PROSPECTIVE England managerial candidates Alan Curbishley and Stuart Pearce joined forces in calling for the Football Association to end persistent speculation over the job.

They urged the FA to publicly declare that no announcement would be made until after the season ends on May 7.

Curbishley and Pearce found themselves in opposition and under scrutiny as Manchester City beat Charlton 3-2 in Sunday’s live televised game.

Curbishley said: "Every day someone has got something to say about the job. It needs clarity and the FA should announce that they will make no announcement until after May 7."

Pearce added: "I would have thought that the FA should make an announcement a month before the start of the World Cup. That way, we can get all the speculation out of the way. "