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In a break from tradition that has always seen a native coach at the helm of England, Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is the man the Football Association want to succeed Kevin Keegan as England boss.
The FA's international committee have moved quickly to identify their number one target for the managerial position following Keegan's resignation immediately after his team's defeat to Germany at Wembley. And Football365 understands that in a break from tradition, they want a foreign coach to revive the national team's flagging fortunes, Arsene Wenger's success at Highbury making him an ideal choice. The FA are currently putting together a record-breaking offer and will approach Arsenal on Monday morning to seek permission to speak to their highly rated coach.
The good news for Gunners fans, though, is that even if the Highbury board allow the approach, Wenger is almost certain to turn down the offer. The Arsenal manager's contract has nearly two years to run and he recently went on record as saying it's likely he'll be at Highbury beyond that. And if he does decide to leave, he's thought to favour a return to Japan, where he enjoyed success in club football, to manage the joint-hosts for the 2002 World Cup.
FA chief executive Adam Crozier has already hinted that a foreign coach could succeed Keegan, saying: "The only important thing is that we get the right person for the job and if that is a foreign manager then that's who it will be. The important thing is that England have the best possible manager to take the team forward, not their nationality."
However, Crozier will almost certainly have to look beyond Highbury, with Wenger set to reassure Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein that he's committed to the Gunners.
Other foreign coaches being linked with the England job are former Inter Milan boss Marcello Lippi and Lazio coach Sven Goran Eriksson.
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