http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Sun, 9 Dec 2007 14:14:55 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678912 The fact that England, the birthplace of soccer, needed Sven the Swede in the first place - whatever his credentials as a coach - was downright embarrassing. It's at the point now where there's no-one you would really even consider. Just as telling is that as far as I know, there isn't one single solitary Englishman coaching in any of the top European leagues either. It's not like we can go and lure a Venables away from some trophy-laden megaclub. I say let the Special One do it. Then we can blame him for being Portuguese (failed Brazilian) and mental when he becomes the latest in a long line of fuck-ups. Bah humbug. 678912@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Dec 2007 14:14:55 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678887 I definitely agree that it matters not where a manager comes from but for a soccer nation like England one would have to wonder why England can't find a homer to coach the team. Sure in a nation of 59 million and with a soccer tradition like England they should find someone? Well, to me, Mourinho was not going to just "manage." He would, like Capello I suppose, have to revolutionize the present prevailing ethos that exists in England. Maybe he would have to change how players are developed (tactics etc.) and the FA as you just explained. He strikes me as the type to do that - like Wenger at Arsenal. Yeah, he sure is a firecracker. He doesn't seem to tolerate complications. I just hope England gets its act together. They need to find goalkeeping too! Love their jersey. 678887@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Dec 2007 10:41:45 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678870 Capello is certainly a possibility. Other countries have done well using a foreigner to manage their national team so why not England? A "young" manager is at an automatic disadvantage as the manager of England because with the current busybody structure of the FA, it's completely different to managing a club, where the manager can do things their own way. It takes a lot of compromise and negotiation with both the FA committees and individual club managers to manage England and I just can't see Mourinho having the patience to put up with that. To say nothing of the long periods of inactivity between international fixtures as opposed to working closely with a group of players on a day to day basis. 678870@blogcritics.org Sun, 9 Dec 2007 06:45:47 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678739 So then who's "old" enough? Capello? From what I have read from British soccer mags it doesn't sound like England is healthy on the managerial side of the equation. I think it was World Soccer mag who predicted that Mclaren was going to end in disaster. 678739@blogcritics.org Sat, 8 Dec 2007 13:23:56 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678706 Stan, well, he's not going to say no outright is he? Wouldn't want to upset people in case he either manages another English club or, in the fullness of time, even the national team. The FA are buffoons! 678706@blogcritics.org Sat, 8 Dec 2007 10:14:34 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678702 ...I thought that 'doorstepping' had been banned under the Geneva Conventions as torture 678702@blogcritics.org Sat, 8 Dec 2007 09:12:41 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678694 I saw a TV report today where the British media doorstepped Mourinho outside his place in Portugal. When asked whether he'd be prepared to coach England, he grinned and said "Why not?" before speeding off in an expensive car. The FA obviously want him. 678694@blogcritics.org Sat, 8 Dec 2007 08:16:58 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678683 McClaren was seriously lacking in managerial experience, having only managed one club, and it was simply a poor decision by the FA to give him the job. Evidence of McClaren's lack of experience can be found everywhere, not least in his poor tactics and his failure to resolve England's midfield issues. It will be evidence that the FA executive committee have learned nothing at all unless they come up with someone with deep experience and a sharp understanding of the English game as the new manager. Despite Mourinho's track record, I think he is simply too young to manage England and will wisely make the decision to remain in club football. 678683@blogcritics.org Sat, 8 Dec 2007 04:49:39 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/11/24/132541.php#comment-678537 Mourinho is reported to be the big banana now. We'll see if it's about coaching. I suspect the problem runs a little deeper. 678537@blogcritics.org Fri, 7 Dec 2007 11:54:41 EST