Hull City confirm manager Steve Bruce has held 'informal discussions' over England job

Hull City have confirmed that Steve Bruce has held tentative discussions with the Football Association (FA) regarding the possibility of succeeding Roy Hodgson as England manager. An official announcement from the newly-promoted Premier League club follows widespread speculation that their long-serving boss was interviewed for the role on Monday (18 July).

In a statement released via their official website, Hull said: "The club can confirm that manager Steve Bruce has held informal discussions regarding the England vacancy, although no official approach has been received from the FA.

"We would hope to see the FA conclude their business quickly in order to avoid further speculation regarding Steve ahead of what is a season of huge importance for the club following our return to the Premier League."

The message strikes a similar tone to the one released by Sunderland following discussions with Sam Allardyce last week, although the Black Cats, while evidently irritated at a lack of confidentiality regarding the process and eager for it to reach a swift conclusion as so to limit the damage done to the club, did at least establish that the FA had sought their permission first.

Vastly experienced Allardyce remains the favourite for the role after fulfilling his brief and guiding Sunderland to safety last term, although 55-year old former Manchester United captain Bruce is clearly featuring prominently in the running after leading 2014 FA Cup finalists Hull back to the top-flight at the first time of asking in May courtesy of a Mo Diame-inspired 1-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.

It is the second time that he has won promotion from the second tier since succeeding Nick Barmby at the KCOM Stadium in 2012 and the fourth time overall in an 18-year managerial career that began at Sheffield United. It has also encompassed spells with Huddersfield Town, Wigan Athletic (twice), Birmingham City and Sunderland.

Responding to rumours over the England job earlier this month, Bruce said: "It's highly flattering and I'm honoured to be linked with it. Whether or not it goes any further than that... It's the pinnacle isn't it? To manage your country, there's no bigger job. It's all speculation. There's a lot of people who have written nice things and I'm grateful for that."

A three-man panel consisting of FA chief executive Martin Glenn, vice-chairman David Gill and technical director Dan Ashworth have been tasked with appointing a new national coach after the out-of-contract Roy Hodgson stood aside immediately following the humiliating early exit from Euro 2016 at the hands of Iceland in Nice. USA chief Jurgen Klinsmann and highly-rated young Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe are among the other candidates believed to be under consideration.