Could England job be a part-time role?

As a long-suffering England football fan, the hunt for the new manager almost makes me feel like a member of the Labour Party, Allardyce or Bruce almost fills me with as much excitement and anticipation as Corbyn versus Smith.

After the debacle of the Euros, the FA had to act quickly, maybe not as quickly as Roy Hodgson quit the job, but quickly all the same.

After the painful memories of Fabio Capello, another foreign coach was probably a bridge too far for the national footballing public but then again cutting the field down certainly limits the candidates.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

From the outset and I know I’m not alone in this opinion, I don’t think it necessarily has be a full-time job, therefore whoever does get the nod could conceivably carry on with their domestic job as well.

Despite my aforementioned political analogy, more out of mirth than malice, Big Sam is probably the most suitable candidate out there, and also keeping his position at Sunderland could work in his favour.

An extensive scouting system will be able to watch the relevant players. When international training and subsequent matches take place, all club football is effectively shut down, so maybe it’s time for the FA to break with tradition and try something different.

And perhaps even more forward thinking would be to appoint his potential successor as his number two now, giving both experience to the younger person and also providing continuity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The obvious candidate for that position has to be Eddie Howe, who again could remain at Bournemouth outside the international periods.

A tad forward thinking perhaps but what has the FA got to lose given England’s recent showing?

There’s no doubting Chris Eubank Junior is a talented boxer but it appears that his biggest failing could yet turn out to be his dad, Chris.

The Gennady Golovkin contract was on the table, with potentially one of the best deals for a challenger in the history of British boxing, just requiring a signature.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yet, according to reports, it still wasn’t enough for Eubank Senior when it came to fight negotiations and this comes on the back of former promoter Frank Warren describing him as an ‘imbecile’.

With Eddie Hearn now making similar noises, there’s a real danger that Eubank could find himself totally frozen out of boxing because of claims over his dad’s excessive demands.

Tony Bray wasn’t just a good cricketer or a great club man, he was also one of the nicest people I’ve met. So it was fitting that the annual ‘ Bray Day’ at Goring CC last Sunday was not only blessed with the weather and an exceptional turnout for the rounders tournament but a record amount, with fast approaching £3,000 raised for St Barnabas House.

Harty Junior’s “Your Next Move” team made it all the way to the final before losing to one of the Goring CC sides, but a great day was had by all, rounded off with an open air performance by the Dumb Waiters.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For clubs like Goring, people like Tony were gold dust and testament to this is the fact his memory lives on long after he sadly left us.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.