Roy Hodgson

Insideworldfootball.biz

Fabio Capello’s dig at Wayne Rooney that the England star striker only understands “Scottish” has raised a few hackles. It was in response to comments by Rooney that under Roy Hodgson there are no language problems in the English team.

This has generated much debate about whether a team can perform well unless players and managers share a common language. The Italian (pictured below, second from right), who has been criticised for not learning English, was clearly getting his own back – and, I suspect, also having a joke at Rooney’s expense.

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PlayUp

Lescott and Young celebrate England's opening goal of Euro 2012. Image courtesy of PlayUp

The English, who pride themselves on being a pragmatic nation, always able to assess things calmly and rationally, do lose their heads when it comes to football. And they are in great danger of doing so again at these Euros. Now this may seem a strange thing to say, but bear me out.

The nation goes into this competition in a more subdued frame of mind than at any time since Italia 1990, when English clubs were just getting back into European competition after a five year absence due to the awful events at Heysel. This time round it is not hooliganism, but problems in English football management which has meant going into an international competition under a manager who has been in charge for a mere six weeks. Even for a nation that almost boasts of muddling through, this is a bit much.

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Insideworldfootball.biz

The non-selection of Rio Ferdinand for the Euros now resembles one of those tragedies where you start with one story and end up with something so different you can hardly recognise the starting point. And to think that Rio Ferdinand should be the one who suffers the most collateral damage when he is not even involved in whatever John Terry may or may not have said to his brother Anton.

However, unlike many others in the game, I do not immediately jump to the conclusion that the villain of this piece is Roy Hodgson (pictured below, right). Where the finger must be pointed is not at the England manager, but the FA who have some urgent questions to answer. Why did they give their new manager such a hospital pass? And why have behaved so differently on this issue compared to what happened to Rio himself when he missed a drug test back in 2003.

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Former Holland and AC Milan star who enjoyed great success with both club and country believes the international game is the priority

Evening Standard

Tangerine dream: Ruud Gullit raises the European Championship trophy for Holland in 1988. Image courtesy of Evening Standard

Do not tell Ruud Gullit that winning the Champions League matters more than glory with the national team.

Two years ago, just days before his Inter Milan side were crowned kings of Europe, Jose Mourinho claimed that the Champions League was bigger than the World Cup.

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The double manager of the year tells Mihir Bose about his desire to follow Roy Hodgson, his hopes for next season, his fight to sign thrilling striker Papiss Cisse … and why Joey Barton can’t keep out of trouble

Evening Standard

Alan Pardew. Image courtesy of Evening Standard

Pardew on England

Alan Pardew would like to manage England one day. The 50-year-old is still celebrating the rare double of being named Barclays and League Managers’ Association boss of the season and his pride in bagging the award from his peers ahead of Roberto Mancini is immense. “To be recognised by people who do the job and understand football is fantastic,” he says.

Despite the accolades, the Newcastle manager accepts his CV was not good enough for him to be in the running to succeed Fabio Capello.

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