14Feb

Alan Pardew deserves consideration for England role

by chrisconway

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The news broke shortly after 7.30pm, just under a week ago. After four years, one failed World Cup and countless disappointments off the pitch, Fabio Capello had stepped down as England manager.

Immediately the bookies were floating the odds of those likely to be considered for the role. Harry Redknapp seems not just the bookies favourite, but probably the country’s favourite too and, unlike some previous managers, has the support of the current squad. Other names have been mentioned too. Roy Hodgson, Guus Hiddink and Newcastle United’s Alan Pardew. All four deserve to be tipped for the role for a multitude of reasons.

Hodgson’s managed at international level before, is English and took Fulham FC to the Europa League final before departing for Liverpool FC. Hiddink is a proven winner and has a great track record in football across the globe. Alan Pardew is probably the one name that most think will raise eyebrows. Although he’s since ruled himself out, I think he deserves to be considered purely on the back of what he’s achieved with Newcastle United this season.

Let’s look at his credentials for a moment. He’s English, has managed three different Premier League sides, won an FA Cup runners-up medal with West Ham and then went onto win a Football League trophy with Southampton. Alright, it’s not the Champions League, but he’s proven he can win things and get the best out of sides facing difficult times. He’s also still got years ahead of him, given that he’s only 50 and in relatively good health.

Another point to consider is how many other managers have the man management skills to get a side, who’ve just sold their talisman for £35million and are currently 4-0 down to Arsenal at half-time, back to draw 4-4? Getting Newcastle, on a very small budget, into a position to be challenging for European qualification is no minor task too. Sir Alan Sugar, TV celebrity, businessman and die-hard Spurs fan seems to think Pardew’s deluded to even think he’s in with a shout.

He tweeted: “What a laugh Alan Pardew Newcastle manager rules himself out of England job. Ha ha who was asking? .some people do overestimate themselves”.  It’s worth pointing out the poor grammar and spelling mistakes are Lord Sugar’s.

It’s also worth noting that, compared to Pardew, Harry Redknapp is hardly the bearer of a treasure chest of trophies. He’s won the FA Cup with Portsmouth and was a Carling Cup runner up with Spurs in 2009.  He’s 64 and has recently had an operation to unblock coronary arteries.

Both Pardew and Redknapp play good attacking football and both are capable of getting the best out of teams, but there is a real clamour for Harry to take the job.

Adrian Bevington, Head of Club England, reckons the next manager needs to be someone who offers longevity. “This is a very important moment for us and everyone’s focus is on 2012, recruit a manager, go to Poland and Ukraine and achieve success,” Bevington said.

“However, there is a longer-term strategy to this as well. In two years’ time there is a World Cup in Brazil in 2014, the Euros inFrance in 2016 and then the World Cup in Russia in 2018. As an organisation we need to make sure we have the platform to achieve success.”

Ultimately, the job will probably go to Redknapp, unless he decides he’s happy at Spurs and doesn’t want to change his life too drastically but, there’s a clear message to remember in all this. Success comes with experience and Alan Pardew has plenty of that.

Posted by Newcastle fan Chris Conway

Follow Chris on Twitter @Chris_Conway