Two-jobs Pearce stuns City

Chris Bailey

January 29, 2007

Stuart Pearce

STUART Pearce's shock acceptance of the job as temporary England Under-21 coach has sparked fury among fans and bemusement on the club's board.

City's directors were taken aback by the manager's announcement after yesterday's FA Cup win over Southampton and were quick to stress that no deal has yet been struck with the FA for Pearce's services.

And disquiet from Blues' fans means Pearce faces a tough battle for their hearts and minds with the overwhelming majority of them clearly not in favour of him taking on two jobs.

Pearce says the post will take him away from club duties for just two days next week to prepare for the friendly against Spain at Derby on February 6, four more days in March - when many of City's senior players will be on international duty - and then the European Championship finals themselves in June which he would attend as a spectator anyway.

"For me, the decision has been made," said Pearce. "It is a massive honour for a patriot like myself.

"I thought about whether it would take anything away from what I am doing at City and if I thought it would I would have quashed it straight away. I think it will be a massive benefit for this club for me to get to know the best young talent in this country and in Europe.

"Now it is down to the club and the FA to both be comfortable with the situation. Hopefully they can finalise things.

"From my point of view it will be a massive plus for the club. As we stand at the moment the FA have stressed this is only for the summer and not beyond that.

Detrimental

"If I felt the job would be detrimental to City, I would not have even considered it but I would be introduced to the squad on Sunday, we would train on Monday and play on Tuesday, so time-wise it is negligible.

"I am the manager of Manchester City and I want to be at this club for a long time."

But Pearce's announcement came as news to Blues officials, whose fears about the manager's ability to combine the twin roles were not been eased by conversations with FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking over the weekend. And the club last night issued a terse statement, saying: "The club has not given permission for our manager to be released for England duty.

"We recognise Stuart's patriotism and enthusiasm to assist the FA, and Manchester City in turn understands the FA's desire to have him contributing to the under-21 European Championship campaign. We will remain in dialogue with the FA and hope to reach a solution suitable to this club in the next few days."

Pearce's announcement has also caused anger among the City faithful, with 90 per cent of supporters saying he shouldn't take the job in a poll on our website manchesterevening news.co.uk, while almost 200 City supporters logged their views online, the vast majority of them critical of the move. Dave Wallace, editor of the city fanzine King of the Kippax and the former fan on the board said last night: "I have not heard of one City fan who is in favour of this.

"It's a big enough job at our place without taking on the Under-21s role as well.

"If Crystal Palace's Peter Taylor can't manage two jobs then how does a manager in the Premiership expect to cope with them?"

Meanwhile, Pearce has tipped Joey Barton to earn his first England call-up on Friday when Steve McClaren announces his squad for the February 7 friendly with Spain.

Should the City board give Pearce permission to take on the England job? Have your say.

Articles

Pearce accepts England job

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Si, Urmston (29/01/2007 at 09:10)

Pearce has issues closer to home to sort out first. ie, bottom half of the table, no game plan, formations that confuse players and lack of flair in the team.
Another point, whenever there is negative reporting about City (usually quite often) why is Dave (ill make things sound 10 times worse) Wallace wheeled out? Cant we get someone else to comment? Wallace is a classic City fan, if things were going ok he would do his best to find something to moan about.

daz, manchester (29/01/2007 at 09:14)

This is just shocking surely pearce should be concentrating on driving us forward into the top half of the table and pushing for europe a job which would need 100% of his time and efforts.

Davey, Scotland (29/01/2007 at 09:16)

This is the ideal time to do what I have been saying for a while - bring in an older wiser Director of Football to help SP develop more. Preferably someone with a good knowledge of European Football.

Now we can ask the FA to pay for it!!!

I think the Board need to say to SP that if he take sthe job he must resign if City are ever in the bottom three...this way he ensures at least we stay up!

timmy, withington (29/01/2007 at 09:23)

Of course not! What is this strange man talking about. He has enough on his plate at City. It's a massive job to get us into the top half of the table and his reign so far is not exactly inspirational, more keeping things ticking over for a cash-strapped club. If Taylor can't dioo it, why does Pearc think he can? Arrogance? If he wants to do both the board should tell him in no uncertain terms to pack his bags. He would be no great loss really.

Mike, Ashton (29/01/2007 at 09:24)

Whats the problem? We're not going down, the time he has off all our playing staff are away anyway. After the summer its all over! If it went on longer than the summer its a no-no but the benefit the club could get out of this is huge and far outweighs the small possibility that SP being away for a short period will be directly linked to us losing. You lot on here just have no idea, and moan for the sake of moaning. How many of you were at the game yesterday? You have no right to make a judgement on SP or his team if you can't be bothered to turn up a Sunday to watch. It was a great game and you all missed it because you were all to busy clogging up message boards moaning. You're all a disgrace. Call yourself fans, surely fans support not grumble every time the most insignificant thing comes up. And as for the media baiting the arguement saying the board and the FA are at loggerheads, its a big circus and quite frankly if everyone used their common sense they'd realise its not that bad. Remeber its only until the summer. He'd be at the tournament anyway and as for the friendlies less than half his squad would be with him. Come on City fans get to the games and start backing a manager who has possibly the most difficult job in the Premiership. He's had the least money and is at a club where expectations are high. There was a time when I wondered if he was the right man but he proves it more and more as the days go by. And if anyone disagrees then I'd like to know where you get that opinion? Whats it based on, what you read in the MEN or News Of The World?

Martin, Dukinfield (29/01/2007 at 09:25)

Unbelievable arrogance - If he wants to take the job let him go - good riddance. Then nip over to Preston and bring in Paul Simpson - articulate, intelligent, has a game plan in fact everything Pearce doesn't have. Yes, I have seen them play a few times this season - much better standard than we are seeing!!

Mad Blue, Teamtalk.com (29/01/2007 at 09:26)

He can't do one job, how is he gonna do two!!??

reidus, sheffield (29/01/2007 at 09:31)

not wise to accept the job before being given the green light by city

Joel, Mancunia (29/01/2007 at 09:33)

two sides to this;
1) could be a fantastic thing for city, in terms of pearce becoming the 'draw' or authority in football, he aims to become. he does deserve it, and it will happen, but this could expediate matters considerably. pearce, contrary to popular belief, is not stupid. he could have a better, more successful influence with players coming to eastlands, which he has struggled with - and he will be learning more about coaching at some other teams expence, rather than the - sometimes costly - expence of city.
2) perhap more sinisterly - does this mean the rot at city has finally become clear - and pearce has an escape clause?
hogwash. so all of you missers and poaners get back to reading the doom and gloom of the tabloids that you so struggled with yesterday morning.
this is not a bad hing. its a good one.

bluenose, city centre (29/01/2007 at 09:34)

get rid of pearce now in bring in PAUL SIMPSON to turn things round at this club

Martin, Dukinfield (29/01/2007 at 09:34)

Mike Ashton - Take the blinkers off son - and I object to you stating that everyone on these boards do not go the games - I was there yesterday and have been to every home game this season, and most away games. How many away games have you been to??? Thought so.... Yesterday was NOT a great game we got through against a very poor saints side - let's see what happens against Reading next shall we?? Pearce is arrogant - and the fact he announced it yesterday before the club had agreed is shocking!! I have a right to voice my opinion and that is Pearce isn't good enough - and the reason the ground is half empty is that the football is dire... We do not have one player going forward that gets you on the edge of your seat!!

Mossy, Italy (29/01/2007 at 09:35)

I say let Pearce try it for 6 months. I do worry whether City will suffer as a result of this but you have to look at the big picture. 1. The board have been using Pearce to avoid offering serious spending money as a more experienced manager would have walked away from this board (look at Mourinho last week). This board owes Pearce this opportunity to grow. 2. If Pearce is forced out no quality manager would come to us without huge cost and no self-respecting manager would tolerate a meddling board. 3. Country should always come before club in my opinion (maybe thats why we havent won anything with the national team for 40 years). 4. The experienced director of football idea (with an attacking focus) is valid if Pearce splits his time between the two jobs. 5. More interestingly, you could argue that Pearce shouldn't be involved nationally because he's not good enough to even manage at club level. City's worst football (as an entertainment entity) for ages is hardly an advert for international involvement. Truth is, we don't know what Pearce is capable of because we give him peanuts to spend. Mido coming to City this week? it's a disgrace!!

timmy, withington (29/01/2007 at 09:38)

Mike, you are certainly right on one score - it was a very entertaining game yesterday and the fans who stayed away missed a treat. I was there as I always am, no matter what. But the job of a premiership manager is full time and can't be helped by distractions. If Pearce knew more about tactics, creativity, strikers, buying players and so on I'd be less concerned, but he still has so much to learn and improve as a manager that this dispersal of his energies is not timely.

Johnny Baguette, France (29/01/2007 at 09:38)

Make that THREE jobs. He is Chief Scout in all but name at MCFC. Can't say I like the idea of the squad being left in the hands of Wigley for days at a time, either!
He has a near enough impossible job at City as it is. The board are in chaos anyway. Bet they can't believe their luck that we are not in the relegation zone and have reached the cup fifth round. I know I can't!

alec g moonshiner, Kendal (29/01/2007 at 09:38)

Seems the FA think an awful lot more of SP than some of the City fans do. I wonder who's right?

Nefyn blue, Stockport (29/01/2007 at 09:39)

I can see this situation going 2 ways (1) Now this is the best ever scenario ! City DO have a secret buyer waiting in the wings to see if City maintain Premier status, and seize the SKY windfall intact (thats why no money has been spent, unlike other clubs). The new investor wants his own manager so SP knows this and looks for a way out. The U21 job allows SP to keep reputation intact (no sacking). The club goes on to unparalled domestic and european success !!. OR (2) There STILL is no investor. The board will not release sufficient funds to allow transfers and our best players may well leave in the summer. As a result of successive knock backs from the board, SP decides there is no point staying at a club where nothing will be done and no support received. He then looks for other employment, ie the FA. Again reputation is intact (no failure, just progression to national setup), either way SP goes. I wonder which one it is ?

dpkmanc, Levenshulme (29/01/2007 at 09:46)

Pearce is destroying the club with the boards collusion - now this slap in the face from the arrogant manager and a clueless, spineless board, yet people still come on here defending them - BIZARRE!

Joel, Mancunia (29/01/2007 at 09:47)

mad blue,
do teamtalk.com pay you for your services?
i am thinking i may need someone new in the office, what with your skillfull insight - and especially your oracle voicings on all things football??

Disenchanted, Hale (29/01/2007 at 09:48)

Could the MEN please start a poll asking "Should Stuart Pearce resign as Manager of Manchester City ?" instead.

Mac100, Swinton (29/01/2007 at 09:50)

Mike, Ashton, not to get in an 'argument' with a fellow blue but a few points if I may. To clarify, I have a season ticket, I was at the match yesterday and I go away from home so I think I am 'qualified' (in your eyes) to comment on SP. I think he is a distinctly average manager, and here's why; 1. His signings are poor 2. His tactics are poor (3 5 2 is great when you have top qulaity wing backs. Our only player really capable of playing the wing back role is Micah and he's needed elsewhere at the moment. I know Trabelsi is supposed to be a wing-back but he isn't mobile enough anymore) 3. The prowling of the touchline is counter-productive and if he needs to be barking orders for 90 minutes then the preparation in the week is obviously not good enough. Just watch how many times, Samaras keeps looking over to the bench for assurances and it certainly hasn't done Jordan any good!! 4. Not criticising the refs is getting us nowhere. It was ok for Brian Clough to dot it but he was a world class manager, we need all the help we can get 5. Why no signings in this transfer window yet? Very poor planning. Not just the board's fault (although they are useless as well)
That's enough for now. If he wants the job full time let him have it and we'll get good compensation for an average manager. How can he look at young players in the Championship if he's got a game with us on the same day? Assistants can dot it for him but that's hardly ideal is it? Also Mike, "Not going down"??!! Maybe not but I feel there's a bit more nail biting to go yet. Out of the last 4 home Premiership games, it was only the 2nd half against Everton that we looked anything like a decent outfit. The 2nd ugliest footballing side in the league behind Watford (who should have beaten us at home). It's good to see your optimistic but I certainly don't share that optimism with you.

Blau, 78234 (29/01/2007 at 09:50)

It seems a few people believe SP wants two posts:- manager of MCFC and coach of England U21s - which is not so. All he would be doing is helping out on a part-time basis until a full-time U21-coach is appointed in the sumer, and he's already stated he won't be applying for that.

GS, Manchester (29/01/2007 at 09:51)

Mike Ashton, interesting comments. I was at the game yesterday and have stated on numerous occasions that I believe Pearce is performing more-than-adequately under less than ideal circumstances. However, managing City as 15-odd managers in the past 25 years have proven is a huge role - one that requires 100% commitment. Pearce may argue he only has to take around 7 days off to perform this role - but what about the planning (and before the cynics appear - I assume he does have a plan) and research? Is it not likely the England role will impinge on his thoughts? Time which would in my opinion (NOT being patriotic in the slightest) would have been better spent on advancing City's cause. Yes Pearce is overperforming given the financial support and circumstances - but importantly not to a standard we as fans aspire to - there is clearly a very long way to go and he should focus on THAT task above all others. Despite your protestations the Board are clearly unhappy with his bizarre and arrogant decision to accept the positin before getting the approval of the board. That our (and his) focus is now on this debacle just 3 days before the end of the transfer window - when he and the board should be working their hardest is an example of how it will divide his time and efforts.

Chris, Davyhulme (29/01/2007 at 09:55)

He says that it would benefit the club if he were to get to know the best young talent in england and also in the rest of europe. But, surely that is the job of a scout? There are plenty of easier ways to discover talent other than managing the U21's. I think this highlights further what we already knew... our scouting system/network (call it what you will) is inadequate at best. One thing is for sure, we all know why SP persistently praises, and never criticises, referees dont we! (they work for the FA). SP... its one job or the other mate, not both. This has seriously taken the shine off what was a very good win yesterday. Lets hope we get a good home draw later today. Talking of hope, SP had better hope we win our next league match, or the fans will be right on his back (if we aren't already!). Life's never uneventful as a city fan is it!?

Karl, MANCHESTER (29/01/2007 at 09:55)

I don't think Pearce should take the job. He is just finding his feet as a manager. But I can see why he would want it, after being offered it by the FA. The big question is why have the FA approached SP, before they have spoken to the club. Surely that is tapping up! It is certainly unproffessional from the governing body.

Willie, wythenshawe (29/01/2007 at 09:57)

The FA are a disgrace. How can thye oversee the game with any degree of integrity when they are tapping up club managers?

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