Ex-England manager Steve McClaren had hardly left Lancaster Gate last week and already the nation was drawing up a shortlist of candidates to succeed him.

Bookies throughout Britain have been receiving a steady trade of bets with a number of high profile candidates still in the running.

The FA stated last week that they will not rush into appointing the next manager so vital is it that they get the right man, but pressure from the media may speed them up.

The early frontrunner for one of world football’s most lucrative positions is former Real Madrid and AC Milan manager Fabio Capello. At 3/1 with most bookmakers the Italian says the job would be perfect for him and there are many in English football who agree. Though Capello has no International management experience its worth noting that many on the FA’s wish list are in the same boat.

Amongst them is of course the ‘Special One’. At 5/1 Mourinho offers perhaps the best value at your local bookies as it’s understood he could be persuaded to officially throw his hat into the ring. His knowledge of the English game, the English media and the English fans would be a major bonus but is he technically limited?

Someone who’s record of turning the fortunes of a group of footballers around is a one Harry Redknapp! You can back the cocky cockney at 13/2 and he has been the biggest marker mover since betting began. The Portsmouth manager is one of few English candidates for the position and based on the fact that England have never had a non-English manager he must be considered a strong candidate.

Others in the running at this early stage include Martin O’ Neill (8/1), Alan Shearer (16/1), Jurgen Klinnsman (16/1), Luis Scolari (20/1), Steve Coppell (25/1), Guss Hiddink (33/1) and Marcelo Lippi (33/1)

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