The Sunday newspapers have claimed that Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, overwhelming favourite to land the England coaching job, has snubbed a contract at Soho Square in favour of a top European club - but the Football Association insist that they are yet to make any approach.

Certain Sunday publications insist that Mourinho has been offered a £6 million-a-year deal to take charge of England, but FA spokesman Adrian Bevington insisted that the governing body retained an open mind to the identity of the next coach.

"I've seen various managers ruled out on television and in newspapers but I can assure you we have not ruled anybody out. We have an open mind," he told the BBC.

"If you picked up the papers last week it was a variety of managers and it was a different story today. I don't want to dissect every story but we are fully on track here.

"We haven't got a deadline but when we identify the man there is no reason to not go and get him.

"We are making progress; we want to get a manager of the right calibre.

"There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes and if we have spoken to the representatives of one individual it does not mean we are not speaking to others.

"Neither Trevor [Brooking] or Brian [Barwick] have met with any of the potential candidates yet. They have spoken to various leading figures in the game to canvass opinions.

"My understanding is that they've concluded that process now and it's a case now of having conversations with individuals.

"We've been very transparent following the departure of Steve McClaren but there does come a time when we say 'please let us get on with our work privately now'."

If Mourinho has indeed decided to shun England, the development would signify a massive u-turn. He was recently said to be ready to take on the challenge.

The Sunday Mirror and News of the World believe the club set to tempt him abroad is Italian giants Milan, currently struggling under long-term boss Carlo Ancelotti in Serie A despite reaching the knock-out stage of the Champions League.

The Mirror quotes a Mourinho 'confidant': "There have been lots of calls bouncing around Europe and he will take the AC Milan job if he gets the chance. That's the one he wants above all the rest."

The NOTW claimed that a confidant spelled out the situation in even clearer fashion.

"Late on Friday a big club put a great contract on the table for him to be coach next season. I expect he will wait for June with a signed contract in his pocket.

"Jose is still in pain because he would love to take on the England challenge, love to do it. But I believe he will now reject the job."

The Sunday Express speculated that with Frank Rijkaard's job at Barcelona in extreme danger, the Camp Nou is likely be his next destination.

A former assistant to Bobby Robson at Barça, he was widely condemned for his conduct when returning to Catalonia with Chelsea in recent seasons.

Rijkaard's Bacelona are seven points behind leaders and fierce rivals Real Madrid in La Liga - albeit with a game in hand - although they too are in the second round of the premier European competition.

All the papers agree that should the former Blues cult manager decide against taking charge of the national team, head-hunter Barwick's attention would then shift to Italian pair Marcello Lippi and Fabio Capello.

Barwick prefers Martin O'Neill, but the Irishman in charge of Aston Villa has ruled himself out of the running. Former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann is another name in the frame.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport