The Football Association's search for a successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson goes on - with no agreement yet on who will get the job. BBC Sport rounds up the latest news and speculation as FA chief executive Brian Barwick, international committee chairman Noel White, Premier League chairman Dave Richards and FA vice-chairman David Dein search for a manager.
23 APRIL:
It seems the newspapers are all in agreement about the England job.
However, Sunday's papers also claim there is a huge split in the FA - with the decision between Middlesbrough's Steve McClaren and Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari dividing opinion.
McClaren is the firm favourite as he seems to have won the backing of those demanding an Englishman for the job, but Scolari's impressive CV seems to be earning him the votes from those who care not about the coach's birthplace.
The News of the World argues that the split could see Bolton's Sam Allardyce handed the role as a compromise.
If former Middlesbrough star Juninho has anything to do with it - which is unlikely - England would go for the Brazilian touch.
Juninho has played under McClaren (at Boro), O'Neill (at Celtic) and Scolari (with Brazil) and says the latter is the outstanding candidate.
He was quoted in the Mail on Sunday as saying: "Out of all three of them, I think Scolari is the best coach.
"Felipe would be great if he was the England coach. He is doing great things with the Portugal side and would improve the England team.
"McClaren is a good tactical coach but I don't think he deals well with the players.
"On the pitch he is good, but off it, with the players he needs to be more truthful."
Middlesbrough skipper Gareth Southgate gives a less-than-glowing reference about McClaren in the Sunday Times. The former England defender does not believe his Boro boss McClaren, Allardyce, O'Neill or Curbishley have the necessary experience for England.
His choice would be Arsenal's Arsene Wenger, while he would like to see Terry Venables brought in as a mentor if one of the above are given the job.
WHAT THE MANAGERS ARE SAYING
Alan Curbishley:
17 April - "The whole thing is bizarre. Every day you are news and it's difficult when you are trying to run your club. Whenever I go into a press conference before a game it gets hijacked by people wanting to talk about England.
Sam Allardyce:
12 April - "I'd like to reassure everyone connected with Bolton that I'm looking for players so that we can continue to compete with the elite of English and European football." Steve McClaren:
21 April - "Obviously it's flattering, but it's due to the success of the football club, it's due to the success of what the players are doing on the park. Do I need to defend my record? No, it's there in black and white. You just have to look at the facts, and that's all I am. I manage a football team and I'm judged on results, end of story." Martin O'Neill:
Former Celtic boss O'Neill is the only one of the five candidates believed to be on the FA's shortlist not to have made any comment so far. Luiz Felipe Scolari
15 April - "I'll think about my future after 31 July. I don't know what I'll do after Germany." 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. Rijkaard - character, authority, perspicacity, aura, experience, success, scope, modern, popular... No contest.
Kevin Solan, France
If McClaren gets the job I'd be devastated, on Match of the Day every week he praises his players even if they get thumped and were rubbish! We need a motivator, someone who will shout and kick every ball with the team on the pitch, for me it'd be a combination of Allardyce and Pearce, passion in abundance.
Brad Clark, England
Curbishley and McClaren are clearly both pretty competent but, of those shortlisted for the job, only O'Neill and Big Sam are likely to inject the kind of excitement about England's prospects that fans thrive on.
Tobias Davidson, UK
It would break my fat, English heart to see the FA appoint Mclaren. Such a good group of players. Such a mediocre manager. He's assembled an ordinary team for treble the cost many others would have spent for the same end result. 3M a year should get a great manager. Mclaren is nothing better than ordinary.
Leon, England
I can not believe Steve McClaren is even being considered! What has he ever achieved, with great players and resources, other than inconsistency and a place in the bottom half of the table. He won't be able to buy players for England! Martin O'Neill has always achieved wonderful things with his teams, not by buying his way to the top, but getting the best out of the players he's got.
Tom, England
Imagine Brazil or Germany were looking for a new coach - is there any conceivable way Allardyce, O'Neill, Curbishley or McClaren would be on their shortlist? Of course not, they are just not the right calibre. So why are the FA considering them - isn't the England job just as high profile? It has to be Scolari - he will bring some Brazilian flair to a very promising England team.
James, England
How can it be, everyone can see it just the FA can't? Is this a fit up by the press? A manager that has spent loads and taken Middlesbrough to the brink of relegation can't seriously be in the running for the post, who will they call up next his predecessor Bryan Robson, who did the same? Getting anywhere in the Uefa Cup these days is not hard, and as for the treble with ManU, wasn't a certain Sir Alex the manager at the time? Heaven forbid McClaren as England manager!
Jamie, Germany
In order of best man for the job :- O'Neill, O'Neill, followed by O'Neill. Come on who are we trying to kid - Allardyce, Curbishley, Mclaren - the press will eat them all alive. Put Martin in - he's a legend.
Ali Reza, England
Give the job to Harry Redknapp. Winning the World Cup has to be easier than keeping Pompey up.
Patrick Dunne, USA
Anyone can win a trophy with Celtic and any Premiership team can win the League Cup. Bolton and Charlton have won nothing that I can think of, but they have been kept up. The jock who's won everything wouldn't give it the time of day and the man from del monty with the blues wants to play. The best choice is Scolari leaps and bounds above the rest, but who cares anyway because Germany is the real test.
Mark Finlayson, England
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
