London, April 28:

Terry Butcher has called for Arsene Wenger to become England manager if Steve McClaren fails to guide the team to Euro 2008.

McClaren’s position would come under huge threat if England did not qualify for next summer’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland, and former captain Butcher believes Wenger, whose contract at Arsenal expires at the end of next season, would be the prime candidate to take over.

“If England fail to qualify, the coach won’t be there, and the new coach could be someone like Arsene Wenger or Jose Mourinho,” Butcher said. “I would welcome that. Arsene Wenger’s contract runs out at the end of next season, he has taken the club to a new stadium and to the Champions League final.”

The next stage would be an international job, and I can see Wenger doing that, which would be good for English football.”

The 48-year-old has also expressed his concern at the relative lack of young talent challenging the established order in the national squad. And with Wayne Rooney suspended for the qualifier in Estonia on June 6, Butcher is particularly worried by the absence of depth in attack.

He added: “Michael Owen is injured, and Wayne Rooney suspended for Estonia, so where will the goals come from? There is a lack of choice up front, and choice is something you need.”

“I look at the Under-21 players, and it is hard to see the next crop of players who are pushing to get into the full squad.”

Micah Richards looks exciting, Aaron Lennon is in the team already, and Shaun Wright-Phillips is starting to come into form through playing for Chelsea. Theo Walcott and David Bentley are coming through, so there are one or two little nuggets. I don’t think there is enough, though.”