The Next England Manager

Right, so Sven is going. Not as soon as many would wish but he will no longer be the England manager after this summers' World Cup finals. No the question becomes "Who's next?"

Obviously speculation has been intense ever since the announcement that Sven was going was made. It will continue to fill column inches until his successor is revealed.

Football England will give it consideration here this one time and then leave it to the FA, except for a few choice words of wisdom from Norbert Wartle and Percy Piranhafish perhaps.

Obviously there has been a widespread clamour that the next man should be English from around the country. I do not go along with this view at all.

This is really just a kneejerk reaction to Sven's spectacular fall from grace in the second half of his term in office and has as much to do with non football reasons as it has with the shortcomings he has also shown in his actual job.

Everybody should also remember that his predecessor, Kevin Keegan, was not only English but a wholehearted, brave, honest, extremely patriotic Englishman. Unfortunately he was also an incompetent international manager.

With the luxury of having almost the whole world to choose from it is important that we simply get the best manager, not the best English one.

If there is little to choose between the leading candidates and one or more of them happen to be English then the choice should undoubtedly be the native. Are there any Englishmen who deserve serious consideration though?

For a long time the leading home grown contender was Steve McClaren but his hopes appear to have dwindled during a season of turmoil at Middlesbrough although you never know. He looks a smarmy type who could well have stroked a few egos at the FA in his time.

It is also still possible that his season could end in better shape than it is now. His side are still in two cup competitions and their FA Cup draw is not the worst.

Plus he will be in Germany in the summer and if things do go well it could count in his favour. Having said that the FA seem to want to make the appointment before then anyway.

Basically we do not want McClaren. His work at Middlesbrough has been fine in general but he does not come across as a tactical genius or particularly charismatic. Plus he has been too close to Sven and surely we would all prefer a clean break after the summer.

The next English candidate, and the one with most support at present it would seem, is Bolton's Sam Allardyce.