Fabio Capello will lead England into a crucial Euro 2012 Qualifying game this Friday against Bulgaria. As seems to be the usual scenario, Capello will enter the game under intense pressure from fans and media.
England currently top Group G, but are above qualification rivals Montenegro on goal difference only. With Montenegro favorites to pick up three points in their game at Wales, the pressure on England to win in Sofia is intense.
Is it possible that Manchester United, and more specifically Sir Alex Ferguson are the reason that Fabio Capello will weather this storm ?
The answer could be yes, but the FA must consider their approach to dealing with Ferguson.
Ferguson right now daily control over England’s dominant attacking superstar Wayne Rooney, as well as the next generation of upcoming talent.
The United manager has helped Rooney overcome a very challenging time of both his life and career, and has nursed him back to health and full form. It is undeniable that Rooney’s upturn in form came after Ferguson allowed the striker a break at Nike’s training facility in Oregon, USA. Capello will now reap the benefit of that as a sharp Rooney leads the England attack on Friday.
In addition to that, Ferguson has a daily input into the development of Ashley Young, who has arguably been England’s best player over the next five days. Not to mention the young generation of Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck.
Ferguson manages to not only get the best out of these players, but he instills a humility in them that is not common in today’s football world. How many clubs truly have players who buy into the concept of the team being bigger than their individual needs? Can the English national team say this about their players?
The one problem that exists for the FA is that Ferguson does not need them. Any Wales fan can tell you the damage that an unsupportive Ferguson can do to a national team. How many games did Ryan Giggs miss with injuries that conveniently cleared up before United’s next encounter?
Ferguson has a lot of say with these players and if he was excited about the cause of the England team, it would very likely rub off on the players. It would at least ensure their availability for all England games.
An interview last week showed very clearly that Ferguson feels disrespected by English Football’s governing body.
“Maybe they will realize how important we are to England and stop treating us like sh*t” fumed Ferguson, before adding “the FA may realize who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world.”
These comments show Ferguson is frustrated with the current situation, but they also suggest he would like acknowledgement of what he does for the English team. It may give a certain smug pride to a Scot if England were to thank him and acknowledge they succeed more because of his influence.
Whether they wish to build a bridge in public or in private, the English FA should develop a positive relationship with Ferguson as he could be a very influential figure in a successful English national team.
There is another reason that Capello and the FA should take the time to credit Ferguson for his influence on the England team….he deserves it.
Is it possible that Manchester United, and more specifically Sir Alex Ferguson are the reason that Fabio Capello will weather this storm ?
The answer could be yes, but the FA must consider their approach to dealing with Ferguson.
Ferguson right now daily control over England’s dominant attacking superstar Wayne Rooney, as well as the next generation of upcoming talent.
The United manager has helped Rooney overcome a very challenging time of both his life and career, and has nursed him back to health and full form. It is undeniable that Rooney’s upturn in form came after Ferguson allowed the striker a break at Nike’s training facility in Oregon, USA. Capello will now reap the benefit of that as a sharp Rooney leads the England attack on Friday.
In addition to that, Ferguson has a daily input into the development of Ashley Young, who has arguably been England’s best player over the next five days. Not to mention the young generation of Tom Cleverley, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck.
Ferguson manages to not only get the best out of these players, but he instills a humility in them that is not common in today’s football world. How many clubs truly have players who buy into the concept of the team being bigger than their individual needs? Can the English national team say this about their players?
The one problem that exists for the FA is that Ferguson does not need them. Any Wales fan can tell you the damage that an unsupportive Ferguson can do to a national team. How many games did Ryan Giggs miss with injuries that conveniently cleared up before United’s next encounter?
Ferguson has a lot of say with these players and if he was excited about the cause of the England team, it would very likely rub off on the players. It would at least ensure their availability for all England games.
An interview last week showed very clearly that Ferguson feels disrespected by English Football’s governing body.
“Maybe they will realize how important we are to England and stop treating us like sh*t” fumed Ferguson, before adding “the FA may realize who has produced more players for their country than any club in the world.”
These comments show Ferguson is frustrated with the current situation, but they also suggest he would like acknowledgement of what he does for the English team. It may give a certain smug pride to a Scot if England were to thank him and acknowledge they succeed more because of his influence.
Whether they wish to build a bridge in public or in private, the English FA should develop a positive relationship with Ferguson as he could be a very influential figure in a successful English national team.
There is another reason that Capello and the FA should take the time to credit Ferguson for his influence on the England team….he deserves it.
