If you register for free, you will be able to post threads, vote on polls and lots more. If you have problems with the registration or logging in, please contact the administrator.
The shock news comes in that England manager Steve McClaren has been forced to retire after the press found out about a fling he had with Brian Barwick just before his appointment.
The press had Sam Alladyce as hot favourite for the job, but from out of nowhere the press were called to a conference at Soho Square.
2nd July: The press arrived early waiting for news on who was to be the next England manager. I walked in with Brain Barwick, Brian announced to the press that I was to be given the England job with immediate affect. With a laughter from the press which was deafening one reporter shouted up " This isn't April fools day "
What could I say to that, I knew it would take nothing short of miracle to win the press and fans over, especially with my limited football manager experience
3rd July: My first day in the office and the papers were already full of comments saying I should quit now before I embaress the country and my family, My secretary gave me all the necessary paperwork I requested. England are ranked 5th in the Wrold Rankings with Brazil holding onto the number one spot.
We have an easy group for the European Football Championships, with us facing Andorra (132), Croatia (21), Estonia (78), FYR Macedonia (68), Israel (51) and Russia (33) *The numbers in brackets represent current FIFA World Ranking*
But my first match in charge is to be a friendly against Greece (32) at Old Trafford.
13th August: The first trophy of the season has been won by Liverpool as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Community Shield, Goals from Gonzalez (2) and Kuyt (53). Chelsea's scorer was Robben (13)
16th August: England (5) v Greece (32); Friendly
Starting Line Up:GK - Ben Foster, RB - Gary Neville, LB - Wayne Bridge, CB - Rio Ferdinand, CB - John Terry (Capt), MR - Shaun Wright-Phillips, ML - Stuart Downing, MC - Kieron Dyer, MC - Owen Hargreaves, FC - Jermain Defoe, FC - Peter Crouch
Subs: Chris Kirkland, Jonathen Woodgate, Jamie Carragher, Sol Campbell, Ledley King, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney
With a half empty stadium the atmosphere was very dull, My players started quite well to say this was the first competitive game for most of them. The match was only 13 minutes old when we created our first chance as Dyer fired in a brilliant effort from 25 yards which was tipped over the post. From the resulting corner Crouch headed just wide. On the 17th minute we had to repalce Crouch who had picked up a leg injury, Wayne Rooney repalced him.
Greece almost scored as they started to press the ball more. On the stroke of half time Ferdinand did well to block a good effort. At half time I changed much of the team with Carragher, Campbell, King, Joe Cole and Lampard all coming on for Bridge, Ferdinand, Terry, Dyer and Hargreaves respectivly. With so many chancges the team took there time to settle. On the 50th minute Greece took advantage and scored but luckily the assistants flag was already up for offside. I decided to change the formation and made it a 4-3-1-2. It seemed to pay off as on the 63rd minute Downig headed home from a Wright-Phillips corner. This seemed to lift the players and we started to control the game more but unfortunatly couldn't add to our goal tally
17th August: Sir Alex Ferguson made it known that he was far from happy with me playing Rooney for most of the match, I told the press that it was up to me how long the players played for and the fatc that friendlies are the perfect way for me to see which players would be in my squad for the upcoming Qualifiers
18th August: After reading my reply Sir Alex wasn't best pleased, but hey you can't be firneds with everyone in international management
26th August: Unfortunate injury news see's Goalkeeper Ben Foster out for up to four months after tearing his calf muscle in training with his club. My attention now turns towards my next match which is the European Championship Qualifier against Andorra (132), influential striker Wayne Ronney is suspended for the match after his sending off in the World Cup
2nd September: England (5) v Andorra (132): Euro Champs Qualifier
Starting Line Up:GK - P.Robinson, RB - G.Neville, LB - A.Cole, CB - R.Ferdinand, CB - J.Terry (Capt), MR - J.Cole, ML - S.Downing, MC - S.Gerrard, MC - F.Lampard, FC - J.Defoe, FC - P.Crouch
Subs: D.James, W.Bridge, J.Carragher, M.Carrick, T.Walcott, A.Smith, K.Richardson
We started brilliantly with Gerrard netting in the 4th minute with a scrappy goal afater a Lampard corner, six minutes later we doubled our lead as Crouch headed home from another Lampard corner. The crowd were going wild and were shouting for more. Our play was brilliant and on the 15th minute we nearly scored a third as Crouch fired his effort just over. Then Joe Cole got in on the action but his long ranger was well held by the keeper, we added a third goal on the 25th minute as Crouch managed to flick the ball apst the defender and have a clear run on goal. with the keeper coming out he chipped him to score a brilliant individual goal. Luckily he didn't do the robot dance so we saved from that.
We continued our dominace and on the 33rd minute Lampard added our fourth with a brilliant free kick to cap a great game so far for him.
A t half time I took off Gerrard and Defoe and brought on Smith and Walcott, We carried on going forward but unfortunetly couldn't add another goal, and it was a great start to the qualifiers for us
5th September: FYR Macedonia (68) v England (5): Euro Champs Qualifier
Starting Line Up: Same as Andorra match
A potential banana skin against Macedonia on what is a very poor pitch, but luckily it didn't seem to affect our game too much as within six minutes Defoe had opened the scoring with a great break from the defence. Again we pressed forward and nearly fired in our second but Downings effort went straight into the keepers arms. On the 15th minute we doubled our lead as Ashley Cole's cross was knocked into the Macedonians neyt by there own player. It got worse for them as three minutes later we added a third as Defoe headed home,
Within another minute Gerrard just headed wide. Macedonia did create there chances but they were very poor and Robinson ahd no problems in dealing with them. At half time I brought on Richardson and Walcott for J.Cole and Crouch.
Three minutes into the half we made it 4-0 as Downing ran free of the defence to round the keeper and score into the open net
FYR Macedonia 0 - 4 England (Defoe 6, 18, OG 15, Downing 48)
6th September: Two wins out of two see's us top of our group with six points and eight goals, maybe the fans might start to appreciate what I'm doing with the team
13th September: The FIFA rankings have been released andwe've moved up one place to 4th with Italy taking top spot off Brazil