FIFA 2010 World Cup: Ex-English player Paul Merson expresses Harry Redknapp to be the perfect man for Fabio Capello’s replacement
The rumours are rife among the English media and fans, that there is not much time left in the resignation of the current English football team’s manager Fabio Capello. His dismissive performance against the German team was probably what drove the final nail in his career’s coffin when they managed to produce The Three Lions worst performance in World Cup history against Germany.
Now the predecessor of the English international post Paul Merson has reckoned that the Tottenham Hotspur manager, Harry Redknapp would be the ideal person to take over from Capello after what could politely be expressed as a horrendous 2010 World Cup journey.
Being one of the hot favourites of the tournament it was disappointing to see England face one problem after another as The Three Lions slumped against mediocre teams. Their offence was challenged and halted by the average teams and ultimately they were on the verge of being sent off from the World Cup just in the Group Stages.
The injury issue brought them more bad news. Before the World Cup there star midfielder David Beckham who was dreaming to be the first Englishman to have played in four World Cups was brought down to earth when he ruptured his Achilles tendon and got himself ruled out of the World Cup.
Similarly more accidents like these occurred with the captain of the England team Rio Ferdinand and Ledley King, just to name a few. Though the captain, unlike of the French team, gave full support to the coach he had no comments to advocate him on why had the team’s performance deteriorated and for their slouchy attack. The match against Germany proved that the issue was not contained till their attack. Their defence had been exposed and The Three Lions were in deep trouble.
While talking to media Merson blamed the Italian coach Capello for being the reason behind the English shame. He expressed that his outdated and so called prudent but slow and primitive strategies are what lead the English team down the road. He claimed that it was time for a change at the English managerial post and for that Redknapp is the best choice.
He made his points clear by expressing, “I know the FA are going to meet in a couple of weeks to decide, but I don't see how he can carry on, other than the fact they have to pay him £12 million because of the clause they agreed to take out of his contract”.
Praising Redknapp, Merson the former English player told, “And I know who I would have instead, Harry Redknapp. People will think I am only saying it because I've played for him, but believe me everyone of those players would want to play for him”.
He explained that he be believed that The Three Lions’ players did not need any coaching, they were top-drawer players who knew it all, but they do need belief and confidence and Redknapp would give them that in buckets.
He further expressed adding, “Even though they are top drawer, players still lose confidence and need that; they need to play with the confidence that if they do give the ball away it won't be the end of the world, that they won't get the manager waving his arms around, elbowing Stuart Pearce off the bench”.
Merson was also against having a foreign coach. He admitted, “We're England, we should have an English manager. Albania should have an Albanian manager; it's just common sense. England were not impressive once in four games, not once”.
After the troubling England campaign, Capello may have to resign from his six million pounds a year job. Sources have revealed that Capello met with Club England’s chairman Sir David Richards. After mixed reviews from the Football Association, Capello’s fate with England will be decided in two weeks.
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