It's Round and It's White
Ever since Fabio Capello announced his resignation from the role of England manager on the 9th of February 2012 there has been a lot of speculation as to whether or not there is enough time to find a suitable replacement. As it stands, Tottenham Hotspurs manager Harry Redknapp is the favourite to take over. Should Redknapp decline the position, it is possible that the England team may travel to Poland and Ukraine without a permanent manager.
A new permanent manager would bring some consistency to the England squad; the speculation as to who will take over will cease and the team will be able to concentrate on their football. This would definitely be beneficial to England’s chances. If a new manager is
to be appointed though, it would be better to be sooner rather than later. A new manager will need time to experiment with different players and different tactics. Picking a manager too close to the beginning of the tournament could harm England’s chances of lifting the trophy.
There is also a risk that a new manager could select an almost identical squad to that which failed so miserably in the World Cup two years ago. There are certain names (Gerrard and Lampard being prime examples) that some managers may feel almost obliged to take with them to Euro 2012, when in fact, they are probably passed their best. A new manager will have to be brave, he will have to look for some new names to take the place of the older ones that haven’t done as well for England as they maybe should have.
What are England’s Euro 2012 prospects without a new permanent manager?
In the event that a new manager is not chosen in time for the competition, Stuart Pearce will travel with the team as acting manager. This could be good for England. Pearce has managed the Under 21 team for many years and has a keen eye for talent. He is more likely than any other manager to take a few risks in his squad selection, as can be seen in the squad he has picked for the up-coming friendly against the Netherlands. Lampard has been left out of the squad and a lot of younger players have been picked. The likes of Sturridge, Welbeck and Cleverley have the potential to be great for England at senior level after showing a lot of promise whilst playing in the Under 21’s and also for their clubs.
There is a downside to a new permanent manager not being appointed though; speculation as to who will take the role will continue throughout the tournament. This can be quite off-putting for the players and could unsettle the camp. Although, if the players could ignore the hype surrounding the vacant manager’s position and focus on their football, Stuart Pearce could be the best chance England have of reaching the final at Euro 2012. He has been with the team for a long time and knows the players well. He knows better than anyone what needs to be changed in order to give England the best chance of winning.
Whether a new manager is appointed prior to the tournament or not, it is unlikely that England will win. At the start of a competition they are always expected to do well and yet they rarely come close to those expectations. However, if younger players make it into the squad and gain some vital experience it is possible that we will see a victorious England side within the next few years.
A guest post contributed by Sam Harvey on behalf of Wonga – the payday loan alternative. Take a look at their Facebook page to take part in their fantasy football league and for the chance to win season tickets.
