Redknapp not up for England job, says Sharpe

Former Manchester United stars Andy Cole and Lee Sharpe did not subscribe to the general consensus that an Englishman should manage the national team following the abrupt resignation of Italian Fabio Capello.

Both of the considered opinion that the "best man" should get the job irrespective of whether he is Englishman or foreigner.

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce has stepped up to the role in a caretaker capacity as England take on Holland in a friendly on Wednesday.

Cole, capped 15 times for England, and was reportedly overlooked on several occasions when Glen Hoddle was in charge of the national squad.

But the second highest goalscorer in the Premier League with 187, empathised with whoever is appointed as England manager.

"England job is toughest national team job in the world because media want to pick the team and when it doesn't go right, they want to blame the manager. England is not as good as people make it out to be in the media. Media say they are good enough to win a tournament when actually they are not good enough to win a tournament. Whoever gets the England job I wish him well. I really do think it's a tough, tough job," he said.

He shied away from naming a candidate. "Well it won't be me," chuckled Cole at an event in Dubai on Tuesday.

Sharpe, a football analyst with Abu Dhabi Sports channel, felt that the frontrunner for the job Harry Redknapp lacks the tactical awareness for the top job.

"I'm not sure Harry Redknapp is the man for it, whether tactically he is quite aware enough of what to do in big games," said Sharpe of the Spurs manager.

"Tottenham have struggled against the big teams, in big games, when it comes down to little bit of tactics," he said. Tottenham blew away their Premier League title hopes at the weekend when they squandered to 2-0 advantage against Arsenal who ran circles around them to emerge victors 5-2.

On the other hand, Sharpe feels former Liverpool coach Roy Hodgson would be an ideal candidate.

"I have the belief that it should be the best manager. I don't care whether he is English or foreigner. The best man should get the job. Roy Hodgson may be a decent choice as an Englishman. He is a good coach and tactically very aware, very organised and has good discipline. Other than him Guus Hiddink as a foreign mananager would be a good choice," said Sharpe.
 

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