England U19's in good hands

[Ted Hughes]

As a spin off to the 'Talkshite' topic, this little Gem came up whilst discussing England's problems & all the usual solutions like mid season breaks blah blah;

Mickey Quinn: "Just laughing at Blakey there (Noel Blake), great to see him etc etc.. He was a player of very limited technical ability but great lad etc etc.." "All Blakey used to do was HEAD IT as far as he can or BOOT IT it as far as he can, just used to KICK people......... anyway HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE ENGLAND U19'S"

He didn't even see the fucking problem with that statement.

Some caller pulled him up on it, answer: "no he's worked very hard doing his coaching badges, he's learning as he goes along.."

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

I might be missing the point here but honestly, I'm not sure whether it really matters what manager was like as a player. Some had limited technical ability and did what they could and their teams might still play decent football (as a manager). I don't think I need to point out millions of examples about exact opposite.

Personally I'm not sure whether you need to have glorious footballing career to make it as a manager. In fact many top managers were average at best. I think that left them with right kind of attitude and hunger for success. You know, every time I hear former player starting their management career saying 'it's next best thing to playing', I immediately know they are going to fail. I'm certain the top managers in the world think management as the best thing. I can't remember the exact words but Clough once said something about player being a mere mortal and manager being a god. As a former top player, I'm sure he said in jest but I think that's the kind of attitude that breeds top managers. Not, 'I went into management because couldn't think anything else to do'.

[BobKowalski]

I might be missing the point here but honestly, I'm not sure whether it really matters what manager was like as a player. Some had limited technical ability and did what they could and their teams might still play decent football (as a manager). I don't think I need to point out millions of examples about exact opposite.

Personally I'm not sure whether you need to have glorious footballing career to make it as a manager. In fact many top managers were average at best. I think that left them with right kind of attitude and hunger for success. You know, every time I hear former player starting their management career saying 'it's next best thing to playing', I immediately know they are going to fail. I'm certain the top managers in the world think management as the best thing. I can't remember the exact words but Clough once said something about player being a mere mortal and manager being a god. As a former top player, I'm sure he said in jest but I think that's the kind of attitude that breeds top managers. Not, 'I went into management because couldn't think anything else to do'.

I agree that a players ability is in no way a guide to his ability as a coach or manager. But in light of our glaring technical and tactical failings at international level and talk of producing a new generation the inference that we have some 'lump it long' merchant in charge of the U-19's does not inspire confidence. Neither does the fact that guy in charge is still wearing his coaching 'L' plates make it any better.

What is even more telling is that a radio station primarily dedicated to 'sport' doesn't even see a problem with this. Admittedly I use the words 'radio' 'dedicated' and 'sport' in the widest possible way.

[Ted Hughes]

I might be missing the point here but honestly, I'm not sure whether it really matters what manager was like as a player. Some had limited technical ability and did what they could and their teams might still play decent football (as a manager). I don't think I need to point out millions of examples about exact opposite.

Personally I'm not sure whether you need to have glorious footballing career to make it as a manager. In fact many top managers were average at best. I think that left them with right kind of attitude and hunger for success. You know, every time I hear former player starting their management career saying 'it's next best thing to playing', I immediately know they are going to fail. I'm certain the top managers in the world think management as the best thing. I can't remember the exact words but Clough once said something about player being a mere mortal and manager being a god. As a former top player, I'm sure he said in jest but I think that's the kind of attitude that breeds top managers. Not, 'I went into management because couldn't think anything else to do'.

Because in the capacity of U19's manager, he is in effect a coach, not a manager in the true sense of the word. If the kids are any good, what the fuck is he going to teach them? What can he possibly be bringing to the England set up? Why is he being given the opportunity to learn his trade in charge of the supposed players who we want to win us the World Cup in the future? Why haven't we got the best person in the world working in that job?

I believe the whole reason we don't produce the number of quality players we should is because our system is full of characters like this at junior, club & international level.