As an outsider but silent admirer of the English team I have to say that Sven was certainly one of the better managers England has had as of late. He brought calm into the team (at times a little too much) and organised the team fairly well.

Now he was graced with above average players but no real superstar. England's prolem since time immemorial has always been that they tended to lose important matches. They are always good for a surprise but have never really counted as absolute favourites to win anything. There has always been some other team that has been put before them. Their enthusiasm is almost second to none but always runs out of steam in important moments. I really do hope that England will one day become a great side again. It's not all the manager although perhaps some fresh wind cannot harm.

I find is dispicable that the media is able to influence an authority's decision so much (in this case the FA) but that is just the way things go nowadays. England would have lost that match against NI with any other manager also. They were awful and I really felt for Sven. Maybe it was a good thing, though. They needed to get their arses kicked and brought back down to reality.

Good luck in the WC. I hope you will do well. I don't, however, believe you're one of the favourites no matter who your manager is. It's all in the quality of players. And that is there only in a limited sense. Let's see the lion rise again and fight with its bare teeth instead...

Quid