Another day at the World Cup, another day of South American progression.....and European retreat.
Brazil qualified, Paraguay in control and Argentina already have their slippers on. Italy tottering, England likewise and France imploding; spectacularly so.
Each of these European sides are, to put it bluntly and despite one or two exceptions, past their sell by dates. All three are still largely reliant on the same squads that represented them, well in the case of Italy and France, at the last World Cup. While there is a similarity there, Italy and France have something in common that England don't. Coaches. Raymond Domenech and Marcello Lippi were both here last time, Fabio Capello was not.
In a few weeks time, possibly a few days, Laurent Blanc and Cesare Prandelli will have taken up their new roles as the top dogs for France and Italy respectively. If we are to follow hastily adjusted contracts, adjusted during something of a power vacuum (again) at the English FA, Fabio Capello will be working on where England go next.
But should England fail to beat Slovenia this week, where will Capello stand then?
Prandelli; top dog
IBWM would like to add the retainer here that it could still quite easily see Italy in the final, and while France are clearly a lost cause, what of England? This was never a best chance, in fact for this golden generation, it was hoped to be a final hurrah; but that white shirt certainly looks heavy draped across English shoulders at present.
Should England do the unthinkable and fail to make it past Slovenia, contracts or not, Capello's position would be completely untenable. He'll walk, albeit with a golden farewell, and the shambles that is left at the FA will be staring into the void. The collapse of the 2018 World Cup bid will be the least of the problems facing Team England.
Clearly there will need to be a new appointment, and quickly. Stuart Pearce, having worked with the Under-21's, was once thought next in line, but tarnished as Capello's 'yes' man by the most inept of displays at South Africa, where next?
Roy Hodgson at Fulham has made a case for himself, and has the benefit of international experience with Finland and Switzerland, but will that pacify the locals? There is clearly only one direction the FA looking at the mother of all backlashes will face; Tottenham Hotspur.
Did I say Tottenham Hotspur? Or should that have been Sandbanks, Poole? After all, the media do like to point out how happy 'Arry is with his life and his home overlooking Poole harbour. He's also just steered Spurs into the Champions League and would surely like a tilt at that? But do a bit of research; Google the words England and Redknapp together and you'll see how much copy Harry has provided on the subject 'England' recently. IBWM thinks it's clear what's on his mind, last chance and all that, picking something up off the floor; that's Harry's style.
Redknapp; now or never
We could get all hung up on the innuendo, rumour and potential 'stories' that have been attached to Redknapp, but there can be no worse bad press than the bad press that England and the FA could be facing soon.
Tottenham; that looks like our stop.
Comments welcome.
11 comments:
Can't see the FA Big Wigs appointing him, certainly not court case pending!
English team , English manager,just common sense especially for such an old long developed football nation.How can a foreigner truely feel the pride and passion of a teams homeland,he can't and players have to have this and managers need to have this in their blood to create a team willing and worthy to play for their country.
Too much baggage, no chance ever being appointed
forget Harry, its gotta be Woy!
Forgot about the court case. You guys are right, too much baggage.
Had me worried there for a minute.
Too much baggage? The FA took on Venables with baggage. It depends how desperate they are and £6M a year on Capello and nothing to show for it will definately have a desperate edge.
I don't really want Harry to go but would be more than happy if we could swap and get Capello. Only the media are using him for England's short comings.
So what if the players aren't happy with him. Do you think Alex Ferguson would let his players away with playing like they are. The media is the problem and the media have too much power.
Please, give me a break! Never ever going to happen- Redknapp's either got the choice of a settled squad and the exciting prospect of his first season in the champs league or the shambles that is England. Not hard, is it?
Obviously between Roy and Harry. If it is going to be straight after world cup, then it will have to be Harry. If it is in 2 years time, then Roy - why? Because I feel that Harry would be more able to motivate and get best out of Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney. In 2 years, Gerrard and Lamps will be past it, and it won't matter so much. It would be sad to lose Harry, yes - but you feel that he would not be able to refuse.
The way England are playing, the FA should embrace the obvious and approach Sam Allardyce. Then we would all understand the dour, long-ball football.
"You will see how much copy Redknapp has made on the England subject recently".
Eh, he's in South Africa, doing WC punditry for the bbc right? believe he would offer a comment or two on England as well..
I agree with Anonymous! This isn't fun. Give yersells names men.
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