Sports Editor Neil Bramwell on England's Wembley failure - and who should manage them next

THANK YOU, France and Nicolas Anelka.

I had a horrible feeling the FA were actually considering Howard Wilkinson as the new England manager.

Last night's annihilation at the hands of the World Champions must surely have put paid to that ridiculous notion.

There had been ridiculous suggestions that Wilkinson should be allowed three games to prove his worth.

Why?

He was only placed in interim charge as a convenient stop-gap.

The very reason that Wilkinson was the FA technical director at the time of Hoddle's downfall was because major clubs would not touch him with a bargepole.

His very lack of technical flair had been exposed over the years at Leeds.

And that same strait-jacket football was in evidence at Wembley last night.

For, after their initial vigorous attempts to free themselves from Wilkinson's restraints, England were gagged and shackled by their caretaker manager.

No side in the world could expose and capitalise on those crude tactics as ruthlessly as the French at present.

Where England pumped the long ball over the top, the French toyed with their opponents until a suitable opening was carved. It was Moet and Chandon versus dandelion and burdock, Brigitte Bardot versus Nora Batty, Monet versus the Dulux dog.

I have some sympathy for Wilkinson. It was his big night and he was unfortunate to be pitched against such a wonderful side.

But an extended trial period is a disastrous notion. Our football has to rebuild credibility, rediscover direction and regenerate pride before the Poland game next month.

There are, however, worse options.

I find it mindboggling that Terry Venables is being reconsidered.

Apart from the man's stigma, has everybody forgotten how woeful we were before the Euro 96 semi-final against Germany?

We were lucky against Switzerland, struggled to beat Scotland, caught Holland on a bad day and were pasted by Spain.

And if failing in Australia and at Crystal Palace have in any way enhanced his credentials, then I am afraid I am missing something. Then there is Kevin Keegan. The man has the backbone of a jellyfish, hardly a suitable qualification for a job requiring a spine of iron.

Forget faith healers. He would need a team of personal nannies.

The obvious choice, therefore, remains Roy Hodgson.

While his sickly self-publicity might turn the stomach, the man has all the necessary qualities.

I could just not see a Hodgson side torn apart quite as easily as England were last night.

And if the FA do not have the guts to make the decision, then I hear that Tony Blair is appearing on The Vanessa Show tomorrow to nudge them in the right direction.

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