It was one scandal too far. Revelations that appeared in the News of the World about what England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is alleged to have said about players and English clubs prompted the Football Association to take uncharacteristically decisive action. Sven will leave his job after the World Cup.

The Swede's cool demeanour used to work in his favour - here was the perfect antidote to the passionate but tactically naive Kevin Keegan, his supporters suggested - but now his ice-man image has come to be regarded as a positive disadvantage. He simply didn't give the impression he was particularly bothered.

The identity of his successor is ,of course, still a matter for speculation, but there are some definite conclusions one can draw. Firstly, he will be English - the mood in the country has changed and unless the FA can persuade Jose Mourinho to jump ship (and that is about as likely as Roman Abramovich visiting Poundland) the fans will not accept another foreigner.

So who are the would-be Lotharios, shooting covetous gazes at Eriksson's job, not to mention his salary? The list is fairly predictable, but fairly unexciting.

Steve McClaren is the clear favourite, indeed he is regarded as Eriksson's successor-in-waiting. His advantages over Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley and Steve Bruce are threefold: he has at least won one trophy with his club, be it only the Carling Cup; he has worked with the national side as Eriksson's assistant; he has experience of the big time as Sir Alex Ferguson's assistant at Manchester United.

He is also the man who patrols the touchline during England's games and seemingly hands out the orders during the matches; it was he supposedly who gave the players both barrels after their shocker against Northern Ireland.

His disadvantage is that should England continue with their recent dismal showings and under-perform badly at the World Cup then McClaren will be tainted by association with the current regime.