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England’s Hot Seat

Comment: 0 February 14th, 2012 by: admin
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The England national football team have always been a strong squad with a lot of talent and experience to match. Unfortunately, their lack of success has always been scrutinized, and their approach to the game has been described as lacklustre and mechanical.

They have gone through many trials and controversies that some people think they deserve a break. But a break is given to those who deserve it. If anything, the squad have lounged on way given too many chances without any positive returns.

Their quest for glory isn’t only about football. These men carry on their backs the faith of their supporters. The repeated disappointments have their fans calling out for a lasting change everyone desperately craves for.

Enter, Harry Redknapp?

EMPTY PROMISES

When former boss Fabio Capello took the helm for the Three Lions in 2007, so much was expected. They were under a successful manager who was known to develop teams into championship calibre. Being able to manager great teams like AC Milan and Real Madrid, Capello seemed like the perfect match for the squad. He was a great tactician who knew the game from all angles.

Unfortunately, the underachieving squad still produced the same results. After great performances in the qualifying stages of the 2010 World Cup, where they won all but one match, they again showed signs of instability. In the group stages, they drew their opening games against the United States and Algeria – squads they were supposed to beat with ease.

Though the squad ultimately progressed, they were convincingly booted out by Germany in a 1-4 defeat in the group stages. This ended their hopes for another run and placed another stamp on their already damaged reputation.

UNTIMELY CONTROVERSY

Late last year, England and Chelsea skipper John Terry was placed under fire after alleged racial slurs to Queens Park Rangers’ Anton Ferdinand. This led to Terry being placed under investigation and eventually being stripped off the captain’s armband for the international team.

Some people see it as a fitting decision because a captain is supposed to embody what a squad and a country represent – pride and loyalty. While Terry is yet to be given a verdict, the issue itself dampens the already lukewarm reception that people have with the Three Lions.

Contradicting the crowd reaction, Capello vocally stood by his captain – saying that he shouldn’t be suffering the fate he was being given. He believed that it was unjust that Terry had been stripped –Capello resigned from his managerial position.

He left with him a team which was in disarray – without a leader during a crucial stage in international football.

THE WORTHY ONE

As soon as the Italian manager stepped down, speculations on who would be the worthy replacement immediately surfaced. People had their own opinions on who is the perfect person, and players even made suggestions. There were a few names thrown in the conversations such as Roy Hodgson, Mick McCarthy and even Martin O’Neill. One name stands out, Harry Redknapp.

Currently the Tottenham Hotspur boss, the Englishman was already the target to replace Capello even before all the controversy began. No one thought that it would come this soon, though.

Even players like Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney offered their two cents in the matter – they wanted Redknapp to lead the squad because he is capable. Plus, having a manager of the same nationality would greatly help in motivating the squad.

IMPRESSIVE RESUME

Redknapp has the credentials to turn a disappointing team into a legitimate threat in the Premier League. Since taking over the position in Tottenham, he has turned the squad into an overnight success. In his first full season with the Lilywhites, he immediately helped them reach the finals in the League Cup, only falling to champions Manchester United via penalty kicks.

Currently, the Spurs boss is enjoying success with the club. They are still in the running for the FA Cup, in the 5th stage against Stevenage. They are also sitting 3rd in the Premier League, only seven points behind league leaders Manchester City and 10 clear of 4th place Arsenal.

Redknapp also seems to be in the clear with issues off the pitch. He was recently charged with tax evasion and placing his money in an off-shore account – the case has been dismissed and the Englishman’s reputation has been kept intact.

Though he has not won in the top league of the country he’s in, unlike Capello who won in Italy’s Serie A, the progression he’s made for the clubs he’s managed speaks volumes.

THE DIFFERENCE

Most managers know the tactics of each club, and they make minor changes in order to give it a personal touch that they can apply in their respective teams, Redknapp has something that his predecessor didn’t: passion.

He is simply passionate about the game and wants to show it to his players. This means that the players on his squad have the fires lit from underneath them to perform. This important factor has been missing in the performance of the national team in the last World Cup.

The Englishman is also desperate to succeed and learns how to take risks to achieve it. Redknapp is not afraid to switch up players and line-ups as needed as long as the whole outfit get the expected result: a win.

Redknapp wants to achieve so much but remembers that the fun shouldn’t be taken out of the game. This was something Capello couldn’t connect to with the players. When he axed Terry of the captaincy after the Wayne Bridge affair, things quickly went in disarray. Since he’s also had his share of controversy, Redknapp knows how to understand his fellow countrymen and have the best resolution possible.

No one else can offer what Redknapp has on the table for England. Whether he admits it or not, he is the rightful heir to the throne. The task may be difficult, but he is the only person who can do the job.

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