And then there were two: Redknapp remains favourite despite talk of Mourinho coming into the frame

And, until a place in next season's Champions League is secure and their current run in the FA Cup, they entertain Stevenage on Wednesday in a fifth round replay hoping to secure a home quarter-final against Bolton, is at an end, the FA are mindful of doing anything that rocks the boat.

'We would intend to try and get someone in place permanently by the European Championships,' said Horne.

'We are doing this professionally and courteously. A number of the managers on the list are currently working for clubs and we want to avoid disruption to anyone else's season.

'At some point between now and the back end of the season we will make our move.

'We think we can get the best manager for the job whilst having respect for the fact that, if they're currently employed, they've got to finish their season.

'When we do this we'll go and try to get one person and we think we can deliver that person quite quickly.'

Privately, the FA have made it clear the new manager will be given the freedom to select whoever he wants, even if it means calling a halt to the process of introducing young players, which Capello began after that lamentable World Cup performance in South Africa and was continued by interim boss Stuart Pearce during last week's friendly defeat to Holland.

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