The inevitable was merely delayed, almost in the manner of a condemned man at the guillotine waiting for her royal highness to finish her cake. And much as that analogy left a lot to be desired, so did Steve McClaren’s ability to guide England through the choppy waters of their EURO 2008 qualifying group. The players’ performances on the night were abysmal, hardly aided by the driving rain and bog standard pitch, but the manager got his tactics wrong almost from the start. Maybe someday he will be more successful, but it won’t be with England.

In the wake of his departure, rumours have been flying thick and fast as to the identity of his potential replacements – Fabio Capello, Jose Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Jurgen Klinsmann are just some of the names that have been thrown into the hat. But which one wants it the most? Or more to the point, who does the FA want?

Don Fabio has been an unqualified success wherever he has managed in club football – Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid can all testify to that fact. Less than 24 hours after the job was up for grabs, Capello said that it would be a “beautiful challenge”. He later claimed that he had been joking, but many believe that the interest was genuine. It remains to be seen whether the FA will take him seriously enough to offer him the job.

Similar stories have appeared in the media about Jurgen Klinsmann’s interest as well. The whole world sat up and took notice when he guided Germany to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Yet again, it’s in the FA’s hands as to whether they want him or not. It does seem odd that so many people are coming out and declaring their interest in the job – taking the FA for mugs has now become a transparent process. (Qualify for tournament, get knocked out in the quarters, wait for media to turn on you, accept massive pay-off after being forced to quit – McClaren would have loved to have gotten that far.) Still, the thought of a German managing England is almost inconceivable.

Scolari has proved himself more than once on the big stage – WC winners 2002, Euro finalists 2004, WC semis 2006. And his teams eliminated England on all three occasions, which leads to an instinctive belief that he may be the man to finally take them one step further. Heck, he’s still keen on the job, according to reports. But after the way he turned down the England position last year, it’s very unlikely that the snubbed FA will offer him a second bite of the apple.

Mourinho, as usual, is a case all to himself. It has been rumoured that several executives from the FA have been in touch with Jose’s agents, and there are indications that he might be keen on the job too. However, in sharp contrast to the others, he wants the FA to make direct contact with him – someone on the board, possibly Brian Barwick himself – and will keep his mouth shut until then. Mourinho might be just what England need – a man who can achieve success playing attractive football (remember Chelsea 2004-05, anybody?), and someone who might, just might, be able to get Lampard and Gerrard to dovetail in midfield. Plus the press couldn’t get up his back anymore than they did at Stamford Bridge. Or could they?
Other possibilities: Guus Hiddink, Alan Shearer, Marcelo Lippi

Recommendation to the FA: Fabio Capello - The man is adaptable, has his tactics spot on, can bring the best out of any group of players, and most importantly has an ego big enough to handle both the Media as well as the ‘names’ in the England Squad. Needs a translator though - Mourinho, perhaps?