Capello interviewed, Jose flown in and the FA at war - the battle to become England manager hots up

• Ex-Real Madrid boss Capello 'interviewed'
• Jose Mourinho 'flown in for secret talks with the FA'
• FA chief executive Barwick 'wants big name'
• FA Director Brooking 'wants Curbishley'
• Klinsmann and O'Neill 'still on shortlist'

Fabio Capello has been interviewed by the FA for the England job - while Jose Mourinho has flown in from Portugal to talk to football chiefs about succeeding Steve McClaren.

Meanwhile, FA chief executive Brian Barwick and director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking are at loggerheads about who should become national boss, with Brooking wanting an Englishman - West Ham's Alan Curbishley.

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Capello and Mourinho have emerged as the outstanding available candidates and the FA have responded quickly.

The Independent reports that a meeting has already taken place with the Italian former Real Madrid, Roma, Juventus and Milan boss Capello, 61, who told FA chiefs a week ago in Milan how he would tackle the job.

It is understood that, if offered the post, Capello would recruit Franco Baldini, his long-term right-hand man who has worked with him at all his clubs, as his assistant while there were also discussions about including Gianfranco Zola as part of his coaching team.

After that meeting, the FA chief executive, Brian Barwick, called Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes and has held initial talks with him.

Sources close to Mourinho told The Sun that the ex-Chelsea manager flew to England last night at Barwick's invitation – although this was also denied by others close to him who insisted that he was still in Portugal, in his home town of Setubal.

The decision to approach the two men shows that the FA are quickly moving on to the next stage of securing Steve McClaren's replacement.

It is hoped that an appointment may be made before Christmas, and certainly in time for the friendly at home to Switzerland on 6 February.

It is thought that Jurgen Klinsmann, who has made clear that he is prepared to move from the United States to England, is also on Barwick's shortlist while he would also still like, if possible, to speak to Martin O'Neill even though the Aston Villa manager has ruled himself out.

Capello is available having been sacked by Real Madrid at the end of last season despite winning the Spanish title - 10 years after he last won La Liga with the same club.

To add to his achievements Capello is a former Italian international, who scored the only goal in his country's victory over England at Wembley in 1973.

Mourinho has already unveiled a blueprint for English fotball and is reported to be keen to return to England where he won two Premiership titles with Chelsea.

He also won the Champions League and UEFA Cup with Porto.

A source close to Mourinho said last night: "There is no doubt that Jose wants the job and England desperately want him. He is the FA's No1 choice. What is crucial now is for Jose to thrash out the fine details of a deal.

Barwick has been given the authority to make his own recommendation to the board. But the support of Brooking would undoubtedly help his case and he may have to agree to sanctioning Brooking's coaching reforms before he gets his backing in appointing a foreign coach.

Cracks already existed in the relationship between the pair. One high-ranking source recently described it as 'terrible'. But Barwick has endeavoured to put such issues aside and tap into Brooking's obvious expertise.

Brooking wanted Curbishley when the FA embarked on their flawed search for Sven Goran Eriksson's successor last year and in the end he was frozen out of the selection process.

Curbishley today insisted he is happy at West Ham and doubted whether any credence should be attached to the reports.

He said: "I don't know why this has come out, I don't know how much substance is in it, if any.

"But it is the topic everyone wants to talk about at the moment. Every day there is speculation.

"I am happy and committed to West Ham. We have a massive week coming up and as far as I am concerned nothing will get in the way of that."