Sir Trevor Brooking has denied reports of a rift with Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the Football Association, over the appointment of Steve McClaren's successor as England manager.

Barwick and Brooking, the FA's director of football development, have been given the job of finding a replacement for McClaren. Over the past fortnight, they have met with a number of senior figures within the game both at home and abroad.

However, amid reports - denied by the FA - that they have planned meetings with Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello, rumours have emerged of a major difference of opinion between the men.

Barwick is said to want a leading continental coach while Brooking would rather an Englishman - and, ideally, Alan Curbishley, the manager of West Ham United.

"There is absolutely no truth in this story," Brooking said. "There is no disagreement between Brian and me on who the next England manager should be. In fact, we are agreed on the way forward. We are both totally committed to working together to find the right man for the job.

"In addition, I have not expressed a preference for any potential candidate, either publicly or privately. Specifically, it is completely untrue that I have been backing Alan Curbishley for the job. I have never been asked about Alan.

"Brian and I are extremely annoyed at what appears to be an effort to destabilise our work together to find the next England manager, but we will continue to move forward together in the same positive manner."

Although he was interviewed the last time the post was vacant, Curbishley has never seemed likely to figure prominently in the FA's thoughts on this occasion.

The FA have denied meeting Capello and privately distanced themselves from reports that Barwick would be talking to Mourinho within the next 24 hours. "It is absolutely not true that we have met with Fabio Capello," an FA spokesman said. "There have been no meetings with potential candidates at this time."

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