When did the best coach in England last do any coaching? Has he done any since '96? Just wondering in view of all the sycophantic stuff in the press this morning.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Answers

Vegetables lead the Socceroos in their failed bid to make it to the World Cup - knocked out by one of the Asian teams in their final qualifier (Iraq?).

He then lead Crystal Palace into financial disaster zone before quitting and becoming a full-time pundit.

His record up to 1996 was very good but not outstanding - Spanish league championship (but not the Champions cup) with Barcelona, FA cup with Spurs, only 1 defeat in the England job (against Brazil - not including penalty shootouts). However, he is a risk from a footballing viewpoint as well as likely to get up the noses of the FA bureaucrats.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

His coaching record is far from being outstanding, and the fact that he is undoubtedly the best available English coach frankly doesn't say much for the rest.
He is also currently banned from being a Company Director for something like seven years as a result of his business 'practices' - hardly the ideal choice to manage our national football team!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Only one defeat as England manager eh? Tell me how many matches he played away from Wembley and how many teams of international standing his England actually beat.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

And another thing Clarky! I would dispute the "best available English coach" bit. The title surely goes to Dario Gradi at Crewe who has developed more quality players under his tutelage than anyone in the Prem - including Taggart!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Jacko - would you like some salt'n'vinegar with that chip you've got on your shoulder? I take it you don't like El Tel!

Your comment about Dario Gradi takes away much credibility from your argument. If he's that good, why (a) hasn't he risen to higher things (b) swept Crewe Alex to every title going or (c) been touted for the England post?

You imply that Venables didn't play many games away from England (no doubt you have the stats to hand - I don't). Well, that's hardly his fault. We were playing a bliddy championship in England at the time. There's only a limited amount of away matches you could and would want to fit in that period. But please, tell us his record.

I may have missed it elesewhere - who do you think should get the job? I've already said I'd take Venables. OK, he may have some baggarge, but a poll in today's paper (MoS I think) had him as the choice of the majority of PL managers. They can't all be wrong.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

And it's not only the managers.............. According to Ronnie:

Former England skipper Alan Shearer threw down the gauntlet to the Football Association today when he insisted: "Terry Venables is the man for the job."

Shearer, a hugely influential figure in English football, told me: "I'd have no hesitation in giving the England post to Venables and I think that 90 per cent of footballers would say the same thing.

"He's a great coach and tactician who inspired us during the European Championships of 1996. I've got great admiration for him - and he's available. I'd back him without question."

Shearer, who only retired internationally in the summer, went on: "We must appoint an Englishman. I wouldn't like to see a foreigner in charge of our national side.

"I was shocked when Kevin Keegan quit last Saturday. Honestly gobsmacked.

"It's been a very difficult week for us and it's going to be really tough to qualify for the World Cup finals now.

"All I'm hoping is that England can do what we did - we lost to Sweden and drew with Bulgaria in our first two games on the way to Euro 2000 but got there eventually through the play-offs.

"The good thing is that there are a couple of friendlies coming up to give us some stability. We've had two games with two managers and by the time the third qualifier comes round there'll probably be a third manager! We need to get things settled down."

Shearer himself has appeared in the betting for the England job - something he laughed off - but he knows the international set-up inside out having played under several bosses and skippered his country and therefore his backing of Venables will carry significant weight as the FA take counsel.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Do England really need a manager that they feel comfortable with such as Venables? The players all want him as he's a bit soft on them. Remember the boozing sessions in Hong Kong etc.

I happen to belive that Bobby Robson is the best English coach, but he won't put his head on the guilitine. Next best is Peter Taylor(despite yesterdays result). Dari Gradi may be a good youth team coach, so why not ask him to help out with the Under 21s rather than Wilkinson? and bring them on for Taylor

If I were in the FA I would go for Peter Taylor first, even if it means trying to get in a caretaker for the rest of this season.

And if I were Peter Taylor, I'd take the job before March. He might not be asked again. His first task in my eyes would be to axe all of the millionairs from the team. look for players with a will to win, Forget the likes of Beckham, the Neville sister, Le Saux, Wise, and all the other has been pre madona's, make a team out of younger players that haven't become multi millionaires.
-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Continued....I'm on a rolll here:-

Do we really need some of these so called "Big stars?" After all if you look at other teams such as the Czechs, Portuguse, Dutch, Yugoslavs , even the Scots, Croatians and Finns . They don't have as many "TOP EARNING PLAYERS" as us in thier sides. Just two or three stars in their teams, but they are doing a dam site better than us. Dump them as soon as they get too cocky and lazy and replace them regulally with younger talented players that are hungry for sucsess. Baring the keeper England should ALWAYS be made up of under 25s. If the likes of Owen, Heskey, LUa Lua , Joe Cole and Michael Carrick are good enough for the premiership at 20 they are good enough for England. Stuff expierance, bring in youth.

My Young England eleven:- ................. Martyn ............. ........... Campbell ....... Ferdinand........J Woodgate) Griffin ............................................... Barry..... ................. Dyer ............ Lampart...........S Gerrard ..... ....................... Alan Smith .............. Owen........ On the Bench, R Wright, Lua, Lua and Wes Brown, Joe Cole, M Carrick, C Cort etc..

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Screach - Dario Gradi HAS been mentioned in one of the papers I read - can't remember which but it wasn't the Sun - which isn't aware of the existence of the Nationwide League.

Gradi is on a 10 year contract at Crewe and has a seat on the Board. He earns enormous amounts of money because he is one a percentage of sales - Crewe make huge amounts of dosh from selling the players he produces. As examples - who were top of the Premiership before yesterday - where did both their central midfielders come from? David Platt was chucked out by Man Ure - Dario picked him up and taught him a thing or two - became England captain didn't he? A load of players have gone on from Crewe to become internationals. Dario has played a major part in their development. Crewe have a reputation for playing attractive, passing football. He has kept them in a division way above their historical station in life and he has done it on a shoestring paying tiny wages. He is, however, at an unfashionable club in an unfashionable area and so never gets mentioned alongside the real "giants" of the game like Vegetables. I hear Gradi's post match analyses on a regular basis on our local radio station. He is a man with considerable tactical insight. I know Gradi will never be England manager - his private life would make him prey to the worst examples of our tabloid press - my mention of his name was just a wind up, but he is just as good a coach as the man who is currently being touted for the position.

Yes I admit I don't like Vegetables. I don't think that amounts to chip on my shoulder, however. It's simply the way I see it. There a several managers in England who have won more than him at club level. At international level his record was far from brilliant. I can't remember the exact figures but I would care to bet that his record at Wembley is only average. The most frequent score in his games there was 0-0! His reputation is based on a win against Holland in Euro 96 - a team you may remember who had sent their best player, Davids, home because of strife in the camp. He wouldn't even have reached the semi if that friendly linesman hadn't disallowed a perfectly good Spanish goal for offside. And do you remember the tactical acumen he demonstrated in the first match - a 1-1 draw with the might of Switzerland?

Also, if he's so bloody good - why is he always unemployed? Why, when a Premiership manager gets sacked, is he always touted for the job and never gets it? Why, if Ken Bates thinks he is so good (see today's Sunday People) has he appointed a Dutchman and two Italians instead of Venables? Why is he hated with a will be every Crystal Palace fan? Why did he never bother turning up to offer his great coaching skills to Portsmouth? And why, despite being 2-0 with 15 minutes to go in a crucial qualifer against Iran, did Australia fail to make France 98 thanks to his substitutions?

OK, he might well have certain man management skills which make him popular with the players but do you really want your country to be represented by a cockney spiv whose sole motivation appears to the outsider to be money?

Sorry Screach - chip on my shoulder it may be, but if Vegetables is appointed I may just become a Welshman!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

But Jacko, you didn't answer my question! Who do you think should be the next manager? You said it wouldn't be Gradi and I agree!! There's more to being national coach than mere football skills. It is a complex role and has (almost) as much to do with managing the media as teaching somebody how to kick a ball.

After all, it is hoped that by the time these players get to the PL, they know the basics of the game (something which DG is excellent at teaching those he discovers). It's to do with experience - especially at international level when the pressures of playing (say) in Istanbul, or Berlin or Kiev are often more than simply putting a few passes together. Sadly, Keegan didn't have it (isn't hindsight marvellous!).

I realise El Tel has his limitations. I'm afraid I'm from the "old school" and would prefer an Englishman at the helm. Call me a romantic, but on that basis, there aren't many others who could do it. Maybe Taylor could, but I feel he's lacking experience at the highest level. Perhaps in tandem with YBR, but that doesn't bear thinking aboot!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Well that's you put in your place Screacher.

Think I'll push for Geordie nationalism if El Spiv gets the job, You've convinced me that he's hopeless Jacko.

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Screacher, I could cop out here and say it isn't my job to decide who should be the next England manager - that's up to the wallahs at the FA. If I did, however, you would shout at me and call me names so let's look at the alternatives.

Robert Robson - Retrograde step - can't have him anyway - hands off!

John Gregory - mad as a bucket - no chance.

Peter Taylor - has experience at international level, albeit U21. Took Gillingham into Div One for the first time in the history of the world. Started well at Leicester and seems to have developed excellent team spirit - got the likes of Lennon and Elliott to commit to the club. Is it too soon for him? Probably, but what about grooming him as a long term successor - use him on a part time basis with some older blerk who can handle the media stuff - Big Ron!!

Big Ron - good for a laugh!

Trevor Francis - a surprise inclusion perhaps but quite tactically astute - too big an ego though - thinks he is owed a living.

Peter Reid - joke.

Bryan Robson - ditto.

Alan Curbishley - one of my favourites from the younger crew. Has done wonders at Charlton with limited resources. Tactically aware and deserves the job if only for stuffing the Mackems at Wembley! Again, might be considered with an older and more experienced guiding hand.

Roy Hodgson - Did well in Italy and with Switzerland so has experience at International level. Decent first season at Blackburn but then lost it. Perhaps not so well suited to the day-to-day grind of club football and needs the greater cerebral challenge of international footie. One the other hand, he might just be totally barking!

Of other British managers:

Taggart - boring old fart who would make everyone, even the English, hate the England team! Wouldn't be allowed to play home matches at OT and intimidate referees (or perhaps he would whilst Wembley is being rebuilt!). Too old, would make sure we didn't qualify for 2002 then beggar off laughing back to Scotland!

Martin O'Neill - outstanding candidate. Has done things the right way by learning his trade at the grass roots. Started at Grantham then worked his way up via Shepshed Charterhouse, Wycombe, Norwich, Leicester to the biggest job in British football where he has achieved instant success. Tendency to have a mental on the touchline provides occasional comedy moments which would be refreshing during international matches.

Mick McCarthy - done a decent job with Ireland (would you have backed England to get points in Holland and Portugal). Gets the best out of limited players (which is what England have at the moment). Speaks with Yorkshire accent so discounted on that alone!

Right - now to the foreigners.

Arsene Wenger. Very nice man who has managed at all points of the compass and knows world football. Has got Arsenal playing in a very attractive and winning style. Media friendly. Tactically astute. Slight problem with the discipline of his players. Wouldn't object to him in the job.

Assorted Italians - Don't want anyone who can't speak English and none of them can so there!

Jean Tigana - doing a brilliant job at Fulham - have you seen them on the telly - playing superb stuff. But if you're going for a younger, less experienced man it may as well be an Englishman. Also, Al Fayad would only release him on the promise of a passport - too big a price to pay!

Aime Jacquet - too old and miserable.

Johann Cruyff - liable to have heart attack at any moment.

Sven Goran Ericsson - superb club record - won as much, if not more than Taggart. Speaks excellent English. Very good tactician. Would not object to him.

There - that should be a long enough short list for you Screacher!

If you want an Englishman I'd have Curbishley or Taylor and put an old head with him.

If you're prepared to go British I'd have O'Neill.

If you want a foreigner I'd go for Wenger or Ericsson.

However, if you want someone who is used to handling a hostile media, stands up to blokes with big egos, would come down hard on any misbehaviour and is as English as roast beef might I suggest Ann Widdecombe!

-- Anonymous, October 15, 2000

Now you're talking sense. Widdecombe? Fair enough!!

Actually, I agree with you on Curbishley or Taylor. The big problem is fining the "old head" to put with them. YBR would fit that role (better than most!) but I wouldn't like it unless it's only part time and I still think it would be (detri)mental. Hodgson has never impressed me. He's done well ootside the British Isles, but not on my list. I think I'd top myself if Gregory got it - same with Francis. I'd rather have Big Ron with a young 'un than either of those two.

But, given the difficulty in getting either AC or PT, as well as finding the "old head", I still come back to El Tel.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Widdecombe?? Teehee!!! Nice one Jacko. (:o)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Jacko,

You said "There a several managers in England who have won more than him (ie. El Tel) at club level".
This is correct but which of them, other then BR, are English?
This is the problem - the only legitimate English candidates are El Tel and BR. It's difficult for me to be objective about BR, but I really do believe he's too old for a long term appointment, which I believe is what we desperately need. However, if say Wenger indicated he would be interested in taking on the job after WC2002, when his Arsenal contract is up, the FA could be very tempted to consider BR in the interim period, ie. through the WC - which could be very interesting to Bobby.
I'm becoming really concerned that in the absence of other contenders they will come to consider an appointment through WC2002. In this situation, if they are not prepared to appoint Vegetables, then BR is the only other feasible alternative.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Why this determination that it must be an Englishman? Surely there is no more English game than cricket yet we have the national team run by a Zimbabwean, because none of the English coaches were any use, and this summer we had our best time for a million years. Why is football different?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Jacko, brilliant stuff, great thread ably abetted by Screacher, couple of points to others, check out the academy scores from time to time, (come back Tre!!), in particular how Crewe fare against the so called big boys who have more resources etc etc, In a way I agree 100% with Jacko in regard to Dario Gradi, but he is not part of the inner establishment of players who go on to make managers. Did anyone on here object when Kev surrounded himself at England level with Arfur and Pedro, no postings to say "Old pals act", was their better staff out there, of course there was, Terry McDermot, prime role at Toon, social convenor at Celtic, wow. the list is endless at most clubs, while the salt of the earth beaver away,keeping there clubs going with limited resources and churn out the players of tomorrow, the best man availible should be picked for the job, from manager to youth team coach. For the England Team Manager, never changed my opinion, Martin O Neil by a country mile with Jim McLean to run media operations, was the interview with the BBC John Barnes not shown down South,? no mention on here, c`mon ITK whats Aunty`s reaction.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Buff. The interview was on TV yesterday (I believe) complete with bleeped out bits. Good "live" TV, straight from the heart.

Sadly, I am coming to think that YBR may well indeed get a second bite at the cherry.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000