O/T U21 European Championship

[Mumorn]

I'd love Illaramendi, but I'd be really surprised if he left. He'd be out of our price range anyways, but this is the type of player we should be looking at. With Spain's financial difficulties, I'm surprised we haven't bought more Spanish players...

I agree.

Players are brought up differently in Spain (pass and move ethos) we should be looking at a lot of younger type players who are either at clubs who are poor financially (Athletic Bilbao, Betis etc) but are extremely talented, or simply try and see if Barcelona or Madrid have some players they don't think will ever make the grade but are extremely talented, I mean how many times have Real Madrid got rid of players who are talented and tried to or signed them back? (Soldado, Mata, Granero, Garcia)

 

[Libero]

I have to say that I have never been impressed with Pearce as a manager. I think he has attempted to re-invent his personality to tailor it to management by comparison to his playing style. Sort of a polar opposite to Roy Keane who managed as he played which worked out badly too. It would appear that a slight change is required form how you were as a player when entering management but not changing at all or overhauling your personality completely in an attempt to modernise doesn't work.

I think ultimately as Manager, Pearce will have to carry the can but he has had mitigating circumstances what with the numerous selection issues surrounding players from U-21s to the Full squad. His interview after the Israel defeat was more than fair enough, the players do have to come out and accept that they know what they should be doing and once they cross the white line it is down to them to carry out what has been asked. It seemed to me that as a squad they failed to carry anything out they might have been asked properly.

If the FA are serious about a culture of change within the game from grass roots up then they will let Pearce walk at the end of his contract and get Glenn Hoddle in with the U-21s. I think he has had enough time out of the game now since he left us to have grown and learnt from his experiences. Technically and tactically he is one of the best coaches out there, a point that plenty of players would back up. The one thing that he needs to have changed is his inter-personal skills. If he has calmed down a bit in that regard then to my mind it is criminal if we don't try and utilise him in a scenario where he can have major influence without anywhere near the amount of spotlight his previous appointments have put him under.

 

[clownfoot]

I think Hoddle would be a great appointment, but this is on the BBC website

Glenn Hoddle says he would not take the England Under-21 job unless the Football Association allows the country's best young players to compete at major international tournaments. Stuart Pearce's future as coach is in doubt after his team failed to win a single point at the ongoing 2013 European Championship.

After watching his team make an early exit in Israel, Pearce bemoaned the fact the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Phil Jones and Jack Rodwell were not available because they were involved in the senior team's friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

"It wouldn't [interest me] unless they changed the rules," Hoddle, who has been linked with the England Under-21 role, told talkSPORT. "Why would anyone be interested when you are taking your weapon away, when your better players aren't going to be there with you? It's like a boxer going in to the ring with one arm tied behind his back."

 

[Baleforce]

hang on, if the FA are gonna swallow their pride, admit their mistake and welcome him back into the fold why not give him back the job he was wrongly removed from in the first place

 

[Dicko]

Whatever happened to Hoddles academy in Spain? I seem to remember something like they actually became a club and joined the 2nd or 3rd division?
Did it just die out or is it still going? I always thought they were doing a good thing getting all them young released players back into clubs.

 

[Mumorn]

Whatever happened to Hoddles academy in Spain? I seem to remember something like they actually became a club and joined the 2nd or 3rd division?
Did it just die out or is it still going? I always thought they were doing a good thing getting all them young released players back into clubs.

Still going strong. Watford actually had a Scottish player on loan from Granada last season called Anya who was a member of the academy and Hoddle helped get him a contract at Granada. He looked pretty good

 

[Libero]

hang on, if the FA are gonna swallow their pride, admit their mistake and welcome him back into the fold why not give him back the job he was wrongly removed from in the first place

Because firstly, a vacancy for that position is unlikely to be forthcoming just a year after the incumbent was appointed. Secondly, one step at a time. I think to re employ Hoddle would be a big thing anyway and will no doubt receive plenty of press. Multiply that 10 fold if it was the main job and at this point I don't think Hoddle is ready to go back in at the deep end. He would be best in that position with the U-21s, cultivating youngsters and out of the immediate limelight.

 

[THFC6061]

UEFA President Takes Heart from Under-21 Finals

Tuesday 18 June 2013, 11.36CET

UEFA President Michel Platini said the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship was "exactly the type of tournament that I like to see" as he looked ahead to tonight's final in Jerusalem.

UEFA President Michel Platini has been reflecting on what he termed "a fantastic tournament", even before tonight's UEFA Under-21 Championship final between Spain and Italy in Jerusalem.

Over 145,000 people have attended the 14 matches in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Netanya and Petah Tikva so far with around 30,000 expected to attend tonight's final, and the UEFA President praised the organisation of the event.

Mr Platini said: "I can say that the organisation of the championship has been fantastic and everyone involved delivered brilliant football. It is true that these players are tomorrow's superstars and I am very happy that this young generation – based on what I have seen here – all play beautifully.

"The stadiums were wonderful and well organised, the pitches excellent, and the atmosphere in the stadiums was great with many families with young children attending. That is exactly the type of tournament that I like to see."

The UEFA President paid tribute to all who had made the tournament a success. He said: "The co-operation between UEFA and the Israel Football Association was fantastic and everything went very smoothly and, as I said previously, the four stadiums are superb. I also would like to thank the 450 volunteers that were here.

"Everybody here in Israel can be very proud of hosting this EURO Under-21 championship. I know that all who visited here and took part were really surprised by the quality of the pitches in particular and that is the most critical thing for football, the players and also for the spectators."

Regarding the final itself, the UEFA President said: "Based on what I have seen in the semi-finals there is one team that is a little more of a favourite than the other but, at the same time, there is nothing to lose for Italy and they can give it their all. Nothing is certain before the game and we will have to wait and see."

UEFA Under-21 Championships 1978 to Israel 2013

 

[Jordinho]

Henry Winter @henrywinter 9m

Gareth Southgate is the leading candidate for the #eng Under-21s job now that Stuart Pearce has gone.

 

[Hootnow]

Henry Winter @henrywinter 9m

Gareth Southgate is the leading candidate for the #eng Under-21s job now that Stuart Pearce has gone.

Oh dear.

 

[Huddy]

Henry Winter @henrywinter 9m

Gareth Southgate is the leading candidate for the #eng Under-21s job now that Stuart Pearce has gone.

It doesn't get any better does it, another yes man. Southgate didn't exactly cover himself in glory in his short stint as a manager, how the hell do the F.A think he'll be able to do any better than Pearce.

 

[Mumorn]

U21 Final.

1-3 Spain at Half Time. Thiago with a hattrick.

 

[T-C]

It doesn't get any better does it, another yes man. Southgate didn't exactly cover himself in glory in his short stint as a manager, how the hell do the F.A think he'll be able to do any better than Pearce.

Surely what is needed is a 'yes man'? Someone who work with the coaches from the other teams, the senior team manager, Dan Ashworth etc?

As others have pointed out in this thread, Pearce was too focused on grinding out results rather than working in the interest of the overall setup. Southgate would seem an odd choice, but I have no idea whether he is a good coach.

 

[Danners9]

Surely what is needed is a 'yes man'? Someone who work with the coaches from the other teams, the senior team manager, Dan Ashworth etc?

As others have pointed out in this thread, Pearce was too focused on grinding out results rather than working in the interest of the overall setup. Southgate would seem an odd choice, but I have no idea whether he is a good coach.

That's not the implication. The view of a 'yes man' is an inoffensive, dull, FA suit - like Trevor Brooking.

Working with clubs would be ideal, working with the FA to sort out some kind of programme for football below the senior level would be good (actually give it some importance), and having a coach to teach the players something would also be good. The U21s doesn't need a full-time manager, in fact I am convinced that no international sides need a full-time manager. Southgate hasn't managed for 4yrs and has been working at ITV where, no doubt, he's become dumber as a result. It would be hard to resist the inane dribblings of Chiles and Townsend after a while.

A coach who sees potential and watches games would be great, not just picks players based on reputation. Whether that's Southgate or not, might be.. who knows. Someone with a background in youth development and youth coaching, such as Hoddle or even the ex Man Utd coach Meulensteen - recently rejected by Wigan in favour of Owen Coyle (sigh), otherwise it's just replacing one dud with another.

 

[T-C]

That's not the implication. The view of a 'yes man' is an inoffensive, dull, FA suit - like Trevor Brooking.

Working with clubs would be ideal, working with the FA to sort out some kind of programme for football below the senior level would be good (actually give it some importance), and having a coach to teach the players something would also be good. The U21s doesn't need a full-time manager, in fact I am convinced that no international sides need a full-time manager. Southgate hasn't managed for 4yrs and has been working at ITV where, no doubt, he's become dumber as a result. It would be hard to resist the inane dribblings of Chiles and Townsend after a while.

A coach who sees potential and watches games would be great, not just picks players based on reputation. Whether that's Southgate or not, might be.. who knows. Someone with a background in youth development and youth coaching, such as Hoddle or even the ex Man Utd coach Meulensteen - recently rejected by Wigan in favour of Owen Coyle (sigh), otherwise it's just replacing one dud with another.

A friend knows Trevor Brooking's brother (bizarrely looks and talks like him), and as a result I've actually met Trevor at a couple of events. The guy is actually very charismatic in a social environment, is ridiculously passionate about football, and even without other people raising the subject, talked about nothing else. Having been hosted in corporate hospitality at a number of clubs, I've never met any ex player who had as many relevant view on modern football. So I still don't get exactly what you're saying re 'yes' men. Unless you simply mean part of the establishment rather than someone new? I don't think media profile is relevant.

Southgate hasn't managed for 4 years, but people are seriously suggesting Hoddle? He's been very vocal in the press, saying a lot of very sensible things, but what is his great record in youth development that other less profile people don't have? Coaches like Noel Blake and Peter Taylor have much better records with young players and are already part of the FA's coaching structure.

Working with clubs, working with the rest of the England setup is what I assume has already started to happen with Hodgson and Ashcroft coming in. Pearce seemed to be one of the old guard who they were waiting to move on.

 

[Danners9]

A friend knows Trevor Brooking's brother (bizarrely looks and talks like him), and as a result I've actually met Trevor at a couple of events. The guy is actually very charismatic in a social environment, is ridiculously passionate about football, and even without other people raising the subject, talked about nothing else. Having been hosted in corporate hospitality at a number of clubs, I've never met any ex player who had as many relevant view on modern football. So I still don't get exactly what you're saying re 'yes' men. Unless you simply mean part of the establishment rather than someone new? I don't think media profile is relevant.

Southgate hasn't managed for 4 years, but people are seriously suggesting Hoddle? He's been very vocal in the press, saying a lot of very sensible things, but what is his great record in youth development that other less profile people don't have? Coaches like Noel Blake and Peter Taylor have much better records with young players and are already part of the FA's coaching structure.

Working with clubs, working with the rest of the England setup is what I assume has already started to happen with Hodgson and Ashcroft coming in. Pearce seemed to be one of the old guard who they were waiting to move on.

I didn't know that about Brooking, he comes across as dull whenever you see him in public so it's hard to imagine him as anything other than a handshaker. I never said anything about media profile. I think you do get the idea of a yes man, actually. A safe option like Hodgson, doesn't appear to offer anything new or innovative, just a man in a corporate suit who does what he is told. Whether he is or not, I don't know but perception is a strong tool.

The media folk are suggesting Hoddle based on his comments during the tournament coverage. His coaching abilities have been championed by players like Rio Ferdinand recently. Whether he has the personality to make a good coach anymore (or ever, really) is not something any of us really know, but at least he has some ideas that appear to be missing from the current set up. Noel Blake is U19 Manager, perhaps the progression should begin at lower levels and allow coaches to move up like the players do.

Pearce had been there 6yrs, they could have pulled the trigger after the last poor tournament.

 

[T-C]

I didn't know that about Brooking, he comes across as dull whenever you see him in public so it's hard to imagine him as anything other than a handshaker. I never said anything about media profile. I think you do get the idea of a yes man, actually. A safe option like Hodgson, doesn't appear to offer anything new or innovative, just a man in a corporate suit who does what he is told. Whether he is or not, I don't know but perception is a strong tool.

The media folk are suggesting Hoddle based on his comments during the tournament coverage. His coaching abilities have been championed by players like Rio Ferdinand recently. Whether he has the personality to make a good coach anymore (or ever, really) is not something any of us really know, but at least he has some ideas that appear to be missing from the current set up. Noel Blake is U19 Manager, perhaps the progression should begin at lower levels and allow coaches to move up like the players do.

Pearce had been there 6yrs, they could have pulled the trigger after the last poor tournament.

Pearce was rated by Capello and was part of his coaching team, so there wasn't any way that he would have been removed in 2011.

When I said media profile, I meant both those like Hoddle who have fairly regular exposure as pundits but also people who the media tend to pick out as the 'best things since...' every so often. I honestly believe that this country has plenty of good young coaches, but that they either don't get the attention or the priority of winning means that their ideas aren't carried through to first teams.

Should someone like Noel Blake be moved through the age groups or should it be recognised that he does at great job at that age group, while the FA look for coaches who are particular specialists at working with players at other ages? In another thread there was a question about Alex Inglethorpe moving to coach Liverpool's U21s vs. our younger age groups. Was it a promotion? Did they simply offer him more money? With the focus on the new system of ratings for academies is it going to harder for the FA to entice top youth coaches away from the top clubs? Those clubs will almost certainly be able to offer more money.

Lots more questions than answers.

You're right that public perception or the way someone is portrayed/edited is a powerful tool. Re: Hodgson, who would you perceive is telling him what to do? Until John Terry the FA didn't force any decisions on Capello, and the England team isn't picked by committee anymore. Personally I see Hodgson as safe, a holding manager while the development structure and St. Georges Park get sorted out. Good for the long-term, painful for the next few years.

The problem is that the FA need money and commercial revenues are increasingly difficult to maintain. They need a successful England team to attract sponsorship, which also means they always have to play up the team's chances.

 

[Jordinho]

Phil Neville feels England's struggles on the international stage are down to youngsters not being 'battle-hardened'.

 

[THFC6061]

Phil Neville feels England's struggles on the international stage are down to youngsters not being 'battle-hardened'.

I fail to see how serving a tour of duty with the British Army in Afghanistan will help England's U-21 players to match the Spanish (or anyone else, for that matter).

 

[a spur from swansea]

Perhaps the under 21's should watch the final of the rugby world cup under 20's,involving england and wales on sunday,both sides won against new zealand and south africa in their respective semi final games,their commitment was second to none,no tiredness there after a long season.

As a rule if you give players an excuse they will use it.