The Football Association's move to appoint Steve McClaren's successor appeared to have moved a significant step closer today despite sources in Portugal denying that Jose Mourinho has flown to England for an interview.
It had been suggested the former Chelsea boss had arrived in Britain for an interview which, given his impressive CV and popularity among the England support, would merely be a rubber-stamping exercise providing he declared an unequivocal intention to take the job.
However, it has also been stated that Mourinho is still in Portugal - and has no immediate plans to leave - and for their part, the FA have insisted no interview with any candidate has been arranged.
The mystery over Mourinho's whereabouts does add an element of farce to proceedings but no matter what the precise location of the 44-year-old, with FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Trevor Brooking concluding their consultative process, they will shortly be in a position to make a move for the "world-class" candidate they are committed to.
Although Martin O'Neill's name continues to be mentioned, unless the Ulsterman reverses his stance on not leaving Aston Villa, it appears any short-list drawn up by Barwick and Brooking will be exclusively 'foreign'.
O'Neill has also said he thinks Mourinho would be "an excellent choice, simple as that".
Fabio Capello, who made his interest known almost as soon as McClaren was sacked, is without question a live contender, with FA officials making it clear that his inability to speak English would not prevent him getting the job.
The same criteria would also apply to fellow Italian and World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi who has one major positive going for him in that he has an outstanding relationship with Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson, from whom he will require a large degree of co-operation.
Jurgen Klinsmann has been backed by Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer, although having not had a job since guiding his country to the semi-finals of the last World Cup, the former Tottenham player is regarded as an outside bet.
Agencies
