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Keep it English Charlton says international coach would be an 'insult'
LONDON (AP) -- Bobby Charlton, perhaps the most respected figure in English soccer, says it would be a "disgrace" to appoint a foreigner as coach of the national team. Ever since Kevin Keegan resigned as coach following England's 1-0 defeat to Germany in a World Cup qualifier Saturday at Wembley, speculation has focused on the possibility of naming a non-Englishman as his successor. Among the names mentioned have been France's Arsene Wenger, Italy's Marcello Lippi and Dutchman Dick Advocaat. But Charlton, the former Manchester United star and a hero of England's 1966 World Cup winning team, says the Football Association should never consider a foreign coach. "It would be an insult to our national pride," he said in an interview in the Daily Mail. "What a disgrace if the country which invented the game -- and in which football is the greatest sporting passion -- couldn't find someone good enough to manage our national team. "If we want to consider ourselves still one of the leading football countries in the world, then we should not even consider putting a foreigner in charge. "Only the emerging countries or smaller nations to that. Playing for, or managing, England involves more than just technical expertise. It is a huge honor to lead your country and it can never mean as much to someone who is not English." FA chief executive Adam Crozier has questioned the capabilities of the current crop of English coaches. "It doesn't matter whether the new man is English, Scottish, Irish or foreign," he said. "All that matters is that they are the right person for the long term future of the England team." A poll in the Daily Mirror suggested 81 percent of those surveyed do not want the FA to turn to a foreigner. "Our position has not changed -- we rule nothing out and we rule nothing in," FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said Tuesday. "We begin our work for the long term on Thursday." The FA said it is focused on uniting the England camp for Wednesday night's World Cup qualifier against Finland in Helsinki. Meanwhile, another possible candidate, Charlton manager Alan Curbishley, ruled himself out of contention for the England job. "I don't think I'm quite ready for that sort of thing yet," said Curbishley, who guided Charlton to the First Division championship last season. "But whoever does get the job, the FA need to be looking at his successor, because we never seem to be prepared." Six contenders were ruled out Monday: Aime Jacquet, coach of the French team which won the 1998 World Cup; and English club managers Peter Taylor of Leicester, Peter Reid of Sunderland, Bobby Robson of Newcastle and Bryan Robson of Middlesbrough. The bookies favorite is Englishman Terry Venables, who guided England to the semifinals of Euro '96. Lippi, the former Inter Milan manager, hinted he might be interested in taking charge of England. Lippi was sacked by the Italian giants after just one game of the new Serie A season. "I have spoken to friends in England and I hear my name mentioned in connection with the England job," Lippi said. "It is very gratifying to be in the frame for such a prestigious position."
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