Source: Eurosport
Pearce set for talks on new U21 deal
Stuart Pearce hopes to get the backing of the FA after confirming he wants to remain in charge of the England Under-21 side for two more years.
The 42-year-old's contract will expire after this summer's Under-21 European Championships in Sweden and he has been approached by Football Association director of football development Trevor Brooking about prolonging what has been a hugely-successful tenure.
Pearce, who took charge on a full-time basis in July 2007 following a short spell in which he combined the role with his duties as Manchester City boss, has experienced just two defeats.
One came in a penalty shoot-out against hosts Holland in the semi-finals of the last European Championships two years ago, and the other was a friendly against Ecuador last month in which the South Americans fielded a number of experienced players over the age of 21.
That impressive record has prompted Brooking to sound out Pearce about a new deal.
"I have spoken to my line boss (Brooking) already about it. He asked me whether I would be happy to stay for another couple of years and I said 'yes I would'," said Pearce.
"Obviously that decision will go to the board. I think it is this week that the board sit, so they will come back with a decision about whether it's workable or whether it isn't.
"But for me, that's a side issue. My main focus is the championships in the summer. That will sort itself out one way or the other."
Meanwhile, Pearce's side face France on Tuesday night in a friendly at Nottingham Forest's City Ground and Mark Noble hopes England can continue their good form.
The young Lions beat Norway 5-0 in Sandefjord on Friday, a game Noble missed to be with his wife and new baby.
The West Ham midfielder believes France will provide a much sterner test in a game which could give England an indication of how they might fare in Sweden in June.
"People say they are friendlies but they aren't really because we have got a major tournament coming up in the summer and we need to keep the momentum going and keep winning games leading up to the championships," said Noble.
"No disrespect to Norway, but France is going to be a tougher game. Personally, I haven't lost a game since the penalty shoot-out in Holland and I want to keep that record up until we get to the championships and then I want to get to the final and win it.
"It'd be silly for us not to aim for that given the squad we have got."(Playing France) could give us an idea of how we might do in the summer because France are going to be a similar test to the sides that we have got in our group, who are all top nations and great footballing sides.
"If we put in a performance and beat one of the best sides in Europe then we will be sure that we can go there and win the tournament."
