Frank Leboeuf feels his former France teammate Laurent Blanc has the credentials to become the new England manager but believes the vacancy should be filled by an Englishman.
Blanc, who won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 playing alongside Leboeuf, is available after his three-year spell in charge of Paris Saint-Germain ended last month.
He is among a number of names linked with succeeding Roy Hodgson, including compatriot, and current Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger.
Ex-Chelsea defender Leboeuf, now an analyst for ESPN, told Press Association Sport: "I always feel against a national team manager who doesn't belong to the country he's going to be in charge of.
"But, if I have to talk about Laurent Blanc and Arsene Wenger, I like them both and they are good coaches. Laurent Blanc was successful with Bordeaux, he was successful with Paris Saint-Germain. I guess he can do the job and, if he gets it, I wish him the best.
"Even myself would be interested in a job like that, I mean it's absolutely fantastic taking care of a national team like England. It's flattering and you should consider the offer, that's for sure.''
While England were embarrassingly eliminated from Euro 2016 by the round-of-16 defeat to Iceland which lead to Hodgson's departure, Leboeuf has watched his home country progress to Sunday's final with Portugal under the leadership of another former France teammate Didier Deschamps.
Leboeuf praised the work of the Les Bleus coach in taking the hosts so far but was critical of the overall quality of the competition.
"I didn't see many good games, I barely saw beautiful games during the Euros,'' he added.
"France was good in the last game and the game before. Before that I think it was quite difficult for them and they've been struggling a lot to win or to even have a good game.
"Deschamps really created a squad and they get along very well together and they reached the final so it's a real success for him.
"What I see is a squad pleasing the population, they recognise themselves in the players and they like what they see and they like the fact they fight for the country.''
It is now 15 years since Leboeuf left Stamford Bridge following a five-season spell which included two FA Cup wins, a League Cup victory and a Cup Winners' Cup medal.
The 48-year-old stills follows the fortunes of the Blues and is hopeful of big things from them in the coming season following the disappointment of last year and the high-profile appointment of Italy manager Antonio Conte.
"I'm expecting a lot because Conte is a fantastic coach, he proved it with Juventus, he proved it with the national team that he really can do something with the players he is in charge of,'' Leboeuf added.
"He works hard. He's got to make sure there is a good atmosphere, that everybody is focused to win games and win titles. I'm very optimistic about the next season and really hope the players will give their best for the coach because I think he is somebody who can have a bright future for Chelsea.
"They have the team to win the title, they have the team to win the two domestic cups so I want them to win the three and I think they can.
"I still support Chelsea, I was a player, now I am a fan.''