O’Neill not in England contention

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.

Although FA chief executive Brian Barwick has been given more freedom to find McClaren’s successor than he had when Sven-Goran Eriksson announced his impeding departure less than two years ago, there is still a preference for a ‘home-grown’ candidate should a suitable applicant be found.

Given Alan Shearer has no management experience whatsoever, Harry Redknapp admits he is unlikely to be asked, Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce and Mark Hughes have ruled themselves out and current England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce was hardly a success at Manchester City, O’Neill is the most plausible option.