The Curse Of Managing England

It's been reported today that the FA have targeted Psycho to be the next U-21 manager after it emerged that the two had a five minute chat where the subject cropped up.

All today's media reports reminded me of the feverish speculation before last year's World Cup when Sven departed. I remember the likes of Curbishley, Pearce, Pardew being touted as the best young English talent before the FA bottled it and played it safe by appointing McClaren.

It's interesting to see that since McClaren's appointment, the other names in the hat have not enjoyed the best of times to put it mildly.

Curbishley parted company with Charlton very soon afterwards, Pearce presided over one of the worst runs City have had in a long while, and Pardew was unceremoniously booted out of Upton Park by the Hammers' new owners. Furthermore, Peter Taylor, who has just stepped down as U-21 coach hasn't exactly had the easiest of times at Palace during his England stewardship.

The signs are clear therefore the Psycho shouldn't touch the U-21 job with a bargepole. It's a poisoned chalice of role and he needs to distance himself from it fast. If he hasn't already realised he's got one hell of a job on his hands at Eastlands already, which requires his full-time and undivided attention.

DON'T DO IT PSYCHO !!!!

Why can't El-Tel do the U-21s anyway.... better still why can't McClaren do the U-21s and Venables the proper England job? Wasn't that why he was brought in ? ;-)