England: Victory in the Making

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West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has criticised the English Football Association over the appointment of Paddy as England manager.

Allardyce feels England’s choice is an absurd one set to create further problems and even “embarrassment” next summer.

Although the 58-year-old wasn’t in the running for the job, Allardyce believes Harry Redknapp should have been appointed and that the inexperienced Paddy is bound to crack under such pressure.

”As an Englishman, I’d like to know the logic behind giving a managerial rookie the task of managing the most publicised job in world football.

“I’m not sure Paddy knows quite what he’s got himself into but I can’t see this ending in anything other than embarrassment for him and England.

“My first issue is that he has never managed professionally. If you combine that with his tender age for a manager, the FA’s decision becomes even more ludicrous. Surely the likes Redknapp are far more qualified to take the job.

“It’s a brain sapping job, even for the very best and I just can’t see a young manager with nothing to show for being able to gain the players respect.”

Paddy only has short coaching stints and Sporting Lisbon B and Crewe Alexandra Under 19’s to show for, with the nation fearing the worst ahead of Brazil.

MOURINHO IN ENGLAND DISBELIEF

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he thought the appointment of Paddy as England manager was a joke when he was informed.

Paddy was chosen by the English Football Association to succeed Roy Hodgson and lead England into the 2014 FIFA World Cup but his appointment has already been criticised by the likes of West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce.

Mourinho has now become the latest figure to add his input on Paddy’s appointment, describing it as “bizarre”.

”Not in a million years would I have imagined England to appoint such an inexperienced manager. It’s one more occasion crossed off my list.

“It’s a bizarre choice in my opinion, it’s a choice I wouldn’t have taken and I sympathise with the English public. With all respect to Paddy, when they told me about the new manager, I thought it was some kind of joke.

“He is younger than most of my players and you wonder if he can have authority over the dressing room. Will he be respected?

“The appointment just seems very desperate and reckless in my opinion. If England needed a manager so bad, I’d do it for free if all they needed was a man in the dugout.”

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ENGLAND IN FOR REVAMP

New England manager Paddy has replied to his doubters by claiming he will revolutionise English football

Paddy’s appointment has come under intense scrutiny from his managerial counterparts in recent days and he has now come out in defence of his appointment.

The 25-year-old believes he is the right man for the job and has revealed he has major plans in store in order to change the nation’s football for the better.

”At the moment, the only opinion I care about is the FA’s as they are the ones who appointed me.

“Understandably, the fans don’t back the decision to appoint me as they don’t know who I am but I have every bit of confidence in my own ability to succeed. I wouldn’t have applied if I felt otherwise.

“The English scene is something I’m very passionate about and one whom I have many plans in store. I believe that with time, I can completely transform our nation and return it to the top of world football.

“Everything from the way we play to the way players are selected will change to suit my style of play in order to build an identity.

“England is in desperate need of this change because as of yet, our football doesn’t have a face compared to some of the greatest nations around right now.

“Germany are evolving as the years go, Brazil are adapting their style of play and Spain have a very successful tactic in domination of possession. We have nothing.

"The goal is to create a movement similar to that of Johan Cruyff's at Barcelona which went on to inspire many other great teams.

“We must change if we hope to win an international tournament soon, especially with nations such as Croatia, Colombia and Belgium all emerging as potential forces.”

Paddy feels his age will have little to do with his success, trusting his players to be professionals unlike the opinions of critics.

”I don’t feel my age will be an issue at all. If I am good enough, which I believe I am, then I will gain the trust of the players and that is all I’m after.

“Some of my critics have highly professional players that are in my plans and I'd seriously question whether they know the true likeness of their own employees.

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GERRARD RETAINS CAPTAINCY

New England boss Paddy has revealed that Liverpool’s talisman Steven Gerrard will remain as captain of the national team.

Paddy believes Gerrard’s presence is priceless to both club and country and sees him becoming the centre of his master plan ahead of Brazil, hinting at the inclusion of younger English players.

”Gerrard has been a captain for England for almost eight years in my eyes, even when he hasn’t been given the captain’s armband.

“I firmly believe he’s one of the greatest and most level-headed players this nation has ever produced, so he will be crucial for us once more.

“We are gearing up for hopefully what will be a great World Cup campaign, possibly Gerrard’s last, and I see nobody better to lead us other than the Liverpool legend himself.”

With the Liverpool skipper approaching his 34th birthday, Paddy has already shortlisted a number of future England captains upon Gerrard’s eventual international retirement.

“There’s plenty of candidates in the England camp capable of succeeding Gerrard as England captain.

“Wayne Rooney is an obvious choice and I heard many mentions for Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson to take over, all of which I regard as good choices.

“It’s important that we have these players knocking on Gerrard’s door as it gives him an easy route out of international football when he’s is ready, but we won’t be thinking about that decision until the adequate time arises.”

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CARRICK OUT OF ACTION

Manchester United star Michael Carrick will be out for up to three months with a torn hamstring suffered in pre-season.

The Englishman hobbled off the field in the 31st minute in Man United’s 4-1 away win over Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai.

Carrick will now definitely miss out on the start of the season as he is expected to return to full fitness in late October.

England manager Paddy has expressed his concerns over his injury but feels his squad still have enough to get through their upcoming internationals.

”I can’t hide the fact that Carrick is a superb player. He’s undervalued in the English game and I was very keen to see how he got on in pre-season.

“However, we do have depth in our squad and Carrick’s absence is an opportunity for someone else in the team, which in theory could boost my options.”/i]

However, Paddy did show his support for new Man United manager David Moyes, realising the importance of the injury to ‘The Red Devils’.

”Carrick’s injury is a bitter blow for all concerned but I’d say more so for Man United under new management.

“He’s clearly a key player for them and I hope Moyes can find someone to replicate Carrick’s priceless duties so early into his tenure at the club. It will be challenging.”

ENGLAND SQUAD ANNOUNCED

All eyes were on the Football Association’s headquarters today as Paddy announced his first England squad ahead their friendly versus Brazil.

Tottenham Hotspur pair Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend have each earned rare call-ups ahead of Manchester United’s Ashley Young as Danny Welbeck keeps his place over Rickie Lambert.

Lambert’s teammate and Southampton star Adam Lallana is set to earn his first cap for England after only representing the Under 21’s once in his career.

Steven Caulker will get the chance to double his England cap at the expense of Chris Smalling, with the Man United defender picking up a hamstring injury versus Wigan in the Community Shield.

Paddy will be without the injured Michael Carrick, meanwhile Kieran Gibbs misses out on his first England cap with an ankle injury after an impressive Asia tour with Arsenal.

England will face Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday the 13th August 2013 and the players will meet up for training on Monday 11th August 2013.

England Squad

Goalkeepers

Joe Hart Manchester City
Fraser Forster Celtic
John Ruddy Norwich City

Defenders

Kyle Walker Tottenham Hotspur
Glen Johnson Liverpool
Phil Jagielka Everton
Steven Caulker Cardiff City
Phil Jones Manchester United
Gary Cahill Chelsea
Leighton Baines Everton
Ashley Cole Chelsea

Midfielders

Steven Gerrard Liverpool
Jordan Henderson Liverpool
Jack Wilshere Arsenal
Adam Lallana Southampton
Alex Oxlade Chamberlain Arsenal
Aaron Lennon Tottenham Hotspur
Andros Townsend Tottenham Hotspur
Raheem Sterling Liverpool

Forwards

Wayne Rooney Manchester United
Daniel Sturridge Liverpool
Theo Walcott Arsenal
Danny Welbeck Manchester United