FA to open talks with Capello this week

Chief executive Brian Barwick is expected to meet the 61-year-old Italian and his representatives in the next few days, and he could be installed on a four-year contract before Christmas.

Jose Mourinho has ruled himself out of the running amid speculation he has signed a pre-contractual agreement with a top European club to take over next season

Last night Sir Bobby Robson revealed that he has been acting as a middle-man in talks between the FA and the former Chelsea manager.

Speaking after receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, 74-year-old Robson, who remains England's most successful manager since World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey, said: "It would depend on how Jose feels. But he's a clever lad. He's intelligent, he's bright, he's confident.

"The fact that he speaks very good English and he knows the English league gives him an advantage."

The two men struck up a close relationship in the mid-nineties when Mourinho acted as translator for Robson when he managed Sporting Lisbon and Porto in Mourinho's native Portugal, and later Barcelona in Spain.

Robson added: "Jose would be a very strong candidate indeed. We are in dialogue. I've also had a chat with Brian Barwick and passed on my views. Most of us would prefer an Englishman to manage England. I would. I feel strongly about that.

"But the FA want the best man regardless and if they feel there isn't a really strong candidate who ticks all the boxes, because they want the best, then they have to do something about it and go abroad."

The FA are also thought to be interested in talking to one other candidate, with Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill still in the frame despite his insistence that he wants to stay and finish the job at Villa Park.

Another possibility is Marcello Lippi, whose impressive CV includes guiding Italy to World Cup triumph last year. However, Lippi speaks no English whereas Capello has a basic knowledge of the language and is highly rated by influential figures from within the FA.

Barwick is keen to talk to all the candidates this week and will then report back to the FA with his final recommendation. While Mourinho remains the populist choice, the continuing uncertainty and apparent prevarication may not have helped his cause.

Capello, on the other hand, has said unequivocally that he wants the job from the start and since then has maintained a dignified silence.

The former AC Milan, Roma, Juventus and Real Madrid manager is expected to bring Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola as part of his team to help with coaching and translation while he improves his command of English.