Brooking blasts saboteurs

Sir Trevor Brooking has slammed attempts to "destabilise" the search for England's next manager amid reports of a major bust-up with Brian Barwick.

Between them, Brooking, the FA's director of football development, and chief executive Barwick have been tasked with the job of finding Steve McClaren's successor. And, having just completed an extensive consultation process ahead of making contact with likely candidates, Brooking believes it is extremely unhelpful incorrect suggestions have been made that the pair are barely speaking.

"Brian and I are extremely annoyed at what appears to be an effort to destabilise our work together to find the next England manager," said Brooking.

"There is no disagreement on who the next England manager should be. In fact, we are agreed on the way forward. We are both totally committed to working together to find the right man for the job."

With Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello, Marcello Lippi, Jurgen Klinsmann and Ulsterman Martin O'Neill the current bookies' favourites, there appears next to no chance of the 'right man' being English, although the FA have confirmed they want a home-based coach to be part of the new management team.

Mourinho remains the most popular choice to lead that team and amid reports he had flown into London for talks with Barwick, the former Chelsea boss emerged from his home in Setubal and continued a game of cat-and-mouse which leaves no-one clear about his intentions.

Rather than either commit to the job - as Capello did almost as soon as McClaren was dumped - or reject the idea of it, as some fear the 44-year-old will to pursue a career in club management, Mourinho again skirted around the issue.

"Why not?" was his reply when asked if he could be the next England manager by Sky Sports.