Glenn Hoddle is urging the FA to pick a new England manager as quickly as possible - to help smooth this summer's hand-over from Sven Goran Eriksson.

The Wolverhampton Wanderers manager agrees that the timing of Eriksson's departure, it having been announced long before he actually goes, bears comparison with the way Hoddle himself took over from Terry Venables in the summer of 1996.

But, although he had already been confirmed as Venables' successor before Euro 96 started, Hoddle did not take up the reins until after the tournament was over. And he suggests that a more effective way of bedding in Eriksson's successor would be to appoint him long before this summer's World Cup finals and allow him access to the England squad.

"I found out from the experience of going in after Terry that they really need to get someone in there way before the World Cup," said Hoddle. "So that he's around, he talks to the players, gets to know them, and can see the set-up.

"Not to get involved. That's still Sven's job. But it needs to be demanded by the FA rather than be left to the manager. They need to say 'Sven, you're going afterwards, there's life after you', as the new man needs time to be around the players, so that he can pick up the reins for the European qualifiers.

"It's something that should have been done better when I went in. And let's hope the FA have learned from the experience.

"I haven't had a call but it would be interesting if someone at the FA had the foresight to say 'Well Glenn followed Terry in . . .'

"Normally the manager's out, then there's a clamour, then the next one's coming in. But, in these circumstances, it makes it similar to 1996.

"I just hope people are thinking along those lines as it's vitally important that the new man goes in running."

As to whether Hoddle himself might one day be considered again in the future as England manager, seven years on from his abrupt departure, the scars still clearly have not healed.

"I'm not answering that," he said. "I've got things to do here at Wolves.

"I enjoyed my time as England manager, I really did. My record stands up against anyone on the football side. But it really is becoming an impossible job."