Fabio Capello on Friday declared a strong interest in becoming England's new coach.
''It would be a very interesting challenge,'' Capello said in an interview with Italian state broadcaster RAI.
''I've always loved interesting challenges,'' said the 61-year-old, who is currently a RAI commentator.
The ex-AC Milan, Real Madrid, Roma and Juve boss is one of the top candidates to replace Steve McLaren, who was sacked after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.
The odds on Capello shortened sharply Friday when Aston Villa coach Martin O'Neill dropped out of the running a day after former Chelsea boss Jose' Mourinho ruled himself out.
Mourinho, 44, was favourite with the London bookies ahead of the 55-year-old O'Neill.
''I was sure Mourinho would take the job,'' Capello said in an interview with the BBC Friday.
Capello, who won league titles with all his teams, said last year that coaching England had always been his ''dream''.
Aside from Capello, Portugal boss Felipe Scolari and Russia coach Guus Hiddinck have again been linked to the job.
But both are believed to be keen to have a crack at the Euro 2008 trophy.
Hiddinck's Russians replaced England at Euro 2008 after Wednesday's embarrassing defeat to Croatia at Wembley.
The Dutchman also coached the South Korea side that knocked Italy out of the 2002 World Cup.
The Football Association is expected to take longer to appoint a new manager than they did when McLaren came in for Sven Goran Eriksson last year.
England's next scheduled match is a friendly against France on March 26.
