Curbs is a happy hammer

Alan Curbishley has ruled himself out of the England job, after being linked with the job before Steve McClaren was put in charge. The West Ham coach also stated that the job is not a "poisoned chalice".

He said: "I'm not interested this time. I'm happy where I am.

"I don't know the details of how the FA are going to choose their man, but I can say from experience that last time it was a bit drawn out.

"I'm at West Ham this time around and there's no other place I'd rather be. I may not be interested now, but it's still a good job for someone. A poisoned chalice? Definitely not." Curbishley also revealed that he had sympathy for Steve McClaren and gave some advice to the next manager who takes on the England job. He said: "Steve McClaren was unlucky with injuries in that last game, look at the big players he couldn't call on.

"The trick, for the new man whoever that might be, is to get those same players performing for England the way they do for their clubs in the Premier League."