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England boss Steve McClaren is wary of Premiership managers opposing the return of the Home Nations tournament, despite fans being in favour.
The tournament - featuring England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - has not been played since 1984, although there have been separate fixtures between the countries.
Northern Ireland are the holders, and their boss Lawrie Sanchez has backed playing the tournament, while Scotland boss Walter Smith believes it would be more worthwhile than friendlies.
However, McClaren said: "It's a very interesting concept and one we'd all be in favour of, the public definitely would be.
"In the current climate of football I don't think the managers would be too pleased because it's never a friendly between the home nations and you might pick up a few injuries."
Sanchez, who masterminded a famous victory over England in 2005 in the qualifying campaign for last summer's World Cup, said: "There is talk, certainly Howard Wells (Irish Football Association chief executive) and Jim Boyce (president) are at the forefront of trying to bring back a tournament of some sort."
Scotland boss Smith added: "Sometimes the friendly matches that we have at international level are not worthwhile having, unless you have one of the bigger countries.
"Home internationals were a good thing and I would like to see them brought back."
McClaren, Sanchez and Smith, along with Wales boss John Toshack, were talking at an event hosted by Nationwide, who sponsor the four teams.
The four managers also discussed the idea of a Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics in London, with Sanchez calling for a squad to represent the hosts.
"It seems silly to have an Olympics in London without having a team in the football competition," he said. "There are obviously problems between the associations and losing identity as one team but I'm sure something could be done, even if it is a level under professional football, some team needs to be there to represent."
Smith backed the idea despite opposition to the proposal from the Scottish Football Association.
Concerns over individual identity of the individual nations led to the SFA not wishing to take part, but Smith said: "I could see some problems with it but it's a decent idea, if you're an athlete of any kind, footballer or otherwise, to represent Great Britain at the Olympics is something everyone would look forward to doing.
"If football got that opportunity, although it would have one or two problems, I would support that idea."
McClaren added: "To represent Britain in the Olympics, when it is on these shores, then I think that will benefit the Games, the country and British team, so I'd be all in favour of that."
The four managers were at a school in London to review the international football year and to promote Nationwide's "Cats' Eyes for Kids" child road safety campaign.
The tournament - featuring England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales - has not been played since 1984, although there have been separate fixtures between the countries.
Northern Ireland are the holders, and their boss Lawrie Sanchez has backed playing the tournament, while Scotland boss Walter Smith believes it would be more worthwhile than friendlies.
However, McClaren said: "It's a very interesting concept and one we'd all be in favour of, the public definitely would be.
"In the current climate of football I don't think the managers would be too pleased because it's never a friendly between the home nations and you might pick up a few injuries."
Sanchez, who masterminded a famous victory over England in 2005 in the qualifying campaign for last summer's World Cup, said: "There is talk, certainly Howard Wells (Irish Football Association chief executive) and Jim Boyce (president) are at the forefront of trying to bring back a tournament of some sort."
Scotland boss Smith added: "Sometimes the friendly matches that we have at international level are not worthwhile having, unless you have one of the bigger countries.
"Home internationals were a good thing and I would like to see them brought back."
McClaren, Sanchez and Smith, along with Wales boss John Toshack, were talking at an event hosted by Nationwide, who sponsor the four teams.
The four managers also discussed the idea of a Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics in London, with Sanchez calling for a squad to represent the hosts.
"It seems silly to have an Olympics in London without having a team in the football competition," he said. "There are obviously problems between the associations and losing identity as one team but I'm sure something could be done, even if it is a level under professional football, some team needs to be there to represent."
Smith backed the idea despite opposition to the proposal from the Scottish Football Association.
Concerns over individual identity of the individual nations led to the SFA not wishing to take part, but Smith said: "I could see some problems with it but it's a decent idea, if you're an athlete of any kind, footballer or otherwise, to represent Great Britain at the Olympics is something everyone would look forward to doing.
"If football got that opportunity, although it would have one or two problems, I would support that idea."
McClaren added: "To represent Britain in the Olympics, when it is on these shores, then I think that will benefit the Games, the country and British team, so I'd be all in favour of that."
The four managers were at a school in London to review the international football year and to promote Nationwide's "Cats' Eyes for Kids" child road safety campaign.
We'd love to repeat the 4-1 of 1960. We'd pass England to death if we get everyone in Peru pushing the car in the same direction. A big IF, one that I don't count on with the present football directors. It should be a lot of fun if Peru-England materialize in the near future. 
