Friday, November 30, 2007

FA scours globe for England boss

Football Association chief Brian Barwick will consult a host of leading figures in the game in his search for a "world-class manager" for England.

Barwick has canvassed the thoughts of England captain John Terry, Wales boss John Toshack, Uefa chief Michel Platini and German legend Franz Beckenbauer.

He will also consult Steven Gerrard, Arsene Wenger, Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is the current favourite for the job.

Barwick and FA development director Sir Trevor Brooking will conduct a joint operation to appoint Steve McClaren's successor and will also seek the advice of former England managers Graham Taylor and Glenn Hoddle.

The FA insists no shortlist has yet been drawn up.

Ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, now in charge of Manchester City, said he could understand the clamour for Mourinho but warned he would be taking on "the biggest job in football".

"Mourinho has already shown that he is big with Porto and with Chelsea, so if he has been winning trophies for them, he can do it with England as well," said Eriksson.

"But to be the England manager you must win every game, not do anything in your private life and hopefully not earn too much money.

"They are the only qualities you need and if you have those, you are perfect.

"I don't want to say that I am supporting Mourinho because I support everyone and it is not my job. But the biggest football job in Europe and in the world is to be the England manager.

"The Champions League is big and it is fantastic, but to compare it to the World Cup? No chance. The World Cup is, and will be forever, the number one."

The insistence on a coach with pedigree appears to rule out former England striker Alan Shearer, who has no managerial experience, but brings into the equation heavyweights such as Martin O'Neill and Fabio Capello.

McClaren was sacked following England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

England lost 3-2 to Croatia in their final game of the campaign when they needed a draw to book their place at next summer's finals.

Source: BBC Sport

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