Harry Redknapp said today he has "not even thought about" the England manager's job and is focusing on his work as Tottenham Hotspur boss.
Redknapp said he was "shocked and surprised" by the news that Fabio Capello has quit as England manager.
But asked about the England job as he drove away from his home in Poole, Dorset, Redknapp told reporters: "I've not even thought about it. I've got a big game Saturday with Tottenham."
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand has joined Wayne Rooney in backing the Tottenham Hotspur boss to take over at the head of the national side. Rooney tweeted last night:
Manchester United defender Ferdinand, who played under Redknapp at West Ham, wrote on Twitter: "I think we need an English manager now, we don't need anything else lost in translation... Harry Redknapp would be my choice by a distance."
Redknapp has also been backed by ex-England striker Michael Owen.
Writing on Twitter last night Owen said: "Ever been such a strong public opinion when it comes to naming the next England manager? I don't know anyone that doesn't want Redknapp."
He added: "Surely we will stick to an Englishman as our next manager. And that should run right through the squad from players to tea lady IMO (in my opinion)."
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Redknapp is the bookies favourite for FA manager as well, with William Hill slashing Redknapp's odds to 8/15 to take over the nation's team in time for the first Euro 2012 match against France. Coral has stopped taking wagers on the bet.
David Davies, former executive director of the FA, backed Redknapp to become the new England manager, saying he had public support.
"Sometimes you get a momentum of public opinion behind one particular person and that is certainly there in this case," he told ITV's Daybreak.
"There are other strong candidates but the momentum behind Harry is there."
Former England manager Graham Taylor said Redknapp was "made for the job" of leading the national team.
Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has ruled himself out of the race to succeed Capello as England boss. However Spurs non-executive director Sir Keith Mills said it was "not a foregone conclusion" that Redknapp would be approached by the FA.
Nonetheless "proof" that Rednapp has applied for the position is circulating on Twitter.
The picture is a tongue-in-cheek reference to remarks Redknapp is said to have made to police whilst on trial for tax evasion, for which he has been acquitted.
During the trial the court heard that Harry Redknapp told police "I write like a two-year-old and I can't spell" as he denied taking bungs.
