Capello poised for England talks
Italian Capello has won domestic titles in both Italy and Spain
Italian Fabio Capello has emerged as the clear favourite to become the next manager of England after Jose Mourinho ruled himself out of contention.
BBC Sport understands Capello, 61, has already been sounded out by the Football Association and that an appointment could be made very soon.
The former Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Roma coach has already said he is keen to succeed Steve McClaren.
World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi is thought to be Capello's main rival.
But both Lippi, who steered Italy to success in the 2006 tournament, and fellow contenders Jurgen Klinsmann, who led Germany to the semi-finals, and Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill look to have fallen down the pecking order.
"My understanding, in terms of Capello, is that there has been contact and there will be more," said 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard.
"The discreet soundings were encouraging and now the coach who has won domestic league titles with every club he has managed is set for full-blown discussions.
"He admitted his interest from the outset, describing it as a 'beautiful challenge', and I would say Fabio Capello looks odds-on to be the next coach of England.
"The stylish, bespectacled 61-year-old with a trophy-laden CV from Italy and Spain clearly comes with a world-class label that FA chief executive Brian Barwick has been looking for."
Capello, whose English is limited, has won nine league titles in 16 years as coach, picking up silverware with all four clubs he has coached.
He won the Champions League with Milan in 1994 and was also an accomplished player, winning 32 caps as a midfielder for the national team.
Since leaving Madrid in June after guiding them to the La Liga crown, Capello, born in San Canzian d'Isonzo, has been working as a commentator for Italian television company RAI.
But according to BBC sources, RAI have already begun the search for his replacement, seemingly convinced he is about to be given the England job.
Mourinho had been the favourite to succeed McClaren, who was axed after England failed to qualify for next year's European Championship.
But the former Chelsea boss, who appears to prefer a club job, withdrew from the running after holding talks with Barwick and Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's director of football.
"After serious thought, I decided to exclude myself, despite it being a fantastic position," he said in a statement on his agent's website.
"I'm sure the FA will hire a great manager, one able to place the team back where it belongs."
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