José Mourinho stepped up his campaign to become the England head coach yesterday by authorising his personal spokesman, Eladio Paramés, to confirm publicly his interest in the job for the first time. With much of the country clamouring for the former Chelsea manager to be appointed, Mourinho has taken it upon himself to keep his name in the spotlight by revealing that he would view an approach from the Football Association as a huge honour and would consider any offer seriously.

The Times revealed that Mourinho was open to offers the day after Steve McClaren was dismissed last month, but instructing one of his closest associates to talk so openly about his ambitions represents a considerable departure. Mourinho had previously maintained a studious silence, offering the newspaper and television reporters who camped outside his home in Setúbal last week only the platitude that he would rule out nothing.

Motivated by growing frustration at the FA’s refusal to declare its hand, Mourinho went much farther before flying off on a family holiday yesterday, with Paramés going to great lengths to emphasise his love for all things English and all but inviting Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive — who yesterday sought advice from Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, on his search for McClaren’s successor during a two-hour meeting at Old Trafford — to make contact immediately.

The increased activity of Paramés, a close friend of Mourinho, who became his spokesman at Benfica, is also significant because, until October 31, he was employed as the executive director of Sporting Braga, the Portuguese club. The former journalist has since returned to work for the Mourinho camp on a full-time basis as they search for work and is doing a good job of maintaining his client’s high profile. “There’s been no direct contact from the FA, or on its behalf, but it would be an honour,” Paramés said. “He likes English football, the English people, the country and the players. But he’s not waving his hand in the air trying to get the FA’s attention. If he’s approached, he’ll reply.

“We don’t know if Mr Barwick comes or doesn’t come. If he comes, of course, he can talk with his agent. They’ll listen, like they’ll listen if there comes another club or another situation. I’m sure he’d consider the offer.”

With time on his hands, Mourinho has given considerable thought to how he would do the England job and has spoken to several of the players. The 44-year-old stunned Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, and Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, with a presentation detailing his plans for Chelsea when they first met on the Russian’s yacht in Monaco 3½years ago and is preparing a similar document for Barwick, which will touch on everything from his plans for the senior team to his views on the medical staff and youth development.

It is understood that, in the event of him taking the job, Mourinho would retain John Terry as captain, despite the row over his fitness that marred Mourinho’s final days at Stamford Bridge, while his backroom staff would also have a distinctly Chelsea flavour. Rui Faria, the fitness coach under Mourinho, and André Villas Boas, the former Chelsea chief scout, will follow Mourinho wherever he goes and Steve Clarke, still the Chelsea assistant coach, may also be given the opportunity to be reunited with his mentor.

“Mourinho has ideas about what he would do if he were England coach,” Paramés said. “If he were approached, he’d consider it, discuss it, negotiate, present his own ideas. There are a lot of things pushing him to say yes because the football is spectacular and the players are very good players.”

Paramés reacted angrily to suggestions that Mourinho was using England to flush out interest from a big club, such as AC Milan, Barcelona or Real Madrid. “That is all lies,” he said.

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