The Football Association have confirmed they have held talks with Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley about becoming the new England head coach.

Curbishley has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson when the Swede steps down from the position after this summer's World Cup Finals.

The Charlton boss is one of the most highly-rated managers in the Premiership after the success he has been at the Valley. Curbishley has previously admitted he would be interested in taking the national team job.

FA chief executive Brian Barwick has been photographed in the Sunday Mirror meeting Curbishley and The FA have moved to reveal they have interviewed the Charlton manager about the England job.

“The FA made it very clear three weeks ago that once the Uruguay game had taken place, Chief Executive Brian Barwick would begin the process of recruitment for the next England manager,” read an FA statement.

“We stated at the time that this would involve speaking to numerous individuals including potential candidates.

“As you would expect, that process is now up and running.

“The FA remains committed to appointing a manager before the World Cup, that's our sole timetable.

“Until significant progress is made beyond speaking to individuals, we believe strongly that the process must be conducted in private.

“It should be noted however that The FA would only approach managers to discuss the role after permission had been received from their clubs.

“It is accurate that we have met with Charlton Athletic manager Alan Curbishley as part of this process after obtaining permission from his club.”

A number of other managers have been linked with the post - including Bolton Wanederers manager Sam Allardyce and former Leeds and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill - and Barwick is expected to meet with all prospective candidates to discuss the job before making an announcement on Eriksson's successor.

The FA are rather annoyed that this information came out in this way, especially with Curbishley’s team facing Middlesbrough in the Premiership today, with the FA’s Director of Communications Adrian Bevington syaing "We didn't want this news to come out today."

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