First Choice: Harry. Second Choice: Who Knows?
So, Fabio's become the latest Italian captain to abandon a sinking ship. And everyone seems set on Harry. But is the 64-year-old certain jettison Tottenham for the England job? Let's run through the FA's long list... HARRY REDKNAPP He's got the backing of the media. And, perhaps more importantly, Wayne Rooney. His work at Spurs ("Two points in eight games," anyone?), canny press operating and nationality mark him out as the sensible choice. But would he want to quit an irresistible Spurs squad who adore him and the day-to-day club management he claims to crave? And as Daniel Levy showed during Luka Modrić stand-off with Chelsea last summer: he's a stubborn bastard. SKYBET ODDS: 2/7SIR TREVOR BROOKINGNo long-term fix, but Sir Trev's the man on the inside, hugely popular with the public and has (albeit) brief experience fighting managerial fires. Granted, his one dip into management didn't end with glory, but his attempt at guiding West Ham out of relegation bother in 2004 was admirable. Could easily see England through to the Euros. SKYBET ODDS: N/ASTUART PEARCEPerhaps the most uninspired choice the FA could make. Which might make him the most obvious. Installed as the Olympics team boss, which would prove a fairly sizable hurdle, but the England job would surely trump even London 2012. Qualified success with the Under-21s has somewhat buried his fairly bleak tenure at pre-billions Manchester City. SKYBET ODDS: 5/1JOSE MOURINHOOnce claimed he was "hours" from accepting the job before Capello, José's the one starry name that would sate the masses should Redknapp stick with N17. Short term? Probably not, with Real Madrid finally set to overhaul Barcelona's La Liga stranglehold. However, post-Euro 2012: perhaps. And if not England, then there's decent money on him succeeding 'Arry at the Lane... SKYBET ODDS: 10/1ROY HODGSONA sort of Poor Man's Harry, Uncle Woy's likely to be feel far more comfortable ditching West Brom than Harry is North London and has a robust CV featuring some commendable international stints. However, his Anfield debacle flung him down the pecking order and he's not a name to reboot fan interest. SKYBET ODDS: 10/1GUUS HIDDINKThe wily old Dutchman loves a bit of ad-hoc freelance work, and is out of work after failing to negotiate Turkey's Euro 2012 entry. Vast, vast experience and with his stock still high on these shores after his impressive half season at Chelsea, he could be the canniest short term appointment. He'd certainly know how to handle those Stamford Bridge rebrobates... SKYBET ODDS: 5/1DAVID BECKHAMAn utterly bonkers proposition, but hear us out a minute. Who else could command this current England squad's respect and attention like English football's living, breathing, pants-flogging icon? Of course, if he's even halfway intelligent, Becks wouldn't risk harming his legacy by considering such a job. But, as his odd stint as chief cheerleader at the South Africa World Cup showed, he'd certainly spruce up our bench sartorially. SKYBET ODDS: 66/1
