Saturday 29 April 2006
Sweet FA
The FA couldn't have made more of a dogs dinner of appointing a new England manager if they tried. Discussions with Luiz Felipe Scolari, which were meant to have led to an offer in Portugal Friday night, ended in farce after the Brazilian declared he is withdrawing from the race. (more)
"I don't want anything more to do with England because in the space of two days my life has been invaded and my privacy has been disrupted. As I speak, there are still 20 reporters outside my home. If that's part of another culture, it's not a culture I'm used to." This from a man from a country whose people live and breath the beautiful game.
What has the FA done and what the hell do they do next? Clearly the press leak on Wednesday came as news to the English contingent of candidates and last night's debacle further throws the whole thing into further shambles.
Curbs doesn't get a mention in Saturday's press which states that the FA will turn to either O'Neill, McClaren or Allardyce if Scolari stays true to his words. McClaren mind you didn't seem distracted on Thursday when he led Middlesbrough to a wonderful victory over Steaua Bucharest. And if Arsenal's great achievement in getting to the Champions League final is undermined by the fact they have few English players, Boro's bright young guns should be celebrated.
With Middlesbrough in the final of the UEFA Cup, Wigan reaching the Carling Cup final, the Hammers in the FA Cup final and Bolton and Blackburn challenging for a European place, it just shows what a touch of ambition, risk and luck can do.
According to reports last night Chris Coleman looks to have snatched Jimmy Bullard from Wigan for £2.5m. Just the player we are looking for in my opinion but clearly Coleman is far more organised for next season than Curbishley, who was busy this week retrieving Kevin Lisbie back from Derby. Maybe the kit-man has gone down sick or something?
Some good news from the club in the latter part of this week is that Luke Young is still on course to be back for the final game at Old Trafford next Sunday, a day before the England squad is announced. Ex-Bristol City player and manager Brian Tinnion has been appointed head of the Addicks Spanish soccer school. ¶ 14:01
"I don't want anything more to do with England because in the space of two days my life has been invaded and my privacy has been disrupted. As I speak, there are still 20 reporters outside my home. If that's part of another culture, it's not a culture I'm used to." This from a man from a country whose people live and breath the beautiful game.
What has the FA done and what the hell do they do next? Clearly the press leak on Wednesday came as news to the English contingent of candidates and last night's debacle further throws the whole thing into further shambles.
Curbs doesn't get a mention in Saturday's press which states that the FA will turn to either O'Neill, McClaren or Allardyce if Scolari stays true to his words. McClaren mind you didn't seem distracted on Thursday when he led Middlesbrough to a wonderful victory over Steaua Bucharest. And if Arsenal's great achievement in getting to the Champions League final is undermined by the fact they have few English players, Boro's bright young guns should be celebrated.
With Middlesbrough in the final of the UEFA Cup, Wigan reaching the Carling Cup final, the Hammers in the FA Cup final and Bolton and Blackburn challenging for a European place, it just shows what a touch of ambition, risk and luck can do.
According to reports last night Chris Coleman looks to have snatched Jimmy Bullard from Wigan for £2.5m. Just the player we are looking for in my opinion but clearly Coleman is far more organised for next season than Curbishley, who was busy this week retrieving Kevin Lisbie back from Derby. Maybe the kit-man has gone down sick or something?
Some good news from the club in the latter part of this week is that Luke Young is still on course to be back for the final game at Old Trafford next Sunday, a day before the England squad is announced. Ex-Bristol City player and manager Brian Tinnion has been appointed head of the Addicks Spanish soccer school. ¶ 14:01
