Terry backs former boss?

Jose Mourinho's status as the favourite to become the next England manager was enhanced on Tuesday when John Terry, the captain of the national side, backed his former boss at Chelsea to succeed in the role.

England are looking for a new head coach after sacking Steve McClaren last month following his failure to guide Wayne Rooney and co. to the finals of Euro 2008.

Terry is understood to have been consulted by Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick about the succession and made it clear he believes Mourinho would be an ideal candidate.

"Jose came in and took us to a new level at Chelsea," Terry said. "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."

Terry's comments came after an advisor to Mourinho said he would be "honoured" to take the England job, while stressing that no approach had yet been made by the FA.

Eladio Parames said: "I can't say whether he is interested or not but he loves English football and he loves the crowds, so I am sure he would consider it."

Mourinho quit Chelsea in September following a series of rows with the London club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

There are some who believe Mourinho is making overtures to England simply to boost his hopes of landing a coaching position with one of Europe's leading club sides.

But Parames said there was a simple way to find out if Mourinho was serious about taking the England job.

"If the FA are interested why don't they contact Jose or his agent? If Mr Barwick comes they will listen, just like they would listen if another club came in."

Mourinho guided FC Porto to the 2004 Champions League title before winning five trophies in three years at Chelsea, including Premier League titles in his first two years in charge.

Terry meanwhile admits that he still finds England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 hard to stomach, and has hit back at suggestions the country's highly-paid stars don't care enough.

He added: "I came into football because I love the game. When you get the disappointments like Euro 2008 and then people speak about money and cars, it is really frustrating because they don't mean anything to me.

"It is about playing for your country and having the pride to honour your country, shirt and family.



"We are at a very low point at the moment. We can only go forward. The FA are looking to bring in the right man to take us forward. But maybe as players we have not done it at international level.



"You get people phoning you and trying to cheer you up and make you happy. But you don't want to take people's calls, you feel as though you've let them down, your friends, your family and all the fans in the country.



"I get home and see my kids and you feel as though you've let them down. Without my kids recently it would have been very difficult because they get you out of bed in the morning and they need a lot time. It has been very difficult personally but we have to move on.



"I take a lot of responsibility on my shoulders as captain. Hopefully I can keep the armband and drive us forward.



"The new man could come in and change things completely. That will be his decision and I will fully respect what the new manager decides. It is a big quality of mine."



Despite their failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 finals, England have confirmed they will go ahead with a planned friendly against co-hosts Switzerland at Wembley on February 6, which is likely to be the first match in charge for the new manager.Terry backs former boss?
IT'S AN OLIVE BRANCH FROM TERRY TO ENSURE HIS PLACE IN THE ENGLAND LINE UP SHOULD MOURINHO ENDS UP AS THE NEW BOSS.
did you copy that from somewhere??Terry backs former boss?
Yeah dude he back's he's former boss
YEAH!!! JOSE MOURINHO RULE!!Terry backs former boss?
Putting a question mark at the end of a phrase doesn't necessarily make it a question.
he would say that