ALAN CURBISHLEY has thrown his hat into the ring as a candidate to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach with a public declaration of intent.

The Charlton manager insisted in his national newspaper column: "I want the England job."

He was responding to the weekend furore in which he was caught on camera leaving the London home of his older brother Bill accompanied by Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick.

Curbishley said they met for what he described as "very, very informal discussions".

He added: "The weekend headlines have not put me off one bit. I want the job of England manager.

"Nothing was defined at the meeting. I wanted to see the face behind the name (Barwick) and I wanted him to see mine. I have not got my feet under Sven Goran Eriksson’s desk or eyed up the England track suit.

"I have no idea what happens next, or even where I stand. I was not prepared for events to escalate the way they did because I was sure I had covered my tracks.

"I didn’t even tell my wife Carol. I was even careful enough to remember to pay the London Congestion Charge, something I normally forget."