Arsenal boss Wenger: New England manager has to be English

FA chief executive Brian Barwick wants to meet the Frenchman for advice on the appointment and Wenger says he is "happy to help".

Wenger does not want to be considered for the job because of his strong views on nationality but is willing to assist the FA on a confidential basis.

The Arsenal manager said: "I am always happy to help if I can. I am not sure I am really gifted for that, but if they want to know my opinion - and it is a confidential one - then I am always happy.

If I was English then of course [I'd be interested]. But I am not, so it is a 'no'. That is in line with what I have always said. In my opinion, the England manager should be English."

Wenger's views come 24 hours after Barwick, when asked about the possibility of an English coach in the wake of McClaren's departure, said: "Nationality doesn't have to be an issue."

He also suggested McClaren's failure could have a positive impact on England ahead of the 2010 World Cup, providing the football authorities take decisive action to revamp the national side.

He said: "I don't think not qualifying for Euro 2008 is a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment.

"It is up to England to see how they respond to the situation. Immediately it is a massive handicap but, in the future for the 2010 World Cup it can be an advantage if the right measures are taken now."

Wenger's help is likely to be needed after the FA were dealt a double blow on the first day of their recruitment search.

Leading candidate Martin O'Neill has signalled that he does not want to leave Aston Villa while Jose Mourinho, the people's choice for the job, will spurn the FA's advances in favour of a possible move to Real Madrid or Barcelona.

At the same time, support from leading football figures for Alan Shearer is growing despite his lack of experience.

Former Chelsea boss Mourinho has told close friends that he is not interested in returning to England to coach the national team because he wants to manage one of the top La Liga clubs.

Mourinho believes there is a possibility that Real Madrid will part with their coach Bernd Schuster at some point this season, leaving the way free for him to take over.

The Portuguese, who has also been linked with Barcelona, is aware that he is many fans' preferred candidate to succeed McClaren, but is also put off by the likely intrusion into his private and family life. Despite previously being interviewed by the FA, O'Neill believes he owes loyalty to Villa.

Former Real coach Fabio Capello is another favourite, while ex-Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann is also open to persuasion. An outside bet could be Rafael Benitez, who is reported to be unsettled at Liverpool.

Shearer has emerged as the strongest English candidate and his cause was today backed by fellow Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen, who said: "There are very few English candidates, though Alan is a name that is being increasingly mentioned.

"If the FA could bring in a quality set-up around him, it could make for an interesting appointment.

"Shearer has a lot of the attributes needed to galvanise an England dressing room and beyond."