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Home Nation Walk Out

News is spreading like wildfire today across the footballing community as it is the first time in history that all 4 home nations are manager-less at the same time. 3 of the 4 nations of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland are all still possible qualifiers for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil mathematically, but the only likely team to make it are England, the only one of the home nations currently sat in a progress-able position. Wales are the only team out, with just 1 point in their 6 games in qualifying so far.

The reasoning behind the mass exodus is completely unknown, however, speculation has been rife as to replacements already with many huge names being linked with some of the jobs.

Debate into who shall become the 18th England manager, 12th Northern Ireland manager, 16th Wales manager & 24th Scottish manager is like 4 Doctor Who regenerations in 1 episode for all of the football fans out there, with names being thrown around like confetti at a wedding. Here are our picks (and some outsiders) for the jobs.

Next England Manager:
Roberto Mancini 3/1
Sam Allardyce 10/1
Steve McClaren 300/1

Next Northern Ireland Manager:
Martin O'Neill 1/2
Roy Keane 4/1
Mark Hughes 30/1

Next Scotland Manager:
Malky Mackay 5/1
David Moyes 20/1
Sir Alex Ferguson 300/1

Next Wales Manager:
Mark Hughes 4/1
Tony Pulis 10/1
Gareth Bale 1000/1

More to come as we have it...

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"We've Got Our Man'"

Roberto Mancini has today been unveiled as the new manager of the England national team, revealing he has turned down a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray "for the challenge".

Just two days ago the Turkish club laid down the contract before him, but upon hearing the news of Roy Hodgson's departure, Mancini has revealed he was "much more interested" in the English job.

He sat before reporters today in a press conference telling them he'd bring "attractiveness" to the England camp, whether he was talking about his luscious locks or his managerial style is yet to be announced by the 2nd Italian manager to take the reigns of the English side.

The swanky Italian is the first appointment for the home nations who all lost their managers over the last few days, and English fans seem very pleased with the result of grabbing the FA Cup & Premiership winning manager in such swift fashion.

The jury is still out as to replacements for the other nations, however interviews have been going on across the other 3 countries and announcements should be coming in soon.

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Keane For Success

Mr. Dislikable, Roy Keane, has struck once again! Keane, 41, has been announced, by the Northern Ireland FA as the man to take them forwards.

The former Manchester United midfielder who also made 67 caps, scoring 9 goals, for his native Republic of Ireland, has decided to cross the border to take the leading role at bitter rivals Northern Ireland.

Known for his controversy and hard-tackling nature, he has taken the role after a 2-and-a-half year period without a job after being sacked by Ipswich at the start of 2011. Since then, he has sat beside the likes of Adrian Chiles and Gareth Southgate in his role as television pundit for the ITV, but surprisingly revealed in the press conference that he would "miss" the job.

Keane follows Mancini in becoming manager of a home nation, with now just Wales & Scotland left searching for their head man. Wales have announced that they are to be announcing their man within the next few hours, but as of yet, nothing has been heard from the Scottish camp, and no changes made in managerial odds.

Back On Track'

Tony Pulis has been announced today as the third ex-Premiership manager to take the helm of a home nation football club, taking the reigns of Wales, following Mancini's move to England and Northern Ireland snapping up Roy Keane.

Wales are the only home nation already out of the Qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, only just after the halfway stage of the stage. Level on points with minnows Macedonia, they are still to play against Belgium, Serbia, Macedonia and finish qualifying against Scotland in October.

Pulis' first task will be to turn things around, undoubtedly, with the team gaining just 1 point from 6 games despite being ranked 44th in the World Rankings. With the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, far higher things had been expected of Wales during qualifying but they have failed to produce so far, and Pulis told the media "We will have to work harder, be fitter and more determined".

"We have some vey tricky games left, Belgium are a top, top side these days and Serbia have some threats too!" "My hope is that we can finish qualifying on around 5 to 8 points, all depending on whether Scotland higher Duncan Ferguson or the other, much scarier Fergie! Then again, she's probably to busy brushing her pony."

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In SAF hands

4 days ago, the home nations were presented with an issue. All 4 had lost their managers. Now, after speculation up and down the British Isles, it is all over. The announcement today made by the Scottish FA was one which sent vibes racing through the footballing world for the second time in little over half a week.

Nearly 30 years after a year long stint, lasting 10 games, Sir Alex Ferguson has been announced as the manager of Scotland's national side, leading to nation wide cheers, whilst the English groan.

Sir Alex, now 71, spoke in his press conference, saying that management was "too much to miss" and that he could not wait to take over the Scotland hot seat once again.

Pitted in the same group as Tony Pulis' Wales, Scotland, unlike their home nation rivals, have a chance of qualifying on paper, but must face Croatia & Belgium, as well as Macedonia and Wales, picking up at least 7 points on either of the former, during the 4 games.

Questioned about what he had planned, Sir Alex said "Many hours on the training ground, but the same amount in the shadow of the alter!". He also revealed a little about what life without management was like; "I kept being asked how Olga the dog was...everyone thought I was Paul O'Grady."

International Squads Announced For Friendlies


England 23 Man Squad v Argentina

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, Alex McCarthy, John Ruddy
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ashley Cole, Phil Jagielka, Glen Johnson, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Kyle Walker
Midfielders: Michael Carrick, Nathaniel Chalobah, Tom Cleverley, Stewart Downing, Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ashley Young
Strikers: Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck


Northern Ireland 23 Man Squad v Ecuador

Goalkeepers: Lee Camp, Roy Carroll, Michael McGovern
Defenders: Alex Bruce, Craig Cathcart, Joe Dudgeon, Jonny Evans, Lee Hodson, Aaron Hughes, Danny Lafferty
Midfielders: Chris Baird, Chris Brunt, Steven Davis, Corry Evans, Paddy McCourt, Oliver Norwood, Dean Shiels, Daryl Smylie, Ivan Sproule
Strikers: Kyle Lafferty, Niall McGinn, Billy McKay, Jamie Ward


Scotland 23 Man Squad v Canada

Goalkeepers: Matt Gilks, David Marshall, Allan McGregor
Defenders: Christophe Berra, Paul Dixon, Grant Hanley, Russell Martin, CHarlie Mulgrew, Graeme Shinnie, Steven Whittaker, Danny Wilson
Midfielders: Charlie Adam, Barry Bannan, Scott Brown, Graham Dorrans, Shaun Maloney, James McArthur, James Morrison, Steven Naismith, Robert Snodgrass
Strikers: Jamie Mackie, Ross McCormack, Jordan Rhodes


Wales 23 Man Squad v Singapore

Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow, Wayne Hennessey, Boaz Myhill
Defenders: Danny Collins, James Collins, Ben Davies, Joel Lynch, Adam Matthews, Ashley Richards, Neil Taylor, Ashley Williams
Midfielders: Joe Allen, Jack Collison, David Cotterill, Lloyd Isgrove, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Hal Robson-Kanu, Jon Williams
Strikers: Jake Cassidy, Craig Davies, Steve Morison, Sam Vokes