 | 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.
11 APRIL:
Charlton are preparing for the worst and have made provision for the eventuality that their manager Alan Curbishley takes the England job.
"We have to look out for the future of Charlton," chief executive Peter Varney told BBC London 94.9.
"With the length of time this whole process is taking, we've taken steps to make sure we know which direction we want to go in if Alan Curbishley is the actual choice at the end of the day".
But if the bookies are to be believed Curbishley will not be checking out a new office at Soho Square in the summer, but Steve McClaren might.
The Middlesbrough manager had a second interview with the FA on Monday, according to reports in the Daily Mirror.
His stock has risen as he has guided Boro to the semi-finals of the Uefa Cup, and he is due to go to the World Cup as Sven-Goran Eriksson's number two.
But there are fears that in a worst-case scenario, McClaren could pull out of the England set-up ahead of the tournament if one of his rivals is given the job instead.
Former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is still believed to be the favourite, but Newcastle are also thought to be interested in him, so he may want a decision soon rather than later.
WHAT ARE THE MANAGERS SAYING?
Guus Hiddink, on confirming his new job as Russia coach:
10 April - "I'm glad this is off my chest now. 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. McClaren - hasn't set the world alight at Boro, even if they win the UEFA Cup he should have done a lot better. Allardyce - has the tactical acumen that Sven lacks and is prepared to take risks but no big European club management history or trophies, and rants about refs too much. Curbishley - good club manager but see Allardyce in terms of trophies. O'Neill - if you're going outside England, appoint Big Phil who's actually won the World Cup! The FA should snap up Scolari with haste. Managers who both want the job and have won the World Cup already are like rocking horse dung.
Geoffrey Toulmin, England
The English candidates could turn out to be 'turnips' like Graham Taylor, and what about Kevin Keegan. Pay the money and let us get Mourinho, Wenger, Gullit or Rijkaard.
Zafar, UK
Why is nobody talking about Paul Jewell? He has done a great job at Wigan and Bradford bringing them both up and keeping them in the premiership both times!! Otherwise it has to be a ENGLISHMAN because a foreign manager doesn't understand the passion of football in England!
Lewis Hill, England
It should be Martin O'Neill. His motivational skills are second to none, and what he achieved with Celtic, taking them to a European final, was unreal.
Graham Fordyce, England
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
There are no English managers with enough experience for this job - Fabio Capello is the man, but he won't take the job yet. With the quality in the England side, any gaffer should be able to command genuine optimism, a good foreigner with the right tactics to shake the predictable runnings of this English side can have a very realistic chance of success. Get me Scolari, but first go and win the World Cup!!
Tim Cutting, Colchester
One thing is for sure, the powers that be will mess it up and it will all end in tears. Just pick the best person for the job no matter what nationality. Clubs don't restrict themselves to managers born in the town or even the country, so what is the difference?
Colin Lowe, England
No English pretender should be considered - the first choice was Hiddink, who's now gone, so what about Scolari? The current team is the best in 40 years and they are going to be led a man of limited international exposure. It is tragic! I do not have the stomach to watch the post Eriksonn era - I suffered Taylor, do I deserve to suffer again?
Alan W Smith, USA
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