Sir Alex Ferguson has never been short of something to say and it’s something of a surprise that it’s taken him ten days to make his feelings known on the next England manager, as featured in Saturday’s Telegraph. Some might consider his suggestion of the FA asking his advice a bit rich, considering he’s a proud Scotsman and also due to his track record of preventing United players joining up with their national team.
“It is not easy to get international managers. It is not an easy job and it is not an easy selection process. No-one at the FA has spoken to me and I don’t know if they will or not but there is nothing wrong with them asking football people.”
However, this does raise an interesting point. At least in the next few seasons, most of the England team will play their club football at Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool. It therefore follows that the next national team coach should be able to enjoy good working relationships with the likes of Ferguson, Grant and Benitez (or their subsequent replacements).
Would Mourinho and Chelsea be able to put the past behind them and liaise honestly with regard to the form and condition of Terry, Lampard, J Cole, A Cole and Wright-Phillips? Will Benitez be all too aware of the regular spats that took place between him and the former Blues coach?