Once again everything's getting on the right track with England. Two fine performances and two much-needed results that should give the squad confidence going forward. The only drawback for some is Fabio Capello's announcement that he will step down at the helm after Euro 2012, but football jersey
I don't think it's a great surprise that the Italian will be moving on in two years' time — I think that was always his plan.
I suppose the timing of it is a bit strange, however. Pundits have already asked 'Why has he decided to announce that now?' but really, after a good week professionally that really took a lot of the pressure off his shoulders, he's probably just given a straight answer to a straight question.
After England's two wins he's probably a lot happier about his position, and feels a bit more freedom. The important thing is his impending departure doesn't distract the players or detract from their performances, and I don't think it will. Hopefully performances will continue to improve as the main tournament draws nearer.
Between now and then the Italian certainly has a number of decisions to make — with Frank Lampard one player who now finds himself with a lot of work to do. Gerrard had two excellent matches in the Chelsea man's absence, and the team looked to have found a certain amount of balance across the midfield, with Gerrard and Gareth Barry looking solid as a central midfield tandem.
Is Capello going to break up that system in order to bring Lampard back into the middle? I don't think he will be particularly keen to, if only because one is required to play more of a holding role — which Barry currently occupies — which neither of the other two really prefer, and wouldn't be able to cover among themselves.
So, if that isn't a viable option, do you then bring back Lampard and play Gerrard wide left again? That would have to be an enormous call to make after the mixed results it brought at the World Cup, and obviously it would immediately be looked at as a backwards step by the media and general public. But if he wants to include Lampard again, then he doesn't have too many other options. Gerrard did well in the captaincy, so that is a factor as well. Rio Ferdinand wants to keep the armband, and he's been very public about that, and if you take it away from him he's not going to be pleased. He'll be professional, but he's very proud to be captain and it would be disappointing if it was taken away from him. So Dallas Cowboys jersey
while Gerrard might be a first name on the teamsheet, it might be too much to give him the armband just because Ferdinand's missed a number of games.
In many respects Capello's decision over Lampard is the biggest call of his England career — and his club-mate John Terry as well. If you bring Lampard back in, then by definition it takes something away from Gerrard and his attacking abilities (as it would Lampard), and similar questions are posed with Terry. A lot will depend on Ferdinand and his fitness, but Phil Jagielka came in and played really well in both the qualifying games, showing he has a future at this level.
Could Capello stick with Jagielka? I absolutely think he could, with Ferdinand coming back alongside him, but of course none of us can know for sure. What we do know for sure, however, is that what Capello does with his Chelsea duo is a big, big decision he will soon have to make.
Houllier has earned chance to prove himself a Villan
Welcome back to the Premier League Gerard Houllier, but six years out of it is a long time to be away. The league evolves very, very quickly and he has a job on his hands to adapt once more to the rigours and unique challenges it presents.
Having said that, he does know the country and the league well and did have some notable successes in his stint at Liverpool, with that famous treble cup-winning season in 2001 being at the top of the list. But on the other hand he could never bring the Anfield fans the title they are so desperate for — but neither did Rafa Benitez, so he's in good company. I have nothing against the Frenchman's appointment, but I do think it is a shame that an Englishman has been overlooked for the role. Tottenham are the only big English club to have an English manager in Harry Redknapp, and that's both a disappointing and worrying state of affairs.
Reportedly only one British manager was on the final four-man shortlist for the job at Villa Park, which tells its own story. It's no wonder we have an Italian at the helm of our national side when it seems viable candidates at club level simply aren't coming through.
Not that Villa fans have necessarily been bowled over by Houllier's appointment. There wasn't universal emnity towards the Frenchman and his arrival, but a sizeable section were obviously lukewarm to the idea. But I'm glad that didn't have any bearing on Randy Lerner's decision.
Ultimately, the owner has to make the decisions based Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
on what he thinks is right and the advice he gets from those whose opinions he trusts. It's Lerner's money that goes into the club, and in the end he has every right to choose the manager that he believes fits the requirements of the job.
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