So much has been said about England’s failure in recent weeks, but in the search for a new boss, has anybody considered the coaching team?
I fear that a real trend in modern management is that too often the guy in charge surrounds himself with yes-men, which leaves them thinking they’re always right, and their decision making is spot on.
No manager can always be right, the job is too hard.
In fact, I’d go as far as to say that, in the search for a new man, the FA have to think seriously about splitting the job up in some way.
It’s tough for a manager to do everything, the motivational side, the player preparation and the complex coaching practices, which are required at the highest levels of the game. Impossible, even.
I’m a firm believer – massively so – in leaders who are skilled in man-management and, for me, that is the most important aspect of the job.
Treat players well, get the best out of them, inspire them and they’ll do the job for you, even if they aren’t always at the highest level.
That’s got to be a prerequisite for the next man. When was the last time England had a boss who could really inspire his players and take them to a different level?
Ask me who I rated of all the England managers I played for and I’d probably say none of ’em because they all failed to pick me enough!
Yet, Terry Venables was a great motivator and his man-management skills were excellent.
He was also prepared to let his coaches coach, and listen to them, too – he didn’t always have to be right and didn’t have to do everything.
Kevin Keegan was similar in that respect, though – and I hope I’m not doing him a disservice, his skills in that area were probably greater than his coaching.
I think the next England manager should do the motivational side and still do some coaching, but get a good, strong No.2 who can take some of the strain from that... and tell him how it is.
If you’re a manager, who tries to do everything, then you are putting too much stress and pressure on yourself. I understand there needs to be a focal point at the head of team, but you need right people with you.
You can’t have that if surrounded by yes men. And I’d go further, I’d ensure he used some of the top young coaches in the country to help out in sessions, in get-togethers with players, and in tactical think-tanks.
In some respects, it is the old-school style, where managers are prepared to listen and to delegate to people who could do some of the heavy lifting.
Sir Alex Ferguson certainly did that and it never hurt him.
People say Sam Allardyce has those qualities. I don’t know, I’ve never worked with him and I don’t really know if he’s the sort who wants to do everything or will have a top quality coaching team around him.
I like him, though I won’t say he should be the next England manager just because there’s a clamour for him right now.
He’s done well, he can clearly motivate as he saves sides from relegation, but what has he actually achieved?
I depends what people want and, in fairness, he’s probably the best choice of all the English managers available.
Newcastle and West Ham fans would probably tell you different mind, and, for me, you don’t want the best English manager, you just want the best manager... and the best team.
My choice is not new. I don’t know if Arsene Wenger would take the job, but the FA have the financial clout to make a compelling case.
He’s a top manager, he has been in the Premier League for 20-plus years, he brings out the best in players, has a way of playing that is easy on the eye and he is prepared to adopt modern coaching philosphies.
All right, he over-elaborates at times, but I reckon that, if he went from working 30 times a month to maybe five times a month it would freshen him up.
And there’s no doubt he understands not just English players, but the expectation and demands that comes with English football, which is a massive thing.