World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi has played down reports that he's held talks with the FA about the England job.

The Italian is emerging as one of the leading candidates to replace Steve McClaren and reports suggest that he and fellow countryman Fabio Capello are at the front of the queue following Jose Mourinho's decision to rule himself out.

Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup glory last year, says he has not talked with anyone from the FA.

"For the moment there haven't been any contacts, absolutely, and I don't want to say anything about this," Lippi insisted.