Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says there has been no contact from the FA over the England job.
Before the international break, Wenger, 66, said it is possible he could “one day” manage England if he had no club commitments.
The Frenchman, though, has told reporters he was yet to hear from anyone at the English FA over the vacancy, which is one he says should be given to an Englishman.
“There has been no contact,” he said.
“Personally, I want England to do well. It is very important that the manager is an Englishman… I have always said that. A country like England, with a huge football passion, demands a guy from your own nation is leader.”
Defender Caceres set for trial with Inter
Free agent Martin Caceres will be having a trial at Inter after accepting an invitation from the club.
The Uruguay international, who was released from his former club Juventus at the end of last season, has also been linked with a move to West Brom but will be looking at the Inter option before deciding where to continue his career.
Gazzetta dello Sport said the 29-year-old defender will practise with the squad and coach Frank de Boer for a couple of weeks to see if he is ready to join the team on a more permanent basis.
Brady out for Ireland after concussion
Robbie Brady is out of Ireland’s World Cup qualifier in Moldova today after it was confirmed he suffered concussion in Thursday night’s victory over Georgia.
The 24-year-old midfielder spent the night in hospital after being knocked unconscious in a clash of heads with defender Solomon Kvirkvelia and although he has since been released, medical protocol means he will play no part in Chisinau.
Brady was hurt in a sickening collision during the second half of Ireland’s 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium and was placed in the recovery position by Georgia skipper Guram Kashia.
He regained consciousness under the attention of medics and was carried off on a stretcher wearing on oxygen mask.
QPR hit with fine
QPR have been fined £7,500 by the English FA for failing to control their players during the recent 2-1 win at Fulham.
Referee Lee Mason awarded Fulham a penalty in the fifth minute of time added on for Nedum Onuoha’s alleged foul on Jozabed and was surrounded by QPR players who protested against his decision.
“Queens Park Rangers have been fined £7,500 and warned as to their future conduct after admitting an FA misconduct charge,” the FA stated.
QPR claimed all three points after Fulham striker Sone Aluko’s spot kick hit the post.
Bruce and Clarke battle for Villa job
Aston Villa have made contact with Steve Bruce regarding their managerial vacancy, reports said yesterday.
It is thought the former Birmingham and Hull City manager is now considered the leading contender for the position along with current caretaker boss Steve Clarke.
Another favourite for the job, David Wagner, appears to be out of the reckoning after his chairman at Huddersfield Town, Dean Hoyle, suggested he would not be leaving the club.
Villa are looking for a new manager after sacking Roberto Di Matteo last week.
No interviews for the position have yet taken place but Bruce, who spent almost six years at rivals Birmingham City, is firmly on the radar.
US beat Cuba 2-0 on bumpy Havana pitch
The United States beat Cuba 2-0 late Friday in the first friendly between the two countries for 69 years in a match that will be remembered mainly for the poor quality of the Havana pitch.
The US triumphed thanks to second-half goals by veteran Chris Wondolowski and Bayern Munich youngster Julian Green.
Cuba belied their lowly FIFA ranking of 139 with an encouraging display in which they twice hit the post in the second half.
The pitch at the Estadio Pedro Marrero looked more like a farmer’s plowed field than an international soccer playing surface, with a shaggy covering of grass that was pock-marked with deep divots.
Dutch told to cut out the sloppy play
Netherlands coach Danny Blind has warned his players there will be dire consequences in their next qualifier against France if they repeat some of the sloppy play exhibited in Friday’s 4-1 win over Belarus.
Blind said his side could ill afford any mistakes when they host the Euro 2016 finalists in their Group A showdown in Amsterdam tomorrow.
“I saw a lot of good things (against Belarus) but we also played very sloppily for a full quarter of the game,” Blind said of the performance in Rotterdam.
“We can ill afford that against a strong team like France. We’ll have to do a lot more preparation in our next training sessions.”