Is Harry Redknapp Nailed On To Become Next England Manager?

We know that Fabio Capello is set to leave England after Euro 2012 (at the latest) and that the Next England manager is very likely to be English, or at least British. There have been murmurings that all candidates that are suitable will be considered but after some disastrous appointments in recent years the FA seem likely to go for a more 'crowd pleasing' choice this time around.

The man most fans seem to want and the man who most will have you believe is nailed on for the job is Harry Redknapp. There is little doubt that Harry has proved himself a top manager at the highest level with Spurs and despite Redknapp suggesting that he would think twice about accepting the job if offered it because of the pressure, it is almost certain that Redknapp would jump at the chance to manage England. something he would see as being the ultimate recognition of his years of management. The only problem for Redknapp could be that the FA like their candidates to be squeeky clean and Redknapp has this tax case hanging over his head. Even if Redknapp is found innocent of any wrong doing the FA may decide he isn't worth the risk. He is the most likely choice but at the current odds it may be worth swerving Redknapp.

Roy Hodgson was well fancied in the betting following the World Cup but his move to Liverpool tarnished his reputation a little. He has rebuilt that reputation somewhat at West Brom but his high profile failure at Liverpool is likely to leave question marks about his ability to manage top players these days and given that he doesn't have time on his side either, Hodgson is a no bet.

A much better bet at these bigger odds appears to be Stuart Pearce. He has been groomed for the job as England Under 21 manager, has worked with several members of the senior squad at Under 21 level and is also on Fabio Capello's coaching staff so knows the players very well. He could be a long term choice as England manager and appears to have few ambitions as a club manager, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed in the Under 21 job so long. At his current odds Stuart Pearce looks the value alternative to Harry Redknapp.

Other names who are bound to be linked with the job include the likes of Martin O'Neill and Sam Allardyce but others have stronger credentials whilst if we go down the route of employing an inexperienced man then Alan Shearer and David Beckham could be options. The most likely foreign choices appear to be Guus Hiddink, who has taken control of several different countries at major tournaments including South Korea and Australia, or Jose Mourinho who most fans would warm to very quickly as England manager even if they were hoping for an English manager.

Recommendation: BACK STUART PEARCE TO BE NEXT ENGLAND MANAGER