• Chairman will not take 'No' for an answer
• Intelligence-gathering will ascertain eligible names
The Football Association has been sounding out opinion within the game as part of its recruitment process for the next England manager, and is expected to draw up a wanted-list of "a very small number of key people" within a month.
The four-man Club England board that is solely responsible for identifying a chosen candidate will also endeavour to ensure that all those on the final list will be willing to accept the job if asked as they look to avoid a repeat of the Luiz Felipe Scolari fiasco.
The FA chairman David Bernstein, who is leading the hunt for Fabio Capello's replacement, said he did not believe the fluid job market for top quality managers would affect its ability to appoint the right man. While Harry Redknapp remains favourite for the post, others who may potentially be entering the job market include Barcelona's Pep Guardiola and Real Madrid's José Mourhino. Bernstein said the likely flurry of activity shouldn't affect the FA's bargaining position.
"This position is so unique that the right person would want to do it on a sensible basis and for the right reasons," said Bernstein. "It is a very fluid situation, I am not sure if [other clubs searching for managers] helps or hinders. It depends how the cards fall."
The FA is currently believed to have a list of less than 10 names — not all of them British — in mind for the job and has begun an intelligence-gathering process to ascertain whether they would accept the position if offered. The aim is to draw up a definitive list of a handful of candidates who have indicated that they would take the job before making an official approach.
There was heavy criticism of the FA following the exit of Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006 and their high-profile attempts to hire Scolari. The Brazilian turned down the English offer, but said he would have accepted the job had England's pursuit of him been handled better. "We are treating this with the greatest urgency," said Bernstein.