FORMER Cherries boss Harry Redknapp has raised questions over the FA's recruitment policy and insists: "They wouldn't want me as England manager."

Redknapp, who was in charge at Dean Court between November 1983 and June 1992, is now the shortest-priced English coach among bookmakers to replace Steve McClaren.

And with Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill ruling himself out of the running yesterday and Jose Mourinho unlikely to be interested, the number of viable candidates is declining rapidly.

Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has emerged as the bookies' favourite, but momentum is growing for Redknapp - a skilled man-manager who has the ability to get the very best from his players.

Asked if he would take the job if it were offered to him, Portsmouth boss Redknapp replied: "It's a hypothetical question. But I don't think they would offer it to me, that's the feeling you get.

"My name will get mentioned with loads of other names. Everywhere you look, there are different names coming up, so who knows who they will go for?

"I don't take too much notice of it. There is always speculation about who they will pick."

When asked if an Englishman should lead the national team, Redknapp turned to sarcasm to make a valid point on the FA's failure to pick the right man for the job in the past.

He smiled: "I don't know, we're not as clever as these foreign guys, are we?

"They are better than us tactically, much cleverer than us and they probably went to better schools than we did, where I'm sure they all learned about football.

"Over the years, the FA have been good at picking managers, though, haven't they? Look at Brian Clough. He didn't do a very good job at Nottingham Forest and Derby did he?

"When you look back, you can understand why he didn't get the England job because he won only the two European Cups.

"I'm sure they will pick the right man again."

With the FA's senior officials facing perhaps the most difficult appointment in the history of the England team, Redknapp was unable to offer any help if the decision were down to him.

He said: "I honestly haven't got a clue. Nobody jumps out at me, but whoever takes it could not take over at a better time.

"It is like taking over at a really good club when they are struggling and you know the potential is there.

"The players are better than what they are showing and the club can go only one way - and that's up.

"It's like that with England.

"Don't tell me other countries have got better players than us. Have a look at those players week in, week out in the Premier League and you will see what fantastic players they are.

"Someone will be taking over a great group of players."