Why an English Manager will not necessarily Work

Passion, Pride, grit and determination. These are some of the essential qualities that the British press believes that Sven lacks in order to succeed as the England Manager. Little do they know that the problem does not lie in the lack of fire within the "gaffer" himself, but in the technical ability of the players he has on hand.

I distinctly remember after Euro 2000, and Alan Hansen was asked by the BBC why England were knocked out. His response was blunt, simple, and brutally truthful. They're just not good enough. And that is the truth. English players are just not good enough. I am not saying that any one of the English players in the squad are not good players, but they are not all great players. This is much more important than a fiery tempered manger who gets the Tea Cups shaking in a half-time team talk.

If you look at the premiers, and you ask yourself who are the most technically gifted players, they are all foreign - in my opinion. People like Henry, Makelele, Pires, Gilberto, Okocha, Zenden, Robban, Duff etc... These group of players possess more skill, flair, and technical ability than most English players. For years, the British strength in Europe was hard work and determination. Now, European nations have that installed in them just as well as British players, and I think England has fallen short when it comes to the rest when you talk about craft, skill, and ability. Also, if you look at the England team, I can only think of one player who is comfortable on both sides (left and right) and that is Paul Scholes - he is retired from international football.

True, there are some great individual performers in the team. Wright Phillips is an excellent player, but he does not have that extra something special that the likes of Ronaldinho, Zidane, and Figo have. One of the biggest flaws in English players is the absence of someone who can operate on the left hand side of midfield. The one man who could have done it for my money, Scholes, has quit. England do not have somebody who can fill the void on the left hand side of midfield. Great international teams either have somebody in that position, or they integrate a quality right footed player who can come in on his right foot and deliver adequately on his left if needed. England do not have this. It is that simple.

So when you talk about an English manager making a difference because he "understands what the public demands" with regards to showing compassion from the touchline and the press room, that is just utter rubbish. We seem to have completed a 180 degree turn in 5 years. 5 years ago, the public demanded someone who could communicate with the players with a more astute and intellectual manner, as apposed to the gung ho, all out stle that King Kev deployed amongst his players. And let's be honest, this whole fiasco about the players having power, the same has been said before. The rumour was evident in 1990 in the Robson era, and again in 1998 when Hoddle dumped Gazza from the squad, and in 2000 when Keegan stuck with a "lifeless" and dogmatic 4-4-2 formation that opponents read far too easily.

Furthermore, I do not think that the majority of the English managerial contingent is experienced enough abroad to manage the national side. Curbishley, Allardyce, Pearce, and Bryan Robson have never tasted European soil as a manager. Mclaren on the other hand has - but appointment would be unwise considering the inevitable hangover from the Erikkson era; the players would be unlikely to respond to Mclaren because of his previous connections with England. Someone brand new would be best suited if Sven does leave in the not too distant future.

My Perfect choice, Sir Alex Ferguson. He would probably be the last name on the FA's list, and every English supporter's nightmare, but the tempered Scot would be perfect in the England hot seat, simply because of his canny ability to manage and deal with that kind of pressure. Ferguson would never give into either the media or the players over team selection or tactics, and he certainly would have no problem in axing some of England so called "definite starters" like Beckham, Gerrard, and Lampard if it meant getting a result or being better for the team on a whole. Erikkson would never dream of dropping Becks. Imagine if Eriksson dropped Beckham, and England lost , he would most probably be out of a job. If the latter happened under a Ferguson reign, the Manchester United Manager would get on with it and not be bothered by what the public and press think. Sure, Fergie has made some unbelievable mistakes in the past, the sale of Jaap Stam an obvious error, but his bravery to do what is best for the team in his own mind is what would make him successful at England, although I am sure he would rather manage the side who finish bottom of the conference than become the English Manager. Scotland would never forgive him if he won England the world Cup.