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INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
I listened with dismay this week as English managers and former players criticised the Football Association for appointing Fabio Capello as the next England manager.
The likes of Steve Coppell, Gareth Southgate and even ex Wales boss Mark Hughes say they should have gone for an English man for the International hot seat.
Southgate who certainly didn't shower himself in glory when wearing the white shirt said " I don't think an England team should be coached by anyone other than an English man."
This coming from a player who says he loved playing under Swede Sven Goran Eriksson.
Coppell, currently boss of Reading said "I am sad. I am a proud English manager and would have loved an Englishman to have been in charge."
If Coppell was so worried then many will wonder why he didn't apply for the job himself then.
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
Come back Glen Hoddle, all is forgiven!
That was the call from former
While such a call won't be echoed by all it shows exactly how desperate the England National set-up has become.
The 3-2 home defeat at the hands of
Not only did the result send shockwaves throughout European football but the woeful display by the millionaire players left many fans fuming and asking do these players have any pride in their nation or are they more concerned about their lucrative club careers?
Now the FA have to begin looking for a new national manager to turn their fortunes around with the likes of former Real
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL - EURO 2008 QUALIFIERS
It's back on the streets of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Gretna - that buzz, that electric feeling that comes when one of the small nations in international football stands on the brink of greatness.
Scotland were thought to have no chance of qualification for next year's European Championships when they were drawn in a group containing Italy, France and the Ukraine.
But now they know that victory in their last game against Italy will send them through to Austria and Switzerland and ignite one hell of a party throughout the country.
Make no mistake about it, Scotland are within touching distance of making only the third Euro Championships in their history because they deserve it.
They defeated France 1-0 bought home and away and bar a disappointing defeat in Georgia last month have been in sensational form.
Scottish manager Alex McLeish who succeeded Walter Smith midway through the campaign believes his charges can do the impossible and defeat the world champions.
He said " Italy are beatable, theres no doubt we can do this."
However its worth noting that if Scotland draw with Italy then they can still make it to the Euros if the Ukraine beat France on November 21st in Kiev.
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL - EURO 2008 QUALIFIERS
England's chances of qualifying for next years European Championships hang by a thread.
If Russia take all points from Tel Aviv tomorrow against Israel then it's 99.9 % certain that they and not England will be travelling to Austria and Switzerland next year.
But despite the fact that Israel are expected to field a number of previously uncapped players for the clash, England manager Steve McClaren says he's still confident that his side will make it to the Championships.
He said today " I fully expect us to have qualified for the campaign. There is still a long way to go and a lot of events to unfold."
His optimism isn't shared by England football fans though who have been critical of their under achieving side.
England dropped points drawing 0-0 with Macedonia at home early in the campaign. This was followed by a 2-0 defeat away to Croatia in Zagreb.
When they faced Israel in Tel Aviv in March all England could manage was another 0-0 draw
Steve McClaren's side picked themselves up after that result winning all of their following games until they reached Moscow last month.
Having led 1-0 for most of that game England finally went down by 2-1 to Russia leaving them in this difficult situation.
INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL
By 8pm on Saturday evening Steve McClaren and his England squad will know if they are still in with a chance to qualify for next year's European Championships or not.
Should Russia take all three points off Israel in Tel Aviv then it's almost certainly curtains for England even though they and Russia will have one game each remaining.
Should the worst happen then it's inevitable that critics of Sven's 'right hand man' will be calling for his resignation.
While few would jump to doggedly and enthusiastically defend McClaren he's certainly not a hated figure in the same way predecessors such as Graham Taylor were for example.
So should he go if England don't make it to Austria and Switzerland? We want to hear your views. Please contact our sports blog by posting a comment.
