Fabio Capello will meet the English Football Association's chief executive, Brian Barwick, in the next 72 hours with the endorsement of the Premier League's most successful managers ringing in his ears. As Barwick and Capello prepared for a meeting likely to pave the way to a formal job offer from the FA, Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson yesterday endorsed the credentials of the favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England's head coach.

Barwick had already established Capello's worth from his soundings of numerous figures in the game, and the Italian's record in landing nine league titles at Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid speaks for itself. The chief executive will nevertheless be pleased to have such high-profile approval as he prepares to make a career-defining appointment.

With Jose Mourinho's withdrawal simplifying his deliberations, Barwick's enthusiasm for Capello has hardened into a determination to offer him the job if terms can be agreed. The appointment would have to be approved by the FA's board, whose next scheduled meeting is tomorrow week. Key board members have been kept informed of progress and if Barwick and Capello agree a deal a board meeting can be called at short notice.

Barwick will want to hear Capello's plans for the role and details of any backroom staff he would like to employ. An English assistant is a prerequisite and reports have linked Stuart Pearce and Alan Shearer with the role, although no candidates have been formally discussed.

Marcello Lippi remains on the FA's shortlist but the Italian World Cup-winning coach is unlikely to be offered an interview unless talks with Capello fail.

Wenger said Capello (61) was an outstanding candidate. "I have known Fabio for a long time and the quality of the candidate is outstanding," Arsenal's manager said. "The only problem I think he could have is with the language - I do not know how good his English is - because a big part of the job is to deal with the media; maybe a massive part. "However, he was at Real Madrid and in Italy as well where there is big media pressure. As for the technical part, you do not have to worry about him."

Ferguson agreed Capello would be a wise choice. "To manage a national team my belief is that you need to be of a certain age and have plenty of experience, you need presence and a CV that's indisputable - and Capello has all that," Manchester United's manager said.