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Wenger not interested in England job

Arsene Wenger has stated his belief that the next England manager should be an Englishman © PA Photos

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Arsene Wenger has stated the importance of Fabio Capello's successor being an Englishman, at the same time ruling himself out of the running for the England job.

Italian Capello stepped down from his role on Wednesday and whilst Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp remains the bookmakers' favourite to step into the role, Arsenal boss Wenger's name has also been marked down on the list of potential candidates.

The Frenchman is adamant however that the next man employed by the FA to lead the national team should be English, thereby ruling himself out of the running.

"I have always been straight in [suggesting an Englishman should be next] - not because I think an English manager can do a better job than any foreign guy, just because you represent your country and it is better if the manager is from there. Especially in a big football country like England," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"It's now down to the FA to make the right decision and you will not be surprised when I tell you I do not want to interfere with that!"

Passing comment on the issue of John Terry being stripped of the England captaincy by the FA and its subsequent role in Capello's departure, Wenger was clear on his position on the matter.

"When the decision came out from the FA, I said that the choice of captain is down to the manager. You [the manager] pick your team, you choose your captain," he said.

"I did not expect such an extreme situation but it looks like there was already some turbulence there and that was just the final straw. I am sad that Capello leaves four months before such an important competition, it is a big blow for England and I am sad for him."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.