Jose Mourinho's personal adviser refused to rule the Portuguese in or out of the running to replace Steve McClaren and insisted the Football Association have not been in touch.

McClaren was sacked yesterday after their hopes of reaching Euro 2008 were ended by Croatia's 3-2 victory at Wembley on Wednesday.

The former Chelsea manager is one of the favourites to take over as England boss, along with Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill.

However, Eladio Parames refused to say whether Mourinho would be interested in the job or not.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "I am not saying yes and not saying no because he doesn't have anything to say. There is a lot of rumours, that the fans want him in the job.

"I don't ask 'Jose, you want the job?', because no-one asks Jose if he wants the job so if someone asks him of course they will have an answer.

"It is fantastic for him to know the fans want him.

"But he doesn't have any contact with the FA.

"Jose respected Steve and always defended Steve.

"I think there is no sense now talking about the possibility to go or not to go because there has been no contact with the FA."

PA