Is Harry the FUTURE for England?

The resignation of Fabio Capello brought a cheer for many England fans. Coming on the day that Harry Redknapp won his court case against HMRC, it was almost as if somebody somewhere had written the script for the Spurs Manager to finally have the path cleared for him to take charge of the England team.


Certainly, Redknapp would be a popular choice to lead England into Euro 2012 with the majority of fans, lauded by fellow managers and loved in the media. It’s even rumoured his stock is high within the corridors of power at the FA and although he could improve England’s chances of a successful Euro 2012, I do have my reservations.


Whatever the rights and wrongs of the fall out between Capello and the FA, the debacle of the 2010 World Cup is a memory that is still raw with England supporters. The FA’s decision to award Capello a new contract before the tournament even started was a premature move at best and certainly left them with egg on their face. It’s fair to say that disappointing would be something of an understatement for England’s performance in South Africa; it’s also fair to say that if ever there was a time for Capello to go, it was after a World Cup campaign that was a disaster on and off the field.


One thing that was abundantly clear to me at the World Cup was that it was time for England to start building toward the future. The Germans were the best example of that, blooding the likes of Sami Khedira, Mesut Ozil, Manuel Neuer and Thomas Muller into tournament football. The emphasis switched from the here and now to the future. It turned out to be something of a masterstroke, as a team that didn’t carry the weight of expectation were in with a shout at becoming world champions. Suddenly, the talented youngsters had tournament experience and proved they could mix it with the best. Now, more exciting German prospects like Marco Reus and Mario Gotze are also a part of a young, invigorated and confident German squad that look likely to be Spain biggest challengers for the Euro 2012 crown.


This brings me back to England, make no mistake, we do have a talented and promising crop of young players ourselves. The future should be bright with Daniel Sturridge, Martin Kelly, Phil Jones, Josh McEachran, John Flanagan, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Robinson, Jack Rodwell and Danny Welbeck; not to mention Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere already established as international quality. Apart from Hart, who is 24, none of the aforementioned players are above 22 years of age. Whilst their first team experience varies at present, they will be the nucleus of England’s future and it’s time for England to really start turning that future into a reality. 

Euro 2012 could be our opportunity to blood younger players and give them tournament experience, allow the pressure of expectation to be lifted and emphasise that while success would be fantastic, it’s more about gaining experience and building toward World Cup 2014 and beyond.


Where Harry Redknapp and my reservations come into this, are at stories ‘leaked’ that Harry would try and tempt Paul Scholes out of international retirement. Now, I’m not knocking Scholes passing ability, he was a very good player in his day, but he’s 37. I’m also concerned that rather than move on from Terry, Ferdinand and Lampard, they’d be in his starting XI. England need to start looking forward rather than back.


Redknapp has shown at Spurs that he is very good at motivating a group of players, getting them to play good, attacking football. Although tactically, he may not be considered the most astute, motivation is a core skill in international management and England fans would certainly enjoy a more attacking brand of football being played by their national side.  


If Redknapp is appointed for the summer, he will be 65 and understandably keen on glory at Euro 2012, but would he be prepared to possibly give up personal glory for the long term benefit of the England team? 


The way the English media turn on England football team managers, would Redknapp risk the wrath of journalists that currently love him by sacrificing some senior players now, risking a successful Euro 2012 in preparation for the 2014 World Cup? 


My concern is that he wouldn’t, that we’ll still be debating the Gerrard / Lampard conundrum, that half the team would be over 30 and two years down the line, we’d still be in the same position as we are now.


Written by Andy Wales 
Follow him on Twitter @AndyArmchair


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