The Soccer All Stars Executive
Board today addressed the hopes and fears of the nation as they
announced that Bobby Robson was not in the frame to become
the new head coach of England, but admitted that he former England
chief had been in talks. Robson was seen leaving the SAS
headquarters in London late last night, but the Executive Producer
of SAS explained that this was merely a formal meeting.
"Bobby Robson is a highly knowledgeable and respected figure
in English football, but he is not the future of the national
team. He was invited in for discussions over the vacant post, and
we discussed other names to be at the helm - but Bobby's was not
among them." said the SAS supremo.
Names believed to have been discussed include Brian Thompson,
Alain Borl, and Buck Hysen, reportedly unsettled at top flight
Bradford City, but Robson's Coventry City counterpart Joe Carfton
was not included in the list. It is widely accepted that Carfton
has improved The Sky Blues, but not to the extent to tempt the
Executive Board to head-hunt him for the England post. He has
turned a traditionally poor team into a decent team in a widely
thought of poor division, but others, such as Brian Thompson and
Alain Borl, have far stronger cases. Thompson has turned a decent
team into a side of world-beaters, whilst Borl has transformed a
poor Wimbledon side into a team feared throughout SAS.
The main problem for the Executive Board appears to be that of
finding a solution to the fact that both of these men are under
heft contracts at their respective clubs. Although there is little
doubt that they could do a job for England, doubts arise over
their willingness to leave their clubs, and also of their
respective boards to allow them to do so if they so wish.
This has obviously led to the need to look elsewhere. A number of
highly respected managers have recently left the SAS fold, and
there have been calls for Nick Matthews and Longball to be
installed as head of the national team.
It is also widely reported that the powers that be wish to resolve
the situation sooner rather than later, and it could well be that
the new man will be in place by the end of a relatively football
free weekend.
The Exectuve Board have once again
been left criticised by many, after it was revealed that a
friendly against Belgium will take place on Wednesday, with the
new manager, if installed, having very little time to select a
squad and settle into the new position.
It's sparking fears again that some
managers maybe tempted, especially Brian Thompson, to pull their
players out of the squad. Thompson, whose antics caused
friction amongst himself and Kevin Keegan in the past, will no
doubt have to have serious one-to-one conversations with the next
national manager, providing it's not him in the hotseat.
A surprise late candidate for the
position has also seen Spurs number two Sammy McLintock suggested
for the position. Thompson would hate to see his right-hand
man leave the club and break a successful partnership but it's
known that the Scottish man would relish the chance to be in a
number one role.
This has once again led speculation
that SAS are looking for a double act. Just yesterday is was
suggested that either Joe Carfton and Bobby Robson or Jeet
Padaruth and Stuart Pearce could be among the double act
contenders. The other possible double act that's recently
been put forward are the names of Nathan Copeland and Josh Colley
of Aston Villa, who've impressed in their short time together in
Division 4 this season, whilst Borl's assistant Marcelle O'Lippy
also can't be ruled out of the reckoning.
Whatever the decision, the
Executive Board have also made changes to the squad size, allowing
the new manager more flexibility by selecting a squad of 22,
rather than the previous number of 18. This is thought to be
a move to attempt to entice one of the bigger names in.
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