Foreign England players takes the Mik (From The Bolton News)

Foreign England players takes the Mik

9:10am Wednesday 25th August 2010 in

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I ACCEPT the reasoning of the Football Association and, all things being equal, would support their assertion that the next manager of England should be an Englishman.

Unlike some, however, I would have no particular objection to another foreign manager.

What I could not stomach would be a foreign player wearing the Three Lions on his chest — as Everton’s Spaniard, Mikel Arteta, says he would “seriously consider”, given the opportunity.

I accept that, according to employment law, Arteta will be eligible to play for England now he has gained British citizenship.

And I’m sure his claim, should he pursue it, would be championed by the Professional Footballers’ Association – rather ironic considering their long-held concerns the foreign invasion has stifled the development of home-grown players, leading to a lack of success at international level.

At the risk of incurring the wrath of civil libertarians, I don’t care about the legalities, I just don’t want to see the FA following other sporting bodies – cricket for instance – in throwing open the England door to all and sundry.

I’ve never felt comfortable about national associations conducting detailed investigations of a player’s ancestry – as the Republic of Ireland did so unashamedly in Jack Charlton’s day – in a desperate attempt to find a bloodline.

But for England to adopt a player just because he has been a resident for five years and has chosen to become a British citizen is a step too far.

Arteta is a professional and as such will play to the best of his immense ability for anyone who pays his wages. But that’s the requirement of the domestic game, not international football.

Managers are different. They are hired guns and, as a nation, we can be all the richer for having a foreign influence from time to time.

We benefited from Sven Goran Eriksson’s stewardship and, given time, I reckon Fabio Capello will do a decent job, although I have revised my initial high opinion of the Italian’s approach and abilities, if not his qualifications.

I applaud the sentiment but I can’t help thinking Adrian Bevington, managing director of Club England, boxed the FA into something of a corner when he reckoned Capello’s successor must be one of our own, although I’s struggling to find one to fit the bill.

Roy Hodgson (possibly), Sam Allardyce (unlikely), Harry Redknapp (unlikelier), Steve Bruce or Stuart Pearce (long shots)? Ian Holloway . . . now you’re talking!

Capello hasn’t done much so far to justify his £6million a year salary but his record in the game knocks that lot into a cocked hat. National pride is all well and good, but England needs the best manager for the job. I see no reason to settle for anything less.

“SIR Alex is a man of his word and a man of principle. I don’t think he will speak to us again.”

Thus, in a brief but pointed statement, Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer effectively ended speculation that Sir Alex Ferguson was about to relent in his six-year feud with the BBC.

The Manchester United manager refused to speak with the BBC after Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Fulham, as he has done since 2004 when the corporation made allegations against his son Jason as part of a documentary.

But, with the advent of the Premier League’s directive that managers must speak to all domestic rights-holders (including the BBC) there were murmurings that Fergie was preparing to back down.

There is as much chance of that happening as there is of Fergie conceding the Premiership title to Chelsea after just two games.

After the Panorama documentary Ferguson demanded an apology – a request the BBC continues to ignore – and no threat of financial penalty is going to make him abandon his principles, even if his stance costs United a few grand.

We should know more about what sanctions, if any, will be taken against Ferguson and United after the FA Board meet next month.

I don’t wish to prejudge any hearing but I can’t see Sir Alex losing any sleep over it.

“THE Peacock” is set for a Reebok return.

I am reliably informed every home goal Bolton score this season will trigger a video clip of a famous goal celebration from the past and The Peacock — made famous by the dashing Dane Henrik Pedersen — is on the list of the bizarre and the beautiful.

Jay Jay Okocha’s jig is another blast from the past that will flash up on the giant screen within seconds of the ball hitting the back of the net.