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FA reveal that money is no obstacle as they look for next England manager
Chairman David Bernstein says the Association is prepared to pay whatever it takes to bring the right man on board - and hails popular choice Harry Redknapp's work at Tottenham
12-Feb-2012 7:38:47 PM
By Chris Butterworth JR
Getty Images
FA chairman David Bernstein has revealed that English football's governing body are prepared to pay whatever it takes to appoint the right man to succeed Fabio Capello as national team manager.
Bernstein told The Sunday Express: “We won’t be penny-pinching, whatever our views on past salaries might be. We will pay what we need to pay. We will have to assess the position with any candidates."
His comments confirm the FA's willingness to pay possible compensation should they succeed in persuading a currently employed manager to leave club football and work on the international stage.
Harry Redknapp has emerged as the main contender to fill the vacancy created by Capello's abrupt resignation last Wednesday, and it has been estimated that - should the FA approach Spurs for his services, and Redknapp accept - his appointment could cost them around £10 million.
That figure is based on release clauses embedded in Redknapp's contract that would entitle Tottenham to £5m should anyone take him from the club, plus the £3m that is left on his current deal.
The remaining £2m of any potential pay-out would be made up of compensation payments should Redknapp choose to take his backroom staff of Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond and Clive Allen with him into the England camp.
Although the FA have been careful not to imply that Redknapp is a shoo-in for the job before officially approaching Tottenham about his availability, Bernstein has acknowledged the Spurs manager's "amazing" work at White Hart Lane, and also suggested that the role of England boss is best suited to an older coach - ideally an Englishman capable of producing an exciting, entertaining team.
Telling reporters that "it would be nice to reflect the national mood", Bernstein said of Redknapp: "We do understand the hype - the guy has done amazingly recently.
"He is a fine manager and he is English ... despite all this hype we need to come to a measured, professional decision.
"Although there are huge pressures arising [from the England job], it's a different dynamic from being a club manager as we all know. There aren't 50 or 60 matches a year so in a way you could say this is more suited in some ways to an older person than club management where the demands are absolutely incessant."
Recognising the interest in managing the English team, Bernstein said: "This job will be so attractive still to many people.
"[We] will get interest from serious parties or engender interest despite this particular hype [about Redknapp]. So I am not bothered by the hype."
The FA boss said there is no need to rush the decision, as there are no England matches until May after the February 29 friendly against the Netherlands, for which Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce will be in temporary charge. England's Euro 2012 campaign does not kick-off until June 11 against France.
"There is time for an experienced manager to pick up the reins."
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has thrown his support behind Redknapp and believes he is the right man for England. “Harry has a good personality. He is very laid back about it all, And, at 64, he’s just the boy,” he said.
The Scot has also come to the defence of Capello, saying: “I have texted him and he has texted me back. I thought he did a good job. It’s not an easy job managing England.”
Bernstein told The Sunday Express: “We won’t be penny-pinching, whatever our views on past salaries might be. We will pay what we need to pay. We will have to assess the position with any candidates."
His comments confirm the FA's willingness to pay possible compensation should they succeed in persuading a currently employed manager to leave club football and work on the international stage.
Harry Redknapp has emerged as the main contender to fill the vacancy created by Capello's abrupt resignation last Wednesday, and it has been estimated that - should the FA approach Spurs for his services, and Redknapp accept - his appointment could cost them around £10 million.
That figure is based on release clauses embedded in Redknapp's contract that would entitle Tottenham to £5m should anyone take him from the club, plus the £3m that is left on his current deal.
The remaining £2m of any potential pay-out would be made up of compensation payments should Redknapp choose to take his backroom staff of Joe Jordan, Kevin Bond and Clive Allen with him into the England camp.
Although the FA have been careful not to imply that Redknapp is a shoo-in for the job before officially approaching Tottenham about his availability, Bernstein has acknowledged the Spurs manager's "amazing" work at White Hart Lane, and also suggested that the role of England boss is best suited to an older coach - ideally an Englishman capable of producing an exciting, entertaining team.
Telling reporters that "it would be nice to reflect the national mood", Bernstein said of Redknapp: "We do understand the hype - the guy has done amazingly recently.
"He is a fine manager and he is English ... despite all this hype we need to come to a measured, professional decision.
"Although there are huge pressures arising [from the England job], it's a different dynamic from being a club manager as we all know. There aren't 50 or 60 matches a year so in a way you could say this is more suited in some ways to an older person than club management where the demands are absolutely incessant."
Recognising the interest in managing the English team, Bernstein said: "This job will be so attractive still to many people.
"[We] will get interest from serious parties or engender interest despite this particular hype [about Redknapp]. So I am not bothered by the hype."
The FA boss said there is no need to rush the decision, as there are no England matches until May after the February 29 friendly against the Netherlands, for which Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce will be in temporary charge. England's Euro 2012 campaign does not kick-off until June 11 against France.
"There is time for an experienced manager to pick up the reins."
Meanwhile, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has thrown his support behind Redknapp and believes he is the right man for England. “Harry has a good personality. He is very laid back about it all, And, at 64, he’s just the boy,” he said.
The Scot has also come to the defence of Capello, saying: “I have texted him and he has texted me back. I thought he did a good job. It’s not an easy job managing England.”
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