Arsene Wenger rules himself out of England job saying it's "very important" the FA chooses an Englishman

WENGER 

Arsene Wenger has effectively ruled himself out of the running for the England job after claiming it is "very important" the FA appoints an Englishman.

Wenger also revealed there has been no contact from the Football Association to check on his availability and if he would be interested.

It comes despite FA chief executive Martin Glenn saying Wenger would be the "perfect" fit but the Arsenal manager distancing himself from the role must be seen as a huge boost to Gareth Southgate's prospects.

Frenchman Wenger, 66, whose current £8m-a-year contract expires this summer, says his priority is to stay at Arsenal.

Wenger, in an interview with beIN Sports, said: "It's very important [that it's an Englishman].

"I've always said that England has a huge football passion and if tomorrow you have a game with France then it would be difficult [for me] not to sing the national anthem.

"It's logical. I thought they'd say I'm half English after being here for 20 years! It's better to have an Englishman.

"It would be difficult to manage another English club team. The national team is different. But my first priority has always been Arsenal."

Southgate has been put in charge for the next four games and the FA will not begin the search for a new manager until after he has had a chance to impress.

But that delay would allow them to move for Wenger in the summer. While Wenger did not close the door completely , they are his strongest words yet on the matter and it is very clear that he wants to stay at Arsenal and sign a new deal.

Wenger went on to say that he had sympathy for both Roy Hodgson and Sam Allardyce but said the FA have not been in touch.

"There has been no contact," he said. "There is nothing really to add. Personally I want England to do well.

"I think Roy Hodgson was unlucky and Sam Allardyce, by his own admission, said he made a mistake.

"It was untenable because if he stayed in charge then at every press conference the subject would've come up again.

"During the tournaments the pressure on the national team is massive and sometimes that makes it very difficult."