What has seemed a maelstrom of scandals and fallouts ended last night with the spectacular fall of Fabio Capello from the England football team. The announcement was met by surprise by most, but not heartbreak. For many the move signalled the start of a new era, nicely unveiled in the lead-up to a tournament.
The hot favourite, Harry Redknapp, will have gone to bed yesterday with his head spinning after the most eventful day of his professional life. Beginning with the conclusion of a five-year tax evasion trial and ending with his name thrown in the hat of next England manager, he would have found it hard to put his mind on the Newcastle game on Saturday, but this must be the focus as Tottenham cannot be victims of a media storm.
Tottenham are riding high and will have been looking forward to the weekend as they continue to chase thin hopes of a maiden Premier League title, but the events of yesterday threaten to destabilise the bandwagon, especially if the manager is hounded over England. Redknapp should not find it difficult to focus himself on the job in hand but the fact is this new saga will run till May, meaning he will have plenty to think about for a few months.
It cannot be assumed that the FA will seek Redknapp out, although it is hard to imagine otherwise. The lack of alternatives is palpable, with the list having shortened with the withdrawals of Martin O’Neill and Alan Pardew, who have worked wonders this season with their respective clubs. Stuart Pearce will probably see the team through the friendly with Holland this month, although his lack of experience will likely count against him in the long term.
It has been well publicised that the England team has been blighted with underachievement and ill feeling for way longer than the last two years, with the last time there was genuine hope and excitement over a tournament back in 1996. With the popular and successful Terry Venables in charge this was a time when good feeling and excitement welcomed England games, with the feeling that the players were together and playing to their potential. The 4-1 against Holland was the perfect demonstration of what talent married with harmony can bring, and although the prize was still elusive it came amid what many feel was bad luck, as well as penalties against Germany.
One man who epitomised what playing for England should be about came out with his own views yesterday. In a rare public appearance Paul Gascoigne told Sky that Redknapp should get the job, but should the Spurs boss be unavailable then Venables would be the right choice. Although he has been out of management for some years this would make sense: he has done it before, leaving only due to a series of unresolved court cases, and was very popular with the players.
What Venables and Redknapp both embody is the talent, authority and charisma needed to be a good England manager. These three qualities must be at the top of the criteria list in the FA’s search: who can restore the feel good factor? Focus must be taken away from statistical accomplishments and put on gut instinct. Stuart Pearce does not feel like the right choice in the gut, Redknapp does, and it is likely the FA will hammer the door down at Tottenham to get him. If this becomes too difficult, there is a perfectly good alternative who has tasted the poison chalice, only to emerge unscathed.
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