Graham Taylor believes the next England manager must be English - and has tipped Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to take over the post when Fabio Capello retires in two years' time.
Capello became the second foreigner to take on the role when he was appointed at the beginning of 2008 after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 under Steve McClaren. The Italian recently reiterated his desire to leave his job after Euro 2012 and the Football Association have confirmed they hope to appoint a homegrown coach as his successor.
"I have always believed that the job should go to an Englishman," said Taylor, who was speaking at the Co-operative Be Inspired dinner in London.
"That's not being disrespectful to Fabio or to Sven-Goran Eriksson. I just believe that the top countries in international football, players, staff, supporters pit their wits against other nations and the man in charge has to be from that country."
Redknapp was touted as a possible successor to Capello this summer after he beat off competition from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool to bring Champions League football to White Hart Lane for the first time in almost half a century.
The former Portsmouth boss, who has seen the likes of Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson flourish under his command, would be interested in the job while Liverpool's Roy Hodgson and current Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce would stand a chance of getting the post if the FA decide to go English.
Taylor, who was 46 when he took the England job, believes 63-year-old Redknapp has enough experience to make him the right man for the post.
"I'm sure if you asked everyone who should get it then they would go for Harry Redknapp right now," Taylor said.
"For me he is at the right age. If someone asked me to look back on my career I'd say I was too young to take that job. I think Harry would take it. He is an Englishman capable of doing the job."
Source: PA
