Gerrard takes lead in England captaincy race

[Cunny]

Gerrard takes lead in England captaincy race

 

The formal announcement on Friday will form the core part of Steve McClaren's new England era but it seems that the likelihood is now that he will name Steven Gerrard as his captain for the Euro 2008 qualification campaign and beyond. The Liverpool captain is understood to have edged ahead of John Terry in McClaren's thinking.

 

Gerrard, 26, was given the full backing of his club manager Rafael Benitez yesterday to get the job, which for a long time has been perceived as a two-horse race between the Liverpool captain and Terry. Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have all been touted as outsiders to succeed David Beckham, but the momentum appears to be on the side of Gerrard, who led his club to the European Cup in 2005.

 

Counting against Terry, 25, are the occasionally lurid revelations about his private life which have ranged from his tangle with bouncers outside the Wellington nightclub in London ­ he was cleared of affray in August 2002 ­ and have more recently concerned his relationships. Before the World Cup his partner, Toni Poole, gave birth to twins but the Chelsea captain is regarded as something of a liability when it comes to kiss-and-tells.

 

While Beckham and, indeed, McClaren are no strangers to similar allegations, it would seem that the safer bet is Gerrard, who is regarded as more adept at handling the pressures that the England captaincy now involves. From dealing with the media to maintaining a squeaky-clean image, as well as leading the team on the pitch, it would appear that Gerrard is better qualified for the enormous job that the captaincy became during Beckham's six years.

 

Although he has been a successful captain of Liverpool since 2003 Gerrard is perceived as an unusually introspective player who does not fit the tub-thumping profile of a traditional football leader.

 

Benitez said yesterday that he had asked McClaren about the identity of the new captain when the England manager visited the club's training ground this week, but was not let into the secret. Benitez's and McClaren's relationship goes back beyond the Spaniard's arrival at Liverpool as it was McClaren who arranged for him to watch Manchester United train during a brief spell Benitez had out of management.

 

"He [Gerrard] is more mature and he can do both jobs," Benitez said. "Maybe if he became the England captain it would help him to be really focused on football and improve even more. I talked a lot with Steve McClaren and joked with him about the new captain, but he wouldn't tell me. He smiled, but he didn't say. I don't need to campaign to Steve. He has made his decision, he has known the players for a few years and now we need to wait."

 

Benitez praised McClaren for being able to make quick decisions and said that they had a strong relationship. McClaren will watch Liverpool play Maccabi Haifa tonight, Tottenham play Real Sociedad on Saturday and the Community Shield between Chelsea and Liverpool on Sunday.

 

"He [Gerrard] is learning and thinking more about the game. As a manager you always want to see your players improve and Stevie has the potential to improve even more," Benitez said. "Each year I hope to see him understand the game and analyse every situation better ­ and he is. [As captain] he must be an example on the pitch and off it. Stevie knows this and the main quality he has is the passion he gives on the pitch."

 

While the identity of the third new man in McClaren's coaching team, alongside the manager and technical adviser, Terry Venables, is as yet unknown, the way was cleared yesterday with the departure of Sammy Lee. The former England international had been a part-time coach under Sven Goran Eriksson but turned down the job of managing the England Under-21s on a full-time basis and will remain as the assistant at Bolton.

 

McClaren is understood not to have wanted Lee in his set-up and by offering him the Under-21s job, which would have meant Lee leaving Bolton, was able to ease him out. A full-time Under-21s coach will be appointed to work with the current coach, the Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor, whose England role will then diminish.

[Cooldude]

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

 

Congrats to Stevie, it's a great honour for him if he gets it, but would rather he miss out on it

Edited August 9, 2006 by Cooldude

[Mike]

Oh no, oh no, oh no.

 

Congrats to Stevie, it's a great honour for him if he gets it, but would rather he miss out on it

 

why?

[Cooldude]

why?

 

He's getting a job that will ultimately end in tears for him

 

Plus all the distraction he's bound to get for being England captain, mainly from the press

 

Would rather he just stay our captain.

[Rich Gobey]

He's getting a job that will ultimately end in tears for him

Plus all the distraction he's bound to get for being England captain, mainly from the press

 

Would rather he just stay our captain.

 

why?

[Cooldude]

why?

 

Because England aren't very good

[Mike]

He's getting a job that will ultimately end in tears for him

 

Plus all the distraction he's bound to get for being England captain, mainly from the press

 

Would rather he just stay our captain.

 

it'll make him a better player.

[Montse]

Its every boys dream to captain their club and country, we have seen the way he has raised his game since 2003 captaining us, to lead his country will raise it again - I hope he gets it.

 

PS - it will also add fuel to the fire from Jose thinking the world is against the Chavs by not chosing their boy!

Edited August 9, 2006 by Montse

[Cooldude]

it'll make him a better player.

 

IMO that's debatable, although it's a possibility.

 

Being captain at least means he'd get to play in his best position instead of having to cover for Lampard's ass all the time

[Hodgson for Chelsea]

He's getting a job that will ultimately end in tears for him

 

Plus all the distraction he's bound to get for being England captain, mainly from the press

 

Would rather he just stay our captain.

 

I understand what you mean but I think we have to be happy for Stevie. It is a great reflection on our club to have the England captain among our ranks.

 

Plus it would stick it to all the Chelski fans who wanted Terry to get the job!

[Stevie H]

this is great. carra's brother shagging terry's mum seals gerrard the england captaincy. fabulous stuff.

[kacangpool]

a speculative piece, i'd be surprised if mclaren really chose stevie. it'd take some balls for him to veer of what the public considers a shoo-in choice of terry. it doesn't matter to me one bit who becomes the england captain, though i'd be pleased if stevie gets it.

[RP]

Looks like Terry might regret getting blown by teenage girls in the back seat of his car after all.

[Rich Gobey]

this is great. carra's brother shagging terry's mum seals gerrard the england captaincy. fabulous stuff.

 

teamwork

[Ombudsam]

I'd love it if he was captain. Thought it'd be Terry, probably still will be

[Mike]

IMO that's debatable, although it's a possibility.

 

Being captain at least means he'd get to play in his best position instead of having to cover for Lampard's ass all the time

 

no more debateable than what you said though

[Cooldude]

no more debateable than what you said though

 

Most things are debateable

[RP]

Most things are debateable

 

I'm not so sure.

[Cooldude]

I'm not so sure.

 

See? You just found what I said debateable by giving that statement

 

And I just find what you said debateable

 

Things are debateable as soon as there are suckers who has a differing opinion on one issue

 

Mind you, the above statement is debateable

[RP]

[Huyton_Red]

Cooldude have you been on the cooking sherry all night lad ?

[Swipe]

Looks like Terry might regret getting blown by teenage girls in the back seat of his car after all.

 

I love how the press have completely glossed over all the c*** bouts of appalling behaviour from "JT" in his career so far.

 

Plus, he still hasn't reproduced his club form yet. He was poor during the World Cup.

[Cooldude]

Cooldude have you been on the cooking sherry all night lad ?

 

No, but I've been drinking Coke Zero and it tastes like s*** juice

[David Hodgson]

Looks like Terry might regret getting blown by teenage girls in the back seat of his car after all.

 

Ah..it's something he'll tell his grandchildren about one day.

 

As a matter of interest,and slander of rivals, were these girsl under-age, and therefore statutorily rapd ?

[DazzlaJ]

and therefore statutorily rapd ?

 

2 trailer park girls go in the back seat

to munch on meat, in the back seat?