Fabio Capello has emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.
The 61-year-old Italian now appears to be the front-runner for the post following Jose Mourinho's decision to rule himself out of contention.
The Football Association are not thought to have yet ruled out other candidates, including Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill, but the former Real Madrid and AC Milan coach appears to be in pole position, and his son was reported to have told Sky Sports that Capello is keen on the job.
Newspaper reports claimed former Chelsea striker and fellow Italian Gianfranco Zola could be brought in as part of Capello's backroom staff, while ex-England captain Alan Shearer and under-21 boss Stuart Pearce were also linked with roles.
Mourinho was a candidate who ticked all the boxes: he is a 'world-class' coach - something that FA chief executive Brian Barwick has told FA board members he will find - he knew the English game and he speaks the language fluently.
Capello and former Italy coach Marcello Lippi can also be regarded as world class - especially Lippi who is already a World Cup winner from last year - but both have rudimentary English.
Barwick has now finished consulting the 12 leading figures in the English game about the appointment and, despite Mourinho's announcement, he and FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking are hopeful of having the name of the next England manager in time for the next FA board meeting on December 19, just nine days away.
Mourinho's announcement last night was not unexpected as conflicting reports have been emanating from his camp over the last few days.
He said in a statement: "After Steve McClaren left the England football team, my representatives maintained contact with the FA.
"In that sense, I had myself useful discussions with Brian Barwick and Trevor [Brooking] where we exchanged ideas to evaluate the entire situation about the England squad and set the goals in case of real invitation being addressed to me.
"After deep and serious thinking, I decided to exclude myself from being England manager despite being a fantastic position for me.
"I'm sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs.
"I reiterate my respect for the English football and, after three good years in England, I firmly believe that the England squad will soon be back to their usual great results."
It is understood Mourinho is in line for the coach's job at one of the leading continental club sides.
Fabio Capello Factfile:
1946: Born in San Canzian d'Isonzo, Gorizia, Italy.
1964: Makes his professional debut for Ferrara side SPAL, beginning a playing career in which he also represented Roma, Juventus, AC Milan and earned 32 caps for Italy.
1973: Scores the only goal as Italy beat England at Wembley for the first time.
1991: Appointed head coach of AC Milan.
1992: Wins first of three successive Italian league titles.
1993: Guides Milan to Champions League final, where they are beaten 1-0 by Marseille.
1994: Milan reach the Champions League final again, this time beating Barcelona 4-0. They later add the European Super Cup.
1995: Milan reach their third successive Champions League final but lose 1-0 to Ajax.
1996: Leaves Milan after winning a fourth Scudetto in five seasons and is appointed Real Madrid coach.
1997: Wins Spanish league title with Real, before returning for a second spell with Milan.
1998: Fired after unsuccessful return to Milan.
1999: Takes over as coach of Roma.
2001: Guides Roma to their first Scudetto for 18 years and only the third in their history.
2004: Leaves Roma to take over as Juventus coach, winning the Scudetto in his first season.
2006: May - Retains Scudetto with Juventus but they are later stripped of the title after match-fixing allegations.
July - Resigns amid speculation of a return to Real Madrid after Ramon Calderon, newly-elected as president of the Spanish club, names Capello as his preferred choice for the vacant coaching position. Appointed Real Madrid head coach for a second time.
2007: January - Sanctions the departures of Ronaldo and David Beckham. Ronaldo joins AC Milan in the transfer window, while Beckham announces he will move to the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season; Capello responds by insisting Beckham will never play for the club again.
February - Following defeat to Levante - a fourth reverse in six league matches - he reinstates Beckham - who scores - for match against Real Sociedad. Madrid issue statement denying suggestions that Capello had handed in his resignation.
March - Oversees the departure of another Galactico as Roberto Carlos confirms he will leave the club for Fenerbahce at the end of the season.
June - Real Madrid celebrate their first league title since 2003 but is sacked on June 28.
July - Reveals he is considering an offer to coach a Major League Soccer club in the United States.
November - Declares his interest in becoming England manager.
December 11: Emerges as the favourite to be Steve McClaren's successor as England manager after Jose Mourinho rules himself out of the running.
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