HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 21: Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann of the United States looks on prior to a 2016 Copa America Centenario Semifinal match against Argentina at NRG Stadium on June 21, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Well, the sporting utopia in England is over after just a couple of days, and as a proud Australian, I say ”not a moment too soon”.
After an embarrassing loss to Iceland at the Euros, swiftly followed by the resignation of Roy Hodgson as manager, one of the most doom-laden jobs in world football is again open.
Will the Football Association go with one of their preferred in house candidates, or are they open to an outsider or a foreigner, in order to replicate the success they saw under Fabio Capello?
Glenn Hoddle
It would take a lot of balls (pun not intended) for the FA to swallow their pride and give Glenn Hoddle another crack at the England job after dismissing him in 1999 for comments about disabled people, but he certainly has the support of strong figures in the game, such as Gary Lineker and Paul Ince, who believe strongly in Hoddle's footballing genius. The main concern is that Hoddle has not actually managed professionally since 2006, and that some of his ideas might be outdated, but surely not as badly as those of Roy Hodgson?
Jurgen Klinsmann
Although this appointment would come as a surprise and would raise many eyebrows around the footballing world, Jurgen Klinsmann is actually the favourite with some bookies to be appointed the next manager of England. Although it would likely have Winston Churchill rolling in his grave, the man who sparked the footballing revolution in both USA and Germany should logically be the ideal choice to do the same in England. An endorsement from his student and current Germany manager Joachim Low that much that has gone right from him since 2006 can be attributed to Klinsmann shows what kind of regard the man is held in around the footballing world.
Eddie Howe
Eddie Howe is one of the brightest young managerial prospects in the world, and this kind of stuff is never lost on the English, who are already keen to throw him to the proverbial wolves as manager of his country. There is little doubting his managerial talent, already having been awarded the inaugural Football League Manager of the Decade award in 2015 after his exploits with Bournemouth, but at age 38, Howe is yet to manage even a “large” club side, let alone one of the most revered footballing nations in the world. Give him a call in 10 or so years.
Harry Redknapp
Harry Redknapp has certainly had plenty to say about the England managerial position over the past few days, including sound bites such as [sic] “Gareth Southgate should not be the next manager of England, “the next manager of England should be younger, but helped by an older head such as me”, and “England won't appoint the right manager”. None of this inspires great confidence that ‘Arry will finally get a crack at the job he has coveted for so long, especially given the fact that he is almost 70. However, the fact is simply that, as popular as he is, this job is not for him. Experienced he may be, but this position has passed him on, both on and off the field.
Sam Allardyce
He has succeeded almost everywhere he's been, in part due to his copious preparation methods and analytical approach to managing, as well as his man management skills. He's not the sexiest candidate, which is what the man himself has accused the Football Association of searching for, but he is no doubt one of the better English candidates going around. He has drawn criticism at times for his perceived long ball tactics, which he has also vehemently denied, and there is certainly a case that he is not up for a job this big, but there Is only one way to find out.