Wayne Rooney on Wednesday night backed Harry Redknapp to be the next England manager following Fabio Capello's dramatic resignation.

Capello stepped down following a meeting with Football Association chiefs at Wembley Stadium days after he criticised their decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.

Tottenham boss Redknapp was cleared of tax evasion charges earlier today.

The Manchester United and England striker Rooney said on Twitter: "Gutted capello has quit. Good guy and top coach. Got to be english to replace him. Harry Redknapp for me."

The FA went over the Italian's head to take the armband away from Terry until after his July court case, where he will deny racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand.

Ferdinand's elder brother, Manchester United defender Rio - who earlier revealed he was not interested in taking over the captaincy from Terry - tweeted: "So Capello resigns....what now...."

His younger colleagues in the national team squad expressed their shock at the news and echoed Rooney's emotions.

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, who won his first cap under Capello against Hungary in August 2010, said on Twitter: "Shocked about news on Fabio Capello...gutted to be honest, gave me my 1st cap and believed in me! Thank you Mr Capello! #GreatManager.'

"People have there own judgement on Capello but for a young player who was given the chance to play for my country at such a young age...

"He has shown great belief and trust in me so I can only thank him....massive influence on my career so far! Sad to see him go!"

Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, who also made his debut under the Italian, posted: "Gutted to see Fabio Capello go he put a lot of trust in me and gave me my first cap just want to say a big thanks really.."

As thoughts turned to Capello's successor, Redknapp emerged as the overwhelming front-runner.

Former FA chief executive David Davies said on Sky News: "My instinct is that someone like Harry Redknapp ultimately will not want to turn down the job of England manager and my instinct is that Tottenham Hotspur ultimately will not want to stand in his way."

But Scotland boss Craig Levein cast doubt on whether the 64-year-old would be able to combine the job with his Spurs commitments in the short term.

Levein said on BBC Radio 5 Live: "I think it's extremely difficult. It might be very difficult for a manager to stay at his club and devote the time that's needed to do the England manager's job.

"I don't know what the FA will decide is the best way forward."

England legend Paul Gascoigne gave his backing to Redknapp as Capello's successor, but claimed former England boss Terry Venables should be offered the job if the Football Association could not get the Spurs manager.

The former Tottenham midfielder told Sky Sports News: "He's (Redknapp) a players' man, he's like Terry Venables. If Harry didn't want it and Spurs weren't willing to let him go I would give that man Terry Venables a shot again, without a shadow of a doubt.

"That man is just an unbelievable manager and Harry is a similar type of bloke. If he was given the job in my mind he would do a fantastic job."

Former England defender Danny Mills criticised the FA for their handling of the situation and claimed the Euro 2012 campaign would be compromised as a result.

"It think the FA have handled this very badly," he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He's (Capello) obviously decided enough's enough and walked out. He's almost dropped England right in it."

On Capello's likely successor, he added: "If it's going to be Harry Redknapp are Spurs going to allow it?

"The FA are almost going to be held to ransom. The Euros is going to be a trial for whoever takes charge."

Former Brighton manager Alan Mullery also sympathised with Capello over the circumstances of his exit.

Mullery told Sky Sports News: "I don't think he (Capello) had a responsibility to stay on. I was put in the same position as manager, I'd sold Mark Lawrenson to Manchester United and the club (Brighton) sold him to Liverpool. Capello was put in a similar position.

"It will now upset the chairman of Tottenham. It's an absolute mess. Is he (Redknapp) going to be at Tottenham for the rest of the season? I feel for Daniel Levy because Harry has been fantastic for Tottenham over the last three seasons."

But FA chairman David Bernstein received full backing for his stance from Football League chairman Greg Clarke.

Clarke said: "What the FA has needed for a long time is strong, ethical leadership. David Bernstein is now delivering that leadership and he has my full support."