Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi has refused to rule himself out of the vacant England job but says he does not expect to be considered.
Steve McClaren was sacked on Thursday after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008 following a 3-2 home defeat by Croatia on Wednesday. Lippi, 59, has been out of work since guiding Italy to World Cup glory last year but recently said he was ready for a return to management.
"I have had no telephone call. If it comes we will see," Lippi was quoted as saying in Friday's Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't believe it will happen because I have always refused English requests." Premier League club Birmingham City said this week that Lippi had turned down an offer to become their manager.
Fellow Italian Fabio Capello has expressed interest in the England post. Gazzetta said contact was made between the English Football Association and the 61-year-old even before Wednesday's defeat but the FA has denied this.
