Mickey Ambrose assesses the FA’s wishlist for a new England manager

Thank you to Gareth Southgate and Steve Holland for putting a smile back on our faces and for making us believe once again that football could really be ‘Coming Home’ after all.

Thanks for getting us to the World Cup semi-finals for the first time in 28 years in July 2018 after much disappointment. That was the pick for me out of all that these guys have achieved along with of course two Euro finals.

The dramatic scenes during this year’s Euros: Bellingham’s bicycle kick; record goal scorer Kane’s penalty; Ollie Watkins’ winner against Netherlands; and Saka’s equaliser against Switzerland and then being brave enough to take a penalty, which takes some guts, were all pure class. Despite much criticism the record books will show SUCCESS under Gareth and Steve’s eight year tenure.

And now comes the biggest task – to find a successor. The FA advert for the job gives a closing date for applications of 2 August, my birthday, and notes seven attributes needed for the new manager.

These include holding a Uefa Pro License and having significant experience of English football, with a strong track record as a winner in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions. (This alone would strictly rule out Frank Lampard, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter, although Potter might at a push be considered for the fantastic way he secured Brighton in the top ten in the Premier League before his failure at Chelsea)

The new manager must be an exceptional leader who understands and will enjoy the international football environment. (Well, this is where I can throw my hat in the ring!)

There’s also a vague demand that the new manager will be experienced in successfully identifying, managing and developing English qualified players and be highly resilient and comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny.

Above all the manager will have a track record of creating a high performing, positive team culture and environment. (Which is where HARRY REDKNAPP comes to mind) and, not least, they will have strong personal values and integrity and understand and embrace the role that the England Men’s Senior Team Head Coach has inspiring the nation.

Phew! And, no pressure, in a bizarre step away from reality, the FA are also demanding that a new England manager MUST win a major trophy.

All managers do their best to win, but adding such pressure to a highly stressful job is extremely odd. The FA is forgetting that Gareth Southgate, in terms of competition results, was the most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey. So where is the continuity?

Why aren’t the FA taking a leaf from the most successful of legacies, the Liverpool Boot Room and asking Steve Holland to stay on in an interim capacity to advise the new manager? He has worked with the best in the game in Liverpool and was Assistant Manager to six top class Chelsea managers.

Additionally, in 2013 Steve was appointed Assistant Manager to the new England under 21s Manager Gareth Southgate. It beats me how the FA don’t use the knowledge, experience and skill set of decorated former players like Gary Lineker, John Barnes, Alan Shearer, Ian Wright and Les Ferdinand and get them involved in the national team?

One reason is that these big names don’t like the current FA set up which is why the 161- year old FA needs reform. This is something I have included in The People’s FA Reform Group Commission Blueprint to reform the oldest sporting governing body in the world.

Southgate and Holland achieved so much, and we salute them both. There is a lot of good to be retained but the FA is not listening. It’s another example of how out of touch the FA is. But then look at plans by the FA to allow the Premier League to sell off future FA TV rights and to scrap FA Cup Replays, which has angered many in football, we shouldn’t hold our breath for change any time soon!

Mickey Ambrose is a former Chelsea and Charlton player who lives in Stratford

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