In the headlines - Sven's offski - so whose next?

So the Svenster is finally going to leave us after the World Cup. What a farce eh? The highest paid football manager in the world, with about an inch and a half of common sense. But who are the idiots in all of this? Sven? The News of the World? The FA? I personally think that the FA, light years behind The Premiership and the PFA in its thinking, have a lot to answer for. Blimey, old Terry Venables could have opened up a second hand car dealership in Soho Square selling all sorts of dodgy deals and would never have been sacked under this administration.

So rather worryingly it is down to Brian Barwick and the other suits to choose the next England manager. On paper, purely judged on ability (*cough* when has that been a criteria?), the best men for the job in no particular order are probably Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wegner and Guus Hiddink. Arsene has always made it clear he doesn't want it, Guus does want it and Jose's ego would probably fancy it too, although he seems rather too smitten with his own country. How dare he?

However I believe that the FA will bow to public pressure and choose an Englishman. Who will that be? Well, let me tell you:

Sam Allardyce
A bubbly and likeable personality who has been arguably the most successful English manager in recent seasons. Proven ability to deal with big named stars (JJ Okocha, Ivan Campo) as well as managing to get the best out of players of limited ability (Anthony Barness, Kevin Davies). And despite his attitude being considered that of an up and at 'em age, his training methods are very 21st century. However he can be prickly with the media and Bolton's style of play has drawn much criticism. I also think that the Newcastle job will come calling first and he is sensible enough to see that as a stepping stone to bigger things.

Steve McClaren
The most overated manager since David Brent. Fergie's ex-oppo and now Sven's, lest us not forget. In fact he is an English Sven, Faria Alam dalliances aside perhaps? Dour with a personality of a small insect, even the Boro' fans find him passionless. If we are looking for inspiration, then we would have chosen the wrong man. After the recent 7-0 defeat to Arsenal: "I've told the kids they're going to be good players in the future." Bit late by then Steve. Over £50m spent in the transfer market and with only one top half Premiership finish.

Stuart Pearce
He epitomises everything that is good about being a passionate Englishman. Psycho would be a popular choice but not yet. He has only been in charge of 30-odd games and although it hasn't stopped Jurgen Klinsmann or Marco Van Basten, Pearce himself has come out and said the thought of him being the next England manager is "ludicrous." I think I speak for many when I say though that at 42, his time will come.


Paul Jewell
His stock is rising quickly and deservedly so following Wigan's rise and fantastic first Premiership season, but Jewell also suffers from a lack of experience at the top level. His pedigree is not great and nor is his exposure to big-name players but the media have taken to him and we mustn't forget what he did at Bradford too. Like Pearce, another one for the future.


Terry Butcher
A bit of an outside bet. Another player who literally bled for his country - remember the famous headband? Failed miserably in England managing Coventry and Sunderland but like other English managers has had to build a less attractive club up from nothing. In this case Motherwell in the SPL. Butch played under some of the great coaches and is bright and thoughtful. His lack of success in England will go against him though.

Martin O'Neill
Mine and other people's favourite. He has done the small club made good thing (Leicester) and has also taken a huge club (Celtic) with all the pressures that go with that and made that a raging success too. O'Neill has tasted European success and was a hell of a player. Ok, he's not English but he is the best man for the job. Intelligent, thoughtful, funny and liked by the media. Downside? He doesn't need this job now. He has made it perfectly clear that he won't entertain any offer until he nurses his wife back to good health. Even then, I think he is the kind of coach who needs the daily fix of club management.

Alan Curbishley
Not the best candidate, not the best coach but I really do think he will get the job. The bookies and the media are starting to think that way too, and a change in Charlton's fortunes will, I believe, increase the clamour for him to get the biggest job in football. Curbs' has faults, we know that, but others think his shit don't smell. I worry about his tactical acumen, others think he is a genius.

The obvious downsides are no fault of his own. No previous exposure to superstar players (Barnes, DiCanio aside), and because all the top jobs go to foreigners, he has always had to settle for the relative success that he has had at The Valley as opposed to foray's into the Champions League.

Well respected by many of the Premiership's top managers and now with the support of the equally well respected Richard Murray he will have a number of fans in high places when it comes to the vote, particularly if that vote does not include Hiddink, Scolari and O'Neill.

Candid, if not hilarious in front of the camera, his integrity and popularity is just what the FA will be seeking after the Sven era. As a player, as a manager, he has played the game the right way. And with a retentive brain for players and other teams style of play I think he could manage without the day to day grind as long as he was studying games and planning campaigns. Expect Steve Bruce to be named as his part-time number two.

Curbishley for England? I really think it's going to happen.