Football: Pearce to manage after Capello resignation

England U21 boss named interim replacement by FA.

LONDON: Stuart Pearce will manage England in their friendly international against the Netherlands on February 29, said Football Association (FA) Chairman David Bernstein.

Pearce, the England under-21 manager, was given control of the senior side for the match against the Dutch at Wembley following Fabio Capello’s resignation. The Italian quit just four months before the start of Euro 2012.

His decision follows the FA‘s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy. The move came ahead of the Chelsea defender’s trial on charges of racially abusing QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, which is due to take place after the tournament in Poland and Ukraine.

Pearce, who was Capello’s assistant, will take charge of the Great Britain’s men’s Olympic team at the 2012 Games in London.

“I can announce that Pearce will manage the England team against Holland,” said Bernstein at a Wembley news conference. “He has huge experience outside and inside the organisation. He has been working with the under-21 team and has been working with Fabio for some time. I have got great confidence in Stuart, we will be in good hands.

“Our priority then will be to appoint a new England manager.”

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, cleared of tax evasion charges on Wednesday, remains the overwhelming favourite to succeed Capello on a long-term basis.

Meanwhile, Bernstein also would not rule out the possibility of England looking to an overseas coach.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10^th, 2012.