Jonny2J
16-02-2006, 14:10
Gerry Francis has welcomed the chance to speak to The Football Association about a role in the new England set-up.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Tottenham manager admitted he would love to have the opportunity to get involved with the future of the national team.
With Sven Goran Eriksson departing after the World Cup finals, Francis is being viewed as a "dark horse" in the media as his experience could prove beneficial in any new backroom team.
"I think I've said before, when asked the question: 'Have I retired for good?', I've said 'never say never'," he informed Sky Sports News.
"I've had a number of job offers over the period of time I've been out which obviously didn't interest me at that stage or that time.
"Being very patriotic, I've been interviewed by England twice before, certainly, if I can do anything to help in any way, if they contact me from that point of view, in terms of having an interview, I'd be delighted to do so. We'll have to wait and see what transpires.
"I'd certainly go, I think, if The FA come knocking and ask me for an interview for any situation with regards to the England set-up. I would obviously go and speak to them about it, whatever level they wanted to talk about. I would speak to them and see what they wanted to talk about.
"I think they're probably right [to call me a dark horse]," he stated. "I've been out of the game for four years.
"I think, if I was in the game for the last four years and doing reasonably well, with my credentials and having been interviewed twice before, then obviously I might be someone they might be looking at. I've been involved in the game in terms of my work here at Sky and other areas so I've certainly been involved in football during that period. We'll have to see if they want to speak to me. If they do, I'll go along and see what they have to say."
Francis feels he has the experience and background to handle the pressures that come with being England coach.
"I have had 800-odd games as a manager and cut my teeth at the lower levels," said the ex-Bristol Rovers boss. "I've won championships at lower levels, took teams to Wembley and my record in The Premiership is there - I think it compares to most people. I've had a break, been out a while, and have to accept that.
"For me, it's a nice situation - if they want to speak to me, that I can go and help in any way.
"I think obviously, other than the England manager which is obviously a very difficult job, in many respects, the England captain is also a very high profile job. Only if you've been England captain can you understand that.
"I've been at Tottenham, a big club and have had to handle that situation, as well as being a plc, one of the first plcs, so I've had experience from that point of view.
"I think pressure goes with the job.
"Any manager in the world, if they were to be offered to be manager of the national side, it's the ultimate. As a player you wanted to captain your country, that's the ultimate. As a manager, whatever people say, if they are offered the job they are going to really consider it.
"With it goes big responsibility and an awful lot of different kinds of pressure but it's a results game.
"It's the same as a Premiership manager - different, but not that different."There would be something seriously wrong if this man is allowed anywhere near England players
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the former Tottenham manager admitted he would love to have the opportunity to get involved with the future of the national team.
With Sven Goran Eriksson departing after the World Cup finals, Francis is being viewed as a "dark horse" in the media as his experience could prove beneficial in any new backroom team.
"I think I've said before, when asked the question: 'Have I retired for good?', I've said 'never say never'," he informed Sky Sports News.
"I've had a number of job offers over the period of time I've been out which obviously didn't interest me at that stage or that time.
"Being very patriotic, I've been interviewed by England twice before, certainly, if I can do anything to help in any way, if they contact me from that point of view, in terms of having an interview, I'd be delighted to do so. We'll have to wait and see what transpires.
"I'd certainly go, I think, if The FA come knocking and ask me for an interview for any situation with regards to the England set-up. I would obviously go and speak to them about it, whatever level they wanted to talk about. I would speak to them and see what they wanted to talk about.
"I think they're probably right [to call me a dark horse]," he stated. "I've been out of the game for four years.
"I think, if I was in the game for the last four years and doing reasonably well, with my credentials and having been interviewed twice before, then obviously I might be someone they might be looking at. I've been involved in the game in terms of my work here at Sky and other areas so I've certainly been involved in football during that period. We'll have to see if they want to speak to me. If they do, I'll go along and see what they have to say."
Francis feels he has the experience and background to handle the pressures that come with being England coach.
"I have had 800-odd games as a manager and cut my teeth at the lower levels," said the ex-Bristol Rovers boss. "I've won championships at lower levels, took teams to Wembley and my record in The Premiership is there - I think it compares to most people. I've had a break, been out a while, and have to accept that.
"For me, it's a nice situation - if they want to speak to me, that I can go and help in any way.
"I think obviously, other than the England manager which is obviously a very difficult job, in many respects, the England captain is also a very high profile job. Only if you've been England captain can you understand that.
"I've been at Tottenham, a big club and have had to handle that situation, as well as being a plc, one of the first plcs, so I've had experience from that point of view.
"I think pressure goes with the job.
"Any manager in the world, if they were to be offered to be manager of the national side, it's the ultimate. As a player you wanted to captain your country, that's the ultimate. As a manager, whatever people say, if they are offered the job they are going to really consider it.
"With it goes big responsibility and an awful lot of different kinds of pressure but it's a results game.
"It's the same as a Premiership manager - different, but not that different."There would be something seriously wrong if this man is allowed anywhere near England players