The Football Association are searching for a successor to Steve McClaren after failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
Jose Mourinho issued a come and get me plea on Wednesday, and although his agent has reportedly dampened speculation he has been installed as bookies favourite for the job.
Robson gave Mourinho his first role in football, when he was a translator at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon - before giving him further roles in his backroom staff there and at FC Porto.
"I think Mourinho is a great candidate for the England manager's job," said Robson, who steered England to the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they lost on penalties to Germany.
"To be honest I would prefer an English coach. But everything depends on the solutions available.
"If there is no English name available I think going for Jose Mourinho would be very good for the future of the England team."
