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By Alan Baldwin
LONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Fabio Capello became the bookmakers' frontrunner to take over as England manager on Friday after Aston Villa coach Martin O'Neill ruled himself out of the running.
With a rapidly expanding list of managers distancing themselves from the position left vacant by Steve McClaren's dismissal on Thursday, Capello sounded a rare note of eagerness.
"I am ready to discuss becoming the England national coach," Ladbrokes' 2-1 favourite told Italian media.
"It would be a very interesting challenge and to me difficult challenges have always been fascinating," added the 61-year-old former Real Madrid, AC Milan and Juventus coach.
Portugal's former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was the second favourite, at 4-1 with Paddy Power, despite British newspaper reports suggesting the 'special one' was more likely to move to a top European club.
"I was convinced that Mourinho would have accepted it... clearly, he has other targets. But I am a different age to him," said Capello, who was sacked by Real in June for his defensive style despite winning the Spanish title.
Italy's former World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi, a 33-1 long shot with William Hill, refused to rule out the possibility of a move to England but doubted he would get a call. "If it comes, we will see," he said.
KLINSMANN TIP
Former German captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer sang the praises of Juergen Klinsmann, who led Germany to third place at last year's World Cup and played in England for Tottenham Hotspur.
"One name comes immediately to mind. Juergen Klinsmann," Beckenbauer wrote in Bild newspaper. "The England job would be ideal for him and he would be ideal for England."
O'Neill, 55, an early favourite for the job after being interviewed last time around, told a news conference before Saturday's Premier League game at Middlesbrough that he was committed to the Midlands club.
"I want to do this job and that
