After England’s exit to Iceland in the Euros, I posted this blog partly about the team’s inept performance at a major championship AGAIN, but also partly at the FA’s apparent failure in getting the right man.
Yesterday the press reported that Steve Bruce was interviewed along with Sam Allardyce. I have a lot of respect and fondness for Brucey. He obviously led us to our first foray in the Premier League and we had some good times while he was in charge, however you have to say what has either man won? I know less about Sam, but from what I have seen, I can’t believe that England fans would accept his style of play.
I made the following statement in my previous blog:
This brings me to the FA. The real blame lies with them, to a point it isn’t Hodgson’s fault that he wasn’t up to the job. Ask an Albion fan, they would have told you that for free. No, it was the FA who thought he could do it and they are to blame. A country of our size with the richest and most popular league in the world, our competition performances – with the occasional exception – have been appalling. Why? Because the FA will only give the job (worth £3.5m!) to someone that fits their personality. Boring, safe and traditional. I actually think we have managed to go backwards again, I didn’t think that was possible after the poor time under Capello. Amazing really.
Once again it appears the FA have played safe and refused to push the boat out. Why aren’t we trying to get the best coaches in the world involved? I don’t subscribe to this rubbish that the coach has to be English to understand what it means. I think because things didn’t go brilliantly under Eriksson and Capello, they have taken the approach of “well we have done the foreign manager thing, and it hasn’t worked” approach. Which is crazy. Just look at the RFU’s decision to employ Eddie Jones, an Aussie, who recently led the England rugby side to a 3-0 test whitewash victory down-under.
Like with Hodgson, I don’t blame Bruce or Allardyce for going for the job, my frustration isn’t aimed at them – no I blame the FA for not aiming high enough and as I said above, because of their previous more recent appointments, the national side has gone backwards. Unfortunately this next appointment would appear to be following the same trend. It’s very disappointing, but in truth, expected.
When will people realise that Englands failures in the last 50 years are’nt about whose in charge or the players he picks or the formation he plays? Its far deeper than that. We have reached 2 semi finals in 50 years. In the same 50 years the Germans have been in 12 finals and won 6 of them.
At what point do we get our heads out of own arses and take a look at what they obviously do so well? Are we too proud to learn from the Germans, to try and introduce some of the things that they do?
Our short sighted, short term fixes have got us nowhere. Do you honestly think that the best coach in the world could make a difference to a set up that has produced nothing in 50 years? There is no short term fix.
You make a valid point Dean, and it is what I’m saying really. I believe that the FA have no ambition at all. In my blog, I was using the manager as an example but it could apply across the whole of the FA’s role. Let’s face it, they don’t run football in this country any more, the Premier League do!
The FA have lot’s of ambition. Their ambition is to make as much money as they can out of the game.
I think Sam might do OK because he’s a good man manager and that’s what England need. They have talent but need it managed properly.
You’re being a tad harsh Kev. Mr Allardyce won the 3rd division with Notts County, so is almost a shoe in for the next World Cup Final. Winning it isn’t guaranteed, but you can almost bet your mortgage on 1st or 2nd.
😉
You’re spot on. Yes, he has a chance of rallying the troops somewhat, but is as uninspiring as Roy Hodgson was. If only they’d tried to get hold of the likes of Mourinho before he went to Manchester United. A proven manager at every level.
Jurgen Klinnsman should have been the man to appoint. The FA needs reform not just a new manager. Jurgen could have supported a new foundation for us.