Jose Mourinho has the qualities to succeed in “the biggest job in world football”, if he ultimately becomes the next head coach of England, according to one of the previous incumbents, Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson, the Manchester City manager, is not surprised at the widespread support for Mourinho to replace Steve McClaren. “I can understand the clamour for Mourinho,” he said. “He is colourful and the media love him, so of course I can understand it."

After failing to qualify for the 2008 European Championships, Eriksson believes Mourinho’s appointment could lead to a turnaround in England’s fortunes. “Mourinho has already shown that he is big with Porto and with Chelsea, so if he has been winning trophies for them, he can do it with England as well.”

Mourinho, who resigned as Chelsea manager in September, is favourite to take up the post after inviting the FA to offer him the position. “Tell the FA to come and get me,” Mourinho was reported as saying earlier this week. “We will have to wait and see. But I rule nothing out.”

At just 44, Mourinho may think he is too young for a national team role. But Eriksson believes managing England is a difficult opportunity to refuse. He said: “The biggest football job in Europe and in the world is to be the England manager. That is it.

“The Champions League is big and it is fantastic, but to compare it to the World Cup? No chance. The World Cup is, and will be forever, the number one, so to play in the World Cup or be involved as a manager is the biggest by far.”

Having managed England for five years before stepping down after the 2006 World Cup, Eriksson knows all about the demands of the job. “To be the England manager you must win every game, not do anything in your private life and hopefully not earn too much money! They are the only qualities you need and if you have those, you are perfect.”

Eriksson, England’s first foreign coach, is relishing his return to club football with Manchester City, but is sure Mourinho could make the adjustment to national level. He said: “The job is not that different. Once you have the players on the pitch, it is the same as being a manager at a club.”

The FA are seeking the opinions of leading figures in the football world as they strive to appoint the right man and Eriksson would gladly help out his old bosses. He said: “The FA have not asked me, but if they phone and ask me, then yes of course I will tell them.”