Coe reveals Fergie talks

United boss wanted for Olympic team

Last updated: 14th May 2008

Coe reveals Fergie talks

Coe: Wants Ferguson to coach GB team

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Lord Coe has told Sky Sports News he would like to see Sir Alex Ferguson manage the Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics.

A Great Britain football team for the London Olympics has been a subject of debate for some time and Coe is all for it.

Coe, the chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, confirmed holding informal discussions with the Manchester United boss but did not divulge whether the Scot was interested in the post.

"I would love to see Alex coach the team," Coe told Sky Sports News.

"I can't think of anybody that frankly (more) deserves at the end of a stunning career to be in charge of young players here.

He added: "I've spoken to Alex.

"We know each other. We're good friends."

Chelsea fan Coe's bid to land Ferguson first came to light two months ago, at which time United expressed a relaxed attitude about the approach.

Ferguson was thought to be intrigued by the offer but reluctant to accept were it to interfere with his duties at Old Trafford.

Door open

The concept of a British team, which last entered the Olympic qualifying tournament with an amateur side in 1972, is controversial.

Both the Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales are opposed to it, with the former indicating they will attempt to block Scottish players from being picked to play.

One of the reasons for their stance is the fear Fifa could strip the home nations of their special status, which guarantees each nation voting rights within the organisation.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter initially claimed this would not be the case, but more recently said a British team should consist exclusively of English players.

Coe insisted the door would remain "open" should the Scottish and Welsh FAs relax their stances.

"I clearly want the best players - wherever they come from Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England - to be there," added Coe

"But I also recognise it is an issue for the individual football associations and the door is open."

The venues for the football tournament in 2012 are currently limited to England, with Old Trafford, St James' Park, Villa Park and Wembley all to host matches.

Coe said he would "love" to include Glasgow's Hampden Park and Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on the schedule.

But he revealed he would not lobby the Scottish and Welsh associations to change their minds, adding: "I'm not going to get sleepless nights over it."

Comments (9)

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Thomas Whittaker (Manchester United fan) says...

yes i think sir alex ferguson should be manager of the great britain football team at the 2012 olympics because he is so succedful with aberdeen and manchester united evev though he must have been retired but we still can see what magic has sir alex ferguson has got when he is retired because he might then not watch that much football but if there is anyonebetter than him then it should be him.

Posted 21:04 14th May 2008

Lewis Keilty (Manchester United fan) says...

I thought the SFA and WFA would jump at the chance. It's an ideal opportunity for younger players to gain experience at the highest level on the worlds biggest stage, these are not pros were talking about here its grassroots football and come on it might be the only Gold TeamGB could win. There have been many former football gold medalists ply their trade in the Prem after they have turned Pro: Kanu, Okocha, Babayaro, Lauren, Geremi, Heize, Mascherano and Tevez now tell me they haven't benefited from that experience. The attitude displayed by the SFA and WFA and probably the FA is the reason i will never see ANY Britsh team win ANY major tournement in my lifetime and im only 25.

Posted 20:41 14th May 2008

Steven Berry (Manchester City fan) says...

even in 2012, any scottish, welsh or n. irish player wouldnt get in the team anyway

Posted 19:02 14th May 2008

Robert Jeffrey (Manchester United fan) says...

i dnt know why the scottish & welsh fa are sayin no its not like they have any class players who would get picked for the team now giggs is no longer playin for wales

Posted 18:06 14th May 2008

Warrick Ballenger (Manchester United fan) says...

i would love for him to coach the team he is one of the great managers, and help the team with so much. Like the tactics or even choosing the team do you honestly think there is someone better then him.

Posted 17:01 14th May 2008

David Alloway (Chelsea fan) says...

I think a great britian team would be a grand idea for 2012. If the rugby scene can hold a six nations tournament and a BRITISH LIONS tour, why cant the same apply to our home nations in football. Fergie as a coach would be important, and he certainly would not be the type to go all English with a selection, maybe rules should be in place for all home nations to be represented, and we know Fergie would make some decent choices, and intorduce the right mentaility. If the suits upstairs of each FA cant get along like good people should, what hope does our home nations football sides have for the future? Maybe working together for a bit and LEARNING from eachother would be a benefit to the IRELANDS SCOTLANDS AND WALES players as independant nations and aid in getting up the ladder of the FIFA rankings. The home nations dominance in world football may be dependant on team GB. Oh, and stop squabbling and bring back the home nations comp as I have never witnessed one! A decent bit of British competition is what we need between the euros and world cups!

Posted 16:47 14th May 2008

Nathan Leader (Chelsea fan) says...

i dont think he is agood manager i would takre avram crant or jose anyday cum on chelsea we ave the champs leauge in moscow

Posted 16:10 14th May 2008

Azizzi Az says...

Fifa should give special dispension to an all British team as an tem of English players does not represent and therefore there should be no Olympic 2012 Football team which would be a huge shame, i'd love the chance to see how well a team of the Union could compete against teams that have performed far better than all of the home nations on the World stage. The fans would love it if it all came about so please Fifa and England, Scotland, Wales and N.I. FA's make it happen.

Posted 15:44 14th May 2008

Ashwin Venkat (Manchester United fan) says...

i think if Sir Alex Ferguson manages the side for 2012 olympics the will win the title....

Posted 14:58 14th May 2008
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