The English Football Association plans to appoint a young homegrown coach to work under England boss Fabio Capello by the end of next month.

The FA promised to add a greater English influence into the England set-up in the wake of the country's dismal performance at the World Cup last year.

The plan is for the coach to be groomed as a potential national team manager of the future, with FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking heavily involved in the appointment.

FA General Secretary Alex Horne said: "It's something which I spoke to Trevor about just before Christmas. I would expect by the end of February to have a name."

Alan Shearer has previously been linked with the role and Horne said: "I've got a preferred candidate but I'm not going to give you a name.

"I envisage it will be a part-time contractual arrangement. What I'm working on with Trevor is the job description to make sure we understand it, so that it's right."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/13/2011 page22)