David Dein says it would be "folly" for the Football Association to rule out Gerard Houllier as a candidate to be the next England manager.

The former Arsenal and FA vice-chairman brought Arsene Wenger to the London club and was instrumental in Sven-Goran Eriksson's England appointment.

He called Wenger the best man for the job but suspects that the Arsenal manager will not leave his club. "Who is the best candidate? Arsene Wenger, but he won't do the job," Dein said.

"In a selection process it would be folly to ignore Gerard Houllier, his ability and what he has achieved. He is not the technical director of the French national team for nothing."

Dein said he would "love" to be consulted by Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, in his search for Steve McClaren's successor. "It was no secret I favoured Luis Felipe Scolari last time, but everyone said that was heresy," Dein said.

"A lot of people wanted an England manager when Sven left. Now public opinion is saying just go for the best.

"Unfortunately Steve McClaren didn't work out. It would be heresy to say there is no English manager worthy of the job. I just believe you have to go for the best man whatever nationality."

Dein feels no satisfaction at being proven right with McClaren's appointment. "You don't employ anyone expecting them to fail and it's the biggest single choice we have to make," he said.

"You never know until they have an opportunity. Sven was criticised and castigated but now his record looks very good. Now I want a manager who can coach, can motivate the team and can make sure that we don't just reach the finals but get to the semi-final or even final."

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