Franz Beckenbauer has urged the Football Association to make Jurgen Klinsmann the next England manager.

The Germany legend believes the former Tottenham striker would be "ideal" to be Steve McClaren's successor.

Klinsmann would be a controversial choice as he is based in California, but he has proved himself by getting Germany to the semi-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

Beckenbauer said: "For him the England job would be ideal, and also for England. Jurgen is a man who has clear visions and he can push them through against opposition.

"With him I could very well imagine a new beginning in England. "He has three years until the 2010 World Cup to build a new team and he would not have to worry about the problems of the past.

"He speaks the language perfectly, enjoys a brilliant reputation in England because of his stint at Tottenham, when he was Footballer of the Year.

Beckenbauer, one of the greatest defenders in the history of the game, said England had underperformed for years but that Euro 2008 would be poorer without them.

He added in his column for Bild: "One has to ask himself what has the team with the big names such as Lampard, Gerrard or Beckham in the last year achieved. Since their 5-1 triumph in Munich, the answer is nothing much really and that was back in 2001."