June 27th 2010 England 1 – 4 Germany.
The above Catastrophe in South Africa goes beyond one group of players, radical change is needed, as such I present………
My 10 POINT PLAN TO SAVE THE FACE OF THE ENGLISH GAME
1. MAKE THE MOST OF EX PRO’S
The FA should invite the likes of Gareth Southgate, Tony Adams, Stan Collymore, Chris Waddle and Gazza to work with young players and teach them key skills like running with the ball, keeping possession and the craft of wing play. This will allow them to develop their technique and encourage them to think more, making them better at decision making and responsibility taking. (okay maybe not Tony Adams and Gazza)
2. DEVELOP A NATIONAL FOOTBALL CENTRE
For the £50 million-plus that the Football Association has spent on England managers in compensation, wages and pay-offs since 2000, a National Football Centre could have been up and running by now, nurturing home-grown managers, ensuring the FA did not automatically have to look overseas. A national Football Centre would allow England to adopt a more intelligent approach to developing players and coaches, and focusing on conditioning, preventing injuries and sports science. It could be the home of all the national age-group teams, fostering more of a Team England philosophy and continuity between sides.
3. INTRODUCE A WINTER BREAK
Fabio Capello, Sir Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Wayne Rooney can't all be wrong. Uefa research shows that Premier League players are four times more vulnerable to stress fractures in March than those in countries with a winter break. I would suggest a two week break in January and the abolishment of FA Cup replays, this would lose some exciting games but our progress in major tournaments is more important.
4. TAKE RISKS WITH EXCITING PLAYERS
Germany promoted Mesut Ozil, an emerging star at the European Under-21s last summer and now a real star of the 2010 World Cup. Ozil's skilful spin and acceleration away from Gareth Barry summed up the contrast between German vibrancy and English yeomanry. England has always been suspicious of flair players (Matt Le Tissier, Stan Collymore, Andy Hughes) but its to our detriment, give the likes of Joe Cole and Theo Walcott a chance and see what they can do.
5. REASSESS WORLD CUP BASE’S
Get in touch with the real world. Don't isolate England players at tournaments. Fabio Capello was warned his players would get bored and only belatedly did he loosen the shackles. England's most famous win of the past decade came against Germany, 5-1, when they stayed in Munich city centre next to a busy bierkeller. Also allow the WAG’s get involved, they take media attention away from the players and they brighten the camp up.
6. APPOINT MORE FOOTBALL PEOPLE TO THE FA
Shortly after Fernando Hierro retired as a player in 2005 he was made technical director of the Spanish FA, effectively in charge of hiring and firing the national coach, and nurturing the next generations of Xavi, Iniesta, David Villa. The FA needs more leaders like Sir Trevor Brooking and fewer bean counters like Sir Dave Richards.
7. INCREASE GOVERNEMNET INVESTMENT IN PE AT SCHOOL
Government must invest more in PE at school. The motor skills are not there in many youngsters when joining professional clubs at eight. Ask Arsène Wenger. The Arsenal manager increasingly looks at youngsters with African backgrounds because of their athleticism (and desire). Obesity levels are a national disgrace and football is paying the price for damaging state policies.
8. RESTRICT NUMBER OF FOREIGN PLAYERS IN ENGLAND
Fabio Capello is right: too many foreign players in the Premier League reduces the playing time of English youngsters and diminishes the player pool available for the England manager. The Premier League loves to present itself as the world's league but it must acknowledge its roots and duty to England. I suggest a limit of six foreign players in each starting 11.
9. APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL
Sir Dave Richards should travel to Wolfsburg and get on bended knee and beg Steve Mclaren to re join the FA and become the Director of Football. The man is an intellectual coach of outstanding pedigree who was disgracefully let down by the JT / Stevie G/ et al. With his outstanding record of nurturing young talent at Middelsborough he should be left to oversee the transition and promotion of England players at u21 level and ensure there is the correct support and guidance available to them. Out with the old and in with the new, kind of.
10. FLOG WEMBLEY TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER
The FA should make the best of a bad building lot and find a new owner. They should then hire the stadium for England internationals and also take team around the country. The national team belongs to the children of Birkenhead as well as those of Brent. As it currently stands, Wembley is a financial drain on the FA, restricting investment on vital grass-roots initiatives. Sell the white elephant before it kills the Three Lions
Kev
Kev my thoughts on your 10 point plan
ReplyDelete1. Southgate, Adams, Collymore, Waddle, Gazza - There is a reason why these people arent in football anymore, because they havent got a monkeys! While i agree we should make the most of ex pros, these are not the people to lead the country to glory. Beckham, Gary Neville, Ray Wilkins, passionate, leaders among men, not the remnants of the boozer generation.
2. Agreed, if we can emulate the clairefontaine model, then we stand half a chance of producing some quality, but its about the style of coaching. Why not adopt the spanish/brazilian style of the kids playing with a smaller ball until they get a bit older, so we can produce more technical players who have the ability to keep hold of the ball rather than the big hoof!
3. Agreed
4. Joe Cole and Theo Walcott are not the answer to our problems. We should play as a team rather than individuals.
5. The British press are relentless and anything to do with England players is considered newsworthy. Oh look, Gerrards taking a shit, better publish it. I think we did the right thing, taking the players out of the public view.
6. Agreed, less bean counters more football men.
7. With the deficit its unlikely to happen.
8. Agreed, unfortunately, the game is all about money, its not a sport anymore its a business and the pressure to win means buying the best players in the world. While foreign players are exciting, i think we could do without players like ali al-habsi..
9. Bring back the Wally with the Brolley? Your off your rocker mate.
10. Sell the national home of football?? I think you have been drinking throughout the writing of your article and finally reached the bottom of the bottle. I like the idea of moving the games around the country, but only for friendlies.