LONDON (AFP) — As the anticipation and speculation gathers surrounding who will be England's new manager, the list of contenders now contains an array of foreigners including two Germans, an Italian and a wily Portuguese.
Jurgen Klinsmann, who led Germany to the World Cup semi-finals in 2006, has hinted he might be interested, his compatriot Bernd Schuster has reportedly been sounded out by the FA, while Italian veteran Fabio Capello is the bookies favourite.
Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is also in the frame and a popular choice with the fans although the charismatic Portuguese coach has yet to deny or confirm he wants to step into one of the most difficult jobs in football.
Steve McClaren was fired just hours after failing to qualify England for Euro 2008 and left to a barrage of criticism from fans and media alike.
Former Tottenham star Klinsmann is the ideal candidate according to Franz Beckenbauer and the blonde haired icon has not ruled himself out.
"When there are rumours linking me to this job, I must accept that and I do so without any problems," the former German international told German website Sport 1.
"The conditions must be suitable," he added without giving more precision.
Beckenbauer who coached Klinsmann to the 1990 World Cup title was even more enthusiastic.
"The position of England coach is ideal for Jurgen and he would be perfect for England," Beckenbauer said in his weekly column in German tabloid Bild.
Married to an American, Klinsmann ran into a storm of controversy in the build-up to the 2006 World Cup for a lack of convincing results and his desire to return to his California-home between matches.
However he became a popular hero when his exciting brand of football created a wave of national fervour that helped carry Germany into the semi-finals where they were finally beaten by eventual champions Italy in extra-time.
Schuster's who replaced another top candidate for the post Fabio Capello at Real Madrid this season, has guided the Spanish giants to the top of La Liga and has been approached by the FA's general director according to the Spanish press.
"Last Thursday, Brian Barwick, the general director of the FA, made first contact with the current Real Madrid coach (Schuster), who he telephoned personally with the sole objective of knowing his reaction and his availability for the near future," Marca reported.
Should Klinsmann or Schuster get the job, the announcement is certain to be met with criticism from some quarters that England have turned to a countryman from one of England's greatest rivals.
The rivalry between the two nations dates back to 1966 and the "was it or wasn't it" goal from Geoff Hurst that settled the World Cup final at Wembley.
The two sides also played out an epic quarter-final four years later in Mexico when Beckenbauer inspired a come from behind win over Alf Ramsey's defending champions.
Their latest World Cup duel was in 1990 when Klinsmann was in the side coached by Beckenbauer that squeezed past Bobby Robson's England on penalties in Turin.
Capello has been installed as the favourite after openly expressing that he would be "fascinated" by the challenge and it is hard to argue with the Italian's track record.
The 61-year-old has won a hatful of domestic and European titles while at the helm of AC Milan, AS Roma and of course Real Madrid where he was sacked and replaced by Schuster despite guiding the club to La Liga crown.
"I am ready" he says.
A number of home-grown managers have distanced themselves from the post including Aston Villa's Northern Irish manager Martin O'Neill and Newcastle's Sam Allardcyce.
Mourinho is still lurking in the shadows and would be a popular appointment although there has been no denial or confirmation from the former Chelsea boss on where his stance lies.
His former captain John Terry thinks it would be "fantastic" to play under Mourinho again and added:
"Jose is a fantastic manager and I would like to work with him again," he told Chelsea tv.
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