Sir Trevor Brooking has lashed out at reports of a rift with FA chief executive Brian Barwick over the appointment of Steve McClaren's successor as England manager.
Between them, FA chief executive Barwick and director of football development Brooking have been tasked with the job of finding the right man to replace McClaren.
Over the past fortnight, they have met with a number of senior figures within the game, both from inside and outside England's borders.
However, amid claims of planned meetings being arranged with bookies' favourite Jose Mourinho and the well-regarded Fabio Capello, reports have emerged of a major difference of opinion between the pair with Barwick said to want a 'world-class' continental manager, while Brooking is adamant he wants an Englishman in charge, probably in the form of West Ham boss Alan Curbishley.
Although he was interviewed last time around, Curbishley has never seemed likely to figure prominently in the FA's thoughts on this occasion and in any case, has already ruled himself out of contention.
And, in claiming that he had never actually backed Curbishley, Brooking rubbished talk that his relationship with Barwick had taken a serious downturn.
"There is absolutely no truth in this story whatsoever," said Brooking.
"There is no disagreement whatsoever between Brian and me 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.
"In addition, I have not expressed a preference for any potential candidate, either publicly or privately.
"Specifically, it is completely untrue that I have been backing Alan Curbishley for the job. I have never been asked about Alan.
"Brian and I are extremely annoyed at what appears to be an effort to destabilise our work together to find the next England manager, but we will continue to move forward together in the same positive manner."
Meanwhile, the FA have categorically denied meeting Capello and privately distanced themselves from reports that Barwick would be talking to Mourinho within the next 24 hours.
"It is absolutely not true that we have met with Fabio Capello," said an FA spokesman.
"There have been no meetings with potential candidates at this time."
The FA have elected not to get involved in the daily push for Mourinho from outside sources, insisting they will take their time in making an appointment and not be railroaded into one.
But, once Mourinho has given a firm indications of his plans for the future, the FA can move accordingly.
Capello is another live candidate, with FA sources confirming neither England skipper John Terry nor vice-captain Steven Gerrard will have been asked about the suitability of a non-English speaking candidate, a situation that also applied to Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.
As a long-time admirer of Martin O'Neill, Barwick will want to establish whether the Ulsterman's forceful public rejection of any interest remains the same in private, while Jurgen Klinsmann's claims cannot be totally discounted, even if the California-based German remains an outside bet.
Over the past fortnight, they have met with a number of senior figures within the game, both from inside and outside England's borders.
However, amid claims of planned meetings being arranged with bookies' favourite Jose Mourinho and the well-regarded Fabio Capello, reports have emerged of a major difference of opinion between the pair with Barwick said to want a 'world-class' continental manager, while Brooking is adamant he wants an Englishman in charge, probably in the form of West Ham boss Alan Curbishley.
Although he was interviewed last time around, Curbishley has never seemed likely to figure prominently in the FA's thoughts on this occasion and in any case, has already ruled himself out of contention.
And, in claiming that he had never actually backed Curbishley, Brooking rubbished talk that his relationship with Barwick had taken a serious downturn.
"There is absolutely no truth in this story whatsoever," said Brooking.
"There is no disagreement whatsoever between Brian and me 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.
"In addition, I have not expressed a preference for any potential candidate, either publicly or privately.
"Specifically, it is completely untrue that I have been backing Alan Curbishley for the job. I have never been asked about Alan.
"Brian and I are extremely annoyed at what appears to be an effort to destabilise our work together to find the next England manager, but we will continue to move forward together in the same positive manner."
Meanwhile, the FA have categorically denied meeting Capello and privately distanced themselves from reports that Barwick would be talking to Mourinho within the next 24 hours.
"It is absolutely not true that we have met with Fabio Capello," said an FA spokesman.
"There have been no meetings with potential candidates at this time."
The FA have elected not to get involved in the daily push for Mourinho from outside sources, insisting they will take their time in making an appointment and not be railroaded into one.
But, once Mourinho has given a firm indications of his plans for the future, the FA can move accordingly.
Capello is another live candidate, with FA sources confirming neither England skipper John Terry nor vice-captain Steven Gerrard will have been asked about the suitability of a non-English speaking candidate, a situation that also applied to Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi.
As a long-time admirer of Martin O'Neill, Barwick will want to establish whether the Ulsterman's forceful public rejection of any interest remains the same in private, while Jurgen Klinsmann's claims cannot be totally discounted, even if the California-based German remains an outside bet.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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