Barwick outlines recruitment plan

In a process that will sound eerily familiar to an Irish audience, FA chief executive Brian Barwick is to consult leading figures from at home and abroad in his search for a "world-class manager" to succeed Steve McClaren as England head coach.

However, unlike his Irish counterparts in the FAI, Barwick has embraced transparency and confirmed that he has already canvassed opinion from England captain John Terry, Uefa president Michel Platini, German legend Franz Beckenbauer and Wales manager John Toshack.

Now Barwick and Trevor Brooking, the organisation's director of football development, have drawn up a list of other leading figures they will consult in their search.

These include England vice-captain Steven Gerrard, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton plus former England managers Sir Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle and Graham Taylor.

Barwick has told the board that he and Brooking are looking for a manager of the very highest calibre.

Barwick did not mention any names to the board but his comments would make it less likely for Alan Shearer to be McClaren's successor given that he has no managerial experience.

Barwick met Brooking yesterday to decide their tactics for finding the best man for the job.

An FA source said: "The chief executive told the board that he was determined to get a manager with world-class credentials.

"He also said he was not working to any deadline - that as time was not an issue the most important thing was getting the best man for the job."