Warren Gatland and Stuart Lancaster are among the names being considered to replace England head coach Eddie Jones in 2019, according to Rugby Football Union interim chief executive Nigel Melville.
Jones will step down following the Rugby World Cup in Japan next year and the RFU will begin to draw up their shortlist to succeed the Australian in January.
Gatland will also leave his role with Wales after the 2019 tournament while Lancaster, who was dismissed by England following their early exit from the 2015 World Cup, has repaired his reputation at European Cup champions Leinster. Speaking to reporters at Twickenham on Tuesday, Melville refused to rule out speaking to both men about the job.
"Warren's a very good coach but I'm not sure what his plans are," Melville said. "I'll speak to Warren and a number of others and then we'll see."
On Lancaster, Melville insisted it wouldn't be a problem to go back to the coach who led England for four years from 2011.
"Why would it be a problem? I'll talk to anyone who has the requisite talent to do the job for us," he said.
"I haven't spoken to Stuart so I'm not sure if it's the path that he sees for himself."
Gatland will be replaced by Scarlets head coach Wayne Pivac following the World Cup while Ireland have also sorted their post-2019 plans, with defence coach Andy Farrell set to take over from the outgoing Joe Schmidt.
The RFU will form a recruitment panel in January as they step up their search. Jones will also be involved in choosing his successor.
"It will be a pretty good search. We have been monitoring everyone for the last 18 months," Melville said, adding that he would be open to appointing another foreign coach.
"We have got a spreadsheet of everything and everyone, all around, different levels, assistant coaches, kicking coaches, and we have English coaches overseas as well. Quite a few in France. In Scotland. All sorts.
"We want the best person for the job. I am English, this is England, of course it would be great to have an English coach.
"But we have got to have the best coach for the job."