FABIO CAPELLO flew home to Italy last night knowing his next trip to London would almost certainly mark his coronation as England manager.

The Football Association will not dictate to the next England manager who his captain should be.

ALEX FERGUSON and Arsene Wenger have combined to back the likely appointment of Fabio Capello as England manager.

Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have combined to back the likely appointment of Fabio Capello as England manager.

Fabio Capello today emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve McClaren as England manager.

The Football Association are unlikely to be deterred from making contact with Jose Mourinho over the vacant England manager’s job despite reports the former Chelsea boss is no longer interested in succeeding Steve McClaren.

Martin O’Neill does not believe an intention to focus on the senior side cost him the England job in 2006 – but the Aston Villa boss looks no closer to throwing his hat into the ring this time after seemingly backing the claims of Jose Mourinho.

THE search for the next England manager will intensify next week with Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick set to move on to the next stage of finding Steve McClaren’s successor.

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill yesterday dealt a major body-blow to the FA by ruling himself out of contention to replace Steve McClaren as England boss.

FA CHAIRMAN Geoff Thompson has admitted England’s failure to qualify for next summer’s Euro 2008 finals is an “embarrassment” which left his board with no choice but to sack manager Steve McClaren.

Steve McClaren was today sacked as England manager, the Football Association announced.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has ruled out England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup involving any of the other home nations.

THE Football Association cast aside their caution yesterday and announced England will join the race to host the 2018 World Cup.

The Football Association in England will meet tomorrow to decide their next steps towards a possible bid for the 2018 World Cup.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter fired the starting gun for the race to host the 2018 World Cup on Monday - with England regarded as one of the front-runners.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick is to launch a major grass-roots pilot scheme aimed at getting players to show more respect to referees.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has expressed his disappointment following remarks criticising England by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

Thaksin Shinawatra is privately hoping that Sven-Goran Eriksson will be the new manager of Manchester City when the players return to training on Wednesday.

Graham Poll has described the Football Association as “inherently weak” after admitting their handling of his bust-up with Chelsea last season forced him to bring forward his retirement from the game.

The Football Association have voted to accept the biggest reform of the governing body in their 144-year history.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has given his full backing to England coach Steve McClaren.

IRISH broadcaster, Setanta Sports, has claimed another rights success over Sky Sports and the BBC.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has defended beleaguered England coach Steve McClaren in the wake of last night’s Euro 2008 win over Andorra.

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez believes the club’s new American owners have “a clear idea” of how to make the Reds bigger and better.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has strongly defended the game’s governing body from criticism by Lord Stevens’ bungs inquiry.

Lord Stevens will today reveal the findings of his nine-month inquiry into illegal payments in football transfers.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick today leapt to the defence of Steve McClaren’s appointment as England manager and denied his organisation had been “sluggish” in finding a successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson.

A full settlement of all the outstanding disputes over Wembley Stadium has been agreed by the parties involved.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has criticised those who have claimed corruption is rife in the game – and then refused to back up their allegations.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick today announced a formal investigation into the allegations made by BBC’s Panorama programme.

The Football Association have confirmed that Manchester City’s punishment of Ben Thatcher does not mean he is immune to further action.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick believes Soho Square officials have been unfairly criticised for Wembley Stadium not being completed on time.

Steve McClaren arrived at Soho Square to start his new job as England manager and vowed: “I’m going to do it my way”.

Wayne Rooney’s chances of making a comeback against Trinidad and Tobago appear to have receded.

BRIAN BARWICK admits the English FA must examine the way they appoint England managers.

The Football Association have confirmed that Arsene Wenger told them categorically he did not want to be considered for Sven-Goran Eriksson’s job.

“From the outside it is an easy chip to have at us but those people were very helpful to me.

SO, after three months of short-listing, interviewing and bewildering farce, the FA at last have their man.

LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI is set to be appointed next England manager if he can agree terms with the Football Association, but an announcement is unlikely before next week.

Luiz Felipe Scolari is set to be appointed as the next England manager if he can agree terms with the Football Association but an announcement is unlikely before next week.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick has led the tributes to former England and Everton defender Brian Labone, who died at the age of 66.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick has led the tributes to former England and Everton defender Brian Labone, who died at the age of 66.

The Football Association in England has finished interviewing contenders for the England job but no decision has yet been made.

THE search for the next England manager is nearing its climax with Martin O’Neill and Steve McClaren apparently neck-and-neck in the race to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson.