Even the light hearted wry wit of Colin Murray has been taken away from Match of the Day 2 on a Sunday, Mark Chapman taking over and offering up more of the bland fare that has made MOTD what it is today. While defenders of the show will haughtily point to positive viewing figures, it does them little credit as MOTD is the only terrestrial highlights show available. Without competition, it has grown a comfy middle aged spread.

So uninspired was I by a recent showing from Shearer, Lawrenson et al. I drew up a list of some of the squares you would be sure to find on the ‘MOTD Banality Bingo Card’:

A1: Gary Lineker asks Alan Hansen to evaluate a striker; when in fact as one of the best strikers of his generation, he is unquestionably best placed to provide us with the most insight.

A2: Mark Lawrenson looks disinterested, shrugging away questions as if he doesn’t want to be there.

A3: At least 3 of the 4 shirts being worn in studio are borderline offensive and would cause you to actually die of embarrassment if worn by a family member or loved one.

A4: Jonathan Pearce screams through a commentary like he’s still on Robot Wars.

B1: Lineker tells a joke that has even Hansen rolling his eyes in utter contempt.

B2: The camera zooms in on a player being booked; a sure fire sign that he will be sent off later in the highlights.

B3: The phrase: “Lovely finish, gave the ‘keeper no chance” is used.

B4: You find yourself rolling your eyes, wishing you were watching Gary Neville’s insightful hour of actual analysis on Sky Sports before the Monday Night Football game.

C1: Hansen criticizes a defender for not being like him; part of one of the most successful sides in English football history, winning 3 European Cups.

C2: Alan Shearer offers up such penetrating analysis as “QPR haven’t won many games this season. If they’re to stay up they’ll need to win some more,” and: “Defenders don’t like strikers who try to score goals.”

C3: Any of the panellists makes a terrible quip.

C4: You wish Lee Dixon was back, the only man to occasionally attempt to scratch beyond the surface of just describing what is happening on screen.

D1: In a post-match interview, Garth Crooks takes upwards of 30 seconds to ask a question that elicits a one word answer.

D2: The phrase “He won’t like that” is used by any commentator.

D3: Alan Shearer is wrong about anything.

D4: Mark Lawrenson transcends to a higher plane of existence leaving behind only a small box containing some wrong score-line predictions and the ghost of his moustache.

Tick all these off and you will be the proud winner of some Alan Shearer brand spectacles that enable you to see the most nuanced and beautiful sport in the world, in the dullest and most one-dimensional way possible. Save us, Gary Neville.

After 27 years in charge, it has been confirmed this morning that Sir Alex Ferguson has retired as manager of Manchester United.

In a statement on the clubs official twitter account, the 71 year-old confirmed rumours of his impending retirement that had been circling for the past 24 hours.

Sir Alex Ferguson said: “The decision to retire is one that I have thought a great deal about and one that I have not taken lightly. It is the right time. It was important to me to leave an organisation in the strongest possible shape and I believe I have done so. The quality of this league winning squad, and the balance of ages within it, bodes well for continued success at the highest level whilst the structure of the youth set-up will ensure that the long-term future of the club remains a bright one.”

Having wrestled the Premier League Trophy from the grasp of local rivals Manchester City, Ferguson can retire in the knowledge he has left the club in a very strong position. Despite his clear disappointment at the way their Champions League run ended at the hands of Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid, an impending hip operation and other health concerns may have contributed to Ferguson’s decision.

On the current state of the club, Ferguson said: “Our training facilities are amongst the finest in global sport and our home Old Trafford is rightfully regarded as one of the leading venues in the world. Going forward, I am delighted to take on the roles of both Director and Ambassador for the club. With these activities, along with my many other interests, I am looking forward to the future.”

Sir Alex Ferguson also paid tribute to the contributions of his family, wife Cathy, and all players and staff, past and present, around Old Trafford and Carrington stating: “I would like to thank them all for a staggering level of professional conduct and dedication that has helped to deliver so many memorable triumphs. Without their contribution the history of this great club would not be as rich.”

Ferguson will now become a Director and move into an Ambassadorial role alongside one of his staunchest supporters at the club, Sir Bobby Charlton. “In my early years, the backing of the board, and Sir Bobby Charlton in particular, gave me the confidence and time to build a football club, rather than just a football team.”

Ferguson’s last game in charge will be away at West Brom on the 19^th May, but long before the game kicks off, speculation will turn to his eventual successor. David Moyes, Jose Mourinho and Jürgen Klopp are the current favourites with bookkeepers for one of the most prestigious appointments in football. Fellow Scot Moyes is believed to be the preferred option of Ferguson, but doubts remain about his ability to handle a large club with big budgets, he also has no Champions League experience. Mourinho has openly admired the club in the past and despite him being a former Chelsea manager, fans would surely welcome him to the club given his previous track record of success wherever he coaches. Klopp is an outside chance, but has an excellent track record with Borussia Dortmund and his dynamic style of counter attacking football would go down well among the Old Trafford faithful.

It is unlikely that anyone will ever repeat Ferguson’s feats – at Old Trafford or elsewhere – his overseeing of an unprecedented era of domination will go down as one of the greatest sporting achievements in football and sports history.

#THANKYOUSIRALEX

With the North XI ready and waiting out on the pitch, it is time to call the names of those fortunate enough to represent the South. The anticipation has reached fever pitch (didn’t I tell you even your mum and her bingo gals would love this one?!) and everyone out there is eager to see this team, ready to decide once and for all who has it better – in football terms at least! – North or South…

GK –Hugo Lloris – Tottenham Hotspur

Despite having to initially bide his time behind the established Brad Friedel, Lloris has won the Spurs number one jersey with his lightening reflexes and good decision making. He is the French national team captain for a reason, showing excellent leadership abilities and a command of his area.

LB – Luke Shaw – Southampton

Despite being just seventeen, Luke Shaw has burst onto the scene for the Saints drawing the attention of all the big clubs with a series of eye catching performances at left back. Described by Trevor Brooking as “technically very gifted”, the wing-back is tipped for an England U21 call up.

CB – David Luiz – Chelsea

Chelsea’s versatile defender may have had his fair share of gaffes when having to defend for two, playing with the leaden footed negative PR magnet John Terry, but since pairing up with Cahill he has put in a series of very strong displays all over the defence and at the base of midfield.

CB – Ashley Williams – Swansea City

The 28 year old Swansea vice-captain and Wales captain has been the backbone of the Swan’s meteoric rise through the divisions and subsequent league cup winning season. Fans of the Swans will hope he continues to be their defensive rock in their Europa League adventure next season.

RB – Sascha Reither – Fulham

Kyle Walker could slot in here, but second season syndrome seems to have affected the Spurs youngster. Instead, Fulham’s German loanee from 1. FC Köln, Sascha Reither, has been extremely reliable, solid and dependable for the Cottagers, just what you want from a right back.

CM – Santi Cazorla – Arsenal

Cazorla’s ability to use both feet provides him with a myriad of options and avenues when it comes to attacking. His play has masked the loss of Arsenal’s talisman, Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona and he also brings the added threat of a deadly long range shot.

CM – Jack Wilshere – Arsenal

When healthy, Wilshere’s movement, vision and combination play earn him plaudits from around the country. Returning from a serious ankle injury that ruined his 2011/12 season, Wilshere has combined with Cazorla to show the kind of quality that could keep the Gunners in the top four.

CM – Juan Mata – Chelsea

Mata is an assists machine and is now starting to find the net himself with increased regularity. Mata was crucial piece in Chelsea’s Champions League and FA Cup winning campaign last season and the 24 year old Spaniard is now one of the Premier League’s leading stars.

RW – Eden Hazard – Chelsea

Since arriving in Chelsea this summer the young Belgian has become an integral part of Chelsea’s attacking set up, combining well with Oscar, Mata and Torres. His vision, shooting and dribbling have seen him dominate Ligue 1 and now he is one of Chelsea’s brightest stars.

LW – Gareth Bale – Tottenham Hotspur

Gareth Bale has continued to improve becoming more and more dynamic every game driving Spurs towards a potential top four finish. No longer restricted at left back, Bale’s powering dribbles and stinging shots from the wing have drawn favourable comparisons with Cristiano Ronaldo.

ST – Michu – Swansea City

Undoubtedly the bargain of the season, bought from cash strapped Rayo Vellecano for only £2m. Originally signed as midfielder, Michu’s clinical finishing and creative play in front of goal has seen him become one of the league’s top strikers, his goals firing Swansea to League Cup glory.

Again I’ll throw out some honourable mentions and talking points, including some players from small clubs who really have played out of their skin this season including Sebastian Bassong and Robert Snodgrass (Norwich), Ricky Lambert and Morgan Schneiderlin (Southampton), and January arrival Loic Remy (QPR). Ashley Cole and Petr Cech (Chelsea) have again been good this term, Cech pulling of one of the saves of the century with a reaction stop from a Javier Hernandez header.

Hopefully you’ll have enjoyed this series, comment like and share to spread the word of the All Star game, maybe it’ll eventually happen.

If you don’t agree with any of my picks hit me up in the comments or find me on twitter and we’ll talk this thing out!

Take it easy football fans, Markus.

So here it is sports fan, flip the script to Think Football as I, Markus Robinson, do the big reveal. But first of all: A disclaimer…

I have tried, to the best of my ability, to pick the teams based on 2012/13 season form. Obviously this is my objective view, with the input of a few of my season ticket holding friends at Premier League grounds around the country.

GK – David De Gea – Man Utd

The 22 year old Spanish ‘keeper has been much improved this term for United, including a stretch of over two months without conceding a Premier League goal. While De Gea’s shot stopping has never been in doubt, 2013 has seen his command of the area and distribution begin to catch up.

LB – Leighton Baines – Everton

This year Baines has taken his game to new heights. Dynamic in attack, relentless in defence, Baines is also a constant threat from dead ball scenarios. In terms of chance creation, no-one has proven they can stop his raids down the left flank; it’s only a shame that Jelavic and Naismith are his targets.

CB – Matija Nastasic – Man City

This season the 20 year old Serbian has often overshadowed club captain Vincent Kompany. Since his arrival at City, Nastasic has shown great speed, positional sense and a maturity that saw him make his debut against Real Madrid, with an assured display that belied his young age.

CB – Jonas Olsson– West Brom

Jonas Olsson has been the lynchpin for the Baggies this year as they push for a Europa League place in the season’s final stretch. The club vice-captain and Swedish international is a prolific blocker and his good positioning ensures that he is never caught out by opposition strikers.

RB – Pablo Zabaleta – Man City

The 28 year old Argentine full back has become a permanent fixture for Man City this season. With injuries affecting Richards and lack of ability affecting Maicon, fan favourite Zabaleta – the last man in before the Abu Dhabi revolution – has responded by performing consistently well, all year.

CM – Marouane Fellaini – Everton

Fellaini not only stands out on the pitch because of his big hair; his unique style of play and ability to take over games often marks him out above others. Tall and rangy with surprisingly good feet – and a lot of strength – Fellaini is good in the air too, using his chest and head to great effect.

CM – Michael Carrick – Man Utd

The previously maligned Carrick has really stepped up in 2013, becoming a mature and intelligent performer in central midfield. Carrick’s exceptional range of passing, his ability to recycle the ball and sheer consistency has enabled United to overcome other deficiencies in the midfield.

CM – Yaya Toure – Man City

An impressive athletic combination of size and speed, Yaya Toure also boasts supremely refined technique and ability. Equally comfortable flitting between attacking and defensive roles in the centre of the park, the Ivorian is the archetypal box-to -box midfielder every team covets.

ST – Robin Van Persie – Man Utd

Deigned the King-maker after deciding to join the red side of Manchester rather than the blue, RVP has been outstanding this season for the revenge seeking United. Despite a recent scoring blip, his lightening start to the campaign enabled his team to burst out ahead of the competition.

ST – Luis Suarez – Liverpool

Love him or hate him, Luis Suarez has chosen 2013 to load a team on his back and has stormed to the top of the scoring charts. The controversial Uruguayan is often accused often wastefulness in front of goal, but makes up for this by the sheer amount of chances he creates.

ST – Christian Benteke – Aston Villa

Incredibly clinical and a bargain in retrospect at £7m, Benteke has been lethal in front of goal since arriving at Villa Park. Not only this, his all round game contributes greatly to the team as a whole and his form in the last games of this season will be crucial as to whether or not Villa stay up.

Honourable mentions have to go to those who narrowly missed out – either to a better player or a team mate limit – the first of these is to the magnificent David Silva (Man City) who no doubt deserves to be included somehow; Steven Fletcher (Sunderland) is the main reason that Sunderland are not already down; Rafael Da Silva (Man Utd) looks more and more assured in every display; Matthew Lowton (Aston Villa) has given Villa fans a glimpse of a very bright future if they can overcome relative youth and inexperience and stay in the division; Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) has shown flashes of his former glories; James McCarthy (Wigan) and James Morrison (WBA) also warrant mentions, Morrison especially for having to end speculation surrounding a potential England call up by announcing that he had been playing for Scotland for several years.

Love it? Hate it? Why? Let me know! Hit me up in the comments below or find me on twitter and let’s get the debate going…

… and stay tuned for part three, where I reveal the South XI that will challenge these Kings in the North.

Here is a little Think Football special for you all. I know it would never happen but here is a proposal that the bookies, football fans, hell, even your mum’s bingo buddy would go nuts for. Remember when Lisa Potter won £1.3m on a couple of spins because she told the Daily Mirror that she ‘had a spare minute and wanted to get away from the football.’ Well, even she’d be interested in a game like this: A Premier League All Star Game.

Bingo aside, all betting companies would feverishly anticipate a game of this magnitude. Not only would it be a great spectacle, it’d be a case of putting your money where your mouth is and backing your cultural region, your heritage. Rio Ferdinand has called for one in the past, but the Manchester United defenders wishes seem to have gone unanswered as the Community Shield rumbles on and Richard Scudamore’s ‘39^th game’ idea seems to have fallen by the wayside. Undoubtedly it would be met with stern opposition from all managers as they already feel their players play too much and would not want to expose them to injury. In this 3 part series, I’ll dare to dream for all of us who would love to see something like this happen.

The Format

Before throwing out the names of deserving players willy-nilly, we must decide upon a format – a suitable way of divvying up the Premier League’s clubs and their talent. For inspiration we must look across the Atlantic to our bombastic cousins and masters of sports entertainment: America.

In the States the all-star game format is a common occurrence, with each of the major sports dividing up their best and brightest in a slightly different manner. The NFL has the Pro Bowl and Major League Baseball has its All Star Weekend. These two leagues divide by their traditional conferences, but as the Premier League doesn’t work that way, we have to look elsewhere for inspiration.

The NBA also has its conferences, but they are geographically split East v West, something we could work with here in the Premier League. The geographical dividing line would be a little bit creative however, so maybe a more culturally suitable North v South is the way to go. With the majority of clubs either being south-east or north-west based, some creative guide-lining would have to be done.

North v South

As you’ll see in the main image, I have pretty much stayed true to the countries natural geography, only bending the rules a little by including Norwich in the ‘South’ to keep it to 10 teams apiece. With the country torn asunder we have two ‘Conferences’ looking like this:

To ensure that there is team diversity within the squads – so that it’s not a combined Manchester XI – I am enforcing a limit of 3 players per club, so it’s a case of being good enough for the team and also better than any team-mates who might compromise your spot!

Tune in tomorrow as I select the Northern team, hopefully creating some great debate as to who is deserving of a place and who is not, who has been included and who has been cruelly snubbed.

As many of you will know, football has been my life for some time. So much so the game has cost me a marriage, but gained me a career in sports journalism.

The one-year anniversary of Fabrice Muamba’s cardiac arrest on the pitch at White Hart Lane and the retirement of Michael Owen got me to thinking about the finite nature of an athlete’s career, and how in an instant it can all be taken away.

Fortunately Muamba has recovered, and although he will never play football again, it’s a small price to pay for a man who was legally dead for 78 minutes. The collapses and subsequent deaths of Sevilla’s Antonio Puerta in 2007 and Espanyol’s Dani Jarque in 2009 are particularly sobering as there was no happy ending, both players passing on in their primes, their blossoming careers and lives cut short.

Football appears to have learned from these incidents and now has defibrillators pitch-side, lest the worst happen again.

What still cannot be accounted for are on pitch injuries prematurely ending a player’s career. The recent retirement of Michael Owen is an example of a man whose body just couldn’t keep up with his precocious talent. Owen faded towards irrelevance in the end, enjoying increasingly sporadic moments of success amongst a myriad of injuries. Owen really should be remembered for shining so brightly early on, leaving us with indelible memories of ‘that goal’ against Argentina in 1998, a hat-trick in Munich against Germany and many priceless goals for Liverpool. With Owen it was a case of a general wearing down over a career that blossomed early, with others it is one tackle that ends their playing days for good.

Callum McManaman’s challenge on Massadio Haïdara appears to have ended the Newcastle youngster’s season and although no malice has been proven, it brought back painful memories of Alf-Inge Håland, who never played a full 90 minutes again after suffering a knee injury at the raised right foot of Roy Keane in the 2001 Manchester derby. Luc Nilis and David Busst also spring to mind as players cruelly cut down in their prime by horrific injuries.

Fifa’s directive to eliminate this type of high dangerous tackle has seen any raised foot become a cautionable offence, and a raised foot deemed dangerous is being punished with a red card. As seen with the unfortunate case of Nani in Manchester United’s Champions League quarter-final match with Real Madrid, intent does not enter into the equation. Harsh as it was, the directive has seen the elimination of Harald Schumacher-esque assaults and in the long run will make for a safer game.

Traditionalists out there will argue that the game has become soft and is now non-contact, but hopefully common sense will continue to prevail and football will be much safer for players of all levels.

Europol alleges that criminals put €16m on rigged matches, making a further €8m in profits, with payments of €2m made to the people involved. The investigation, which has been running for 18 months, has discovered an Asian based crime syndicate has been liaising with criminal networks in Europe to affect the outcome of games. The illegal activities have taken place in over 15 countries and over 50 people have been arrested so far, however officials fear this could only be the tip of the iceberg.

Fifa has predictably called for long prison sentences for those involved but Ralf Mutschke, Fifa’s head of security and a former Interpol official, said: “Match-fixing and match-manipulation is a global problem and is not going to go away tomorrow.” Weak custodial sentences offer little in the way of a deterrent for those considering getting involved in match-fixing, and only those in the so called ‘football family’ are at risk of lifetime bans from Fifa.

While the focus of the investigation is not on England, one of the two Champions League games under investigation is alleged to have taken place in England. Rob Wainwright, the director of Europol has admitted: “Given the scale of corruption involved, it would be naive and complacent to think that the criminal conspiracy does not affect the English game.”Fifa has predictably called for long prison sentences for those involved but Ralf Mutschke, Fifa’s head of security and a former Interpol official, said: “Match-fixing and match-manipulation is a global problem and is not going to go away tomorrow.” Weak custodial sentences offer little in the way of a deterrent for those considering getting involved in match-fixing, and only those in the so called ‘football family’ are at risk of lifetime bans from Fifa.

The cynics among us will argue that Fifa operates like a crime syndicate anyway, so what’s new in the world of football? Given that Fifa’s general secretary Jérôme Valkce has been rehired only eight months after being sacked for lying repeatedly to sponsors as Fifa’s marketing director – and former Fifa media director and chief marketing officer Guido Tognoni recently described Fifa’s internal operations as: “Just like a little mafia” – it is a small wonder that Fifa itself has not been investigated.

However the issue at hand is match fixing, and like 2006’s Calciopoli scandal in Italy, the fallout will make for some uncomfortable reading and expect heavy sanctions to be handed down, when further details are released.

The move to Paris will have surprised many as the Ligue 1 club were very keen to sign him last January, but manager Carlo Ancelotti recently dismissed rumours they might renew their interest in the current transfer window.

Germany can be a great place to spend some time whatever the time of year, so whilst you’re counting down the days ‘til kick off, why not explore a little?

Unfortunately we have just missed this year’s instalment of Oktoberfest, but I feel it’s only right to give it a mention.  For around sixteen days from September to October, thousands of people from all walks of life flock to Munich each year to indulge in fine food and litres of Oktoberfest beer.  Traditional German food is served all day long, as a merry atmosphere flows through the crowds and tents.  Oktoberfest is ideal for most football fans, as let’s face it, we all love to indulge in a nice feast and a beer every now and then.

Another place that definitely deserves your attention whilst in Germany is Autostadt, although I would highly advise waiting a few days after Oktoberfest.  Autostadt is an automobile museum in Wolfsburg that concentrates on brands in the Volkswagen Group and displays a range of cars from all eras.  The museum is split into separate pavilions, one for each of the brands.  Lamborghini, Skoda, Audi, Seat, Bentley and Bugatti are brands you can expect to see throughout the park.  As well as visually admiring the on-going advances in aerodynamics and design you can also have a test drive of selected motors on Autostadt’s specially built test track, of course under the supervision of a trained instructor.  Not only is Autostadt a great place to admire automobiles from the ages, but if you decide whilst you’re there that you like what you see, arrangements can be made.  Watch as your brand new Volkswagen is plucked from one of two, 200ft silos and brought to you without driving an inch, thanks to the advanced elevator systems.

Hopefully by the time you have had a bit of fun exploring Germany, it will be time to put icing on the cake with that long awaited Manchester City V Borussia Dortmund game.  Although they are already out lets hope the City squad give the die-hard fans what they want and go out with a bang. The game will be held at Westfalenstadion, also known as Signal Iduna Park located in Dortmund.  Named the ‘best stadium’ by The Times and with a capacity of 80,700, the atmosphere that Tuesday evening is sure going to be explosive and well worth the wait.

This was the year that the FA would invent modern football, offering a game to world that would capture the hearts of so many future generations.  But fast forward to that future and as with the atomic bomb, they too created something with devastating effect.  Little did those first few men know that what they created would torture their home nation for nearly 150 years.

With England football comes a stigma of the greatest order.  The game that we gave the world, we are seemingly unable to compete in.   And just like the Manhattan project, tinkering with its workings pertains to similar explosive ends.

The England managers job is without question one of the most thankless, yet most watched and wildly anticipated jobs in the UK.  The position is under constant scrutiny from individuals with no qualifications or experience to make it.  See a bit of bad luck, its poor management.  Make a great managerial decision and it’s pure luck.  What must a man do to be identified as a great England manager?

Some would argue that there have been many, others would tell you that there has only been one.  But in recent years, all have come to the job with serious managerial pedigree, only to be shown the door not much more than a couple of years later.  A manager that incites particular debate is Sven Goran Eriksson.  The Swede, who has won 17 major titles throughout his managerial career, was tarnished with an idiots brush whilst at the helm.  But the former Lazio boss won the fourth most games of any England manager, falling behind only Walter Winterbottom, Sir Alf Ramsey and Sir Bobby Robson – all of who were in charge for twice as many games.  In fact, Eriksson boasted the highest win percentage of any England boss to have managed more than 50 games.  So why did we brand this Swede a ‘right old turnip?’

That’s the mountain Hodgson has to climb.  Managing the expectation of the England faithful seems to be as difficult as managing the prima donna’s that occupy much of the squad.

Really though, when you break it down, what are our expectations?  Are we perennial contenders? Or just overrated creators?

Managing expectations…

History has shown our expectations seem to be somewhat over-hyped.  Having never won the Euro’s, the solitary star we most proudly present on our shirt came from a World Cup won some 46 years ago.  Unfortunately, as good as our support as a nation is, we wrongly confuse hope with expectation.

Our draw with France in the opening game was one that was met with conflicted opinion.  Whilst a majority saw the result as a negative, ridged display that brought about no real signs of potential contention, others saw a game of strength, organisation and a willingness to grind out a result.

There are many hurdles to overcome as England manager.  Having to select 11 players from a squad of 23, all of which are nearing guaranteed first team football at their respective clubs must bring about its conflicts.  But having to manage the expectations of a football nation is harder.  That’s what Hodgson did in this opening game against France.  He eliminated risk, prepared for the fundamentals and went out to get a result against what is essentially England’s hardest game on paper.  This was the first game in the group stages after all, and going out all guns blazing wouldn’t be a statists plan.

And Hodgson’s appointment is exactly that.  No longer are England looking to the sunnier shores of Europe to find an Italian Mourinho they can call our own.  England looked inward and employed a man who might not have the flair of the ‘European Gent’, but the know how to get the job done.  Making extravagant decisions whilst making flamboyant gestures in the coaching area isn’t English.  Sure, much of it occupies our domestic league, but much of that is brought about by foreign influence.  Leave club football to club football and let Hodgson focus on what makes us English.

Germany showed this perfectly during World Cup 2006 when Jürgen Klinsmann instilled his faith in a young German side.  During that time, Germany stuck to what they did best, by keeping organized, being hard to break down and countering with youthful legs.  Throughout that competition, the world watched as talent emerged like Mesut Ozil.  And despite a poor qualification World Cup campaign in 2010, Germany remained upbeat about what they were building.

For a new star to emerge and shine bright, the old guard must be extinguished.  England’s most recently successful moments have come from a new found spark.  In  World Cup ’90, Paul Gascoigne had only celebrated 6 international caps prior to that tournament, but he proved instrumental in England’s competitive games that year.  Similarly Owen provided us with some real spark in World Cup ’98, where he single handedly took on the Argentinian defense and scored England’s only goal, only to crash out on penalties.  What Hodgson must deliver now more than ever is the start of that spark.  But for the spark to ignite, the old guard must be extinguished.

That need not come in the form of a Euro 2012 winners medal.  A glimmer of young talent and hope for the future is what England need now.  Attacking teams in the knockout stages with players who have yet to form skeletons in their international footballing closets and prevent the inevitability of England crashing out on penalties once more is what we need now.

There are so many elements to becoming the England manager.  Handling the players and their personalities is not where the job stops.  Even the most surprising obstructions must be overcome.  Nobody expected Micah Richards’ outburst where he stated his disinterest to compete for a spot in the England squad.  But managing the tempers of those personalities comes with the territory and Hodgson seemed to handle it well by not letting the media blow it out of control.

In the end, England’s success walks hand in hand with their environment.  Too often are claims raised that England have the players yet the management has faltered.  But how can that be when those managers have succeeded elsewhere?  For England’s real failures, we need to look inward and relax our criticisms.  This is supposed to be a national pride, not a death sentence.  Ashley Cole summarised this perfectly.  When asked what he thought about when he walked onto the pitch wearing an England shirt, the Chelsea star famously went on to say that all he could ever think of was a review in the morning’s paper.  No signs of national pride there then.

So with that said, England needs to make their international caps a symbol of national pride rather than national criticism.  That way, the game that we gave the world can come back home.