Top 10 Manager for England

Who would you choose ? Dailymail.co.uk

1.MARTIN O'NEILL ODDS: 4-1
WHAT HE SAID ON MONDAY: 'I am committed to Aston Villa. cannot end speculation. I have had it for years and years. No matter what you say I have a big commitment to Villa.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Don't mess me around this time.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Should be saluted for building a Villa side around young English talent. FA must hope his refusal is a bluff.

2. STUART PEARCE ODDS: 12-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I've got no reason to comment at this time.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Come on England!'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Star fell after sacking at Man City, but his work with the Under 21s has been impressive. Too soon to promote.

3. HARRY REDKNAPP ODDS: 8-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'Who knows who they will appoint. Anyone would love to manage their country. No English manager could turn it down.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Oh, go on then…'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Gets the best out of his players but has never managed a top-level team. Knowledge of world football is in his favour.

4. ALAN SHEARER  ODDS: 8-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: The Newcastle legend — and his 'people' — refused to be drawn on the matter.

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Secretly, I quite fancy it.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Shearer is far better off in the TV studio, where he says practically nothing of any interest and still gets paid a fortune for it.

The Foreigners

5. JOSE MOURINHO ODDS: 4-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: Dodging the question — 'This is sad. A championships without England is not the same as one with them.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Forget it. I'm the next manager of Real Madrid.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: 50 per cent of the country want him, but they all happen to be female. A sexy choice, it would be fun while it lasts as he tries to resist slagging off his bosses.

6. LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI ODDS: 10-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I am the manager of Portugal.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'If you can wait until after Euro 2008…'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Sorry, Phil, not after last time. Embarrassed and humiliated the FA by flirting with their top brass in Lisbon and then petulantly throwing a copy of the Daily Mail across an airport lounge because he had been rumbled. No chance.

7. GUUS HIDDINK ODDS: 12-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'I have a contract with the Russian Federation.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: '… And it's for £130,000 a week with a £15million break clause. Can you trump it?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Stock rises and falls faster than Northern Rock. One minute he's a tactical genius, the next he is exposed by Israel. Still, he led Holland and South Korea to World Cup semi-finals and guided Russia to Euro 2008. An outstanding candidate.

8. FABIO CAPELLO ODDS: 3-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: 'The England job would be fantastic.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Anyone got Brian Barwick's number?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Has won eight league titles with four different clubs (Real Madrid, Milan, Juventus, Roma), plus a European Cup with Milan. Man-management skills in question — just ask Becks. Doesn't have 'friends' in the media. Perfect.

9. JURGEN KLINSMANN ODDS: 25-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: No official comment.

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'Ha, you want a German to save your nation?'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Took Germany to third place in their own World Cup, but let's face it, apart from putting out Argentina on penalties, who did he beat? A real leap of faith to hand him the keys to Soho Square.

10. FRANK RIJKAARD ODDS: 40-1
WHAT HE SAID YESTERDAY: His agent, Brian Bergkleef — 'If Frank wanted it, 100 per cent he would do a brilliant job. He has all the qualities necessary.'

WHAT HE REALLY MEANT: 'He's happy at Barcelona, thanks. And, anyway, he will be Chelsea manager next season.'

NEIL ASHTON'S VERDICT: Over-qualified for the job after leading Holland to semi-finals of Euro 2000 and winning European Cup with Barca. Worth an approach, but knock-back inevitable.