The FA have prevented Inter from beginning talks with Fabio Capello about a managerial role.

The England boss has previously confirmed his intention to step down next summer after the Euro 2012 tournament, claiming that by that point - at the age of 66 - he will be "too old" and will want to be "a pensioner".

Inter were hoping to lure Capello away from England before then, tapping him as a replacement for manager Leonardo Araujo, who has defected to Paris Saint-Germain to work as a sporting director.

According to Italy's Sky Sport 24, the FA have now denied the club's request to talk directly with Capello.

Remaining contenders for the job at Inter include Guus Hiddink, Luciano Spalletti of Zenit St Petersburg and Fiorentina's Sinisa Mihajlovic.