English FA Rule Out Mourinho as New England Manager

According to a report in The Sun, the Football Association (FA) have ruled out the possibility of approaching current Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho to be the next national team boss.

Mourinho, who enjoyed a hugely successful (if controversial) few years with Chelsea, in the Premier League, is now leading Real Madrid's charge on fierce rivals Barcelona's dominance of both the Spanish league and Champions League.

However, given Mourinho's rather famously short-fuse and self-appointed "Special One" tag... and the traditionally rigid hierarchy at the Santiago Bernabeu, it has often been speculated the Portuguese may move on from Spain after this year. Adding credence to the possibility that Mourinho may return to the UK was another report from The Sun, which said he was house-hunting in London.

Unfortunately, the FA's general secretary, Alex Horne, was quoted in The Sun report as saying an English manager would be a better idea.

"English would be very, very preferable. It is key we have someone with strong English communication skills who has experience of managing English players," Horne was quoted.

If Horne's statements are to be believed, this only increases speculation that current Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will be offered charge of the national team.