New Wigan boss Steve Bruce believes the pressures of
management are harming England's chances of producing a home-grown
national coach.
The search is on to replace Steve McClaren with a number of foreign
options believed to be at the forefront of the Football
Association's thinking.
And Bruce, who recently left Birmingham to join the Latics,
believes the culture of demanding instant results is hurting the
English game.
He said: "The pressure and intensity is immense. I believe we have
the best league in the world but the disadvantage is it creates so
much pressure, not only in the Premier League, but in the
Championship because everyone wants that pot of gold that comes
with being in this division.
Unbelievable
"The average survival rate of a manager in the Championship last
season was one year and one month. That is unbelievable.
"And then we wonder why we can't produce a young English boss with
the credentials to become a national team manager.
"I'll give you Paul Simpson as an example. He did wonders at
Carlisle for two or three years, got them promoted, gets a job at
Preston, does terrifically well, has a bad start to the season
and... whoosh... he's gone.
"He was the next bright young manager. The frustrating thing is if
you are not given time to turn around a club, how are we going to
produce a top manager?"
Another example Bruce cites as to the current difficulties facing
managers is Sam Allardyce at Newcastle.
Ridiculous
"Look at Sam Allardyce's situation at Newcastle," he said. "If he
is under pressure, it is ridiculous. He's been there four months.
What on earth is all that about?
"The reason Sam got a top job like Newcastle was for what he did at
Bolton. Who could have done a better job than the one he did?
"He has proved beyond doubt he is a good manager and he will turn
Newcastle around.
"For goodness sake, give the geezer a chance. This is the crazy
side of the game."
As regards the vacant England coach role, Bruce can only see one
candidate for the job.
He added: "I actually don't think we need a coach as such. Do you
need to be a genius to coach people like Steven Gerrard and Wayne
Rooney?
"What you need is nous, a man who can organise a team, make the
right changes when required and who has the experience of winning
games.
"And the man who has done that consistently over the years is Harry
Redknapp."
