Michel Platini and Franz Beckenbauer are among the names to have been consulted by the Football Association as the search for England's new coach gathers momentum.
Last week's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 cost Steve McClaren his job and the FA confirmed it would seek the views of several figures in the game regarding a replacement.
That process has now started, with Uefa president Platini and German legend Beckenbauer having being spoken to by the FA.
Earlier this week, Platini expressed his opinion that the FA should seek a home-grown candidate to take on the role of national team coach.
Current Wales national team coach John Toshack and former Blackburn Rovers boss Roy Hodgson, who is now in charge of the Finland team, have also been consulted.
The FA also revealed at the weekend that senior players in the England squad would be asked for their views on the international setup.
England captain John Terry and stand-in skipper Steven Gerrard have provided the FA with their opinions on the situation.