England to host Swiss at Wembley

LONDON, England -- England will play their first match since their disastrous Euro 2008 qualifying exit when they host Switzerland at Wembley on February 6 next year.

The friendly could mark the first game in charge of any replacement for Steve McClaren, who was sacked as England coach following the 3-2 defeat to Croatia which ended their qualifying chances.

If England captain John Terry has his way, the Football Association hierarchy will offer the job to his former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

Terry says that Mourinho is the standout candidate to be the national team coach.

Mourinho, who is also the bookmakers' favorite to take charge, guided Chelsea to their first two league titles in 50 years when he arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004 -- having just led FC Porto to the Champions League title.

Central defender Terry played a major part in Chelsea's success under the Portuguese coach who left the club in controversial circumstances earlier this season.

Whoever gets the England job will be expected to guide the nation to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa after they were drawn against Croatia, Ukraine, Belarus, Andorra and Kazakhstan in the qualifying competition.

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has already canvassed the opinions of many top football personalities at home and abroad, including Terry, about McClaren's successor.

"It was not just about managers but many things. But that will stay very private," said Terry. "I sure he will meet a few of the other guys as well but it is great to be consulted on these matters.

"Jose came in and took us to a new level at Chelsea. I am very lucky to have worked with Jose - he is a fantastic manager and a fantastic guy.

"He is one that really stands out for me and could make a big difference. He's a great guy, tactically he is very aware, and he understands the game very well.

"He enjoys the day-in, day-out stuff with a club side so maybe it would not suit him, but you never know - it is down to the FA to contact him if they want to speak to him.

"But there are other managers out there that are being talked about who are very good."

Switzerland, who co-host Euro 2008 with Austria, have only beaten England three times in 19 previous matches, losing 12 and drawing four.

The Football Association (FA) also confirmed on Tuesday that England would play a friendly against France at Paris's Stade de France on March 26.

But the FA did not give any indication of the possibility of a match against old rivals Scotland, who also exited Euro 2008 at the qualifying stage.

Switzerland have not played in England since a 1-1 draw in the opening match of Euro 96, when Kubilay Turkylmaz's penalty brought the visitors level after a goal from Alan Shearer.

England beat them 3-0 in the group stages of the Euro 2004 finals with Wayne Rooney scoring twice in his first competitive international. E-mail to a friend