Bobby Robson is today the hot favourite to replace Kevin Keegan in charge of England after he was reportedly sighted leaving
the Soccer All Stars headquarters in London.
Robson, who resigned from his England post following World Cup '90, is currently assistant to Joe Carfton at Coventry City. He has stated in the past that he would love to return to the England fold, but this was before he joined the Sky Blues before the start of Season One, where he is reportedly relishing his new role.
No statements have been made by anyone involved, but the Coventry City's
Joe Carfton's recent public outburst could be an ominous sign. This would be Robson's final managerial swansong, and a perfect way to top off a wonderful career. However, given Robson's age, many would see the imminent appointment as a stopgap, and a sign of real urgency to stop the current rot that is English soccer as a whole. In realism he would only be able to offer a season or two to full time management, and many feel that the nation needs more stability in terms of it's national manager. The bottom line however is that Bobby Robson is a top quality manager and can revive
England's flagging fortunes.
The Sky Blues' of course will be extremely reluctant to lose one of their main men, and will be seeking a healthy compensation package, which the Soccer All Stars
Executive Board will not struggle to come up with, having taken millions through fines, most notably the £26m handed out to Derby County recently. The manager at Coventry city Joe Carfton was also a candidate for the job, but with his blotted track record he may not be the kind of personality that the Executive Board are looking for.
Carfton, who disagreed with the SAS
Board's move to release Kevin Keegan from his contract labelled it
the "Wrong decision" and insisting that he was happy in
his current managerial role at the club. However, despite
his public statement showing his loyalties to Coventry City, the
Sky Blues boss couldn't help but try and move the attention off
Bobby Robson by singling out Tottenham Hotspur manager Brian
Thompson as the man to lead England's challenge. He
said: "If anyone should get the job, it should be Brian
Thompson."
When asked about the situation
regarding Bobby Robson and whether the Board approached his Chief
Scout, he simply replied: "Well it's up to him" but was
quick to point out that Robson was "under contract" and
that the pair had a "great working relationship."
This continued speculation that the
Executive Board maybe tempted into assigning a double act into the
National side, with Carfton & Robson being a massive
possibility. Despite Carfton's reluctance to want to manage
the England team, Robson's love affair with his country maybe too
much for him to turn down.
Last season the famous P & P
show, consisting of Jeet Padaruth and Stuart Pearce of Derby
County took them to the title and could also be among candidates.
The names being mentioned amongst the Soccer All Stars managers is that of Wimbledon's Alain Borl, who has said he would be tempted by a shot at international management. Brian Thompson of Tottenham is another name being touted, but has yet to comment on any possible appointment.
The pressure on the new manager, whoever he maybe, will be immense. The talent that the country
possesses as a footballing nation cannot be doubted, but the ability to get
them playing as a unit must be seriously doubted. Many have tried and promised so much, yet failed, despite flourishing in their club management careers, yet failed miserably on the international stage.
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audience. The newspaper here at Soccer All Stars is the first place
to publish all the big news stories as they happen as well as
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