Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says the England coach doesn't need to be English.

Ferdinand does not go along with the populist belief that the England manager has to be English. His view is more pragmatic.

"I understand the sentiment of those who say the manager should be English," he told the Mail on Sunday. "But then again if the best man for the job does happen to be foreign, then so be it. As a player I want to win. I couldn't care less where the manager is from, Timbuktu, wherever.

"As long as he makes me a winner, then I'll be happy. It's about the manager making the players play as a team and not as individuals."