist ahead of formal interview process 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 down to a "secret" shortlist ahead of formal interviews. 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, Premier League chairman Dave Richards and FA vice-chairman David Dein are the four men who have been appointed to find a new boss.
They will be joined in assessing the options by director of football development Trevor Brooking before reporting their findings to FA chairman Geoff Thompson.
BBC Sport rounds up the latest news and speculation surrounding the vacant England job.
10 APRIL:
Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate has criticised the FA's "messy" recruitment process.
His club boss Steve McCalren is in the frame for the job and former England international Southgate says speculation is unfair on the clubs affected by it.
"The England situation at the moment seems very public and a bit up in the air," he said.
"There are three or four clubs waiting to plan for the new season and bringing players in next year, and it all seems a bit messy at the moment.
"I hope something will be resolved in whichever way fairly soon.
"If we're to be believe there are four candidates then all of those clubs are affected, and everybody involved at those clubs is going to want to know what the position is for next season."
Charlton manager Alan Curbishley is reprtedly in the running and Southgate's theory does not quite wash with Addicks keeper Thomas Myhre.
"When the speculation started we talked about it in the changing room but it doesn't affect us at all," Myhre said.
"The gaffer has been here for 15 years and has done a fantastic job - that's why he's being linked with England.
"Looking at all the candidates in the line-up, I can't see why Curbs can't get the job on merit and on what he's achieved at Charlton. He can definitely make that step up."
Curbishley reckons Martin O'Neill is having the easiest ride of all the candidates on the alleged shortlist to become England coach.
While Curbishley, McClaren and Sam Allardyce are bombarded by media speculation day after day, O'Neill remains out of the spotlight. Elsewhere, a day after Guus Hiddink's agent ruled him out of the job the Dutchman announces he is set to coach the Russian national team.
WHAT ARE THE MANAGERS SAYING?
Guus Hiddink:
10 April - "I have been to Russia already to look at things and I already know that it will be fun to work there."
Alan Curbishley:
9 April - "When I had my meeting with the FA it was explained to me that they were going to leave no stone unturned, that they were going to explore every avenue."
Luiz Felipe Scolari
8 April - "Dealing with all the Brazilian stars is tough work. It would be easier to manage the likes of Beckham, Owen, Rooney and Terry."
Sam Allardyce:
1 April - "It's one of the biggest jobs in the world and I'm at the stage now when I think I'm ready."
Gerard Houllier:
29 March - "I have not put my name forward and I have not been interviewed."
Peter Taylor:
24 March - "My meeting was about the role, but I'm sure Alan Curbishley's meeting would have been for the role."
Fabio Capello:
24 March - "Within three years I will pack in coaching at club level and then I want to realise the dream I have always had inside me - England."
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.
Stuart Pearce:
13 March - "England is not a distraction for me, I don't take a great deal of interest in it."
WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
Send us your comments about the England manager's job using the form below and we will post a selection here. How can Curbishley get the job with no European experience and no major trophies. Surely the job must go to someone with a winning track record
Steve Handicott, Wales
Everyone is suggesting we must have a passionate English manager to lead the team, erm...that would be what Kevin Keegan was then and we all know what a success that turned out to be! Employing Sam Allardyce would condemn England to playing 4-5-1 with Crouch or Heskey as a target man or even Kevin Davies. The England manager should be the best manager in world football regardless of nationality. That is clearly Scolari.
Ross, UK
It appears the FA has spent weeks searching the four corners of the globe to find a 'list' of managers. I could have saved them the trouble (and considerable expense) by writing those names on the back of a fag packet during my lunch break. I call it the list of mediocrity and I'm sure the football ANY of them would produce would be just that.
Eric, England
It won't make any difference who they pick as England manager. The players won't change. They will continue to alternate between thinking they're the greatest and lacking confidence. If they ever come to believe they're a fairly ordinary bunch with an occasional "star" thrown in, which they are, the element of realism may stand them in good stead.
Alan Cowling, France
I would like to see Curbishley assisting Allardyce. That would be a great combination of passion and brains.
Sam, England
It is pathetic that David Beckham's international future should enter discussions involving our next manager. Sam Allardyce would be the perfect choice - a highly technical and experienced ENGLISH manager with new ideas.
Jonathan, Sheffield, England
One thing is for sure - this time we need an English manager. I have respect for what Sven has done but it is time to bring football home. Unfortunately, there is no English manager who is ready to take on such a role and lead our boys to glory. Stuart Pearce would be the ideal candidate, but I don't think he has matured into his role as manager yet - maybe another year.
Mark Andrews, Hampshire, England
Why is Sam Allardyce in the running? What has he actually done? The same with Alan Curbishley, neither of them have a good enough CV for the job. The nation doesn't just expect, we demand success. They've never experienced real success.
Ian, England
I think the "German model" is the best. Take a recently retired top international player in partnership with specialist, part-time coaches. This means Stuart Pearce or Alan Shearer, as examples, would be the best prospective managers. It is a model that has worked for even mediocre German teams.
Mike, London, UK
Why does everyone demand passion? Can we not hire an actor to jump about and rant in the technical area? That should keep the fans happy. Then we can calmly go about selecting a manager with what we really need; tactical acumen. Hiddink is the man.
Andrew Forbes, England
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