World Cup 2006
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Harry Harris - Chief Football Writer - The Express
Scolari has some explaining to do
Back in August, at the annual Sky Sports pre-season lunch hosted by head of sport Vic Wakeling, I tipped Germany to win the World Cup, although before the tournament started I hedged my bets by going for England in my Daily Express pull out forecast.
I initially felt the hosts would do well with home advantage, and despite all the criticism thrown at Jurgen Klinsmann, I felt he would galvanise their nation in front of their own fans.
Equally I still believe England can win it, even without Michael Owen, and with Theo Walcott seen but so far not played, and England lacking strength in depth in their attacking option.
I know that’s going against the tide of opinion now pointing toward Argentina and Brazil. But England can win the next three games, perhaps win two and end up victorious in a penalty shoot out for a change.
Yes, let’s show that pride, passion and a bundle full of blind belief that Wayne comes good, Theo actually comes on, and Lennon frightens the big guns with the pace that Owen showed eight years ago.
The focus of attention inevitably falls on the conflicting styles of ice-man Sven and the passionate Latin temperament of Big Phil. The secrets of Big Phil’s confidential interview with the six-man FA select committee will come back to haunt the Portuguese coach ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals with England on Saturday.
My FA sources have provided me with all the details of precisely what he told the FA panel behind closed doors in an Oxfordshire mansion, and it will not be pleasant reading for his players or the Portuguese FA.
Scolari told the FA head hunters why he wanted to become the new England coach in succession to Sven Goran Eriksson, because......
- David Beckham and the England stars were among the best in the world.
- England were developing some of the most exciting young talent spearheaded by Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole, John Terry and Joe Cole
- English football had the most exciting league in the world with world class performers such as Stephen Gerrard.
- Coaching the England team was the best job in world football (and the most highly paid).
Related Links
Harry Harris archive
- 1. Harry Harris writes for ntlworld
- 2. Can England do it This Time?
- 3. There's only one Metatarsal
- 4. England best for talent
- 5. Bags packed, fingers crossed
- 6. Thrills, spills and intrigue
- 7. Prawn sarnies, cap controversy and Swedish sentiment
- 8. Swedish endurance in Soho
- 9. Scolari has some explaining to do
- 10. Give Rooney the armband
- 11. A triumph for Germany