Pearce slams England link

Caz · Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 9:55 am

Stuart Pearce says suggestions he could become England boss are "embarrassing".

The Manchester City chief is part of the Premiership's new breed of young, hungry English managers who are eager to develop their careers at the highest level and, in the wake of Sven Goran Eriksson's recent indiscretions, suggestions have abounded that Alan Curbishley, Sam Allardyce or Pearce himself are candidates to replace the beleaguered Swede.

But the former Nottingham Forest and England defender feels that anybody raising the idea that he could step into the Three Lions hotseat is disrespecting the nation's more experienced old guard.

"I find it quite embarrassing," Pearce told Sky Sports News. "Ours is probably the only industry in the world where you could have a total novice that's not even been in club management for a year being touted for the top job in English football.

"I find it ludicrous, to be quite honest with you and I find it a massive slur on people who have been in club management for years and years on end.

"Would we say that the next prime minister is going to be somebody who has not been elected in their own ward? No, we wouldn't - it would be ludicrous! The same should be said of the England manager's job.

"When I was a youngster I wanted to re-wire houses but I didn't just walk into someone's house and say: 'By the way, I've got no qualifications but can I wire your house today?'

"Somebody should have international experience and club experience over many years before they get the opportunity to go into the top job in our industry."

Pearce added that he is offended by the fickle manner in which a single game is able to dictate whether or not the press will consider a manager as potential international material.

"I was in management for a couple of months when people were mentioning my name for England. All of a sudden over Christmas we didn't win a game in four and I didn't hear a word touting me for England.

"All of a sudden I've won the [Manchester] derby last Saturday and I'm the England manager again. For me that is pathetic. I really find it quite embarrassing for that reason alone.

"If I get beaten by Sam [Allardyce] on Saturday then Sam will be the next England manager and I won't get a look in. That's how farcical it is."

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Pearce slams England link

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