MA Sport
Full-time Fletch on... England manager situation and Champions League
After the shambles of Sam Allardyce leaving the England job, the Football Association (FA) has done the sensible thing by putting Gareth Southgate in temporary charge.
Allardyce made a mockery of the position and responsibility he was given and the FA handled the situation in the only way it could.
Must-show fixtures on BT Sport
Bayer Leverkusen v Tottenham Hotspur (18 October, 7.45pm)
Leicester City v FC Copenhagen (18 October, 7.45pm)
Barcelona v Manchester City (19 October, 7.45pm)
Arsenal v Ludogorets Razgrad (19 October, 7.45pm)
The FA put its faith in the guy and, through his actions, he let himself and the FA down. So he had to go.
The FA has given itself some breathing space and it’s important now it takes stock and doesn’t rush into a decision. Southgate knows the FA set-up and the squad of players.
He should have their respect so he may be the man for the job. But does he want it permanently? Would it suit him and his lifestyle?
The coming months are a sounding-out process for him and the powers that be.
Fletch's favourite
The longer the situation goes on, in my opinion, Arsene Wenger becomes favourite for the job. If his contract isn’t renewed at Arsenal then he is the stand-out candidate within the timescale the FA is working to.
Top managers can have a rapid impact on players and he commands so much respect that he would have a good chance of success. But a lot needs to happen before he gets the job.
As I said in this column after the dismal performance at Euro 2016, what England fans want is a team that will, at least, make them proud.
The new manager needs to get the team playing in a style that enables us to compete in tournaments. I think a Wenger team could do that.
Champions League cracker
Barcelona v Manchester City this week is the biggest game of the group stage. It’s going to be fantastic to watch.
Throw in the sub-plot of City manager Pep Guardiola returning to face his old side at the Nou Camp then it should be a cracker.
City will approach this game without the inferiority complex they have shown in previous big European matches. They should feel they can win these sort of matches.
The big question is whether Pep can enforce City’s style of play on Barca and get enough possession of the ball.
Barca don’t look on top of their game just yet this season, so I think City have a real chance of getting positive results in both the matches.
It might just be the making of City in Europe and will definitely send out a message to the European super clubs if they can win one of the back-to-back games. I’m commentating on both so I can’t wait.
