It's hard to put in a nut shell what went wrong for Steve McClaren throughout the failure that was their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign. The simple fact of the matter is that England were drawn in a group that most would agree was not that difficult.
England just haven't played well enough. They had some good performances but when they were asked questions - away in Croatia, away in Russia, dropping points against Macedonia at home and Wednesday night's defeat at Wembley - they just haven't been up to it.
Barwick: 'as much to blame as anybody'
Yet again it's another England team that hasn't performed as well as they should've done.
McClaren is a good coach, but is he a good manager? The players have backed him but most managers are popular with the players who he selects to play in his team, so I don't read too much into that.
Obviously he couldn't motivate the players, that's clear. It was a damning indictment of him last night when he was stood on the touchline with an umbrella over his head!
Barwick and the FA have to stand up and say 'hold on a minute, we're as much to blame as anybody here. We got it wrong. Again'.
Andy Gray
Quotes of the week
That's the most ridiculous decision a manager has ever made on the touchline! And I'm not surprised he has been hammered for it in the press. But Steve just couldn't do it - he couldn't get the best out of his team.
Kevin Keegan admitted he wasn't up to it when he quit after the defeat to Germany in 2000. He said that the job was too big for him and that he just couldn't get the best out of the players and maybe it's the same with Steve. Maybe the job was just too big for him.
Steven Gerrard made the point last week that there were fewer England players around than normal, but was that the case in 1994 when they didn't qualify for the World Cup? And in 1984? And in 72? There were plenty of English players around then and they still didn't qualify.
If you look at the England squad, Russia, Croatia and a lot of other teams would take quite a lot of the players in their team.
And I don't know if this proposed quota system is workable anyway. It's a restriction of trade for a start and would have European lawyers looking right over it with a fine toothcomb. I just don't see how it can work.
Back to school?
I also don't agree that England would benefit from having a national centre of excellence. France have a centre of excellence and, OK they qualified but they're not exactly setting the world on fire at the moment. They had a wonderful crop of players that came together when they won the World Cup and Euro 2000, but they haven't done much since.
The Dutch are the same - they're supposed to have the best centre of excellence in the world and yet they haven't won anything for so many years.
These centres of excellence may produce good footballers but your Steven Gerrards, Wayne Rooneys, Frank Lampards and John Terrys would all come through with or without a centre of excellence.
Most clubs have academies that bring up the kids, England don't need a national one to say at 15 a kid will go through the youth teams to the full international team. It doesn't work that way - I've known many great kids at 13 and 14 that never make it because by the time they're 17 they just aren't good enough.
I think there is a simple answer: England have to find the right manager. I believe they have sufficient quality in the squad to play better than they have shown and that's coming from a Scot!
They need someone to get the best out of them and I certainly don't think Sven-Goran Eriksson or McClaren have done that.
They need somebody powerful with a way of playing football that will suit the players and someone who can make the players' minds stronger to cope with the pressure of playing for England. There is a lot of pressure playing for England because of the expectation, but that's why they get paid £100,000 a week - to cope with that pressure.
Where now?
I have no idea who the FA will turn to but I have to say, if it was me I would go and say to Jose Mourinho 'name your price, come and manage us for two years, you won everything at club level - go and win yourself a World Cup and if you want to go away and manage a club after that, on you go'.
I think it needs someone like that - an inspirational manager. You don't need to coach players at this level - you need to get them playing football in a certain way and be able to motivate and inspire.
Mourinho has all the qualities to do that. Whether they go along that road, I don't know. Martin O'Neill, Luis Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink have all been mentioned and these are big names that have more experience than McClaren.
The FA top brass - Brian Barwick down - need to take a good look at themselves. It always amazes me that the people who make decisions blame the manager.
You've got Barwick there who made the appointment of McClaren and you only have to look at the way he went on those secret missions to Lisbon to court Scolari, only to deny it.
And then try and kid us all that McClaren was his first choice, which was a poor choice and then the results since... I think Barwick and the FA have to stand up and say 'hold on a minute, we're as much to blame as anybody here. We got it wrong. Again'.
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Comments (31)
Stuart Hinde (Queens Park Rangers fan) says...
We now have ages to look around for the right boss to take us into the world cup qualifiers. It would be stupid to put some one in place now, if they turn out as inept as McClaren we may end up with the situation of replacing a manager with only a short time to go before the world cup actually begins. As for the FA, it¿s about time that at least half of the board that deals with England and the manager was made up of ex-professional players. The idea that the director for Doncaster (no offence to Donnie fans) has a say in who runs our national team is stupid, some parts of this are business and some are sport, surely sportsmen have a better idea about who and what makes a manager. For me at the moment the only manager that could get our nation back on track would be Harry Redknapp, but would he want to take on the poisoned challis.
Posted 15:44 26th November 2007
John Allen (Ipswich Town fan) says...
Yes, Alan is partly right. The FA are part of the problem. They're too aloof and don't get down to the heart of the problem. Root & Branch should also include the head but who to do it? Also, how did we end up with such a poor pitch at Wembley; send the groundsman of Ipswich to Wembley - he'll sort it out.
Posted 13:08 26th November 2007
Alex Hope (Liverpool fan) says...
Andy Gray had it spot on. It's just a pity he left it until the last few lines of his views to mention it. I made good money on a punt England wouldn't make it, but gives me little happiness. I was clear for all to see after this appointment that they would do anything but fail. However I don't blame the manager at all. He did his best period. The fact is he was the wrong man appointed by the usual FA clowns. He wasn't up to it and neither are they. Where is the accountability? Those who made this appointment should also go and this panic appointment after failure to appoint Scolari afetr months of trying was a shambolic mess that left few options. It is about time more ex professionals were appointed to the higher FA ranks and hopefully a better structure in all areas of our game will take shape.
Posted 03:42 26th November 2007
Neil Pringle (Leeds United fan) says...
This routes and branch thing to me sounds like a load of old tosh to me, as do so many of the 'investigations' the FA carry out. I think the FA should speak to ex pro's, people in the know, managers..... Arsene Wenger has said he would be up to advising. Ok he may have got it wrong the last time if Sven was someone he mentioned. But at least get a few decent names in the hat. I would love it if they got someone like Harry Redknapp in. I remember him saying a few years ago that he could do it, people go on about tactics and such like but at the end of the day it is about getting the best out of the players on the pitch. I honestly think someone like him giving a motivational half time team talk could have made a difference the other night. So much of Steve McLarens comments just seemed like cliches and he seemed to speak alot without actually saying anything. I think Harry would be a lot more to the point, down to business but also get a feel good factor back. What seems to hold him back is that he has never actually had one of the massive clubs and this wideboy image. Forget that. The fans like him. Footballers like him and respect him, the press like him. Bring back the Bulldog spirit. HARRY FOR ENGLAND!
Posted 13:56 25th November 2007
Mark Prince (Aston Villa fan) says...
I have posted here before pre England Vs Croatia and felt it necessary to add my comments again. I''m so so down- hearted about the names being flashed about as England Manager. At the end of the day, I always always knew McClaren would be a flop for Engand purely down to experience. Allardyce, O''Neill, Redknapp have all done fine jobs for teams in the lower echelons of the Premier League, but we are talking about one of the hardest jobs in Management. With Allardyce''s dismal start to Newcastle I think that says everything about his chances, and his ''I''m committed to Newcastle'' is just his way of saying I haven''t a hope of getting the England Job now. I think players like Shearer, although I commend his achievements during his playing career, the FA would lose what little respect I have left for them, by hiring him. And on that subject I''m baffled as to how Barwick and Co. are in their positions, and struggle to understand how these positions are still tenable. I''m literally banging my head against the wall, when I hear Barwick''s press friendly comments, churned out to get the fans on side. If this man cared so much about the country he would never have chosen a man so unqualified for the job in the first place. I hope some of the Sven bashers will retract their comments now, because he consistently got an average side into tournaments, only to lose in the cruelest of ways (Barring Brazil). The options are simple. The manager has to be one of the following: Mourinho, Lippi, Schuster, Capello - who I personally think is money orientated in regards to his calling out this job. In regards to the language barrier, that rules another two of those candidates out. You are left with only one man who hasn''t ruled himself out. I cannot stand Chelsea, but give him whatever he wants for Engalnd for 2 years and the 2010 World Cup. Mourinho for England.
Posted 13:27 25th November 2007
Glenn Pennington (Sheffield United fan) says...
Croatia - Absolutely massive game for England, and surely you would think any England player would be desperate to play in it, wouldn''t you? Apparently we had injuries, or so we''re told. So we had to play a second choice back four. Then why, JUST 3 DAYS LATER are Ashley Cole and John Terry in the starting 11 against the inept Derby County? Chelsea''s reserve team would be capable of beating them, so if they were unfit to play for England, there''s no way Avram Grant would have risked prolonging their injuries by playing them against such a weak team. So my question is - who''s decision was it for Terry and Ashley Cole not to play in the England game? If the answer is McClaren, then he has got his just rewards by getting the boot. But if the answer is the two players themselves, then this proves that they consider England a far lesser priority than their club. And if so they should be absolutely ashamed of themselves, and should never be given the opportunity to wear the Three Lions ever again!
Posted 12:14 25th November 2007
Andy Hilton (Aston Villa fan) says...
There are not enough English players in the premier league. But does this really impact on the national team? No. Any player good enough to represent England will make it into his club first team. It doesn't matter how many foreigners you can hire, a Rooney or an Agbonlahor will still make it. They have the skills, the physical attributes and the mental strength to prove themselves. The average players are the ones who are missing out on a chance to play in the top division. But that should have more impact on Wales and Northern Ireland, who see their selection pool diminished. Sadly most clubs don't have academy coaches of the quality of Gordon Cowans. See how many of his former players are now in top flight football. But it's clear that players who develop later and prove themselves at 'smaller' clubs can still get their chance. The real issue for English football is that the gulf between premier league and obscurity (aka The Championship) is now far too big. Relegation is unthinkable. So far better to fill the most critical position with an established import than a young English prospect. So now only four English goalkeepers are first choice in premiership teams (although Maik Taylor could have been if we had asked first, and has out-performed all England keepers over the last ten years). So we see outstanding youth team keepers given away to smaller clubs. Boaz Myhill is a fine example. Villa were even (allegedly) trying to buy him back this summer. Twenty years earlier he would have been given his chance in the first team, as Nigel Spink had. And the only difference is that before the premier league it was perfectly acceptable for most clubs to get relegated while developing their youngsters. How about a revolutionary proposal for England manager: Mark Hughes? With Blackburn he regularly gets outstanding results from an average bunch of players. And that's exactly what we expect from an England manager!
Posted 22:56 24th November 2007
Sam Coates (Liverpool fan) says...
Andy Gray has summed it up very well....McClaren is not a great manager and he has got it wrong in crucial decisions in key matches. He was the man who got the formation so wrong for the Croatia match and put poor Scott Carson in the headlights as a rabbit ! McClaren is a poor motivator and this is clearly evident in the performances of Steven Gerrard a world class player but one who looked lost in the Croatia game. Also Barwick and his other FA cronies need to be cleared out of office...they sowed the seeds of failure when they appointed McClaren on the rebound.
Posted 20:18 24th November 2007
Total Football (Leeds United fan) says...
I agree with Andy Gray. A lot of people are saying that England''s youth structure is what is letting us down. But even though we do have to inprove in those areas no one can dispute that there is enough quality to qualify for major tornaments. England need a manager who can turn our individuals into a team. We need someone who is arrogant and someone who even the press will find it hard to doubt. The other thing England need is a manager who will pick players on merit and form not just on their old performances. England have to look to players like Theo Walcott and not David Beckham. But only a manager like Jose Mourinho has a ego big enough to sort out England.
Posted 15:14 23rd November 2007
John O (Liverpool fan) says...
It all boils down to not enough clubs taking the chance of investing in homegrown talent, they'd rather buy foreign players/employ foreign managers (who've probably been coached to a higher standard than whats available in England so who can blame them) so not enough English players are playing top class football on a regular basis. Take Scott Carson for example,has it really got to the point were he's considered to be Englands number one keeper? But what chance have English players got of building confidence, improving etc.,. if the likes of Liverpool,Chelsea,Man Utd etc.,. never buy/play them? Peter Crouch was our best player last night but can't even get in the Liverpool team at the moment! Nuff said.
Posted 14:58 23rd November 2007
Bill Apps (Middlesbrough fan) says...
Now the FA hope the dust has settled and that their problems will evaporate I have to say I agree with Andy Gray''s comments. The FA itself needs to undertake the "root and branch review" beginning with themselves to name just a few: Geoff Thompson''s C/V - General Manager for Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield and Halamshire and a Magistrate. (A wealth of football knowledge there) Brian Barwick - Head of ouside broadcasts for both ITV and BBC covering Sports events. (Scene one Act three) Phil Gartside - semi pro, Bolton Wanderers Chairman. (Bolton won''t be relegated when I am picking the team) Dave Richards - Ran a telecoms and Waste treatment company -has hit a goldmine in england with that C/V. (Number engaged and the toilets blocked) Sheepshanks - Chairman of Ipswich Town (I told to get Alan Brazil) and last but not least; Brian Mawhinney - Irish, a politician and a professor in Radiation Physics. I have no doubt that these individuals are probably extremely good at what they do and that is precisely what they should do. It is absolutely incredible that with these backgrounds these people appoint those to run a national team. Fooballers (good one''s) and those that know football intimately need to control the football issues. These are the "roots" of the problem, the branches should be left to those who know the game. Next Manager? If we can get him: Jose has the gift, but why not give it to Southgate? What''s the betting he gets sacked and McClaren comes back to the Boro with his old mate Gibson. Here we go again Boro fans!
Posted 14:31 23rd November 2007
Dwayne Ricardo (Arsenal fan) says...
As an Arsenal fan I was praying with all the strength of prayers that England would make the most of the lifeline given to them by Israel and qualify for the Euros. This is mainly due to the fact that the blame would get put on clubs like Arsenal that rely of affordable foreign talent as opposed to paying for the massive egos of English players. There is no denying that talent is abundant in England because on paper a full strength England Team would surpass Brazil in star power. What the FA "CSI" team need to do is to find the reason why one millionaire footballer cant pass the ball to another millionaire footballer. A quota system under current EU legislation will NOT HAPPEN and I also think it will not help. In the case of Arsenal I think that Arsene Wenger has recognised a certain level of hunger and professionalism in foreign kids that is not as evident in the English ones. E.g Arsenal had in David Bentley and Jermaine Pennant two of the most gifted English youngsters coming through but the reason they didnt cut it at Arsenal is because Bentley lacked the humility and resolve to fight for his place and Pennant was more interested in drink driving and geting into fights. And everyone knows Ashley Cole was only in it for the money. On the plus side, the Under 21s seem to have a better grasp on International fixtures and anyone who watches them will agree that they play very attractive football.
Posted 13:23 23rd November 2007
Paul Spencer (Liverpool fan) says...
Everyone is putting the blame on different people from the board to the manager to the players, what cost us was stupid goalkeeping errors and not only in this qualification round, it''s been going on for the last 10 years. No other country seems to have so many blunders as England seems to have. I''m a Liverpool fan and it hurts me to say this but who is the sole person that has been in the England set-up throughout this Goalkeeping dark era - Ray Clemence, I haven''t seen his name brought up once on any blog or news article or anywhere.
Posted 12:04 23rd November 2007
Edward Ma (Manchester United fan) says...
I have said in another blog that McClaren was a good coach but never proven as a Manager - Brian Kidd was a good coach but could never make the transition. McClaren has himself admitted that he thinks he is a better manager now after his 18 months in charge - it''s a real shame he didn''t have the honour to resign like Keegan did and didn''t have the honesty to admit he wasn''t qualified to do the job in the first place giving the impression the England job was some sort of management development course! But the real disgrace is in the FA, namely Thompson and Barwick who appointed him. What they know about football can be written on a back of a very small postage stamp - they must go. As for the players, I think we have plenty of good enough players but when they play like they did on Wednesday, shows how desperately they need a top Manager with bags of experience to cope with all the egos - someone like Mourinho, Wenger or Scolari - people who have been there and done it and who would take no prisoners. Can you imagine how many hairdryers would have been at full blast with any of those Managers in charge. The players and their WAGS seem more interested in releasing autobiographies, giving interviews and living it up. They should let their football do the talking and take a leaf out of their Rugby counterparts.
Posted 10:23 23rd November 2007
David Cameron-young (Brighton and Hove Albion fan) says...
Now is the time for the FA to stand up and admit that the current board are not up to scratch. football should not be run by old men, but by recently retired professionals who actually have an understanding for the current game. Unfortunately, today''s game is more about money than pride. Get the pride back into the game and we have a chance of winning something.
Posted 10:18 23rd November 2007
Mike Palmer (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I agree with Andy, it is time the FA sorted themselves out, that said all the players have to accept some repsonsibility. They earn more in a week than 90% of the population see in 5 years - it is time they stood up and gave back to the grass routes supporter some success and stop with the excuses.
Posted 07:59 23rd November 2007
Jerzy Fila (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Andy Gray is as perceptive as usual. England players do not need coaching - they need inspiring! That quality in a manager will narrow down the list of candidates significantly, and the perfect example is currently available. Jose Mourinho - the country needs you!
Posted 07:57 23rd November 2007
Billy Anders (Manchester United fan) says...
There are a number of English players that have skill but unfortunately for ALL of them technical ability is sadly lacking. Skill and Technique do not go hand in glove. We all experienced this on wednesday when we were beaten by a Technically Superior TEAM. The vast majority of national teams in Europe are technically superior to England. These teams not only can pass and retain possession far better than England but they can do something that England can not - That is adapt to situations as the game demands
Posted 07:54 23rd November 2007
Amr Elnimr (Chelsea fan) says...
Well I agree with Mr. Gray here except on one thing , that altough I am a Chelsea fan and I admire Jose Mourinho , I believe that Lippi would be the man to do the job now. Jose Mourinho is short on national team's experience , he has always been leading clubs and it is totally different. Also the number of English Players in the EPL is not an issue , because in the EPL the strongest survives , in other words if look at Arsenal , if Theo Walcott was any better than Van Persie or Adbayor , he would have regularly played , but Walcott is still good enough to appear in the 16 chosen players each match.
Posted 07:28 23rd November 2007
Gavan T (Leeds United fan) says...
I agree that England need a much better manager. But I think Andy is too quick to criticise the French & Dutch academies. The French have a great record in last 10 years and the Dutch have produced many great players and teams with a much smaller population than England. England need a far greater pool of quality players coming through who can think for themselves and win a major tornament.
Posted 05:11 23rd November 2007
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