The top 10 managers with pedigree to make lions roar again

But never mind the also-rans, who are the real contenders — and are they serious about the job?

Ulsterman Martin O'Neill ruled himself out last night but the FA can only hope the Aston Villa boss is simply playing hard to get. Italian Fabio Capello and even German Jurgen Klinsmann believe they have the credentials to lead England to World Cup glory in 2010.

Others have fan clubs, like Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink and — much closer to home — Harry Redknapp, but as usual it's all about smoke and mirrors at this stage.

Portsmouth boss Redknapp at least put his cards on the table, saying the FA should go for a homegrown appointment. But many feel they should ditch the 'British is best' philosophy which lumbered England with McClaren.

Given his disastrous reign — played 18, won nine, drew four, lost five — who wouldn't be an improvement, given that the team are at rock bottom along with the morale of the fans? What everyone really wants to avoid is another wally with a brolly...

The Brits

MARTIN O'NEILL

ODDS: 4-1

WHAT HE SAID ON MONDAY: 'I am committed to Aston Villa. cannot end speculation. I have had it for years and years. No matter what you say I have a big commitment to Villa.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Don't mess me around this time.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Should be saluted for building a Villa side around young English talent. FA must hope his refusal is a bluff.

STUART PEARCE

ODDS: 12-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I've got no reason to comment at this time.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Come on England!'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Star fell after sacking at Man City, but his work with the Under 21s has been impressive. Too soon to promote.

HARRY REDKNAPP

ODDS: 8-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'Who knows who they will appoint. Anyone would love to manage their country. No English manager could turn it down.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Oh, go on then'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Gets the best out of his players but has never managed a top-level team. Knowledge of world football is in his favour.

ALAN SHEARER

ODDS: 8-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: The Newcastle legend — and his 'people' — refused to be drawn on the matter.

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Secretly, I quite fancy it.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Shearer is far better off in the TV studio, where he says practically nothing of any interest and still gets paid a fortune for it.

The Foreigners

JOSE MOURINHO

ODDS: 4-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: Dodging the question — 'This is sad. A championships without England is not the same as one with them.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Forget it. I'm the next manager of Real Madrid.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: 50 per cent of the country want him, but they all happen to be female. A sexy choice, it would be fun while it lasts as he tries to resist slagging off his bosses.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI

ODDS: 10-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I am the manager of Portugal.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'If you can wait until after Euro 2008'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Sorry, Phil, not after last time. Embarrassed and humiliated the FA by flirting with their top brass in Lisbon and then petulantly throwing a copy of the Daily Mail across an airport lounge because he had been rumbled. No chance.

GUUS HIDDINK

ODDS: 12-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I have a contract with the Russian Federation.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: ' And it's for £130,000 a week with a £15million break clause. Can you trump it?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Stock rises and falls faster than Northern Rock. One minute he's a tactical genius, the next he is exposed by Israel. Still, he led Holland and South Korea to World Cup semi-finals and guided Russia to Euro 2008. An outstanding candidate.

FABIO CAPELLO

ODDS: 3-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'The England job would be fantastic.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Anyone got Brian Barwick's number?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Has won eight league titles with four different clubs (Real Madrid, Milan, Juventus, Roma), plus a European Cup with Milan. Man-management skills in question — just ask Becks. Doesn't have 'friends' in the media. Perfect.

JURGEN KLINSMANN

ODDS: 25-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: No official comment.

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Ha, you want a German to save your nation?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Took Germany to third place in their own World Cup, but let's face it, apart from putting out Argentina on penalties, who did he beat? A real leap of faith to hand him the keys to Soho Square.

FRANK RIJKAARD

ODDS: 40-1

WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: His agent, Brian Bergkleef — 'If Frank wanted it, 100 per cent he would do a brilliant job. He has all the qualities necessary.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'He's happy at Barcelona, thanks. And, anyway, he will be Chelsea manager next season.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Over-qualified for the job after leading Holland to semi-finals of Euro 2000 and winning European Cup with Barca. Worth an approach, but knock-back inevitable.