Former England FA chief David Davies admits he offered the national team job to Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson after Euro96.

In his book, 'F.A. CONFIDENTIAL: SEX, DRUGS AND PENALTIES - THE INSIDE STORY OF ENGLISH FOOTBALL', Davies recalled: "'Who would you like as England manager?' asked chief executive Graham Kelly and Jimmy Armfield, the FA' s 'king-maker'.

"'Alex Ferguson,' came my instant reply. 'He's the best. It's a job for an older person. I've talked to United chairman Sir Roland Smith and he certainly didn't say: "Lay off our manager." That's encouraging. Roland seems to think that because Alex has been at United for 10 years, and done very well, that that could be the shelf life of a club manager. It strikes me Alex is not out of the question. But I do struggle to see Fergie leading England out at Hampden.'

"Jimmy went off to see Ferguson. 'He doesn't want the job,' he reported back. Pity. If Ferguson had wanted to become manager of England after Euro '96, the job was his. Absolutely. Ferguson was tickled by England's interest. He would have done a brilliant job."