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Chelsea's Loss Is England's Gain
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22/10/07
It now looks inevitable that if England fail to qualify for Euro 2008 (a 7/4 shot with Totesport) then Steve McClaren is left facing the sack.
He was only appointed in the first place because the FA ran out of options and he has never won over the press and general public. So, once he is gone who do the FA turn to?
The general favourite for the job is Jose Mourinho with Stan James holding the best price of 9/2. He seems the perfect choice, popular with the fans, proven track record and available for work since leaving Chelsea. The only possible thing standing in his way appears to be his desire to manage Portugal.
Next in the betting is Martin ONeill, as short as 9/2 with Bet365, he is best price 8/1 with Paddy Power. Aston Villa owner Randy Lerner has said he wont stand in ONeills way should England want him and he is likely to be high on any shortlist. If Mourinho does not get the job then ONeill is the logical choice.
Luis Scolari who seemed to be on the brink of becoming manager after the World Cup is next best in the betting, best price 12/1 with Coral. You have to think that whatever caused the change in his mind last time is still going to be a lingering doubt so he is passed over.
Of the remainder, Stuart Pearce has yet to achieve anything of note as a manager, Sam Allardyce obviously is not fancied by the FA having been easily passed over following his most recent interview for the job, and Guus Hiddink has already ruled himself out of the job having been the one largely responsible for Englands qualification problems.
One interesting outsider is MK Dons manager Paul Ince who is a 100/1 shot with Coral. He may not have managed anywhere near the top flight but has worked wonders at both Macclesfield and MK Dons. The job will probably come round too quickly for him this time, but if he continues progressing as he is it may be inevitable that he one day becomes the England boss.
Back Jose Mourinho to be next permanent England Manager @ 9/2 with Stan James |
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