Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has urged the FA to appoint an Englishman for their new manager.

The Frenchman insisted he has not met FA chief executive Brian Barwick, but if he does so, he will have no qualms about expressing his opinion that he should look close to home for Steve McClaren's replacement.

Speaking after his side's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, Wenger said: "I will give him my opinion, which I do not hide. I have said that many times.

"I think it has to be an Englishman because it is English football and the English football federation.

"You know what makes me sad? I am more nationalistic than you because you want to go for (Jose) Mourinho, for (Fabio) Capello - I am the only one who goes for an Englishman."

Asked whom he might recommend specifically, Wenger, who had earlier jokingly cited doctors' confidentiality over any talks with the FA, said: "I don't tell you, that's the confidentiality clause again."