McClaren: Branded a 'novice' by Shilton (RossKinnaird/Allsport)

Peter Shilton, who represented his country 125 times in three different decades, believes the authorities are repeating the mistakes made in the disastrous appointment of Kevin Keegan.

Leicester boss Taylor and Manchester United assistant manager McClaren are officially in charge for the friendly with Italy, but could be asked to stay on for next year's World Cup qualifiers depending on progress in the search for a permanent head coach.

Shilton said: 'I certainly don't think Steve McClaren, who I was with at Derby, or Peter Taylor, have done anything in management to warrant being in charge of an England team at any time.

'I've got to be honest, I said before Kevin Keegan took over that I felt he wasn't the right man for the job simply because he hadn't really achieved anything at club level.

'You can say the same about Peter and Steve - they haven't done anything in football. That doesn't mean they won't do anything but, right now, they've achieved nothing. My qualifications are better than theirs.'

As a veteran of four England managers - Sir Alf Ramsey, Don Revie, Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson - Shilton understands the special chemistry of the international set-up better than anyone.

The goalkeeper believes it takes a man of stature to command respect from the nation's best players. Shilton added: 'While Peter Taylor has had experience with England Under-21s, managing the England team is a very special and honoured position to be in. It takes a very special person.

'We're talking about coaches these days but what is a coach? You've got to have a lot of charisma, you need a strong-willed man.

'You've got to have the football and tactical knowledge, obviously, but this word "coach" is used too freely. We need someone with a little bit of character and charisma, someone the players will look up to. Being a good coach doesn't always mean that's going to produce that.

'I've got more caps than anyone, I played for England for 20 years, so I know a little bit about what's required. But nobody from the FA has ever asked me what I thought and, honestly, I just think we're going around in circles.

'Keegan hadn't won anything as a manager - his record at Newcastle wasn't terrific despite spending a lot of money.

'Getting Fulham out of the Second Division, though he spent a lot, was an achievement, but I said after Glenn Hoddle that Bobby Robson should be brought back.

'He is a man of integrity, a man of football knowledge who has produced it for England. He got us to a World Cup semi-final just ten years ago.

'He would be the ideal man, with experience abroad, and now he's come back and proved that he can manage in the Premiership as well - which would be even harder, physically, than managing England.