Tigers chief Steve Bruce would aim to restore passion and spirit if handed England job

The 55-year-old is on the shortlist to succeed Roy Hodgson and is understood to have met officials from the Football Association over the weekend.

Sam Allardyce remains the overwhelming favourite after being interviewed for the vacancy last week but Eddie Howe and Jurgen Klinsmann are also believed to be highly regarded by the governing body along with Hull City chief Bruce.

A three-man panel has been charged with the task of finding Hodgson’s replacement, comprising technical director Dan Ashworth, chief executive Martin Glenn and vice-chairman David Gill.

FA councillors hope that the panel will be in a position to put forward their preferred candidate at a scheduled board meeting tomorrow.

Bruce is believed to have outlined his vision for taking England forward in the wake of the humiliating Euro 2016 exit to minnows Iceland.

The Hull City chief has made no secret of his desire to be considered for the job, along with his belief that the job should be filled by an Englishman.

Last week in Portugal at the Tigers’ warm weather training camp, The Yorkshire Post spoke exclusively to Bruce about the then mooted interest from the FA.

He spoke passionately about the need to revive an “English spirit” among the national team and instil the kind of intensity that characterises the Premier League back into the Three Lions set-up. Bruce also cited Chris Coleman’s Wales and Portugal, who just a few days earlier he had seen win Euro 2016, as examples of how vital a strong team ethic can be in the major tournaments.

“The England talk is very flattering, of course it is,” said Bruce at a time when there had been no contact from the FA.

“I don’t know what the latest is but just to have me mentioned in that respect is flattering. I am the most patriotic Englishman going. To be even considered is terrific. Whether anything is going to happen, your guess is as good as mine.

“But I do believe we need an Englishman and I believe the average man in the street wants the same. I don’t mean that disrespectfully to anyone.

“I can understand the day-to-day management of (Jurgen) Klopp, (Pep) Guardiola, they are all wonderful coaches who bring an identity to the team. But you get the England lads together and do they need coaching? Let’s be fair, they don’t really need coaching.

“They need to find a bit of spirit and enjoyment – and less fear, in my opinion. They need to create an environment similar to what we have just seen Chris Coleman create with Wales.

“Create an environment where one of the superstars of the squad can be such a big part of a team – and lead that team because it means so much.

“How refreshingly great it was to see Gareth Bale do what he did. That epitomised the ethic that the manager has created.

“They are not the greatest of football teams (Wales) but, by God, they were magnificent. They played with a bit of passion and spirit and the sort of thing that shows why the Premier League is what it is.

“That quality is why the top coaches want to come here. You ask all those coaches and they don’t want to leave.

“They love the way the supporters demand we tackle people, get stuck in, never give up. That is what the English people want as well.”

City will be keen for the matter to be resolved quickly, though Bruce, for his part, has not let the interest deflect from his quest to bring in new signings.

Following the injury that has ruled Moses Odubajo out for six months, the Tigers have just 14 fit outfield players in their squad with the season a little over three weeks away.