The Football Association confirmed they will seek compensation from Sunderland for technical director Howard Wilkinson as they revealed that they could look abroad for his successor.
FA chief executive Adam Crozier is likely to look for a six-figure sum from Sunderland chairman Bob Murray as Wilkinson had almost two years to run on his contract at Soho Square.
"Bob Murray rung me on Tuesday morning and asked for permission to speak to Howard. I said 'fine' as I don't think it's right to stand in people's way," revealed Crozier.
"Howard and Bob came back to me last night and said they wanted to go ahead. We had an initial chat about compensation, just to make sure we were all aware of where we stood.
"Bob and I will sit down after these two England games and sort it out."
Crozier, in Slovakia ahead of England's opening Euro 2004 qualifier, will involve Sven-Goran Eriksson in the hunt for Wilkinson's replacement following his surprise departure to become manager of Sunderland.
Indeed, there is a chance he could be joined by another overseas appointment as the FA scour Europe for the right candidate.
Crozier revealed: "We always said that we'd go for the best person for the job when we were appointing the England coach and I think you'd have to say the same on this one as well.
"It's more important to get the right person."
High-profile English figures such as former Blackburn boss Roy Hodgson, who is manager of the United Arab Emirates, and Peter Taylor, the former under-21 coach who worked with Eriksson at senior level, will be in the frame.
However, there are also strong internal candidates, such as Les Reed, the director of technical development, who will now run the department on a caretaker basis along with technical co-ordinator Robin Russell.
Crozier made it clear that the role is a specialist position, requiring someone who is prepared to give up directly coaching a team.