1 The past four England managers, in order, have been English (Kevin Keegan), foreign (Sven-Göran Eriksson), English (Steve McClaren) and foreign (Fabio Capello). The three favourites to replace Capello, should he leave his job, are English (Harry Redknapp, Roy Hodgson and Stuart Pearce). Guus Hiddink, the Dutchman, may have to wait another two years, before England’s exit from Euro 2012 leads to a clamour for “the best coach, wherever he is from”. Then, after the 2014 World Cup elimination, it will be back to: “Foreigners don’t understand us — we need an English manager.”
2 This World Cup is emulating the Champions League of 2007-08, in which no English teams were eliminated by a non-Premier League side (Arsenal were knocked out by Liverpool, who were eliminated by Chelsea, who lost to Manchester United in the final). The five South American nations have progressed to the knockout phase, where the only fallers, Chile, have been beaten by Brazil.
3 Nestor Ortigoza, of Paraguay, gave away the ball so often against Japan yesterday (ten times in the first 24 minutes) that ITV’s commentators could not believe it was happening. Jim Beglin, seventeenth minute: “That’s better from Ortigoza” — a split-second before his pass bounced beyond a team-mate into touch. Peter Drury, 24th minute: “[Passed out] wide from Ortigoza; that’s a half-decent ball” — as it sailed out for a throw-in.
4 Kenny Dalglish is asked by Liverpool to investigate who should be their next manager and, after deep thought, he decides it should be . . . him. Now Harry Redknapp says that, on a point of principle, England should appoint an English manager. Who would he like it to be? Him.