Soccerphile Editorial - February 2012
Redknapp's the favourite but Pearce is a better choice
The England manager's job is the poisoned chalice of world football. Some jobs, at clubs like Barcelona or Real Madrid, may carry a higher profile. Others such as those in the sack-happy Gulf are carried out in tougher environments. Still others afford less chance of success in countries that can only dream of winning a World Cup. But no job carries as much risk as taking on the England manger's role.
When Fabio Capello did just that in December 2007, he was described by many in the English press as the man who would end England's decades-long run without a major piece of silverware. After all, the Italian had brought success to Milan, Roma and Juventus in his homeland and to Real Madrid in Spain and many believed the experienced tactician could do the same for England.
Having missed out on qualification for Euro 2008, Capello's first real taste of competitive football didn't come until two years later at the World Cup in South Africa. It was a disaster from start to finish. After stripping John Terry of the captaincy for his involvement in a tabloid scandal, Capello appointed Rio Ferdinand - who was promptly injured and forced to withdraw from the squad. England were no better on the pitch, drawing with the United States and Algeria before scraping into the Round of 16 with an insipid victory over Slovenia. Germany the crushed England 4-1.
Far from transforming England, Capello had been found out for the unimaginative, tactically-limited manager he was. His man-management was poor, leading to media speculation about squad revolts. His tactics were labelled outdated, as Germany in particular taught England a footballing lesson. And his inability to learn fluent English was blasted in the press, who chided the 65-year-old for this failure primarily due to the size of his impressive salary.
Thus there were few tears when Capello resigned from his England post in February. The prolific Terry had once again been stripped of the captaincy by the Football Association over a racism row, and having not been consulted about the decision, Capello made it clear his position was suddenly untenable. London's Fleet Street press had a field day, bidding Capello Arryverdici as they feverishly waved the flag for their chosen successor, Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp.
And so the cycle begins again. Redknapp, barely hours earlier in court facing charges of tax evasion, of which he was found not guilty, was abruptly deemed the man to restore glory to the Three Lions. His credentials consist largely of employing an attacking brand of football at Spurs and being English. They are much the same credentials the last English coach to manage England, Steve McClaren, also had. His reign ended when England failed to qualify for a major championship, Euro 2008, for the first time in 14 years.
What seems to hinder English football in its quest to stay competitive at the top of the international football tree is an emphasis on short-term gain. Sir Trevor Brooking, the former England international who now works tirelessly trying to bring about coaching changes at grassroots level, has long argued tactical re-education is key to success at international level. But Brooking's pleas seem to fall largely on deaf ears and no sooner is one England manager dispatched than another is annointed the obvious choice to win trophies.
Stuart Pearce has since been appointed England's caretaker manager until a full-time replacement is named. Some critics believe the 49-year-old is a better choice to lead England, partly because of his success with England's under-21 side and partly because he was involved with the senior team under Capello's regime. But surely as important are the tactical strides Pearce has made since stepping up to the managerial level. The former England left-back is renowned as one of the more cerebral managers in the English game and has been lauded for his tactical proficiency since joining the England set-up.
That's unlikely to see Pearce installed as favourite to take over the role instead of Redknapp, with England's parochial press having already backed their preferred candidate. It may be to the detriment of English football, for while the 64-year-old Redknapp is the popular choice, he's unlikely to bring about the tactical advancements required for England to compete at the highest level. And that could be a problem for a side that can barely compete with Algeria and Slovenia, let alone the likes of Spain and Germany.
John Terry Loses England Captaincy
Buy tickets for soccer matches around the world