The Football Association has made its first move towards appointing a new England manager after being granted permission to speak to West Brom head coach Roy Hodgson.
Harry Redknapp has been the long-term favourite to succeed Fabio Capello, who resigned in February, but there has yet to be an approach for the Tottenham boss.
Instead, the FA's first decision has been to ask for discussions with ex-Switzerland boss Hodgson and the governing body has been given the green-light by West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace.
FA chairman David Bernstein said: "I'm grateful to Jeremy and all at West Bromwich Albion for their co-operation in allowing us to approach Roy, who I have since spoken with.
"Roy is the only manager we have approached and we remain on course to make an appointment within the timescale we set out soon after Fabio Capello's departure.
Future
"Further conversations will now take place with Roy and my Club England colleagues before any further announcements can be made."
The FA was expected to act before the end of the Premier League season as it searches for a new boss before this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine.
An approach for Redknapp is expected at some point in the future and the first move for Hodgson is not thought to be an indicator of any preference.
Hodgson, though, will be out of contract at West Brom in the summer, with talks over an extension taking place, while it would prove an expensive move in compensation to relieve Redknapp from his deal at Tottenham.
Sixty-four-year-old Hodgson endured a dreadful period in charge of Liverpool between the summer of 2010 and the January of 2011 when his reputation was significantly damaged.
But having also managed at international level with Finland and United Arab Emirates, Hodgson, who can list Inter Milan among his club jobs and also guided Fulham to the 2010 Europa League final, is well respected by fellow coaches.
Praise
Hodgson has earned praise for the job he has done at West Brom since taking charge in February 2011 and Saturday's draw with Aston Villa left the club in the top half of the Premier League.
Peace said in a statement on West Brom's official website: "Roy has done a fantastic job over the past 15 months and the fact the FA want to discuss the England role with him is testament to that.
"Roy is a proud Englishman and we can understand why he wants to speak to the FA about this highly-prestigious managerial position.
"However, we have emphasised to Roy how much we would like him to remain as our head coach and continue his major contribution to our project at The Hawthorns as we look to establish ourselves as a Barclays Premier League club.
"Everyone here has an excellent working relationship with him and he is immensely popular with our supporters."
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