The Football Association have named a three-man group to start the process of appointing Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor as England coach.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick, international committee chairman Noel White and vice-chairman Dave Richards will meet to discuss the matter next week, the ruling body said on its official website.

They will report back to FA chairman Geoff Thompson and the FA board will hold a meeting on February 27th. The FA announced on January 23rd that Eriksson would step down after the World Cup which starts in Germany in June.

The decision will have disappointed several board members who had wanted to be part of the selection process as well, such as Arsenal’s vice-chairman David Dein who had been instrumental in Eriksson’s appointment five years ago.

Thompson and Barwick were understood to be keen to keep numbers to a minimum and, significantly, none of the trio nor Thompson are club chairmen.

Barwick will also draw on the advice of figures such as Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of football development.

"I’m a great believer in drawing experience and knowledge from people," Barwick said last week. The chief executive also favours speaking to several candidates face to face before a final decision is made.