Capello's claims strengthened by drop-outs

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Capello's sub-standard grasp of the English language is a major drawback but although the Italian has been out of a job since being dumped by Real Madrid following their championship success in La Liga last term, his CV will better any of the other contenders FA chief executive Brian Barwick might have thought about.

"I am ready," Capello said. "It would be very interesting and I have always been fascinated by tough challenges. I was convinced Mourinho was going to take the job. If he ruled himself out, I would imagine he has another objective but I am of a different age to him."

Whether Capello's age, 61, counts against him remains to be seen, although after Sir Alex Ferguson cited Jock Stein's example as the ideal age for international management - he was 55 when he took the Scotland job - the Italian certainly fits that criteria.

At the other end of the age scale, Jurgen Klinsmann is also available after opting to remain in California having guided a below-par German outfit to the semi-finals of the last World Cup.

Even the thought of having a German in charge of the English national side would send a shudder down the neck of some spines.

But the recognition of how far England's stock has fallen in the wake of their humiliating failure to reach Euro 2008 may clear a few heads for a more sober reflection of what is required, regardless of nationality.

Given the two other English candidates still being discussed are Alan Shearer, who has no management experience whatsoever, and current England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce, who was hardly a success at Manchester City, it is little wonder Franz Beckenbauer believes it would be worth the Football Association taking a punt on Klinsmann.

"Who can carry the boys with the three lions on their shirt out of their coma?" Beckenbauer asked in Bild. "One name comes to my mind immediately: Jurgen Klinsmann.

"For him the England job would be ideal. He is a man who has clear visions and he can push them through against opposition and with him I could very well imagine a new beginning in England."