Non West Ham.

[claret50]

What's everyone's thoughts on the appointment of Fabio Capello as the new England manager? his credentials seem good, but as he speaks very little English, I don't think he's the best man for the job, time will tell I suppose.

[west_ham]

There was a bloke being interviewed on SSN this morning, all dressed in England gear and looking quite the partiot, who emphasised his disgust at the appointment.

He claimed it was a disgrace and an insult to the nation and all English managers. Personally he reminded me of a red and white Lord Sutch!! :)

I think he is a good manager and has all the credentials but with the England job that doesn't mean a thing. As long as he does what he is told he will be employed. Too many good managers have tried and failed, or even refused the job, for me to be convinced that another bloke will provide an instant fix just because he is foreign and has had success at club level. Didn't Sven have these credentials?

A bigger concern for me is who will become the next Scotland manager?

[blainehammer]

Nothing will change while our top players are playing 60 games a year and are not always available for England.

Or while Lumplard is playing. Useless git.

[hammermolder]

personally i think it's a good move,frankly, i dont think much of the english managers,it's not the players it's the system,england have been crap for 40 years,something has to change,i would also like to see some younger people on the fa's board,get rid of some of them old relics liveing in the past

[hammer_scout51]

Obviously a good manager but quite frankly i'm disgusted.

[west_ham]

Thinking about this a bit more I have considered the fact that there is a cultural issue here too.

What most England fans want to see (after the team winning of course because that's the English way) is the team perform in an inspiring way with spirit, determination and fortitude. Also to do all this with a sense of British cheer and positivity.

Consider also the fact that the English nation is quite an idiosyncratic and sensitive bunch. We have a go at people for looking at us funny or for walking too close to our personal space. Our natural born sense of fairness and justice leads us toward seeing pushing into a queue as the worst social offense possible.

Bill Bailey provides a good description of the British from an English perspective:

'Whats Britain like?' Well, erm, hmm, its alright. We've got understatement. We have strong prevailing South Westerly winds. 52% of our days are overcast, so as a nation we're infused with a wistful melancholy. But we remain a relentlessly chipper population, prone to mild eccentricity, binge drinking and casual violence.

In order to deal with a bunch of overpaid spoilt brats who would go to bed with the kitchen sink if it put on a tutu, a man needs to understand how to bring out the best from English men and, therefore, understand the culture. He needs to know how to treat men like men and prime them in such a way that he nurtures their British spirit to the forefront of their minds. Before money, fame and status. Be British and play for your country with pride. The team of '66 knew this and the thoughts of their hearts and minds was visible in their body language when they played. Also if you ever watch footage of '66 again notice how proud the fans are to be British and how present the British cheer is amongst them.

The question is simply this. How can we expect a bunch of Italians to know how to do this? Answers on a postcard to...

So I say stop it with this English 'win at any cost' mentality, because the cost could be attractive football and spirit and integrity within the game. Instead take pride in the fact that the British are the only nation to have this particular brand of heart felt pride and spirit, embrace it and take it to the front line with you.

Here endeth the lesson. :rolleyes:

[Footstomper]

The mans a footablling genius; great for the job.

But...

It feels a bit like cheating. Its the England team. The players have to be English. Thats the point. Isnt the manager part of the team?
Oh I know, Sven, and everybody hires managers regardless of their nationality. But it feels wrong.
Frankly I think, under the current rules, we would be stupid to not hire him, but I think the rules should be changed.

[hammer_scout51]

The mans a footablling genius; great for the job.

But...

It feels a bit like cheating. Its the England team. The players have to be English. Thats the point. Isnt the manager part of the team?
Oh I know, Sven, and everybody hires managers regardless of their nationality. But it feels wrong.
Frankly I think, under the current rules, we would be stupid to not hire him, but I think the rules should be changed.

That puts it about right. Its wrong we invented the frigging game. Like our great English traditions we are either giving them away or being overtaken by superior talents.