The Football Association will continue their search for a full-time England Under-21 coach ahead of Stuart Pearce taking charge for this summer's European Championships.

Following Tuesday's draw with Spain in Derby, Pearce has returned to his club duties at Manchester City and will resume his Under-21s role when the Barclays Premiership season is over.

Steve McClaren wants a full-time coach in charge of the youngsters - a view backed by Pearce - and himself was announced as England boss before the end of Sven-Goran Eriksson's tenure.

And the search for the right coach will start before Pearce's brief rein finishes, Sir Trevor Brooking confirmed.

"The FA board will discuss that internally over the next few weeks," said Brooking, the FA director of football development.

"It can't be put off until after the Europeans because they (the FA) need their steer for next season and there'll be a game to prepare for in August."

Pearce has always maintained that his priority is at Eastlands, and he will not be in the dressing room for the warm-up friendly in March as part of the deal between the FA and City.

The 44-year-old, however, will almost certainly be in the stands for the clash against Italy.

"I will have an involvement in picking the squad and I was due to be at the game anyway, whether I was manager or not," he said.

"I am sure the FA would be delighted if City turned around and said 'Stuart can have some involvement', but given the kerfuffle that has led to me taking me to the job, it's probably sensible that I just view the game from the stands and leave it there."

Brooking added: "We have our agreement in place with Manchester City and we will let everyone get back to their clubs and focus fully on their primary jobs.

"We don't want to start going back on what we discussed when Stuart agreed to take the job for the finals. The summer is the time - after the club season is finished and there is no crossover."