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England contenders
The names in the frame to replace McClaren
Last updated: 23rd November 2007
England are again searching for a new manager after Steve McClaren paid the price for failing to qualify for Euro 2008.
It may be regarded as one of the toughest jobs in football, but few bosses would turn down the opportunity despite the intense media scrutiny.
Here, skysports.com looks at the men from at home and abroad who could be charged with the task of helping the Premier League's finest achieve glory on the international stage.
Jose Mourinho
Still without a job after his recent departure from Chelsea, Mourinho can afford to be picky. His record in England and his management of some of our top players such as Frank Lampard and John Terry makes him an ideal - if a little pricey - candidate.
Alan Shearer
The legendary England striker is emerging as a strong contender, despite a complete lack of managerial experience. But with the likes of Marco van Basten, Jurgen Klinsmann and Slaven Bilic all making a seamless and successful step from player to boss, the FA could be tempted to follow suit.
Martin O'Neill
Like last time, O'Neill remains the top British manager and has made steady progress with a developing Aston Villa side. The obvious choice, though much would depend on his interest in the role.
Arsene Wenger
The Arsenal boss was linked with the job last time and is likely to be among the names again. But his extended deal at Arsenal and record for shunning Englishmen reduce the likelihood of him becoming the new England boss.
Guus Hiddink
The man who could have got the job when Sven-Goran Eriksson departed then masterminded England's downfall by guiding Russia to Euro 2008 at McClaren's expense. After the finals next summer, he could be open to the idea of coaching one of the world's 'bigger' countries but has agreed a new contract in eastern Europe.
Luiz Felipe Scolari
The other top-class manager who slipped through the net in 2006. The Portugal boss was set to take the job until a late change of heart. He remains one of the world's finest and is likely to want a new challenge after Austria and Switzerland next year but he may have missed his chance.
Harry Redknapp
Arguably the best English manager currently in the game, Redknapp has consistently coaxed the best out of players throughout his career. His man-management and tactical awareness are right up with the best. However, his most significant attribute is undoubtedly his record in the transfer market - which would be wasted in the international arena.
Sam Allardyce
The Newcastle boss was high on many short-lists last time, but it seems his much-criticised style of football may have cost him. Depending on how Newcastle fare over the remainder of the season, his name is likely to be featured again although his reputation is no further enhanced since heading to the north east.
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Comments
Jon Sansome says...
Pearce and Shearer for England, maybe with Venables as support/advisory role. Yes, I know he assisted McClaren, but he was a successful manager on his own and probably wasn't allowed his individuality under the most recent so called "manager". Shearer, Pearce and Venables worked well together before. Why not again! P.S what did the idiots at the FA do or say to scare off Jose? He came to talk, so was open to the idea of managing England. These men have held back and destroyed the best aspects of English football for years. Time for them to go, or am I right in thinking that they truly have no shame? Remember, Shearer, Pearce and Venables!!!
Posted 01:21 11th December 2007
Hady Al-rekabi says...
Stuart Pearce is the manager of England under 21's and doing a great job with them. He was Nottingham Forest captain under the great late Clough so what an experience he had. Also he was a manager of Forest for a short period, manager at M. city and has a lot of experience under many England managers. He has the passion of braveheart and the strength os a lion. How about appoint him as England Manager with Shearer together? Why is he not on the short list? Ley us have an English man to manage the English team.
Posted 12:53 10th December 2007
Ian Munro says...
Let's go for a three-man coaching team, consisting of a top ex-defender, top ex-midfielder and a top ex-attacker. I'm sure by sharing the load England can move forward.
Posted 12:09 9th December 2007
Richard Williams says...
Whoever takes the poisoned chalice, the FA have to start from grass roots level. Major investment is needed to produce a REAL golden generation, like the French, who didn't qualify for USA '94 but redesigned the structure of their game at school and academy level. This needs people running it who DO know their stuff, who CAN churn out the Shearers and Gazzas like they did in France. If we are going to emply a brainbox foreigner then why not in this position. And keep the England manager English.
Posted 15:53 30th November 2007
Tim Batten says...
Virtually every fan knew Mclaren was the wrong choice. Barwick and the numbskulls at the FA should do the decent thing and fall on their swords. Bring on Jose
Posted 16:56 29th November 2007
Barry Saunders (chelsea) says...
As has been said before,The Special One has to be the man for the job! He is one of the best managers in the world and I think he will get the best out of our players. Now is the time for change i hate to say it being a Chelsea supporter but i think we need to change the players as well,far to much Emphasis has been put on player names who seem to of lost the passion and pride of playing for thier country. So to the FA i say stop wasting money on flying Beckham all the way here,look a little closer to home you may be suprised at the talent you find.
Posted 15:18 29th November 2007
Richard S says...
There is only one man big enough and brave enough to take on england players and put them in their place and that's Jose Mourinho. Pull your finger out fa, and sort out english football. Too much money was wasted on Wembley and not enough has been put in to build a school of excellence for young promising footballers. We need to start at the bottom and rebuild right to the top again, and that man has to be Jose Mourinho .
Posted 19:44 28th November 2007
Lewis Lewise says...
Its gotta be Gus Hiddink look at his record
Posted 00:43 27th November 2007
Pete Turner (Portsmouth fan) says...
Being Pompey through and through I'd be gutted to see Harry go .. but if it is going to be an English manager then there is no better in the country. However one of Harrys skills is to make sure he looks after his players and works closely with them to ensure they are happy off the pitch so that, in turn, they are happy when they go out on to the pitch - I fear that he would not be able to spend as much time as he would like with the 'England' players to keep them happy and in the right frame of mind to suit his style.
Posted 10:07 25th November 2007
Sid Sri (Arsenal fan) says...
Alan Shearer, Jose Mourinho or Martin O'Niell..its a dilemma which the FA faces and the english fans can just wait as puppets!!!..England not being in next years EURO even though it has the best league is an embarrasment for the FA. Personally Alan is the one for the job. Martin doesn't seem intrested for the job and Jose's tactics aren't too productive for International level!! Alan has the passion of an englishman and can comprehend better with the english players(some of which he has played with). Lets hope FA starts a new era for England.
Posted 18:09 24th November 2007
Mark Hanscombe (Millwall fan) says...
Got to be Harry, he would take Tony Adams with him to sort out the 'egos'.
Posted 17:55 24th November 2007
Nigel Wilson says...
Let's look at the practical side to this - who actually wants the job first of all? O'Neill and Allerdyce have ruled themselves out and Mourhinjo and Capello have both basically said 'appoint me or not, I don't do interviews'. It has to be someone who speaks English: someone with passion and commitment: someone who has the respect of the players: someone who has been there before: a winner. Two names spring to mind: Klinsmann or Shearer
Posted 14:02 24th November 2007
Lee Compton says...
Alan Shearer to lead the way, bring in someone like Wrighty who wears his heart on his sleeve and has more passion for his country than 95% of those boys on Wednesday night to coach alongside and encourage, we then may see two men actually working the "technical area" and showing these male models what it actually means to wear the shirt. Why do we need someone with managerial experience when both these guys have played at the highest level for both club and country? They are I am sure more than capable of taking us forward.
Posted 16:54 23rd November 2007
Henry Chapman (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I really do think that the F.A need to look at the whole system of England football. For God''s sake it''s not rocket science to manage the England team anyone can do it. We have top players underperforming and players need a kick up the backside. We should be winning games and tournaments. We invented football so bring it back where it belongs. We all know Lampard and Gerrard cannot play together, can any other manager see that? Let''s get back to basics with the system and play players that are best suited for the team and not by their name. Martin Jol got my vote.
Posted 11:58 23rd November 2007
Jim Sellars (Rangers fan) says...
Martin O'Neill is being talked about as the next English manager because of his achievements at Celtic. Alex McLeish had a superior record at Rangers, with less cash available, so why is his name not being mentioned ? When McLeish arrived at Ibrox, it was the beginning of the end for O'Neill at Celtic Park.
Posted 11:40 23rd November 2007
Jake Simpson (Arsenal fan) says...
Mourinho for the job! he is the best in the game and is a free agent! Hes not afriad to handle big players and wont be scared to drop players if they play bad! The FA Should get the best! it does not matter if he is not english, if he won us the world cup, everyone would love him! The FA should do whatever to get the best man for the job! No point getting a english manager if he cant win us trophys!
Posted 11:33 23rd November 2007
Hugh Leeming (Aston Villa fan) says...
Why can''t F.A let the public - the supporters of the game decide the next manager. They are now realising that we have suffered as a team because of the influx of foreign players in the premiership - enough foreigners. We want an England team with an English Manager. Those that want the Job please apply - stand in line and let us - the supporters make the choice.
Posted 09:26 23rd November 2007
Colin Ford says...
For a long time now there appears to have been no national pride when playing football for England. No matter what the circumstances if the England players the other night had half the pride that Scotland had when playing Italy then we might have got the result we needed. In the second half the other players should have shown the fight that Beckham and Crouch did. Rafa Benitez, the next England coach.
Posted 08:30 23rd November 2007
James Fuller (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
I think that yes, the team was rubbish, but the FA were wrong to choose a manager that doesnt have the experience to bring us further up. Hopefully, the next manager can be more experienced and motivate the players to actually do well instead of just surviving the 90 minutes. The English players last night werent a potential world cup winning side, it might be for the fact the manager didnt do the right tactics, or the players, my views is that the players didnt back the manager 100%
Posted 21:06 22nd November 2007
Richard Wright says...
I just hope that the press/TV football people don't "pick" the next England manager, They seem to have picked the team for the last 10 - 15 years and where has that got us (they've also tried to pick the English teams at rugby and cricket)
Posted 15:49 22nd November 2007
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