Football Association acting chief executive Alex Horne has admitted that Harry Redknapp will be in the running for the England job.
Current coach Fabio Capello is not due to step down until 2012, but that has done little to curb speculation as to who his replacement will be.
Tottenham boss Redknapp is widely considered to be a leading candidate, having underlined his considerable credentials during his time at White Hart Lane.
The fact that he is English also makes him a preferred choice, with supporters keen to see a home-grown manager given the reins once Italian tactician Capello departs.
Horne admits it would be foolish to overlook Redknapp, given all he has achieved in the game, and expects him to be a frontrunner for the post.
He said: “Harry Redknapp is a great manager. Tottenham are playing great football and to qualify well for the Champions League (knockout stage) from a position of being fourth favourites in the group is huge testimony to that.
“I would expect Harry to make a long list (for the England job). It may not be a very long, long list.”
Policy
Horne insists there is no process in place as yet for appointing a successor to Capello, but claims the FA will do all they can to get the right man for the job, regardless of nationality.
“He’s there until 2012 which gives me 18, 19 months to prepare for that process,” he added.
“It is not a policy decision that they (the contenders) would be English. It is an absolute preference for certain individuals. It is not yet a board decision.
“We thought about this long and hard when we got Fabio Capello. We got the right man for the job and that is what we will do again.
“It is not a policy decision that they will definitely be English.
“I will be finalising the selection process criteria during the first few months of next year for internal discussion.”
