Football legends Jurgen Klinsmann, Glenn Hoddle and Steve Bruce were all tipped for the top job in English football.

But a Carlisle schoolboy's application to lead stars such as Wayne Rooney, Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane was obviously given serious consideration.

Jackson Brooks wrote to the chairman of the Football Association putting forward his case to take on the England manager’s job - and received a reply.

The six-year-old Carlisle United fan penned his application to Greg Dyke following England’s exit from Euro 2016 - and the immediate resignation of then-manager Roy Hodgson.

Jackson, himself a budding young footballer, said he was disappointed with the team's performance in Euro 2016 and thought he could do a better job, stressing the showing in the showpiece tournament was well below-par.

The youngster was on holiday in Orlando, Florida, when the letter arrived at his home on Vallum Gardens, off Burgh Road.

Mum Shelley Brooks said: “It was a wonderful surprise to receive the letter when we got home.

"Jackson was squealing with excitement. I think children always like to receive letters in the post.”

Jackson, who plays for Dalston Black Reds, wrote the letter with his dad, Andrew.

The reply states that the defeat to Iceland was “nowhere near the standard required” for a team like England and “far below the level we aspire to.”

It also states that the FA is confident that the National Football Centre at St George’s Park, near Burton-on-Trent “will bring fruition in the coming years.”

Jackson was thanked for his application but the FA said it was “looking for someone with a little bit more experience at this time.”

Officials went on to appoint former Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce.

The FA it would “maybe see Jackson on the touchlines in the future.”

Staff there also sent Jackson an England pen and a gold badge.

Mrs Brooks said: “Jackson wants to take the letter into school when he goes back in September to show to his friends."

Hodgson's squad went to France on the back of 10 straight wins in qualifying only to suffer a humiliating defeat to Iceland in the last 16.