England – The Future is in our hands

So, the circus surrounding English football continues. Sadly, we live in an era where off the field problems dictate conversation as much as on the field success and it’s often the case that not a day goes by without a new drama being exposed in the tabloids. However, there is one long running drama that could change the footballing blueprint and help our nation secure a long awaited trophy – the England manager’s job.

It is essential that the next manager is popular with the media and fans, as these are the toughest opponents you face when entering a major competition. The media like to stir up as much trouble as they can to sell their papers, and modern day footballers unfortunately give them the bait for this, enabling scandal to arise. At the same time it is crucial for the fans providing a positive environment, because that will only benefit. The squad will always need the support of the nation, sure, but support them in defeat more than victory. This is where teams learn and progress, after a defeat, and if that defeat is a quarter final on penalties (which is likely given our track record) then we need to thank them for their efforts and support them onto future glory.

I know players need to do their bit to be seen as role models and likeable human beings, but the fans can blink first to enable everyone to be in it together. We are going to be English for the rest of our days, there’s no changing allegiance to be had, so accept we’re not good enough yet, and believe that one day we will be good enough. In the last year we have played nine games and remained unbeaten, winning six and drawing three (prior to the Holland defeat), a great return, but we always want more. We want Spanish style football, slick and on the deck. This will only come when we have coached a generation to do so, something that’s now being worked on I am pleased to say.

The new England manager needs to use Euro 2012 as preparation for Brazil 2014. To win a major tournament, we need to plan for it, not hope for it. Players need to play in lots of tournaments and be free to express themselves in these tournaments, without thinking they will be hung, drawn and quartered when touching down at Heathrow after another failed attempt. There is always another chance (as long as Steve McClaren doesn’t get another go at it that is) The experience Theo Walcott has built up has meant he is now producing his most productive season to date. He’s still only 23 remember. Perhaps the shameful World Cup in 2006, where he was an unused part of the squad, has actually benefited him. More and more of our young players need this experience if they are to be successful.

‘Psycho’ certainly has the passion and the commitment, but his last tournament with the u21s last summer wasn’t exactly mind blowing. Having said that, if we are to go with the building process towards future World Cups and Euros (European Championships), then Pearce being in charge this summer would not be the end of the world. Using the tournament as a learning curve, expecting less of the players and allowing them to gain more experience should leave us in good stead for Brazil, where the semi-finals would represent genuine success. I believe that once you have had the glory of a ‘semi-final heartbreak’, that is the time to push yourself to the next level and become a champion, where top players find the mental toughness to succeed. Pearce certainly has motivational and patriotic qualities, there’s no question about that, but will he be able to gain the respect of the big name players? Surely a professional international footballer looks beyond patriotism, and focuses purely on adapting their game to that of the manager’s requirements? The fans in the stands can produce enough passion and patriotism to go round.

So, it’s not for me to go into the pros and cons of all candidates. The FA has currently got it all wrong with the appointment process anyway, leaving England fans in the wilderness and publicly saying that they do not wish to upset any clubs, despite the fact that we have moved into the final quarter of the season. It’s nothing short of a joke. The FA needs to look after England first and foremost, and leave the Premier League to worry about the clubs. This is your country, the height of any Englishman’s career and we, as a nation, need to know whether there is a man with a VERY big decision on his plate.

I believe that man is Harry Redknapp. It’s surely a matter of time before he gets unveiled as the next man to build the hopes of a footballing nation. Tottenham or England, there’s only one answer; he would surely jump at the chance, given the clamor of support for his appointment. Mr Pearce, please steady the ship until the FA makes the right decision and gets ‘Arry in charge. This will be his time to step up and become a champion, not yet, but one day. Your country needs you, get in now and prepare properly for the months and years ahead. The revolution of the inventors of the game begins now.

Debate on twitter @molls28