Brendan Rodgers intends to take an extended break from football after being sacked by Liverpool and is ready to wait until the summer before starting another job.
Rodgers was dismissed two weeks ago after a disappointing run of form and his availability has already been noted by the FA, given the strong likelihood that Roy Hodgson will be dismissed as England manager should next summer’s European Championship finals end in disappointment.
Rodgers, who is in the Middle East after a holiday in Spain, wants to take the opportunity to recharge his batteries after seven years in management, and is not seeking an immediate return to football.
Aston Villa are believed to have identified Rodgers as a potential successor to Tim Sherwood should they opt for a change of manager, while Sunderland made an approach to Rodgers after Dick Advocaat’s resignation only to be told that he was not interested in taking over at the Stadium Of Light, with Sam Allardyce then taking the job.