Bruce and Allardyce want England job... and Redknapp wouldn't refuse it

10 September 2010 01:21
Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce have both thrown their hats into the ring for the England job when Fabio Capello retires in 2012 - and Harry Redknapp has refused to rule himself out.[LNB] The Italian revealed yesterday that he will step down when his current £5m-a-year deal expires at the end of the European Championships. With the Football Association indicating they plan to give the job to an Englishman, three of the leading contenders currently employed in the Barclays Premier League spoke about their prospects yesterday. [LNB] In with a shout: Rivals Sam Allardyce (left) and Steve Bruce[LNB] [LNB] Bruce admitted all possible successors to Capello now have 18 months to prove their credentials. 'Of course I would be interested. I very rarely try to blow my own trumpet but I would love to have a go, why not?[LNB] 'If you are going to do it, it must be the proudest moment of your life, even though we know what is going to go with it. 'It would be worth the strife, absolutely 100 per cent. You have to have thick skin but, coming up here, you need it, too. 'It is now how I do with this team over the next 18 months and that is what my aim will be. It is all about timing.[LNB] [LNB]MEN WHO WOULD BE KING...HARRY REDKNAPP[LNB]Age: 63 [LNB]Odds: 11-4 fav [LNB]About to become only the third Englishman to manage in the group stage of the Champions League. Has consistently complained that English bosses are unfairly denied the big jobs.[LNB]ROY HODGSON[LNB]Age: 63[LNB]Odds: 10-3[LNB]Tipped as the preferred choice to manage British team at London Olympics, Hodgson has the longest and most-varied c.v. of all the leading candidates. Like Redknapp, will be 65 in 2012.[LNB]STUART PEARCE[LNB]Age: 48 [LNB]Odds: 5-1 [LNB]The internal candidate. As part of Fabio Capello's backroom team and manager of the Under 21s, he has international experience his rivals can't match. But his club record is patchy at best.[LNB]STEVE BRUCE[LNB]Age: 49 [LNB]Odds: 8-1 [LNB]Sunderland boss has shaken off unwelcome reputation for disloyalty - five jobs in three years at the start of his career - with superb work at Birmingham and Wigan, but needs to do more.[LNB]SAM ALLARDYCE[LNB]Age: 55 [LNB]Odds: 12-1 [LNB]Innovative and popular, but Allardyce has been overlooked twice before by the FA, so presumably will have to achieve something extraordinary at Blackburn to win them over.[LNB]ALAN SHEARER[LNB]Age: 40 [LNB]Odds: 14-1 [LNB]Patriotism and integrity beyond reproach, but coaching experience limited to brief, unsuccessful spell in charge at Newcastle. Could be an option as apprentice to an older head. [LNB]MARTIN O'NEILL[LNB]Age: 58 [LNB]Odds: 4-1 [LNB]Northern Irishman has fine record for maximising return from limited resources. Currently unemployed, so would be strong candidate if the FA were making the appointment now.[LNB]JOSE MOURINHO[LNB]Age: 47 [LNB]Odds: 14-1 [LNB]Speaks English more fluently than many of the English candidates. Extraordinary record of success at every club he has managed; very expensive and unlikely to be interested in England job. [LNB]'There might be a new kid on the block by then and someone who comesout of the woodwork - Ian Holloway for example. Can anyone have done abetter job than him, even though he is a bit different. It is quitestaggering what he has done and he has made a fist of it already. It isabout timing, how well you do and your stock at the time.'[LNB]Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce was interviewed for the England job when his stock was highest as Bolton manager, but the FA appointed Steve McClaren instead.[LNB] Since then 'Big Sam' has been sacked by Newcastle and had to start rebuilding his reputation at Ewood Park. The 55-year-old said he still remains interested in the country's No 1 post.[LNB] Allardyce said: 'I went for it last time so it's obviously for me. The depth of intrusion is the greatest problem for you and your family. But I spoke to Bobby Robson and Terry Venables last time. They said it's the greatest job you could ever have - then obviously you want to do it. And, if you feel like you can do it, then you put yourself up for it, obviously. I've been a manager in the Premier League for more than 10 years. I've managed some world-class players in my time.[LNB] 'I enjoyed the fact I've been able to work with World Cup winners, European winners, Champions League winners. To go on the international stage would be very exciting. Whether that's with England or anyone else, who knows?[LNB] 'It's not a young man's game, that's for sure - nor is the Premier League. It's very difficult for a lesser experienced manager to live with the pressure.[LNB] 'At England level, you can see the pressure. We saw the pressure on Fabio at the World Cup, which he'd never experienced before.[LNB] 'It depends what you really want and what the FA want. If you want someone to get the best out of the players, then I think an Englishman is better than a foreigner. There's more pressure on an English manager to do better.'[LNB] At 63, Redknapp is the oldest of the possible candidates and he admitted himself he may be considered too old by the FA when Capello does quit. The Tottenham manager said: 'I wouldn't refuse it. I will probably be too old. If Capello is too old, I will be too old. I don't want to start saying I want the England job, because I don't. I'm not saying that. It's not something that I push myself for.[LNB] 'I would like to see an English guy get the job when Capello calls it a day and I think there are enough lads out there, given the opportunity, to do a great job.' Redknapp, meanwhile, admitted he was surprised at the timing of Capello's announcement and is hoping it will not affect England's Euro 2012 qualifying chances.[LNB] He added: 'You've seen managers who say, "I'm going at the end of the year". And their teams tend to go "bosh", don't they? It happens an awful lot, so hopefully it won't happen there. I think the players have got their own pride to play for.'[LNB] Portugal coach Quieroz sacked by Portuguese Football FederationCapello to quit England after Euro 2012 as Italian eyes retirementGerrard could keep England armband after perfect displays wow Capello[LNB] [LNB]  

Source: Daily_Mail