Hi ,
This article was supposed to be a preview of France against England in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. Well the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry and Roy Hodgson and his players are mice and not men. After the most disgusting, despicable, deflating half of football England lost to Iceland who now head to Paris to play France. Meanwhile the process of finding a new England manager has begun.
Hodgson should have been sacked after the World Cup debacle in 2014 when England were eliminated following just two matches and in the first week. There were no obvious replacements so he stuttered on. Winning all ten games in qualifying was achieved in a moderate group but Hodgson knew best. Before the Iceland disgrace he said he would not beg to keep his job which seems a ridiculous statement now. It’s alright Roy we are happy for you to move on and close the door as you leave.
The former England manager is supposed to be an intelligent man but was shocked that he was expected to speak to the Press. England won just three of 11 tournament matches while he was in charge so to say his tenure will be judged on one match is bizarre. Over the last week we have all been getting wound up and fraught so we can forgive Hodgson his aberration. Maybe when the country calms down we can reflect on the ins and outs.
Setting the date of that referendum thingy during the championship of Europe seemed strange. Maybe Hodgson and Joe Hart disagreed on certain issues and that caused tension. Clearly the keeper had something on his mind because he conceded two goals he could have prevented in his sleep. Anyway going out of Europe could be seen as an accident once but twice is a habit. Woy Hodgson for PM anyone and Nicola Sturgeon in goal for England with Nigel Farage on the right wing but with worries about Sterling.
The funniest thing over the last week was Steve McClaren’s reaction to Iceland’s second goal. He was blathering on about them only having the big bloke up front when Iceland scored. His face was a picture and he was speechless. McLaren is another failed England manager but surely this time the suits at the FA must get it right. The focus must be on an international manager experienced in tournaments alongside a younger assistant learning the ropes. There are some potential candidates and combinations.
Any pairing from Jurgen Klinsmann or Glenn Hoddle and Gareth Southgate or Gary Neville could do the job. England could also employ Alan Shearer and Rio Ferdinand to help with coaching the forwards and defenders and provide a link between the players and the managers. Both experienced managers have looked after players during a tournament which provides a unique environment. After playing in the league or regular internationals players can take their grievances and squabbles home. In a tournament you have to eat breakfast with colleagues you may despise.
Klinsmann managed Germany when they finished third in the 2006 World Cup in their own country. He was also in charge of United States when they reached the last 16 two years ago. Hoddle was the England manager at France 98 and was unlucky to lose to Argentina on penalties in the round of the last 16. Both players have also played at World Cups so know the demands of tournaments from the player’s perspective. They are also young enough to have had playing careers respected by the younger men they coach and guide through a tournament.
Southgate and Neville have also coached at a tournament, the former with the Under-21s and the latter as the assistant to Hodgson. Neville has left two jobs in the last year but circumstances went against him. He was never the right man to manage Valencia and got the job based on his association with the owner. Neville was collateral damage of the failed Hodgson era but must now rebuild his reputation before taking over from Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
In the last week two important people have resigned from their job. The double on Out and Iceland paid 70/1 and there’s nowt as strange as folk during these strange days. David Cameron and Roy Hodgson could swap jobs but the Hoddle and Neville pairing might be a better option for a new England management team.
Best Wishes,
BetFan
