My call: Barwick is moving quickly to decide
who will be the coach to guide England to the World Cup /
Photo: telegraph.co.uk
Brian Barwick, the chief executive of the Football Association,
is close to concluding his talks with his brains' trust, including Arsene
Wenger at London Colney yesterday, and will then consider their advice
before choosing the "world-class" manager to inspire England.
The five names in the frame are Marcello Lippi, Fabio Capello, Martin
O'Neill, Jose Mourinho and Jurgen Klinsmann. Feelers are understood to
have already gone out. Barwick is working with Sir Trevor Brooking, the
FA's director of technical development, to find the right man to take
England to the 2010 World Cup finals. It is clear that Barwick, who also
talked to Steven Gerrard in the last 24 hours, is moving fast.
Barwick is still under no pressure to appoint quickly, and the mantra
of some within Soho Square is "better the right man in May than the
wrong man in January". However, an FA board meeting is scheduled
for Dec 19 when the chief executive will be expected to deliver some form
of update, perhaps even the identity of his chosen one.
Barwick could sound out his preferred choice, through an
intermediary, before the board meeting, but needs board approval before
offering the job. Lippi's name is being increasingly mentioned around
Soho Square and the mastermind behind Italy's 2006 World Cup success will
come royally approved by Sir Alex Ferguson. Of all the names in the frame,
Lippi is the one coach who fully warrants Barwick's job description of
"world class".
The problem with Lippi, and his highly-regarded compatriot Capello, is
their limited English though this was "not insurmountable",
according to one FA source. Communication and man-management skills are
such essential parts of the job that they would require crash courses
in English.
O'Neill is renowned as the master motivator and was No?1 choice last time
until he slipped up at the interview stage; the FA then went for Luis
Felipe Scolari and ended up with Steve McClaren.
advertisementO'Neill's enduring appetite for the job needs checking as
the Aston Villa manager has publicly talked of his commitment to the Midlands
club.
Mourinho is the fans' and players' favourite yet the FA are wary of the
Portuguese coach's intentions. He has been heavily linked with a move
to a leading club in Spain or Italy and his financial demands are likely
to match, if not exceed, Sven-Goran Eriksson's ?5?million a year while
England coach.
Klinsmann, who guided Germany to the World Cup semi-finals last year,
has also been mentioned as a contender, while Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman
who steered Russia past England to Euro 2008, also has admirers within
Soho Square.
Wenger believes England should be managed by an Englishman but England's
captain, John Terry, has already informed Barwick that he wants Mourinho
as manager.
Terry also believes that, whoever is appointed, England have the personnel
to do well on the road to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. "The
players give you hope," he said. "That's why this World Cup
can't come quick enough."
,
December 07, 2007
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