New England manager: FA 'keen to speak to Steve Bruce' about Three Lions role

The Football Association (FA) are set to speak to Steve Bruce, the Hull City manager, later this week about the vacant England managerial job. The former Manchester United captain is reportedly on the FA shortlist for the role and would relish the chance to manage his national side.

Neither Bruce nor his current employers have been contacted about the vacancy, but the FA's technical director, Dan Ashworth, is keen to speak to the Hull boss to get his views on the England job. The 55-year-old is one of a number of candidates currently being considered as a potential replacement for Roy Hodgson, who resigned after England's embarrassing Euro 2016 campaign.

During their consultation process, the FA made it clear they would like to appoint an Englishman to the role. However, if a suitable candidate can not be signed, they have not ruled out the possibility of appointing another foreign manager, like Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, according to The Telegraph.

At present, Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce and Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe are reportedly the two leading English candidates. But Bruce's case to succeed Hodgson has been pushed by a number of high-profile fans, including the likes of Gary Lineker and Steven Gerrard.

The FA are conscious that neither Bruce nor Allardyce would be universally popular among England fans, while they are also mindful of Howe's lack of experience. Elsewhere, England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate is said to be reluctant to take on the top job.

However, it has been reported that Wenger − who has 12 months to run on his current deal at Arsenal − could be convinced to accept the job on a temporary basis if he decides to leave the Gunners next year. The Arsenal boss previously suggested he could be tempted by an offer from the FA.

"Could I manage England, why not? I would never rule that out, but I am happy and focused in club football," the Arsenal boss recently told beIN Sports. "England is my second country.

"I have one more year to go with Arsenal and I have been with them for a long time. I have always respected all my contacts [throughout my career] and will continue to do that. What will I do after that? Honestly, I don't know."

Ashworth, FA chief executive Martin Glenn and David Gill, an FA board member, will meet this week to make a decision and outline their plan to secure their preferred candidate. The new England manager could be in place in time for their World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on 4 September.