British newspapers turned their focus to Italy's Fabio Capello on Tuesday after Jose Mourinho decided he would not seek the position of England manager.

That did not stop some of them from criticising Mourinho, however, for what they saw as an attempt by the former Chelsea boss to raise publicity in an effort to seek out offers from European clubs, after his resignation from the Premier League side following a fall-out With Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Among the critics was Des Kelly of the Daily Mail, who wrote in his column that Mourinho "just wanted a bit of attention."

"The tell-tale signs were there last week when he was asked if he would like the job.

"Mourinho sat back smugly as newspapers, columnists; phone-in hosts all screamed he was 'perfect', while the Football Association boss Brian Barwick was roundly accused of being a complete idiot for not immediately climbing over Jose's garden gate and forcing him to sing up there and then."

The Guardian’s Kevin McCarra highlighted some positives for England arising from Mourinho’s rejection, noting that the Football Association would have had "to wonder about the ensuing furore when Mourinho dealt with defeat in his normal manner, by accus-ingsomeone ofsomething."

"The Special One might have needed a special unit at the Foreign Office to deal with the damage to international relations."

McCarra pointed to Capello as the likely successor to Steve McClaren, who was sacked following England’s 3-2 defeat against Croatia at Wembley that ensured they failed to qualify for next year's European Championships.

"Old school as he seems, Capello's command of the contemporary scene is never in question, "he wrote.

"In Capello ... the FA have a candidate who craves the mission and is certain he can fulfil it tri-

umphantly."

Capello, one of European football's most successful club coaches, has expressed an interest and replaced Mourinho as favourite with leading British bookmaker Ladbrokes following the withdrawal of the 'Special One’.

Marcello Lippi, who guided Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, is another possible contender.

Both men fit the FA's bill for a "world-class" coach.

The Daily Mirror tabloid backed Capello, plastering him across a two-page spread under the headline, "The Godfather: England will make 'Don Fabio an offer...let’s hope hecan't refuse'."

Its tabloid competitor The Sun, Britain's best-read daily, also backed Capello, writing in its editorial that in "the absence of Mourinho, legendary Italian Fabio Capello looks like the next best thing."

"Bui the FA must hear our words: To allow ONE great manager to get away may be misfortune. To let 'IWO escape would seem more like serious incompetence."