Glenn Hoddle's future as England coach will be decided today at an emergency meeting of members of the FA's international committee. The six men were summoned at short notice from their various parts of England yesterday to deliberate on Hoddle's future after his remarks concerning reincarnation and people with disabilities.
David Davies, the acting chief executive, said yesterday: "There have been a series of meetings and conversations involving senior members of the FA, Glenn and myself during the past 12 hours. It is apparent that those discussions will go on tomorrow and there will be key talks in the morning. We need to give everybody time to have conversations that we think are necessary."
The special committee comprises Davies, the acting chairman Geoff Thompson, the Sheffield Wednesday chairman Dave Richards, Noel White, a Liverpool director and David Dein, the Arsenal vice-chairman. The Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks, who is in Barcelona, has also had his views canvassed.
"We have brought these people together as quickly as possible given the commitments they had," said Davies.
Hoddle has yet to meet Thompson face to face but that confrontation will take place today. The England coach is also likely to face the full sub-committee to explain his side of the story. Davies revealed that Hoddle has not been asked to resign as yet, confirming though that "something definite on this matter will be said tomorrow".
An announcement is expected around lunchtime with Davies adding that it would be premature to say that a consensus view among the committee members had already formed. "Clearly we are looking at the impact of all the circumstances surrounding the article," he added.
Davies revealed that, if the committee decides Hoddle should go, the matter does not have to be referred to the full council for approval. If Hoddle is dismissed, Howard Wilkinson, the FA's technical director, may take over in a caretaker capacity. However, the favourite to succeed Hoddle with bookmakers William Hill is Bryan Robson. The former England captain has been among the frontrunners to be coach for several years, especially after being part of the backroom team under Terry Venables.
Robson's chairman at Middlesbrough, Steve Gibson, has repeatedly insisted Robson is staying at the Riverside, but the temptation of taking charge of the national team may be too much for him to resist, even though he signed a new five-year contract with Boro earlier this season.
Other candidates quoted in the betting include Aston Villa manager John Gregory, Fulham manager Kevin Keegan and Sampdoria's David Platt. Arsenal's Arsene Wenger is 10 to 1 to be the first outsider to become England coach.
