Carragher: Wenger not suited to England job

Sarah Winterburn

Jamie Carragher claims that Arsene Wenger’s strengths as a manager do not make him a natural fit for the England job.

FA chief executive Martin Glenn says that the Arsenal manager “fits the criteria perfectly” but Carragher disagrees.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Carragher says: ‘Once again the England manager’s position needs to be filled and the bandwagon has started for Arsene Wenger to replace Sam Allardyce.

‘Wenger is always diplomatic when asked about the job and appeared open to the prospect of it on Friday. When you are in the last year of your contract, it is not a bad negotiating tool to have someone else keen on your services. When, though, has Wenger ever given encouragement that he would take the job?

‘And, if you were him, why would you consider managing England when you would have a greater chance of success with France, who have a better team and better players?

‘There is no more accomplished manager than Wenger in the bookmakers’ odds but if I think about his strengths, I think about the transfer market, knowing when to buy and sell players, developing young talent and playing with style.

‘What I don’t regard him as is a great tactician in one-off matches. His teams never change the way they play and his record in the Champions League, certainly over the last 10 years, hasn’t been particularly good.

‘I would be surprised, then, if his appointment as England boss came about.’