Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce:

"It is a group they should get out of but the real danger is when they get to the quarter-finals, it will be tough then. Who will win it? Frankly it is not something I have really put my mind to yet, so much can happen."

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez:

"The finals are a long way away, so much can change. England are in a group of finalists, with Brazil, Argentina and Spain, who could all win it."

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez:

"The favourites, apart from Brazil, they all got a very good draw, as was expected. Brazil and South Africa, from the top pot of seeds, they could feel hard done by. But you look at England and Spain, teams who are expected to go far, the draw has given them a clear path."

Birmingham boss Alex McLeish:

"It's a beauty, isn't it? For England, it's fantastic. They've a great draw, although the USA will be a tough first game, but they certainly couldn't have asked for better."

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti: "It was a good draw for England and Italy. They both have good groups. But pay attention, in the World Cup nothing is certain."

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes, a former manager of Wales, whose only previous World Cup finals appearance was in 1958, joked: "I don't know which competition you are talking about."