Jim White

Pearce not ready yet

Wed Jun 24 12:00PM

Stuart Pearce has been looking the business on the touchline as the England team he coaches has progressed smoothly to the latter stages of the European U21 Championship in Sweden.

A nice mixture of passion and cool has seen him leap in the air like an excited schoolboy when his team scores a goal, but maintain cold-eyed judgement when decisions are required to turn around an apparently lost cause.

The manner in which he re-engineered his side in the game against Spain, when they found themselves out-passed and out-thought during the first half spoke of a man who has learned. This is what everyone says about Stuart Pearce: that there are few as hungry as he to better their footballing education. On his course for the UEFA Pro Licence he was the most attentive student the co-ordinator Don Howe had ever encountered, feverish with his questions, badgering everyone concerned, seeking information at every turn. And his ability to learn, to adapt, to change is paying off.

At Nottingham Forest and Manchester City he was reckoned by his players as hard working but tentative, slightly too nervous in his decision making, reluctant to act with the dynamism that managers require if they are really to alter circumstances. Against Spain, though, there was little evidence of such reticence as he was quick to change things around, bringing Theo Walcott from the bench at precisely the right time to make a serious impact, his pace shredding a back line that had been barely exposed to that point.

He was also bold enough to make big changes for the game against Germany. Already qualified, he allowed his fringe players to get a taste of the action, while resting his first-choice ahead of more pressing matters. It sounds an easy call, but not many managers are prepared to risk the opprobrium that comes with getting such selections wrong. But Pearce had confidence in his system, certain that whoever he chose from his squad could slot into a way of playing that had been thoroughly practised over the past three weeks.

For a hungry autodidact, Pearce could not be in a better place to learn. Sitting alongside Fabio Capello in the dug out during full England matches will have brought him into contact with a man who really knows. He will have watched as Capello broke through the sense of entitlement which had afflicted England's senior players and replaced it with an internal competition which has fundamentally changed the mindsets of those selected to represent their country. He will have watched Capello's tough training regime and taken note of the deference he expects from his players: there's no Stevie G and JTs in the Italian's vocabulary. More importantly, Pearce will also have watched how Capello reads a game and reacts when necessary, his timing honed by years and years of experience.

And this is the point. There are those who have observed Pearce in action in Sweden and assumed they are watching Capello's successor. The idea that the FA should school a replacement, letting him learn alongside the incumbent, should not necessarily be mocked simply because the last time they tried it resulted in Steve McClaren replacing Sven Goran Eriksson. It is a sensible plan. Yet Pearce is way too inexperienced to be considered yet as a suitable candidate for the job. Even if he wins the tournament in Sweden (and there is no reason why he shouldn't) he requires years more on the circuit to accumulate the sort of knowledge gathered in Capello's mind.

To burden him too soon with such a step-change in responsibility is to risk putting in jeopardy a glorious opportunity. Far better to keep him in situ, watching and learning at least through another incumbent's tenure. Besides, who could argue after the way he has used his vast wisdom accumulated across world football to such benefit in his current job that - if we are seeking an Englishman for the role - the next manager of the national team to follow Capello when he eventually decides to leave can be anyone other than Roy Hodgson?

Comments1 - 30 of 55
First
Previous
1
2
Next
Last

I have to say I didn't see that little twist coming at the end of that article but I couldn't agree more, Hodgson would be a great England manager (potentially)and then possibly suceeded by Pearce assuming his career follows the path it appears to be. Good article.
From luke.walker on Wed Jun 24 01:00PM
Report abuse
Good piece.I think pearce is pretty good for an english coach.
From presido4real05 on Wed Jun 24 01:03PM
Report abuse
Let Capello finish his job first - best looking english side i've seen in years....
Actually have a serious shout in this years world cup and this is playing attractive football.
From rory_kell on Wed Jun 24 01:03PM
Report abuse
From the Under 21s to the full national job, only in england.........
From kuide8888 on Wed Jun 24 01:08PM
Report abuse
For once, I agree I agree and I agree - Good article
From davidmills777 on Wed Jun 24 01:12PM
Report abuse
Seriously why not
Firstly Capello should be there for the next 4 years that is plenty of time
secondly look at lippi an experienced manager and guardiola an in experienced one
What really matters is respect for the manager plus a little fear
Pierce seems to have that in abundance
I do find this article a little like talking about next season when you have only played 2 games of this one, and to put forward the next manager is because its summer and Jims stuck for things to say lol
From toplfcfan on Wed Jun 24 01:28PM
Report abuse
Most English coaches are overrated and same goes with the players as a result, English teams end up with eggs on their faces when competing with other teams. What has Stuart Pearce achieved in the coaching world of football? He managed Nottingham forest and Manchester city with nothing to show that he has really come of age. (from yomzie2001).
The FA should look beyond nationalities in choosing successor for the England job.
I agree with the writer that Roy Hodgson would be an ideal Englishman to replace Fabio after the world cup.
From richard.adeyemo on Wed Jun 24 01:28PM
Report abuse
I believe Pearce has said the self-same thing in the press himself in the past week. I agree, a good article, and who can argue with the Hodgson comment at the end? Thing is though, I'm not sure I want to see Capello ever go all the time he's got a breath left in him!
From pauljwitts on Wed Jun 24 01:36PM
Report abuse
Have i missed something? Is Capello leaving soon then? Why are we talking about his replacement after he's won all of his WC qualifying games so far and isn't that far into his contract?!! Things are a bit quiet on the football front aren't they Jim, hence plucking 'nothing stories' out of the air to fill a few column inches.
From brybart69 on Wed Jun 24 01:39PM
Report abuse
Jebus I'm just after waking up with my head in chilli Con Carne lunch, that bored the s.hits out of me! You must be a real hit with the ladies Jimmy!
From who_are_ya_85 on Wed Jun 24 01:47PM
Report abuse
Seen as the FA work closely with Man Utd, who are they lining up for Fergie's replacement!
From who_are_ya_85 on Wed Jun 24 01:48PM
Report abuse
You're a tit Jim..and that's a fact!
From jonesjon on Wed Jun 24 01:55PM
Report abuse
So you've just taken Stuart Pearce's own comment that he is "inept" compared with Capello at the moment & fleshed it out to bore us all for 5 minutes. We all know Pearce isn't ready yet, neither is there an open vacancy, that's why he is in Sweden as U21 manager & sat beside Capello learning for the next 2-4 years. Even when Capello does vacate the post, knowing our FA, they'll pay some other non-englishman £5m a year to lead us into an early exit from World Cups and Euros.
There must be some unsettling of players in the transfer window you should be writing about instead, at least that would have some amusement to it.
From wayne.mackney on Wed Jun 24 02:43PM
Report abuse
very good article, Jim.
From joelconner_stlmc on Wed Jun 24 02:43PM
Report abuse
Where on earth did you dream this up from Jim? Wouldn't be anything to do with Stuart himself saying exactly the same thing in a press conference less than one week ago?
Oh and can I have my 5 minutes back now Jim?
From featherstj118 on Wed Jun 24 02:46PM
Report abuse
Pearce is doing well. Let's get behind him. Capello is doing wonders with the First Team. Let's support them both. No need to talk of a successor while the king is still on his throne.
Oh and winning the World Cup ... maybe. There's been some unexpected winners in the past: Germany and Italy have both won the trophy when they weren't among the favourites to do so. No reason why we shouldn't sneak into that category this time round.
From garneralan267 on Wed Jun 24 03:07PM
Report abuse
Do you get paid for writing this garbage
From pjones66631 on Wed Jun 24 03:12PM
Report abuse
Well Jim White, this is all very well and good but you forgot to remind us how great you think Man Utd are. I'm beginning to question your loyalty.
From london_league_promoter on Wed Jun 24 03:15PM
Report abuse
Geez you're all a bunch of whinging poms, you comment posters!
From aaron.lockyer on Wed Jun 24 03:22PM
Report abuse
good article.
From richardflahertyuk on Wed Jun 24 03:27PM
Report abuse
England were never "outpassed" by Spain in that game.
From blaisepercybysshe on Wed Jun 24 03:27PM
Report abuse
The only thing is with Pearce the under 21's are for the age group one of if not the best squad in Europe, possibly the world.
When it comes to the full team its alot closer with alot of other nations so we would require someone with a little more about them than Pearce i think. With regards to Hodgson, he has had one good season with Fulham so lets not get carried away yet about him being the next England manager.
From danswaste on Wed Jun 24 03:54PM
Report abuse
I'm so ustounted, so flabbergasted, so surprised with the English people and actually with all the Brits. Signor Capello not too long ago was hated upon the announcement that he was going to be the Manager of the Three Lions,immediately he was attacked with deep passion and buffoonery by English fans,when he landed in England Fabio Capello was attacked by the inept English managers, Big Red almost had an heart attack, the arrogant and foolish English media crucified him for months now suddenly he's been venerated by everyone English fans and the English Press now they are reccomending him for the candidacy of Sainthood! What a pathetic country!!!!!
From maremma96 on Wed Jun 24 04:02PM
Report abuse
Excellent article jimbo, Spot on about yer man hodgson.
From amyrosiewright on Wed Jun 24 04:21PM
Report abuse
Couldnt agree more with u maremma96.England is a joke.Media and fans re all f o o ls.Cappelo is godsent.
From obis81 on Wed Jun 24 04:32PM
Report abuse
Bet u next year u guys(media) ll ve given england the trophy thereby finding an excuse to put the blame on cappelo and not ur excuse 4a team.Go get a job jim.
From obis81 on Wed Jun 24 04:38PM
Report abuse
Couldnt agree more with u maremma96.England is a joke.Media and fans re all f o o ls.Cappelo is godsent.
From obis81 on Wed Jun 24 04:39PM
Report abuse
good artical, if hodgson is to be capellos eventual replacement, will he be given to oppertunity to sit with capello before he leaves?
From wag19662000 on Wed Jun 24 04:41PM
Report abuse
boots
From eoinstapleton15 on Wed Jun 24 05:22PM
Report abuse
Capello should be kept till the EURO 2012 at least. I don't see why Hodgson can't take over after that. Relegation battlers to a Europa League spot is a huge, huge jump, and I'm sure he'll take England places.
Then, I believe Psycho can take charge (with pretty much the same team he's got now!)
From akilesh_radhakrishnan on Wed Jun 24 06:31PM
Report abuse