Tuesday 12 July 2016 18:42, UK
Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce is back on Wearside after flying home from the club's pre-season training camp in Austria.
However, it is believed he has returned to the club in order to sort out some transfer business, rather than to be interviewed for the England manager's job.
The 61-year-old was Sky Bet's odds-on favourite on Tuesday morning to replace Roy Hodgson as England boss.
Allardyce has impressed during his tenure at the Stadium of Light and is known to be very keen to manage his country.
Ten years ago, when he was manager of Bolton, he tried and failed to get the England job as FA chief executive Brain Barwick chose Steve McClaren instead.
However, Sky Sports News HQ understands the FA has not made contact with Sunderland to receive permission to talk to Allardyce, and there has also been no approach to Hull City or US Soccer over Steve Bruce and Jurgen Klinsmann respectively, who are other leading candidates.
SSN HQ also understands that it is not just a two or three-horse race to find the next England manager.
Since their first meeting in Paris, the FA's technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and vice-chairman David Gill have gleaned the opinions of the likes of Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, as well as former England manager-hopeful Harry Redknapp.
The FA is looking for someone capable of "building a strong team identity" and SSN HQ has also been told the candidate will "have a strong tactical knowledge and strong mindedness. They will also be able to invest quality time in the shaping identity and will work with development teams."
The FA still wants an Englishman to fill the seat vacated by Hodgson, but it has not ruled out a foreign coach.
Whoever gets the role will be asked to build a long-term plan similar to those in place in France, Germany and Spain.
However, there is no timescale on appointing a replacement and the FA has not ruled out an interim manager.
