The Home of English Football -- FA

[Theo9902]

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[Theo9902]

LONDON, April 27 (Reuters) - FA chief executive Brian Barwick returned from Lisbon on Thursday, saying he had been interviewing Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari about the job of next England manager.


Barwick told reporters at Heathrow Airport: 'I think it is well evidenced now that we were in Lisbon speaking to Luiz Felipe Scolari as part of the process of recruiting the next coach and that process continues.'

When he arrived later at FA headquarters in London he said the process was continuing 'apace.'

Barwick had flown out on Wednesday for the talks, having got permission from the Portuguese soccer federation to talk to Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning coach.

England are looking to replace their first foreign manager, Sweden's Sven-Goran Eriksson, who will step down after the World Cup. Scolari's contract with Portugal expires after the finals in Germany.

The 57-year-old coach, who led Brazil to their 2002 World Cup triumph and took Portugal to the final of Euro 2004, knocking out England on both occasions, has become a surprise front-runner.

Englishmen Steve McClaren, Alan Curbishley and Sam Allardyce, along with Martin O'Neill of Northern Ireland, were early favourites.

Should the talks in Lisbon bear fruit, a decision to appoint Scolari would still need to be rubber-stamped by the FA Board, who are due to meet next Thursday.

A proven winner with a wealth of international experience, and reported to be offered an annual salary of 3.0 million pounds ($5.35 million), saving the FA two million pounds a year on Eriksson's estimated wages, Scolari's appointment would still cause some controversy.

The man known back in Brazil as 'Big Phil' would not be welcomed by those who want a home-grown candidate to take over from Eriksson.

The tone was already being struck on Thursday by Howard Wilkinson, chairman of the League Managers Association and a former caretaker England manager.

'Everybody talks well of him but I think in the long term it sends out the wrong messages from the Football Association to English coaches and I think the ramifications of that will be seen in the years ahead,' Wilkinson told Sky Sports.

'The Football Association has a responsibility to do what it thinks is in the best interests of English football... It's my opinion that this is not or would not be.'

Scolari has no doubts about his ability or his interest in the job.

In a recent interview with the BBC, the Brazilian said: 'I am a good coach and I am doing a very good job in Portugal.

'The national team in Portugal is maybe better than before. I know I am a good coach. I am a man of the world. I have worked in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Brazil and now I work in Portugal. I am happy in any country.'

Asked if he would like the England job, Scolari said: 'I (would) like the job, yes. But I know if I want to coach the English national team I need to learn the language more and I need to know more about the national team job.'

Scolari had been 16-1 in betting on who would succeed Eriksson but the odds were slashed to 5-2 on Monday after weekend media reports strongly linking him with the job.

A poll running on the BBC website with over 73,500 votes cast on Thursday asking whether Scolari was the right man for the job showed 65 percent in favour.

In Portugal, Carlos Godinho, technical secretary of the Portuguese Football Federation, said: 'Officially, I have no knowledge of the presence in Portugal of an English soccer representative to talk with Mr Scolari.'

He added that federation chairman Gilberto Madail had repeatedly said there was a 'gentleman's agreement' between the federation and Scolari that the issue of whether he stayed on in Portugal would only be dealt with after the World Cup finals.

[Theo9902]

Luiz Felipe Scolari has been characterised as a ruthless disciplinarian whose controversial decisions have brought success and a reputation as one of the best coaches in football.

Scolari - affectionately known as Big Phil - has the perfect credentials to take Portugal into this summer's World Cup in Germany after leading his homeland Brazil to the prize four years ago in Japan.

He was therefore an obvious choice for Portuguese Football Federation president Gilberto Madail to lead the host nation's campaign in Euro 2004 and in leading his adopted country to runners-up spot - the first time Portugal have reached a major final - he has laid the foundations for another tilt at glory.

Scolari has proven in the past he does not respect reputations.

When he took the Brazil job at a time when the country was in real danger of not qualifying for the World Cup for the first time, he immediately cast out the likes of Romario, Edmundo and Mario Jardel. All were prolific scorers who were reported to have a busy nightlife.

'I make the decisions about the players I want in my squads,' he said.

His decisions have been no less controversial since joining Portugal and he has never selected Joao Pinto, who won two youth World Cups in 1989 or 1991.

Scolari has angered many Porto fans by constantly refusing to select goalkeeper Vitor Baia, roundly considered as the best in Portugal.

His decision to call up Brazilian-born Deco rankled with some but Scolari quickly silenced dissent in the ranks when he said anyone who disagreed with his choices should say so to his face and would then be welcome to leave the national team.

Scolari's debut with Portugal had something of a fairytale ending as Deco scored the winner in the last major match ever played at Porto's old Estadio das Antas - against Brazil.

Scolari, whose military bearing has earned him the nickname of `sargentao' (sergeant major), showed once again how he will not shirk from taking a major decision when Euro 2004 got under way.

A 2-1 defeat at the hands of Greece in their opening game - at the time few imagined Greece would go on and win the tournament - was an awful start for the hosts.

The coach immediately made sweeping changes as Ricardo Carvalho, Deco and Miguel replaced Fernando Couto, Manuel Rui Costa and Paulo Ferreira.

The changes paid dividends and Portugal marched on to the final only to fall at the final hurdle with the Greeks once again proving the nemesis of Scolari and his team.

World Cup qualifying saw a younger-looking team qualify in impressive fashion in a tough group where Russia, Slovakia, Estonia, Latvia and Liechtenstein supplied the opposition.

When the draw was made in Leipzig in December, Scolari made no attempt to hide his delight as the Portuguese were handed a relatively easy group that includes Mexico, Iran and Angola.

His blunt responses are seen as endearing by some, and he will not hesitate to give a stupid question an abrupt reply.

When asked by English journalists to compare Wayne Rooney to Pele during Euro 2004 he said: 'Well one's white and the other's black.'

However, he does have a softer side. He is a father of two children and is deeply religious, although it is something he prefers to keep private.

He will not predict whether Portugal can emulate his Brazil side of four years ago but would only say: 'If we go out in the first round then I may be considered to have failed.'

[Theo9902]

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Liverpool v West Ham United

The FA Cup Final
3pm, Saturday 13 May 2006
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Winning club receives £1,000,000

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[Theo9902]

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[Theo9902]

Portugal's Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed he was approached by England's Football Association about managing their national side but says he has received no offer. Asked if a decision had been made regarding the England manager's job, Scolari said: "Nothing. The coach has still notbeen chosen.'

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[Aquatic Planet]

wah, very entertaining to read these news. Kinda lazy to go to link websites...keke:p :D

[Theo9902]

then I will help to post some more interesting new since I got at least one reader now. :D

wah, very entertaining to read these news. Kinda lazy to go to link websites...keke:p :D

[Theo9902]

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Sven-Goran Eriksson insists he would give Steve McClaren his full backing if, as expected, the Football Association announce today he is to be the next England manager. The FA are expected to bring an end to a long and painful saga by confirming McClaren's appointment following a board meeting in London.

[Aquatic Planet]

Info Only :
Thursday May 4, 11:35 PM
McClaren named new England boss - Steve McClaren will be the next England manager, the Football Association said on Thursday.

The Middlesbrough manager will take over when Sven-Goran Eriksson steps down after the World Cup finals in Germany.

McClaren's appointment comes six days after Luiz Felipe Scolari, the FA's first choice to succeed Eriksson, pulled out of the running because of media intrusion. McClaren was 45 on Wednesday and is Eriksson's assistant.

"This is the biggest honour that any coach can have and is obviously the highlight of my career," said McClaren, who has signed a four-year contract from August 1, taking him up to the 2010 World Cup.

"It's a massive challenge and one that I welcome. I have hugely enjoyed my time at Middlesbrough and am very grateful to the club. However, this was an opportunity I couldn't refuse."

Eriksson said: "I have worked closely with Steve ever since I came to England and know how good a coach he is. He is well-liked and well-respected by the players and staff.

"I have no doubt that he has all the credentials to be very successful in the job and wish him all the best."

McClaren secured the top job after seeing off English coaches Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley, plus Northern Irishman Martin O'Neill.

After an undistinguished playing career as a midfielder, McClaren began coaching in the early 1990s at Oxford United.

He moved on to Derby County where he worked under experienced manager Jim Smith and helped the club win promotion to the Premier League in 1996.

IMPROVING REPUTATION

McClaren, his reputation growing fast, was then lured to Manchester United as Alex Ferguson's deputy and helped the club win the treble of European Cup, Premier League and FA Cup in 1999.

While at United, following Kevin Keegan's resignation as England manager in 2000, McClaren joined forces with Peter Taylor in temporary charge of the national team.

In March 2001, United refused to allow him to continue with England and later that year he was appointed Middlesbrough's manager in succession to Bryan Robson.

"Steve has a knowledge of that (England) staff and of the players so I hope he does well because it's not an easy job," Fergsuson said just hours before McClaren's appointment.

"He's always been one who has had visions for developing things. When he was at Derby and I spoke to two or three people who had worked under him they said that he is a very progressive coach and that's what I found with him."

McClaren gave Boro a prolonged period of stability and in 2004 he enjoyed a double boost, returning to the England ranks to assist Eriksson and steering Middlesbrough to success in the League Cup, their first major trophy in 128 years.

McClaren's status was further enhanced when Middlesbrough finished seventh in the league last year, their best finish since 1951 and securing a second successive season in Europe.

This season has been a rollercoaster for McClaren.

A host of injuries to key players and a 7-0 defeat at Arsenal in mid-January left him at rock bottom.

But a 3-0 win over champions Chelsea sparked a spectacular revival in fortunes and the club reached the FA Cup semi-finals and next week's UEFA Cup final against Sevilla.

Boro looked dead and buried early in the second legs of both their quarter- and semi-final in the UEFA Cup before McClaren substituted defenders with attackers and saw his side produce four-goal comebacks in both games to go through.

[Theo9902]

Can he still manage Mee Rebus?

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[Theo9902]

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Sir Alex Ferguson has backed the appointment of his former assistant Steve McClaren as the new England head coach.

It was Ferguson who first exposed McClaren to high-level combat when he plucked him from relative obscurity as Jim Smith's number two at Derby to replace Brian Kidd as the Scot's right-hand man at Old Trafford.

After joining United midway through their historic 1999 treble-winning campaign before going on to be part of two more runaway Premiership title successes, McClaren eventually left - with Ferguson's blessing - to take over from Bryan Robson at Middlesbrough.

During his time at United, McClaren proved himself to be a revolutionary and innovative thinker, impressing Ferguson with his willingness to try out new ideas.

And, while the United boss also claimed Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley also had excellent credentials to replace Sven-Goran Eriksson, on balance, Ferguson feels the Football Association have probably got the right man.

The Scot said: 'I always thought Jock Stein was the perfect example of an international manager, someone who had done it all.

'But England do not have a Jock Stein and probably never will, so you have to look at your best available options.

'Sam Allardyce and Alan Curbishley both have good credentials but I feel this is a good appointment.

'He has always had a vision of how he could develop things and he has always used a lot of technology.

'He is progressive with his ideas and at 45, he is still on the young side of maturity.

'His time at Old Trafford will certainly help when it comes to the goldfish bowl of being England manager.

'He had to deal with top players here as a young coach and that is bound to have helped him.

'I don't know if anyone is ever prepared for the pressure of being England manager. It certainly is not an easy job but I hope he does well.'

Seven days ago, when Ferguson was asked for his opinion on Luiz Felipe Scolari, who at that stage seemed certain to be installed as Eriksson's post-World Cup replacement, the Scot sidestepped the question, insisting he would be willing to work with whoever the new England manager turned out to be.

It now transpires there was a good reason for Ferguson's reluctance to offer a public statement. Not for the first time in his long career, he could not understand what the Football Association were doing.

Ferguson said: 'I didn't say so at the time because you have to support the England manager but I could not see why you should not pick an English coach to manage England.

'Peter Reid made a good comment the other day when he pointed out that to coach in the Premier League you need to spend £7,000 getting a UEFA licence.

'Then, when you have one, you find you cannot manage your country. That seems a bit silly.

'England have a good group of players and a lot of experienced staff. Steve knows all that because he has been part of it.

'He has served a good apprenticeship, at Derby, with us and at Middlesbrough.

'He has won the League Cup and next week, I hope he wins the UEFA Cup as well. I think he is a good choice.'

[Aquatic Planet]

i seriously dun think mcclaren will do a good job, his style of play is so boring and always pumping high balls. No need midfielders

[poseidon]

time will tell bro!:)

[phuture]

he might be a good coach, but not a good manager....dun think he can manage well....doesn't have the calibre for that....worst still may be his career might just end after euro 2008...

[poseidon]

they got no choice,they need an english man:)

[phuture]

i think he's very happy leaving boro....heard his boro players doesn't really like him...a good escape...become national hero! :p

[Theo9902]

national pride? :D

they got no choice,they need an english man:)

[poseidon]

:) national pride? :D

mayb or someone cheaper:)

[Theo9902]

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[Theo9902]

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[Theo9902]

We bring you the answers from England Head Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson after the announcement of his Squad for the World Cup in Germany.


Nick Nantwich: Realistically, considering recent injuries, how far do you think England will get in this world cup?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Well, Nick. I think we will get to the final. I hope to see you there. Thank you to you and to everyone for your support. I hope we can have a summer that we will never forget. Sven.

Jack Romsey: Which team do you think will be the surprise star of the World Cup, like Senegal in 2002?

Sven-Goran ErikssonTheFA.com: Ivory Coast. I saw them in November when they played Italy. They did well. They could upset a lot of teams this summer.

ben london: Hi Sven, do you think we have a better chance of winning this world cup then we did in 2002?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Yes. The squad is better, the team is better. We have more experience. That is far more the case now than 4 years ago.

lutonfan: Hello Sven. Firstly thanks for all you have done for England these past few years. What I want to know is did you ever consider young talented players such as Kevin Nolan, Anton Ferdinand and Curtis Davies?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Yes, I did. Especially Anton Ferdinand as a stand-by player.

ian Dublin: Footy fan in Dublin... Fair play to you Sven, nice to see a risk being taken - the stuff dreams are made out of! Who was the hardest name to leave off the 23. Good luck in Germany

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: From the 23, I would say Jermain Defoe because he was so close and has never done anything wrong for England. And, from the squad as a whole, Shaun Wright Phillips. I always find it hard to leave our people who are expected to be in the squad.

Luke Manchester: How come you have chosen Stewart Downing?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: On his recent form he deserves it Luke. I've seen him play three times recently. In the Semi Final of the UEFA Cup he set up three goals. That impressed me greatly. With all these young players; Downing, Lennon and Walcott it will be good not just for me, but also for them and England in the future for them to come to this World Cup and experience the biggest games in football.

Ian Harrogate: Would you consider a tactical result to avoid meeting certain teams in later knock out matches - Brazil or Germany for example?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: No is the answer. I think it's too dangerous and complicated to start calculating in that way. You can't mess around with winning games in a World Cup. We will try and win every game and see where that takes us.

David Liverpool: Was Robbie Fowler ever near getting into this squad considering his excellent form for Liverpool this season?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: I just felt I had better options and that is why I made the decisions I did.

anand london: Who do you think is a player to watch out for in the world cup, one who is not an England player?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Of course Ronaldinho is number one but also look out for Lionel Messi. I have also been really impressed by Eboue for Arsenal so it'll be interesting to see what kind of World Cup he has.

Simon London: Are there any players you would have liked to take but couldn't due to injury? I'm thinking specifically about Ledley King

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Ledley I spoke to this morning. I told him that if we have any problems with a central defender in the beginning of June, we will find out what his situation is. So, if he is better, he might become an option in those circumstances. He was disappointed but understood. It was simply a case, at this stage, that we didnt need to take a risk on any central defenders as we have so much quality there.

Dan London: When did you first think of including Theo Walcott?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: It's been on my mind for the last one or two months, Dan. I started to look at tapes. I recognised that his pace is fantastic. In the end we thought we'd take a gamble and leave out one defender and put him in. I'm excited to work with him.

Chris Lancashire: Why was Owen Hargreaves selected?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Because, after his injury, he's now played the last 11 matches for Bayern. I went over to see him last week against Stuttgart and he was one of the best on the pitch, playing as a sitting midfielder. He is also versatile.

rudi: What do you think about playing Gerrard behind Owen considering he's good in the air, got great skill and can shoot from anywhere ?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Hi Rudi, it's quite possible. The good thing with Steven is that he can play all over the midfield and as a second striker. It's certainly an option we are thinking about and he's in great form at the moment.

Robert Stakeford: Which formation best suits your squad should Owen and Rooney be unavailable please?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: If that case arises, we have lots of choices. We can continue with 4-4-2, with Crouch up top and one behind. Or we could play 4-3-3 with Crouch alone and two wingers, and we have lots of wingers. Or we could play 4-5-1 with Crouch up top and five midfielders...so we have options!

Max Bolton: as a spurs fan im excited by the inclusion of Aaron Lennon who has been amazing this season. I would have expected Shaun Wright Phillips - what made you choose Lennon over Phillips?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Max, it's a decision on recent form. Lennon in the last two months has improved greatly. I am sorry for Shaun. He's always done well. It is one of those decisions that you have to take.

KRISTIAN London: Like many others, I am not familiar with Theo Walcott, other than being aware of his awesome pace. How would you describe his style of play? Does he like to drift wide and 'sit in the hole' or is he more of a predetory striker in the mould of Owen of Defoe?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: Hi Kristian. I think his best position is in the hole. His style I would say is similar to Henry. He has electric pace which is a huge asset.

Marc London: Why when you admitted after Euro 2004 that taking only 4 strikers was a mistake have you done the same thing again, but this time you have 2 that are not fit?

Sven-Goran Eriksson TheFA.com: It depends who is available Marc. In Euro 2004 we took the best. This time we have 5 strikers, considering Joe Cole is a fantastic second striker.

[Theo9902]

Paul Robinson

David James

Robert Green

[Theo9902]

Gary Neville

Rio Ferdinand

John Terry

Ashley Cole

Sol Campbell

Jamie Carragher

Wayne Bridge

[Theo9902]

David Beckham

Michael Carrick

Frank Lampard

Steven Gerard

Owen Hargreaves

Jermaine Jenas

Stewart Downing

Joe Cole

Aaron Lennon

[Theo9902]

Wayne Rooney

Michael Owen

Peter Crouch

Theo Walcott

[Theo9902]

Scott Carson

Luke Young

Nigel Reo-Coker

Jermain Defoe

Andrew Johnson

[Theo9902]

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[poseidon]

ha what a crazy squad:)

[Theo9902]

becos the head coach is ku ku? :eek:

ha what a crazy squad:)

[Theo9902]

Sven-Goran Eriksson has submitted his 23-man England squad to FIFA for the World Cup finals.


It is a list of the same names Eriksson unveiled last week, with the first 11 numbers going to what is recognised as his first-choice team.

This includes Wayne Rooney, who will wear the number nine shirt even though he is currently out with a broken foot and battling to be fit for the tournament.

Eriksson can still replace injured players up to 24 hours before England's first Group B game against Paraguay, in Frankfurt, on June 10.

Surprise selection Theo Walcott has been handed the number 23 shirt.

Walcott, who is only 17 and yet to play a Premiership game, joined his new international team-mates for the first time today.

Eriksson and his players met to fly from Luton Airport to Portugal where they will spend five days at a training camp.

There were five players missing from the party.

Arsenal duo Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole have stayed with the Gunners because of the Champions League final against Barcelona on Wednesday.

Walcott has been left out of the Arsenal squad by boss Arsene Wenger, who reached an agreement with Eriksson.

Wenger decided the teenager was unlikely to play in the Stade de France because strikers Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Jose Reyes and Robin van Persie were all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Steven Gerrard was also given permission to miss the training camp in the Algarve.

Gerrard suffered bad cramp in Saturday's FA Cup final after a long hard season which started last July for Liverpool in the Champions League first qualifying round.

The midfielder has been given the week off to rest and spend some time with his new daughter.

Skipper David Beckham will join his England team-mates on Wednesday after Real Madrid's final game of the season.

Rooney has stayed in England for intensive treatment on his foot injury with the Manchester United team doctors.

Eriksson does not expect the United striker to join the squad until he is ready to train with a football.

England's World Cup squad and the five stand-by players will train together for the first time on Tuesday.

1 Paul Robinson
2 Gary Neville
3 Ashley Cole
4 Steven Gerrard
5 Rio Ferdinand
6 John Terry
7 David Beckham (captain)
8 Frank Lampard
9 Wayne Rooney
10 Michael Owen
11 Joe Cole
12 Sol Campbell
13 David James
14 Wayne Bridge
15 Jamie Carragher
16 Owen Hargreaves
17 Jermaine Jenas
18 Michael Carrick
19 Aaron Lennon
20 Stewart Downing
21 Peter Crouch
22 Robert Green
23 Theo Walcott

[Theo9902]

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Wayne Rooney's chances of playing a key part in the World Cup have been boosted after England's team doctor Leif Sward claimed the player was making agreat progress. 'Everything points to a perfect recovery. I have the highest hopes for Rooney and the World Cup,' the England medic has revealed.

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[Aquarian]

already posted by me in the World Cup thread, nice photo of the heavily strapped foot though

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Wayne Rooney's chances of playing a key part in the World Cup have been boosted after England's team doctor Leif Sward claimed the player was making agreat progress. 'Everything points to a perfect recovery. I have the highest hopes for Rooney and the World Cup,' the England medic has revealed.

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[Theo9902]

England put an unconvincing opening 45 minutes behind them to comfortably dispose of Hungary in their penultimate World Cup warm-up international, against Hungary at Old Trafford. Second-half goals from Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Peter Crouch gave Sven-Goran Eriksson's side a confidence-boosting 3-1 victory.

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[Theo9902]

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John Terry was named the new captain of England on Thursday. The 25-year-old Chelsea centre-half has succeeded David Beckham as England's skipper following the Real Madrid star's decision to relinquish the armband in the wake of England's World Cup quarter-final defeat on penalties by Portugal last month.

[Aquarian]

Gerrard is appointed the Vice Captain

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John Terry was named the new captain of England on Thursday. The 25-year-old Chelsea centre-half has succeeded David Beckham as England's skipper following the Real Madrid star's decision to relinquish the armband in the wake of England's World Cup quarter-final defeat on penalties by Portugal last month.

[Theo9902]

England 4-0 Greece: Dream start for McClaren

England began a new era under Steve McClaren with a comfortable 4-0 victory over European champions Greece. The new boss was delighted with the display, and singled out Owen Hargreaves for special praise. John Terry, in his first match as captain, was also delighted to start the job in style - and with a goal.



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