Four months to go, no manager, no Captain…..ENGLAND are in Trouble!

David Bernstein, FA Chairman speaks to the media as MD of Club England Adrian Bevington looks on during a press.

A major tournament in four months and England are not only devoid of a captain, but also a manager. The 3 Lions haven’t really lived up to their billing at a major tournament since they won it in 1966 but undoubtedly they are always amongst the favourites because of the individual talent they possess on the pitch. Yet, no manager has been able to establish a chemistry that completely utilizes all those talents. Therefore, the job has been described as the “impossible job”. The main factors owing to the difficulty of the job include, the constant conflict between club and country to release players for international duty mounted with the length of the English season resulting in fatigue of many players before major tournaments. Whether British or not, the next manager is surely going to face the same problems as the rest have had to suffer through.

CAPELLO’S 4-YEAR REIGN (2008-2012)

(G-42, W-28, D-8, L-6)

Shortly after Steve McClaren’s failure to take England to the UEFA Euro 2008, Fabio Capello was selected as the new man to lead England from the front. Warmly welcomed by the English fans, England won their first game against Switzerland, 2-1. From then on, Capello’s journey of highs and lows commenced. The best moments including a friendly win over rivals Germany away from home and two demolitions of Croatia, 4-1 away and 5-1 at home. The worst moments include pretty much the entire World Cup 2010, which saw the 3 Lions manage just a single victory against Slovenia and a proper beating at the hands of a German team comprised mainly of youngsters. Ever since the poor show at the World Cup, England never really had any convincing displays of football, regardless of the result. The team lacked a certain element or vibe that is required to set them from the rest. Personally, I feel the team never really understood his style of managing, a foreign man teaching a foreign principle in a foreign language pretty much sums up the love affair. Surprising as it may sound, Capello holds the record for the best win percentage than any of his predecessors with 66.7%; having won 28 of the 42 he led England. Now, his resignation leaves England in a very vulnerable position.

As tradition has it, the FA will sit down and appoint the new England manager after much deliberations. They will look to pick up the pieces following Capello’s resignation. The prospect of restoring a British manager remains bold all around the country for sure but the FA have made it clear that it is not guaranteed an Englishman will succeed, however Harry Redknapp remains as a favourite to take over the reigns.