If money that large is being offered then it should go to a more high profile candidate, but I doubt it will. It makes you wonder what Pearce earns at the FA these days...
Just looked about this centre on youtube and the first thing I noticed was the the size of all the training pitches, they are all full size. No other credible European nation still trains it's youth on full size pitches, except us. Maybe they should rename this 'hoofball and run training centre', because I think the FA have got it all wrong, as usual.
Some good pictures of St George's park - http://www.thefa.com/St-Georges-Park/SiteImages/Site-Gallery
still see youth sized pitches at top club academies and small sided games are still useful in training
Interesting that Southgate has left the FA. I didn't see that coming tbh, thought he might stick around until St. George's opens atleast. http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/NewsAndFeatures/2012/gareth-southgate-statement-200712.aspx
I'd be surprised if he does return to management so soon. He will continue as an ITV pundit though. Now he is out of the running to be the new Technical Director it certainly makes you wonder who the FA will appoint.
All that crap from Brooking about how important that role was and Southgate was just doing a part time job covering for Brooking and now he leaves.
Dan Ashworth is the favourite to be the director now does anyone know anything about him? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/jul/20/gareth-southgate-leaves-fa-role
When Hodgson was still manager at WBA he recommended Ashworth to be a candidate during a press conference. There is this article that was released yesterday in the Independant regarding Southgate's departure and the Technical Director position: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...avoid-joining-the-blazer-brigade-7962451.html It's interesting what's said at the end of the article by the supposed FA insider regarding the TD position - "not as many people want it as you might think".
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/west-bromwich-albion-fc/2012/09/04/dan-ashworth’s-fa-future-hit-by-doubt/ Appears to be another bad move by Brooking & co.
I don't even get his excuse for not wanting someone now. They wanted Southgate who had limited experience in the role anyway and when he says he's not ready they scrap it? Makes no sense from start to finish.
Exactly, as soon as soon as Southgate leaves the FA for some reason there is no longer any need for a Technical Director. It's completly farcical to not have a real TD for a centre like St. George's Park, this just makes us look a bit amateurish. I think Brooking just wants to have as much control as possible. It's a shame because St. George's Park needs to have the best personnel availible. Ashworth would be a great TD for this new Centre.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...le-overseeing-future-of-English-football.html Shame it is going to take until next season for his appointment. It's nice to he has sought guarantees on the definiton of his role and the overall control he will have.
Ashworth looks a great choice, young English and good experience in a similar role. Sign of Hodgson having more influence than Brooking? That would be a welcome thing, long past time for 'Sir' Trev to get the boot.
Hodgson tipped Ashworth for the job when he was managing WBA so it wouldn't surprise me if Hodgson had some input into his appointment. He is clearly the best English option around, it's just a shame he can't get started straight away.