Wenger rules out England
23 Nov 2007 - 14:24:40
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is willing to help the FA in their search for a new England manager but has no interest in taking the job on himself.
Steve McClaren lost his job as England manager following Wednesday 3-2 defeat by Croatia at Wembley, a result that ended his side's hopes of qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals in Austria and Switzerland.
Wenger said of England's failure to reach the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1994: "I don't think it is a disaster, but it is a massive disappointment.
"It is up to England to see how they respond to the situation now.
"Immediately, in the present, it is a massive handicap. On the future for the World Cup 2010, it can be an advantage if the right measures are taken now.
"I am always happy to help if I can. I am not sure I am really gifted for that, but if they want to know my opinion - and it is a confidential one - then I am always happy.
"If I was English then of course (I'd be interested). But I am not so it is a 'no'. That is in line with what I have always said. In my opinion, the England manager should be English.
"I feel the FA need deep thinking for what happened and find solutions. They can't just appoint a new coach and think England will win the World Cup in 2010.
"After France failed to qualify in 1994, (manager) Gerard Houllier was straight away sacrificed in a little bit of a similar game.
"That is a good example for England (because) the France players that lost then became world champions. Not all but most. Petit and Deschamps played in this game and they became world champions and European champions afterwards.
"That is what I mean - don't slaughter the players because the England national team has good players."
