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.
