Wayne Bridge sucks big time. Worst of the lot.

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant England coach's position.

The Northern Irishman, 55, who was interviewed for the job last year, was among the favourites to take over following Steve McClaren's dismissal.

But O'Neill confirmed on Friday that he did not want the job.

McClaren was sacked after England were beaten 3-2 by Croatia at Wembley on Wednesday and so failed to qualify for next summer's Euro 2008 finals.


The Football Association's chief executive Brian Barwick has begun his search for a replacement.

Of the other contenders, BBC Sport understands that Jose Mourinho is not interested in the job.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and West Ham's Alan Curbishley have ruled themselves out, Mark Hughes signed a new contract with Blackburn on Friday, and Marcello Lippi has distanced himself from the role.

But ex-Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello says he is interested and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has not ruled himself out.

England's next scheduled match is a friendly against France in Paris on 26 March, although there is a date available in February to arrange another fixture if required.

The next competitive match will be the opening encounter of the 2010 World Cup campaign in September, with the draw for the qualifying groups taking place on Sunday.

Jose Mourinho reportedly wants £4million a year to become England coach - the same wage that Sven-Goran Eriksson was paid by the FA.

The Daily Star claims that Mourinho will ask for the same salary that Eriksson was paid to take over from Steve McClaren, who was sacked after the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Mourinho has been coy about his prospects thus far, neither ruling himself in or out of the running.

He told Sky Sports News on Wednesday night that he 'knew nothing' about the job, and had previously told The Sun that the FA would have to 'come and get' him.

McClaren was paid significantly less than Eriksson, earning in the region of £2.5million a year, with the FA seemingly determined never to hand out the sort of astronomical salary that brought such ridicule.

However, given the failure of the Euro 2008 campaign, The Star claims that the 'cash-rich Soho Square chiefs would be prepared to break the bank for Mourinho'.

The FA are set to meet on Thursday to discuss the process of appointing the new man, and The Star reports that Brian Barwick will be given more or less sole responsibility for choosing McClaren's successor.

Martin O'Neill is still reported to be high on the FA's list, despite seeming to rule himself out of the running last week.

However, if the FA want Mourinho then they may face competition from Real Madrid and Barcelona, who are both rumoured to be interested.

The Football Association has contacted Jose Mourinho's agent about the former Chelsea boss taking over as England coach, BBC Sport understands.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes has been approached by the FA about the job, although reports that the Portuguese is already in London are wide of the mark.

It is thought the FA has drawn up a shortlist of five or six contenders.

Mourinho, 44, is on the list and he is considering whether he is prepared to meet FA bosses to talk about the job.

Some newspaper reports claimed Mourinho was either in London already or about to fly into England from Portugal for talks with the FA.

But BBC Sport football correspondent Jonathan Legard said he understood Mourinho was still at home in Portugal but that an approach had been made.

"My sources in Portugal told me that Mourinho has been approached about the England job through his agent," said Legard.

"He is said to be considering it, but it is not his first-choice opening. He still has very strong interest in what might develop at the top two Spanish clubs, particularly Real Madrid.

"I understand that the FA's consultation process is all but complete.

"Brian Barwick, the chief executive and Trevor Brooking have taken their soundings from within the game and as a result we could know the identity of Steve McClaren's successor before Christmas."

Barwick met Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger on Thursday while Brooking spent time with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson last weekend.

Reports suggest the FA's shortlist will include Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Martin O'Neill, Marcello Lippi and Jurgen Klinsmann.

Aston Villa boss O'Neill, who has twice attempted to rule himself out of the running, told The Times on Friday: "I think Jose would be an excellent choice, simple as that.

"An England manager should have the time (to put a good structure in place) because he doesn't have to organise a training session every morning.

"It should be his business to get around and see how the structure operates, to see what is happening at clubs.

"But eventually it's about winning games at first-team level then hoping you can develop something that will stand the football club in great stead, or allow you to make a mark at international level over a period of time."

FA chairman Geoff Thompson said on Thursday: "We are determined to get the right man, at the right time.

"Brian Barwick has been charged with finding a manager to recommend to the FA board and is well under way with the process."

It appears likely that a successor for the recently-sacked Steve McClaren will be installed before the next international - the friendly against Switzerland on 6 February at Wembley.

Doubts have emerged over Jose Mourinho's interest in the England manager's job, according to reports in the national press.

The former Chelsea boss had emerged as the bookmakers and fans' favourite to replace Steve McClaren who was axed in the wake of England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

When questioned by Sky Sports News on Friday as to whether he could be the next England boss, Mourinho responded: "Why not?"

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has been charged with the task of appointing McClaren's successor and is believed to have already held talks with Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes.

Club link

But the News of the World reports that the Portuguese coach has now decided he would prefer to take a job in club football, despite initially showing great interest in the FA's advances.

The Sunday Express also suggests that Mourinho will not take the national job, linking him with a move to Barcelona should under-pressure Frank Rijkaard be axed.

But the Mail on Sunday and the People still have the former Stamford Bridge boss, who won back-to-back Premier League titles with the Blues, firmly in the frame to replace McClaren.

Stay tuned to skysports.com and we will bring you all the latest news on the FA's hunt for the next England boss.

FA contact

And FA director of communications Adrian Bevington insists that they will not be deterred from contacting any managerial targets, even those who have publicly ruled themselves out.

He told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme: "You only find out if someone is prepared to say no once you actually put it to them.

"You cannot work on the basis of what is said in the media. People often have a different opinion when they speak in public than they have in private.

"The only way to find out where someone is on the England job, if you believe they are someone you want to speak to, is when you actually ask them a direct question.

"We should not rule anyone out. Why would we until we have an appointment? It would be very naive of us to do so. We have an open mind."

No deadline

Bevington insists the FA will not be rushed into making an appointment and are determined to get the right man for the job.

He added: "Why would we put a self-imposed deadline on it? There is no need to when we don't have a match until February and don't have a competitive one until September.

"Once we have had some initial calls and once we know what sort of numbers we are talking about, we will get on with it at a pace we feel is appropriate.

"A lot of progress has been made already. We are fully on track and we will not be caught cold. We are determined to get the right calibre of man. Someone who has a real success record in football."

Sky Sports News understands Jose Mourinho would turn down the England manager's job if he was offered the position.

Mourinho was installed as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Steve McClaren after he refused to rule himself out of the running for the vacant role last week.

Reports suggested Mourinho's agent had held preliminary talks with the FA about taking charge of England.

However, it is believed Mourinho's interest in the position has cooled in the last few days after receiving an offer from a mystery club.

Sky Sports News believes that Mourinho has set his sights on a return to club management and even if the FA made him an offer to replace McClaren he would reject it to take up the proposal from the unnamed club.

Italy's World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello are both believed to be in the frame for the England job with the duo expressing an interest in the role

Fabio Capello on Tuesday morning emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.

The 61-year-old Italian now appears to be the front-runner for the post following Jose Mourinho's decision to rule himself out of contention on Monday.

The Football Association are not thought to have yet ruled out other candidates, including Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill, but former Real Madrid and AC Milan coach Capello appears to be in pole position, and his son was reported to have told Sky Sports that Capello is keen on the job.

Newspaper reports claimed former Chelsea striker and fellow Italian Gianfranco Zola could be brought in as part of Capello's backroom staff, while ex-England captain Alan Shearer and under-21 boss Stuart Pearce were also linked with roles.

Mourinho was the only candidate who ticked all the boxes: he is a 'world-class' coach - something that FA chief executive Brian Barwick has told FA board members he will find - he knew the English game and he speaks the language fluently.

Capello and former Italy coach Marcello Lippi can also be regarded as world class - especially Lippi who is already a World Cup winner from last year - but both have rudimentary English.

Barwick has now finished consulting the 12 leading figures in the English game about the appointment and, despite Mourinho's announcement, he and FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking are hopeful of having the name of the next England manager in time for the next FA board meeting on December 19, just nine days away.

Mourinho's announcement last night was not unexpected as conflicting reports have been emanating from his camp over the last few days.

He said in a statement: "After Steve McClaren left the England football team, my representatives maintained contact with the FA.

"In that sense, I had myself useful discussions with Brian Barwick and Trevor [Brooking] where we exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of real invitation being addressed to me.

"After deep and serious thinking, I decided to exclude myself from being England manager despite being a fantastic position for me.

"I'm sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs.

"I reiterate my respect for the English football and, after three good years in England, I firmly believe that the England squad will soon be back to their usual great results."

It is understood Mourinho is in line for the coach's job at one of the leading continental club sides.

Former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola is backing Fabio Capello to be appointed as the new England coach.

The Italian believes his compatriot has the necessary skills to re-ignite the national side with the former Real Madrid and Milan boss becoming favourite to succeed Steve McClaren after Jose Mourinho pulled out of the race on Monday.

"I think Fabio Capello possesses the ideal pedigree to create a new era of success for England," Zola told the London Evening Standard.

"Even when Jose Mourinho was in the running I believed that Capello had even more charisma, talent and experience for a challenging job like this one.

Perfect

"From my time in England I'd say that many players indicated to me that they were not sure why the national side underperformed and the conclusion I drew was that there is something of a mental block.

"Whoever the next manager of the English national team is, I think his first task will be neither technical nor tactical but instead to build confidence, a team spirit and to ensure that his players are ready to follow his leadership. More things which are perfect for a coach like Capello."

Capello is reportedly interested in the role and it is believed he will meet with FA chief executive Brian Barwick at some point this week.

Reports suggest that if appointed, the 61-year-old will opt for an English inspired backroom staff with Alan Shearer, Stuart Pearce and Zola - who is currently working with the Italian Under 21s - all in-line to take up roles.

1946: Born in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy.
1964: Makes his professional debut for Ferrara side SPAL, beginning a playing career in which he also represented Roma, Juventus, AC Milan and earned 32 caps for Italy.
1991: Appointed head coach of AC Milan.
1992: Wins first of three successive Italian league titles.
1993: Guides Milan to Champions League final, where they are beaten 1-0 by Marseille.
1994: Milan reach the Champions League final again, this time beating Barcelona 4-0. They later add the European Super Cup.
1996: Leaves Milan after winning a fourth Scudetto in five seasons and is appointed Real Madrid coach.
1997: Wins Spanish league title with Real, before returning for a second spell with Milan.
1998: Fired after unsuccessful return to Milan.
1999: Takes over as coach of Roma.
2001: Guides Roma to their first Scudetto for 18 years and only the third in their history.
2004: Leaves Roma to take over as Juventus coach, winning the Scudetto in his first season.
2006: May - Retains Scudetto with Juventus but they are later stripped of the title after match-fixing allegations.
July - Resigns and returns to Real Madrid.
2007: January - Sanctions the departures of Ronaldo and David Beckham.
June - Real Madrid celebrate their first league title since 2003 but is sacked on June 28.
November - Declares his interest in becoming England manager.

Fabio Capello will be appointed as the next manager of England later on Thursday, BBC Sport understands.

BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Italian has been offered a contract to 2010 worth £4m a year, with the option to extend it after the World Cup.

The former AC Milan coach's appointment will be ratified by the Football Association following a conference call involving board members at lunchtime.

The 61-year-old Capello succeeds Steve McClaren, who was sacked in November.

There is no concrete news yet on Capello's assistants, but there is also expected to be some kind of English influence, with Alan Shearer or Stuart Pearce tipped to earn a role in the new managerial set-up.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was the initial favourite to take over from McClaren, but he eventually ruled himself out of the running.

The FA quickly turned its attentions to Capello, although World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi was also thought to be in contention.

Capello expressed his interest in the job just days after McClaren's departure, describing it as a "beautiful challenge".

He finally met for discussions with FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football Sir Trevor Brooking in London on Wednesday.

Those talks were described as "extremely positive" by FA director of communications Adrian Bevington.

Capello has a hugely impressive CV and comes with the backing of such football luminaries as Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Gianfranco Zola and Clarence Seedorf.

They are full of praise for his achievements, qualifications and standing in the game.

"One of his major qualities is to get the best out of his players, to make sure everyone is committed to the team's goals," said Seedorf, who played under Capello at Real Madrid.

"He is very, very specific in what he wants and very clear what he wants from every player.

"Sometimes he really pushes you to the limits and that, of course, has proven effective.

"When the focus is on the training, then he really expects 100% and not less.

"He would rather have less quality but committed players rather than quality players who are not committed.

"But he is also very experienced with great players and is able to get the best out of them."

Capello has enjoyed success in both Italy and Spain.

He has won nine league titles in 16 years as a coach, picking up silverware with all four clubs - AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juventus - he has been in charge of.

He won the Champions League with Milan in 1994 and was also an accomplished player, winning 32 caps for Italy.

McClaren paid the price for England's failure to reach next year's European Championships.

France coach Raymond Domenech has hit out at the England Football Association's decision to move for Fabio Capello as their new manager.

The FA approved the appointment of Italian tactician Capello on Thursday subject to the conclusion of contract negotiations.

Outspoken French chief Domenech has slammed the FA for moving for Capello saying it is a real blow for all English managers.

Shame
French broadcaster RTL: "It's serious and a real shame for all the English managers," Domenech told French broadcaster RTL

"It's a shame to go looking for a Swede or an Italian. It is as if you are saying to the English coaches: 'You are in England, you are all rubbish and we are going to look elsewhere'."

Fabio Capello has been confirmed as the new England coach by the Football Association.

He will be officially unveiled as Steve McClaren's successor at a press conference on Monday.

The news was revealed 48 hours after Capello agreed in principle to lead England, with the decision being ratified by the FA Board on Thursday.

Final negotiations between the FA and Capello's advisors have now been completed and the former Juventus, Milan and Real Madrid coach has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and will begin work on 7th January.

"I am delighted that Fabio Capello has agreed to become England manager," said FA chief executive Brian Barwick.

"When we set out to recruit the new manager, we said we were committed to appointing a world-class candidate. In Fabio Capello we have that man.

"Fabio is a winner. His record over the last two decades speaks for itself.

Passion

"At every club he has managed Fabio has won the league title and Sir Trevor Brooking and I were left in no doubt of his passion and commitment to bring that success to the England team."

It is thought Capello will become the best paid coach in international football after agreeing a £6.5million-a-year contract.

Capello will also bring four fellow Italians with him for his coaching staff, including his trusted aide Franco Baldini as his assistant.

The 61-year-old has also expressed a desire to have English coaches as part of his set-up, and will decide who these should be at a later date.

There will not be an immediate announcement of who these might be - candidates suggested have included Stuart Pearce and Alan Shearer - as it will be Capello who chooses them.

FA Director of Communcations Adrian Bevington confirmed Capello would consider adding an English coach to his backroom staff at a later date.

Speaking outside FA headquarters within minutes of Capello's appointment, Bevington said: "Sir Trevor Brooking will discuss the possibility of having an English coach with Fabio Capello.

Confident

"He is happy to include an English coach or coaches but it is not something we have to rush into.

"People should not get too hung up on the fact there is no English coach in the set-up," Bevington added.

He confirmed the Italian will be unveiled to the press at FA headquarters in Soho Square on Monday.

"We are very confident Capello is the right man to lead us forward," Bevington continued.

"He is our number one choice. He is the only manager we met with. We are very pleased with the process. There was no reason to wait around when there were such managers available as Fabio Capello.

"We are delighted with the way it has gone and it is a great end to the week."

Pompey boss unhappy with foreign appointment

Harry Redknapp has criticised Fabio Capello's appointment as England manager.

Portsmouth boss Redknapp insists the job does not require a top coach because of the talent pool in English football.

"Do you have to be a super-coach to manage England? Does Steven Gerrard need coaching? Of course not. Or Ashley Cole, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Micah Richards, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney?" he told the Daily Mail.

"You get them for three days before a game, what will you coach them? Would I get Gerrard and coach him on passing a football or Lampard on running on to the ball and hitting it in the top corner from 30 yards?

Unhappy

"It's not about coaching! It's about picking the players, getting them organised, giving them belief, giving them a platform to play without fear and getting the best out of them.

"It doesn't need Jurgen Klinsmann or Fabio Capello. Top coaches? It's a fallacy. I've seen one, maybe two in my lifetime, no more.

"Football is about the management of players. To be manager of England, you don't have to be a great coach - they don't exist - you have to be a manager.

"I'm not unhappy with his appointment. I just think the manager of England should be English."

Redknapp was also upset his own opinion was not sought by Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick, who did consult some managers before making the appointment.

"Yeah, I'd like to have spoken to Brian. I know I was never going to get it, but I'm obviously not important. I've only managed for more than 1,000 games, 13 seasons in the Premier League, fifth in the Premier League.

"Great, talk to Sir Alex Ferguson. Then talk to the others. Great, but why not talk to me? I have plenty to say to him."

Fabio Capello has spoken for the first time since becoming the new England boss and he admits he wants the job to be the crowning glory of his glittering career.

The Italian, who has won seven league titles and a Champions League title as a coach, agreed a four-and-half-year deal on Friday to take charge of England.

Steve McClaren's successor, who will officially begin work early in January, has now revealed that he is ready for the 'challenge'.

Challenge

"I've always liked challenges," he told Rai TV.

"I like something different and this is a most difficult, slow challenge because there is the need to study more."

Capello will be unveiled by The Football Association on Monday and he insisted he was ready to achieve big things with The Three Lions.

"For sure me and my staff want to do really good things," said Capello - who has named four fellow Italians as part of his backroom staff.

"This is a job I wish to complete until the end and I hope, if I have the results, it would be the crowning of my career - it would be a beautiful thing but also really difficult."

Capello hinted that England would be his last job in football.

"After so long in football it would be a great way to have a good ending," he added.

New England boss Fabio Capello insists he will be fully fluent in English within a month.

Capello was introduced by the Football Association at a media conference on Monday - which was broadcast live on Sky Sports News.

The Italian had to face a barrage of questions, all of which he answered in Italian and then through a translator, but he insists a language barrier will not be an issue for long.

"I believe that it is very important to communicate to the players and I will undergo a strict routine with myself and I will apply myself everyday to communicate with the players," Capello said.

"I am convinced that in one month when the national team meets, I will be able to talk English.

"Like I said earlier it is an honour and it is a dream come true, a job that everyone wants and as everyone knows, there are great expectations and I will work with the FA to achieve these.

"I unofficially started yesterday watching Super Sunday, from now on my main objective is to meet the players and the coaches. I am convinced this is a great team and I can achieve great things."

Money

Capello is reportedly being paid over £4million a year, but he insisted that had little to do with his decision to take the job.

"Money is only a secondary issue, it is important, but secondary, the main issue is one of results," he said.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick interjected, adding: "I think it is important for people to realise that over the next four years the income of the FA could be over a billion pounds and it is a very small percentage of that figure and if Fabio is the person to turn England around then it is value for money."

Capello also revealed that it was his idea to bring in an English coach into his backroom staff.

"Since the first day I spoke with Sir Trevor Brooking I have asked for an England coach to be integrated into the staff, I think it is vital we have someone who understands the league and is from the environment," he said.

"The staff I have brought in have worked with me in Rome, Turin and Madrid and with them I will bring in English staff and when you manage, you need to be surrounded by people who understand you."

He was also quizzed on whether he would be making drastic changes to England's playing style.

"I have to watch all the England games from the qualifying but I believe the style will largely depend on the players available to me," he said.

"I believe there should be a style of play but you should also be flexible."

On his own management style, which is perceived to be a harsh one, he added: "I believe a strict style of coaching is only something you can apply if you are with them on a daily basis, so I will have to learn and will decide when I meet the players.

"Being the manager of England is very different and of course my behaviour will have to change."

Beckham

Capello also talked of his past relationship with English football, insisting he was always a fan of football in England.

"When I used to be a scout [at Milan] I brought Ray Wilkins and Mark Hateley to AC Milan and I worked very closely with them and David Beckham at Real Madrid."

When pressed on the Beckham issue and whether he would hand him his 100th cap in his first game in charge against Switzerland in February, he failed to offer a definitive answer.

"I had a contrasting relationship [with Beckham in Madrid] but in the end he demonstrated he was a great man and a great player," he said.

"I believe if he sets himself a target he will achieve it, but I will have to make choices. There is over a month and plenty of time for these decisions to make.

"I have just arrived, there are many things to think about, give me some time and I will make my decisions.

"I have spoken about Beckham and I believe a spot in the England squad should be deserved through behaviour, play and attitude.

"I am very luck to go through to next Autumn without the pressure of qualification, this will give me time to get a group together.

"I believe that English people have the will to win and it is a matter of getting that out of them, and I hope I can do this."

Previous England coaches have clashed with club bosses but Capello does not envisage an issue in this department.

"I have always had an excellent relationship with Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, as with the two big Spanish coaches Rafa Benitez and Juande Ramos and there will be no problem working with them," he said.

"I believe there is a parallel between English and Spanish football, although it is important you should look at the club - we need a philosophy in the international team so we can get the results."

Azzurri

Talking of his Italian roots, Capello insisted being a foreign appointment was not his concern and that he had no qualms about possibly facing Italy in the future as he never wanted to manage the Azzurri in any case.

"This [a foreign appointment] was a choice of the FA not mine, I was one of the candidates and the decision was not mine," he said.

"I hope to be different and I accepted this task because I hope I can do this.

"To be honest I have never wanted to manage Italy and those close to me know that very well and that is with all the respect to the Italian team, who I greatly admire."

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says it would be a "disaster" if he did not win a major trophy with England.

He is relishing the prospect of working with new national boss Fabio Capello and believes England can bounce back from the failure to reach Euro 2008.

But the 22-year-old frontman stated: "A country with the talent we've got as footballers, we should be up there challenging for the two main trophies.

"It would be a disaster to finish my career and not win a major tournament."

He added: "As a footballer, you want to be remembered as a winner. Hopefully before I retire I can say I've won a trophy with England."

England's next objective is to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Capello's side have been drawn in a qualifying group that includes Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

"It was a big disappointment not qualifying for the Euros but now we've got to look forward to the World Cup," said Rooney.

"A country like ours, we can't go without qualifying for two major tournaments."

England's first game under Capello, who was appointed as Steve McClaren's successor last week, will be a friendly against Switzerland at Wembley on 6 February.

"It's always exciting when you get a new manager and you don't know whether he's going to change things, what he's going to be like, so I'm interested to meet him and work under him," said Rooney.

"I'm sure we will all be giving 110% for the new manager."

Capello's appointment has sparked criticism from the likes of Reading manager Steve Coppell, Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp and Paul Ince, who is at the helm of MK Dons. The trio believe the job should have gone to an Englishman.

But Rooney has no qualms with the decision to go for the 61-year-old Italian, who has won titles in Italy and Spain with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid.

"His record is brilliant at club level, so I'm sure he can bring something extra to England," commented the striker, speaking at a www.sponsoredbyyou.com event in Altrincham.

"We want the best man for the job, who is going to try to help us win trophies.

"I think he was the best man. Hopefully we can win something for him and help him become a legend for England."