A controversial new contender has been named for the England U21 manager’s job, and it’s certainly causing a stir over on Twitter.
Manager Aidy Boothroyd was axed two weeks after his side’s Euros group stage exit, how he managed to keep the role for so long is anyone’s guess.
The former experienced Football League boss, whose contract was set to expire in the summer, moves on from the Young Lions after seven years with the Football Association.
Boothroyd’s Young Lions finished at the bottom of their group at the U21s Euros last month, losing to Portugal and Switzerland before winning against Croatia in their final match.
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
Sol Campbell has since emerged as a leading contender for the England Under 21 job after becoming one of a list of of managers to apply, reports claim.
Campbell, who won 73 England caps, pulled off a miracle great escape by keeping Macclesfield Town in League Two in the 2018/19 season.
However, he resigned due to the ongoing issues at the club, and he then failed to repeat those heroics in an ill-fated spell with Southend, another badly run club, which ended in relegation to England’s fourth tier last season before they also had the R placed next to their name a few weeks ago, confirming they will be in the National League for the next campaign.
The Football Association are looking to appoint coaches who have come up through the system or been involved at St George’s Park – with there being an immediate connection between the Three Lions boss and Sol are playing together internationally.
The current favourite is still Justin Cochrane, sitting at 11/4, whilst Lee Carsley is at 3/1 and then the ex-Gunners player comes in as third favourite according to Sky Bet at 7/2.
Cochrane is a highly-rated coach and is well-known to the FA’s new technical director John McDermott, the man behind the decision whether to sack Boothroyd or not – having previously worked with him at Premier League outfit Tottenham where he was an assistant head of development (11-16) and went on to coach at Under-23 level at the Premier League club.
The 39-year-old is a former Antigua and Barbuda international who previously played for the likes of Hayes & Yeading, Crewe, Aldershot, Yeovil, Rushden, Gillingham and Rotherham.
He was appointed England Under-15s coach and then moved through the age groups to take charge of the Under-16s and then Under-17s, his current role.
The former midfielder has built a strong reputation within the Football Association through his coaching ability and is likely to be shortlisted as a replacement for Boothroyd.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT’s Trevor Sinclair admitted he would ‘love’ to be part of the Young Lions’ coaching set-up.
“I’ve been coaching for the best part of 13 years since I retired straight away,” the former West Ham midfielder said.
“I’ve learned my trade, I’ve been at it going through all the badges and my UEFA A Licence.
“I’d love to work with elite players. I’ve worked with players that have gone on to become pro, I’ve worked with young players that are not really showing that kind of quality but you can still teach them, that’s what I’ve enjoyed.
“But when you’re working with the Under-21s, you’re talking about elite players and it’s about structure and how you set up, the players understanding what’s necessary when they go out there.
“They’re still young players so there’s still learning and there’s still that little bit of teaching you can do. It’d be something I’d be very interested in.”
Fans reacted after seeing that a controversial new contender in Sol Campbell has been named a favourite for the England U21 manager’s job…
@fishboygtfc: Well he’s certainly ticking all the boxes. Apart from any history of success or any kind of track record.
@ParkLaneBlock40: I was only thinking the other day that his record of four wins in 23 games at Southend, when he actually bothered to turn up, would put him in pole position for a top job.
@DavidCr91527340: Surely Steve Bruce should be high on the list of applicants. He’s got 20 years experience as a manager and according to TV pundits and the written press He’s done a great job at Newcastle this season.
@crowe_aj: I wonder why?
@Liam_Kenny: Judas
@christaylor666: Hope not, hardly set an example at Macclesfield Town wanting them to close through the courts, couldn’t give a toss about the fans, so it would be a poor choice!
@V1nny_1974: Should be Darren Moore. Vast experience of bringing players through while working at WBA as their development phase Coach working with the U21’s.
@LFC7610: Terrible managerial record. I wonder why he is being considered
@Iron14Lion: Why don’t we actually get a decent manager? Or one with potential. Chris Wilder would be an ideal candidate
@MattParish76: His credentials are?
@JohnFrancisBC: Why not hire Cochrane like originally muted? Surely Campbell goes some way to repeating the mistakes of hiring Boothroyd? Cochrane is younger and comes through the pathway
@gmcgaughey: With a win record of 22% in his managerial career he must be superb at bullshitting in an interview.
@SpencerHoughts: Would be great choice
@davewarrenwhufc: Why? Oh yeah his managerial record is fantastic.
@ITFCBlueline: Strangest man in football, at least we’ll get some solid content of him filming himself staring into a camera for a few minutes etc.
@leehunter13: What has he done to deserve the job ?
@doi_jones: This a joke ….he’s shit….box ticking right there.
@shjbird: What has he achieved to warrant that job.
@fozkipeye: Please give it him can’t take no more
@GustarDiane: Sol Campbell CV. “I’m black, you’ve got to give me the job
@StuartGlass6: Well deserved
@carneyc20: Im sorry but what credentials does he have to get this job….. also when he gets sacked, he’ll then go and play the race card which he’s done all through his managerial career so far! It’s nothing to do with race it’s everything to do with him being useless!
@JonHetherington: Phenomenal defender shit manager.
@MikeFay44: Hasn’t he failed in every other management job so far?
@CfcSarthak: should be frank lampard
@DadLufc: Yeh done wonders in his managerial career and full deserves it 👍🏽
@CountyRoadPie: A great and obvious choice, one of the greatest minds in football, go on Sol.
Not surprised. Suits the current agenda……..NOTHING to do with the best available person for the job. pic.twitter.com/UG8dZ0TfQN
— Steven (@freddiecamp) May 6, 2021
— Dave Evans (@DaveEva73349638) May 6, 2021
I mean, with his record, it’s easy to see why he should be considered for the job. He’s got over 500 days experience at managing and knows how to win a football match. I mean, he won THIRTEEN of his 53 matches as a manager! #bestmanagerever pic.twitter.com/QiS15ai395
— Sam (@samconnolly2901) May 6, 2021
https://t.co/rnkX6V3WT2 pic.twitter.com/ZBcacSXapn
— Robbie Clarricoats (@ClarricoatsRJ) May 6, 2021
You must be logged in to post a comment Login