So we inch agonisingly closer to the unveiling of a "world-class" manager for England.

That's the promise from the big cheese Brian Barwick and we're taking his word as gospel.

Because, as he said the other week, he does know a lot about football. He did used to edit Match of the Day, you know The five names on the short-list, if they are true, do make impressive reading.

A few dissenting voices have complained that there are no Englishmen among the top candidates. But surely the disastrous Steve McClaren reign has put that small-town argument to bed once and for all.

Let's get the best man for the job; not just the nearest.

This column's colours have been nailed to the Jose Mourinho mast from the outset. Nothing has changed to alter my opinion he should be installed in the Wembley hot-seat.

But nothing is certain when the Football Association get involved.

As poor Robbie Keane found out this week with that ridiculous red card in the Spurs game.

It was a boisterous challenge that was never ever worth a red card yet the grey suits of the FA threw out Tottenham's fully-justified appeal.

So what hope Mourinho with that sort of judgement from the top?

We can just wait and hope that they will see reason. Even if they can't spot a fair tackle.