Tue 28 Feb 06
The short list
According to the Daily Telegraph, the Football Association has narrowed its search for a new England manager to six men:
At a meeting of the FA’s main board at Soho Square yesterday, the search for the man to take over from Eriksson after the World Cup finals in Germany was narrowed to Sam Allardyce, the Bolton manager, Charlton’s Alan Curbishley, Stuart Pearce, of Manchester City, Martin O’Neill, the former Celtic manager, and Guus Hiddink, the coach at PSV Eindhoven. Steve McClaren, the Middlesbrough manager who is presently Eriksson’s assistant, completes the list of possible candidates. [emphasis added]
I’d be perfectly happy with Allardyce, Curbishley or Pearce, but McClaren is tainted by his association with the Eriksson regime - not to mention the Boro’s dreadful form this season.
Damian P.
“I’d be happy with Allardyce”
God no. Not Fat Sam. I’d sooner the return of Turnip Taylor than Allardyce. Really.
“Curbishley”
Hmmmm…. Methinks he’s achieved all that can be achieved with Pathletic(expect their graceless slide from the top flight should he leave). But his appointment would indicate desperation on the part of the FA.
“Pearce”
One for the future. The passion’s there, but one good season at the helm of a Sleeping Giant(tm)does not an England manager make.
My money’s on O’Neill. An excellent coach with experience at the sharp end of the British game, though I suspect the Geordies are keen to lure him to St. James’s.
And to succeed O’Neill?
Why, step forward super Alan Pardew, fresh from leading the Mighty Wham into a series of successful European campaigns.
Personally I feel Hiddink is far and away the best option. He’s led Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals in the competition, and is a proponent of attacking soccer (a lack of which has been England’s downfall in the past two tournaments).
But if not Hiddink, I feel Allardyce or O’Neill could do the job. Pearce is not ready yet, and Curbishley is someone who I see becoming the next turnip.