England, Scotland, and Ireland have all got new coaches after their failed Euro 2008 qualifiers and they're all looking for a spot at South Africa 2010.
England and Ireland have both appointed world renowned foreign coaches in the form of Italians Fabio Capello and Giovanni Trapattoni. Scotland have gone with one of their own, in the form of George Burley.
England's Capello is reportedly on a staggering six million pounds a year to revive England's fortunes, after a dismal Euro '08 qualifying campaign. Early signs are good as Capello has reshuffled the pack and brought in some new blood to the England set up. He is a world class coach who has won everywhere he's been and will be positive about continuing that record with the three lions.
It was announced this week that Giovanni Trapattoni had accepted the Ireland job after a successful spell with Austrian side Salzburg.
The veteran coach has won league titles in four different countries, most recently with Salzburg and before that with Benfica in Portugal. He won league titles with Bayern Munich in Germany and of course in his native Italy, where Juventus spring to mind!
Trap (as he has been dubbed by the British media) did however, have a largely unsuccessful spell with Italy between 2000 and 2004. He did beat England though, thanks to a wonder strike by Gennaro Gattuso in a 1-0 win.
Trapattoni is a no-nonsense kind of coach, who shouts his way through 90 minutes, constantly pushing his players. This sounds like a positive Irish trait and he will always get 110 percent from his boys in green.
Scotland have gone down a totally different street with their appointment of George Burley. It is however, the same street that found Walter Smith and Alex McLeish. Burley won't be earning six million pounds like Capello, but a measly 350,000, if reports are to be believed. That is less than he was earning at Championship side, Southampton!
He is most importantly a Scot, and after our horror spell during the reign of Berti Vogts, it will be a while before we hear a foreign accent at a Scottish press conference again.
I believe he can carry on from the great work done by his predecessors. Burley has an improving side who now believe they are capable of beating anyone. 14th in yesterday's world rankings release doesn't lie. Scotland are capable of defeating the Dutch.
So with the whole of Britain watching Euro 2008 at home, I hope these three men can get you scrambling for World Cup tickets come 2010! Good luck everybody!
7 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Nick Duckworth about 1 year ago
Lets hope so!! It's been a terrible national season for the UK sides and lets hope that with the new coaches in place it will bring more luck also. Capello DEFINITELY looks like the right man for the job, and I'm excited to see how England progress with him.
Trappatoni could also be a great coach for Ireland and also with Burley in place for the Scots, I'd like, No I'd LOVE to see all the UK countries qualify for South Africa in 2010!! Even Wales!
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
Yes Wales and Northern Ireland I haven't forgotten about you. Good Luck!
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Mark Syrett about 1 year ago
Trappatoni is a very good coach, and speaks quite good English. I think he will do well. Scotland were unlucky, and should be at Euro 2008 but unfortunately were drawn against the two best teams in Europe. those two plus England should qualify for 2010, as for Wales and N Ireland it could be tricky but nothing is impossible I guess.
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Simon Martin about 1 year ago
I fully support and commend Scotland on this one - having a Scottish Coach for a Scottish team is both logical and sensible. Who else but a Scot could be as passionate for Scotland?
Pity that England and Ireland did not use that reasoning behind their picks, however with England I fear it stems from problems at grass roots level with not enough English coaches being encouraged to come into the game - how many people want to have a job for six months and get sacked? Hmm?
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Sheikh Zakaria about 1 year ago
Has Burley got what it takes to take Scotland to the WC 2010??
we shall see..but since i know less abt this guy, i can't comment on him that much,
But it's a shame for England esp that they cudn appoint a native coach.
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Andrew McNair about 1 year ago
I believe he has Sheikh. He was Hearts manager when they started seriously challenging the Old Firm a couple of years back. Hearts ended up 2nd that year with the team he built and he def has the passion and Knowledge to take Scotland to 2010.
Scotland can't beat Holland with tactics and skill...we need passion and a bit of luck. So for someone to keep the side motivated I think he is the man. At least he won't fall out with half the team like Souness!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
I personally think that Scotland have got everything dead right here. Scotland should only have a Scottish manager, managing a team of Scottish players, playing all their games in Scotland and being sponsored only by Scottish sponsors. Drinks should only be supplied by Scottish drink manufacturer's (preferably whisky while they are playing), and the Scottish players should all be encouraged to eat Scottish Haggis and Scottish neeps (maybe mince pies or a black pudding in an emergency, salt and sauce please). Of course they should also have to play all their games in Scottish kilts (not those crap Chinese imitations they sell to Americans or Japs on Princes Street), on fields of Scottish oatgrass aiming at goals made of the finest cut Scots pine, manned by a Scottish goakeeper of the type they had when I was growing up.
And thats another thing, how come Scotland doesnt have any real Scottish goalkeepers playing for them any more? They may have Scottish names but you cant fool us. And why are all the real Scottish goalkeepers suddenly playing for England now. That Robinson boy would have been useless if he was Jesus, dropping his crosses all the time. Alan Rough would have made a better Jesus......he always played as if he had holes in his hands !.
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