FA wanted Wenger before Eriksson

Wenger says he will never take the England job

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed he turned down the chance to become England manager - reportedly after Kevin Keegan's departure in 2000.

Keegan's job eventually went to Sven-Goran Eriksson but Wenger believes it should have gone to an Englishman.

"I was asked to take the job. I always said the same, because the national team is not purely football," he said.

"People identify with national culture and pride, the national team, it is all linked together."

Wenger added: "If you ask me would you prefer an English guy, I would say yes.

"The national team competition is still important for people, you can see that when you look at the viewing figures on television.

"And it is not down to the football level, because if England play against the Faroe Islands, it will still make more of an audience than Liverpool against Arsenal.

It is important for England that this is resolved before the tournament starts Stuart Pearce

"It is not linked with football, but with national identification."

Meanwhile Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce wants the Football Association to make a quick decision on naming Sven-Goran Eriksson's successor.

Pearce believes the new man should be named a month before the World Cup but should not travel to the tournament.

"It is important for England that this is resolved before the tournament starts," he said.

"Naming the new man would be a help to Sven and it would enable him to get on with the job without any distraction."