Tag Archives: England

Pearce rejects England role

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Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce believes he does not have the experience to take over from Fabio Capello as the hunt for next England manager continues (1/7 Euro 2012 – Group G winner).

Despite the Italian still having just less than two years to see out on his current deal the list of potential candidates to replace him has already begun to take shape.

Capello confirmed last week he would walk away from his role after Euro 2012, stating the need to enjoy his retirement as the reason why he would be quitting.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson, Pearce and David Beckham have all been mentioned in connection with the post, although it could be some time before any of them are even scheduled for an interview with the FA.

Redknapp has already said it would be a tough job to turn down, with the FA likely to favour the 63-year-old and Hodgson given their recent success with English clubs.

Should Redknapp build on his reputation at Tottenham (10/1 British team to progress furthest in Champions League) as one of the top English managers he would appear to be the ideal choice, given the FA has said it wants an Englishman to takeover.

Pearce’s name had also been thrown into the hat given his time under Capello as his assistant, as well as his work with the Under-21s.

The former defender’s time with the Under-21 set-up has seen them reach the final of the European Championships and help bring through the likes of Joe Hart, James Milner and Adam Johnson.

Despite his time in the England set-up, along with the two years he managed Manchester City, Pearce still believes he doesn’t have enough experience to take over from Capello and has effectively ruled himself out of the running.

“If you ask me the question today, I’ve not got the experience to do that job, but it’s very flattering for people to mention my name,” said Pearce.

“It’s an honour to be mentioned. Whether I’ve supported the nation as a player, Under 21 coach, or coach with the first team, it’s a massive honour.

“It’s like all people that get mentioned, I’ve got a lot of things going in my favour – I’ve captained England, played in tournaments and coached Under 21 tournaments. This summer I’ve been to a major tournament as a coach.

“I tick a few boxes, but I’ve not got a thousand matches behind me like the Harry Redknapps and Roy Hodgsons of this world.”

Director of Football Development Trevor Brooking has backed Pearce’s decision to step back from the role, claiming the former England international needs to go back to club management in order to establish himself as a potential candidate for the role.

Brooking gave no indication as to who would take over from Capello but hinted the FA would lean towards a more experienced manager to take the England (9/1 – Euro 2012 outright) helm, effectively ruling out the likes of Beckham and Alan Shearer.

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Gerrard hails stylish England

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Steven Gerrard hailed England’s impressive performance against Switzerland and feels the Three Lions have now gone some way to banishing the memory of their poor World Cup with back-to-back Euro 2012 qualifying wins (England now 9/1 NOT to qualify).

The 4-0 success over Bulgaria at Wembley on Friday was followed up with the 3-1 win in Basel and Gerrard was delighted with the display, saying England “tore their opponents apart” at times.

The abysmal World Cup showing over the summer will soon be forgotten if Capello’s side can continue to play like they did on Tuesday and the stand-in skipper claims the feel-good factor is back in the camp.

Gerrard admitted: “I think all the players who were over in South Africa realised it wasn’t good enough.

“We knew we had to regroup, stick together and try and raise our performance levels. I think over the last two games we’ve certainly done that.”

Many had predicted a tight game in Group G but England, with Adam Johnson, Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and James Milner all starring, were always on top and should have been further in front than 1-0 at half time.

The Liverpool star admitted he was expecting a tough defensive showing from Switzerland, who famously beat world champions Spain in South Africa, but insisted they could not live with England as an attacking force.

“They’ve got a good record, especially at home,” Gerrard added. “Many people were talking about them being hard to score against and hard to beat, but I thought we tore them apart at times.”

England take on Montenegro next in the group, in what could prove a tougher game than originally expected, after they picked up their second win on Tuesday.

Following a 1-0 win over Wales on Friday, the so-called ‘minnows’ also won 1-0 in Bulgaria and will head to Wembley next month in good heart (Montenegro 22/1 to win the group).

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Campbell makes England pitch

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Newcastle defender Sol Campbell admits he still feels he is capable of featuring for England during the qualification campaign for Euro 2012 which starts on Friday night against Bulgaria (England 3/10, draw 4/1, Bulgaria 10/1 – 90 Minutes).

The former Tottenham and Arsenal star has won 73 caps for the Three Lions but the last of them came under former coach Steve McClaren with his form overlooked by Fabio Capello ever since the Italian took charge.

Thirty-six later in September, Campbell thinks he can cut it on the big stage although the likes of John Terry, Matthew Upson, Matthew Dawson, Joleon Lescott and Gary Cahill are ahead of him in the pecking order.

“You go to Italy and defenders and goalkeepers can go on and on and on really,” argued Campbell.

“You can roll the names off of the guys who have played well into their late 30s at international level so I think it sometimes goes down to mentality.

“It doesn’t matter where you are at with your age, if you are fit and you are strong and you are physically there and you want it, then you have got the experience so I think there should be no problem really.”

Campbell’s cause has not been helped by the fact he is yet to pull on a Newcastle shirt in anger so far this season.

He did not join up with the Magpies until late in the summer after leaving Arsenal on a free transfer at the end of last season.

But Campbell had a run out for the Magpies’ second string in midweek as he looks to put himself in contention for the home clash with Ian Holloway’s Blackpool on Saturday September 11.

Chris Hughton’s men have made a solid start to the season since the opening defeat at Manchester United while they are also through to the second round of the Carling Cup (Newcastle 50/1 – Carling Cup Outright).

But the Seasiders have also taken the step up from the Championship in their stride and currently sit in mid-table after three games of the campaign (Blackpool 2/7 – To Be Relegated).

Holloway has signed over 10 players since winning promotion via the play-offs with the likes of Luke Varney, DJ Campbell and David Carney late additions to his squad.

Aussie midfielder Carney and former loan striker Campbell were only confirmed by the club on deadline day and both have made Blackpool?s 23-man Premier League squad which leaves room for two free agents.

Under-21 players can also be selected as they do not need to be declared by a club.

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Capello wrong for England – Mourinho

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Jose Mourinho believes England will never win anything with Fabio Capello as manager as he does not treat the players with respect (England 9/1 to win Euro 2012).

England were tipped for great things at this summer’s World Cup but put in some of the worst displays seen in a long time by the national side at a major championships.

Draws with the USA and Algeria were followed by a narrow 1-0 victory over Slovenia but that only delayed the inevitable as Germany crushed Capello’s men 4-1 to send them packing at the last-16 stage of the tournament.

The Italian tactician has a superb managerial record at club level, having guided Real Madrid to the Spanish title in his two one-year spells at the Bernabeu, while also winning titles at AC Milan, Roma and Juventus, although Juve were later stripped of their titles due to the match-fixing scandal.

Capello is known to be a tough disciplinarian and takes no nonsense from players. Many pundits felt this would be good for the national side, as it is often difficult to gel together players from so many different clubs.

But Mourinho, who won two Premiership titles while in charge at Chelsea, disagrees and feels that England’s problem is that they currently have a manager who is unable to empathise with players who might not agree with his way of thinking (Real Madrid 9/2 to win Champions League).

“The problem is the manager,” the Real Madrid boss told the Daily Mirror. “Capello will not work for England. He has a one-track relationship with players. Ask anyone here at Real Madrid. He can’t change. You cannot go around just shouting at players. They need to feel special.

“It is clear. Capello will not work for England. He does not know the players. They are frightened of him and they can’t play for him.

“For me, it is a mess for England. Players need clear tactics. They cannot be confused about what they have to do. It is the manager’s fault. And it is a big shame.”

Capello’s inability to communicate with his players has been questioned ever since the South African debacle and the veteran manager has been branded a ‘donkey’ by a British tabloid on Wednesday.

He has been given a vote of confidence by the FA and will be in charge for England’s Euro 2012 campaign, starting with two qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland on 3 and 7 September respectively.

Whether or not he is still at the helm at the end of qualification remains to be seen, with England’s fans running out of patience for a return to winning ways and success at a major event.

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Gerrard still upbeat over Capello’s England

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England captain Steven GerrardSteven Gerrard believes England (9/1 to win Euro 2012) can go forward under Fabio Capello, despite their major disappointment at this summer’s World Cup.

Having gone to South Africa as one of the tournament favourites, the Three Lions failed to live up to expectations and crashed out to Germany in the second round.

Capello has made radical changes to the squad for this week’s friendly against Hungary (England 2/7, Draw 4/1, Hungary 11/1 – Match Betting), with a whole host of new faces and younger players being given their chance.

The squad has already seen a number of withdrawals though, with Wes Brown and Paul Robinson announcing their international retirements. This has again put the manager’s position under question.

Responding to the duo’s decisions, Capello stated: “You have to accept what they want to do. I think it’s an honour to be with the national team and to play for England.”

Despite these setbacks, skipper Gerrard believes the Italian still remains the right man for the job and that the players in the squad remain determined to be successful with the national team.

The Liverpool midfielder said: “He (Capello) is a fantastic manager and I still have the utmost confidence in him.”

Gerrard (11/8 to score at anytime v Hungary) accepts that England are likely to be given a ‘mixed reception’ by the home fans on Wednesday, admitting that he would boo the players if he was sat in the stands as a fan.

He added: “We have to take it on the chin. We deserve it. We let them down in the summer.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland striker Darren Bent (20/1 to be 2010/2011 Premier League Top Goalscorer) has pulled out of the squad to face Hungary at Wembley due to injury.

Bent, who missed out on a place at the World Cup, is struggling with a back problem, which forced him to sit out Monday’s training session.

The 26-year-old’s absence means Wayne Rooney is now likely to be partnered by either Carlton Cole of West Ham or Fulham’s Bobby Zamora.

Bent, who scored 24 Premier League goals last season, has been sent back to his club and is a doubt for Sunderland’s opening game with Birmingham on Saturday.

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Gerrard: England must take boos

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England captain Steven GerrardEngland captain Steven Gerrard has admitted that if he was a fan he would boo the side at Wembley when they face Hungary on Wednesday night (England 2/7, draw 4/1, Hungary 11/1).

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the friendly, the Liverpool skipper believes that there will be a mixed reception for the players.

England drew plenty of criticism after the squad failed to live up to the high expectations placed upon them ahead of the World Cup in South Africa this summer.

The Three Lions drew their opening game with the USA after a Robert Green error gifted the underdogs the equaliser.

England then went on to draw with Algeria in an extremely disappointing performance before they scraped past Slovenia 1-0.

The 1966 World Cup winners were then beaten convincingly by Germany in the knockout stages and since that game, the side has come under heavy criticism.

Gerrard has stated that England will have to accept the boos on Wednesday night after a poor World Cup.

He said: “I’m sure there will be boos at times tomorrow night but we have to deal with that, we have to be men and take it on the chin.

“We deserve it. We let them (the fans) down in the summer. So we have to get on with that and hopefully in time we can show them we are a good team, there is a togetherness there and hopefully we can make them happy in the future,” he added.

England boss Fabio Capello was blamed by the media and the fans for not doing better in South Africa.

The Italian was criticised for not playing players like Gerrard in the positions in which they regularly feature for their clubs.

Capello wanted to continue working with the national side and is now looking to build towards the European Championships in 2012 (England 9/1 to win the 2012 European Championships).

Gerrard has stated that he still believes in the manager despite the poor World Cup tournament.

He said: “I’ve got big faith in this manager as I’ve said all along.

“I think it would be very stupid and naïve not to still have that confidence in him moving forward. He’s a fantastic manager.”

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Capello questions England mindset

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Fabio Capello admits he is not sure how to improve the mindset of the England players as he prepares to take on Hungary in a friendly on Wednesday. (Eng 2/7 to beat Hungary)

England were roundly criticised for their performance at the World Cup in South Africa, as they crashed out of the tournament 4-1 to Germany in the last 16.

Steven Gerrard’s men began badly with a woeful performance in a 1-1 draw with the USA and then put in an even worse display against Algeria, before edging into the knock-out phase of the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia.

The thousands of England fans had high hopes of an improvement as the tournament progressed but England were comprehensively outplayed by the Germans and sent home with their tails between their legs.

Capello promised change after hanging onto his job and he has brought in several young players for the national side’s first outing since the World Cup debacle.

The Italian tactician admitted that his players in South Africa were way below their best and he believes it will be hard to alter the thought process of the current crop of players charged with the task of getting the fans back in love with the England side.

“South Africa wasn’t good but we did not play at the same level that we played in qualification,” he said. “When you play a World Cup competition, you have to arrive in really good physical condition.

“We were not so fresh as the games we played before the World Cup. We changed some things but it was not enough.

“Another thing really important thing is the mind of the players. We played not with confidence but with fear. I don’t know what we have to do to improve the mind of the players.”

The veteran manager has had to deal with the international retirements of Wes Brown and Paul Robinson ahead of the Hungary friendly but denied that he has trouble communicating with his players, saying that he accepts their decisions to call time on their international careers.

England will be looking for a solid performance and a resounding victory at Wembley on Wednesday as they look to regain the confidence of the nation ahead of the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.

England face Bulgaria and Switzerland in September before Montenegro arrive for the third qualifying match in October. (England 9/1 to win Euro 2012)

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Zamora hungry for England

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Bobby Zamora and Jack Wilshere are being tipped to make Fabio Capello’s first post-World Cup England squad for Wednesday’s friendly against Hungary (9/1 – Euro 2012 outright).

Fulham striker Zamora (80/1 – Premier League top scorer) was unlucky to miss out on the trip to South Africa, while 18-year-old Wilshere is crossing his fingers as he contemplates a first call-up for the England (2/7  – Group G winner) senior side.

Capello’s squad is certain to feature several changes from the one that flopped at the World Cup, with Emile Heskey having retired from international football.

Zamora is understood to have an excellent chance of featuring at Wembley, having missed out on the plane to South Africa because he required surgery on his Achilles injury.

Wilshere may not be the only Arsenal presence in the squad, with Theo Walcott and Kieran Gibbs coming under the spotlight.

Wilshere was left out of Stuart Pearce’s Under-21 squad to face Uzbekistan, so the midfielder may be elevated to senior ranks following an excellent half-season on loan at Bolton.

There may also be a place for Manchester City’s Adam Johnson, who was left out of the World Cup party but whose standing was boosted by the comparative failure of his club colleague Shaun Wright-Phillips and the other wide-man in South Africa, Aaron Lennon.

Everton’s Phil Jagielka, who might well have been in South Africa but for the serious knee injury that kept him out for 10 months, could fill a spot along with Michael Dawson of Tottenham.

The 27-year-old Everton defender won his first cap against Trinidad & Tobago, two years ago, but has not played since appearing as a substitute in April 2009 in the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine.

The other area where England are down on manpower is goalkeeper.

James’ move to the Championship and Bristol City effectively ended his international career and there must be serious question marks over Robert Green following his howler against the USA in the World Cup.

It means that a battle is now expected between Joe Hart and Ben Foster, who was preferred to the Manchester City keeper for matches against Belarus and Brazil last term, to become Capello’s first-choice.

Jermain Defoe has a slight groin strain and Capello will not call up any players struggling with injury, especially those who were at the World Cup.

John Terry will be included despite leading the dissent against Capello’s regime in South Africa, before backing down when there was little support from his team-mates.

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Raul drops England hint

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Legendary Spanish striker Raul has admitted that he could join a Premier League club this summer after ending his 18-year career-long association with Real Madrid (Evs La Liga Primera Outright).

The 33-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at the Bernabeu before making his debut for Real – where scored 323 goals in 741 games since 1994 – is available on a Bosman free transfer and was linked with a move to German side Schalke (7/1 Bundesliga Outright).

However Raul, who helped Real seal three Champions League triumphs and six Spanish league titles, confirmed that his future is not yet decided and he could still end up at a Premier League club.

Tottenham were linked with a swoop for Raul to spearhead their first foray into the Champions League next term (Spurs 40/1 Outright). However boss Harry Redknapp has dismissed that prospect, claiming his wages would be too high for the north Londoners.

Liverpool and Manchester United have also been mentioned as possible destinations and Raul insists he will make a decision “in a few days”.

“I have had very deep discussions with Schalke but there are other teams that are also interested. My future lies in Germany or England,” he said.

Raul added: “In a few days I will know whether I’ll be going to the Bundesliga [or to England].”

Raul was speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon to confirm his departure from Real Madrid and he described it as a “difficult day”.

He said: “Football has been my life and Real Madrid my home. Together we have lived unique moments.

“I feel like a footballer still and I will keep on playing but I will always be loyal to Real Madrid. I have tried to give everything in my time here.

“A new period starts today. I have been happy at Real Madrid and I will always be willing to help the club in whatever it needs.”

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Rodwell hoping for England call

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Highly-rated Everton youngster Jack Rodwell says he is hoping to improve his goalscoring record next season when he aims to catch the eye of England coach Fabio Capello (Everton 150/1 – Premier League outright).

The 19-year-old has impressed in recent seasons for the Toffees and established himself in the Everton line-up towards the end of the last season.

England coach Capello has been widely tipped to introduce a new generation of stars with many believing Rodwell should be the man the side is built around.

Alongside the Everton youngster, Arsenal pair Kieran Gibbs and Theo Walcott and Manchester City’s Adam Johnson and Joe Hart are all tipped as the players to take England forward to the European Champions in 2012.

Rodwell scored four times for the Toffees last year and says he is hoping that scoring more goals from midfield could be the key to catching Capello’s eye.

Rodwell has been one of the stars of Everton’s recent tour to Australia and opened the goalscoring in their final match against Brisbane Roar.

“It was a nice way to sign off the tour,” said Rodwell. “It was good to get another win and to be on the scoresheet, which is my main aim for next season – to get more goals.

“Any goal counts but obviously it was a bit special to get a goal like that. The top players in the world, the Gerrards and the Kakas, score from long distance and that is something I am aiming to work on in my game. I am still young so hopefully I can keep improving.”

Another England hopeful Leighton Baines also commented that the tour had been a satisfying exercise for his side.

“It was a good tour for us and the teams we have beaten have been of a decent standard,” said Baines.

“We played some decent stuff and there are still plenty of top players to come back. The three victories were good and overall we are pretty pleased.”

Tim Cahill was the only player who played in the World Cup to take part in the tour of his homeland with Steven Pienaar, Tim Howard, Joseph Yobo, Yakubu, Jan Mucha and John Hetinga all due to meet up with the squad in the next few days.

Everton start their Premier League campaign on Saturday 14 August against Blackburn and Rodwell is hoping this will be the season where he becomes a key component in manager David Moyes’ side (Everton 8/5 to beat Blackburn).

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