FA counters Vogts claim

The Football Association has refuted claims by Berti Vogts that he has been approached to succeed Kevin Keegan as the England manager.

The Football Association has refuted claims by Berti Vogts that he has been approached to succeed Kevin Keegan as the England manager.

The former German national coach suggested an intermediary had asked him about the job. "People in England know how I work," he had said. "They know about my honesty, my tactical knowledge and the fact that I keep a straight line."

The FA's chief executive, Adam Crozier, however, has already made it clear he will be the only person talking to potential candidates. An FA spokesman added: "These reports about Vogts all seem very premature. Adam Crozier will be the only person approaching anyone about the job. We won't be using any intermediaries. As we have already said, this week will be one for consultation and people shouldn't expect any candidates to be announced. We are still looking at all the options and still speaking to people."

Crozier was due to sit down with his six appointed advisors - Howard Wilkinson, David Dein, Peter Ridsdale, Dave Richards, Noel White and David Davies - last night to discuss their early observations in the search for the man to succeed Kevin Keegan.

"The advisory team have yet to meet as an entire group," the FA spokesman said. "They have had a number of discussions since the Finland game but they haven't sat down as a group yet."