Pearce: I’ll boss England at Euro 2012
l Caretaker keen to extend time in charge
l Campbell and Cleverley get call-ups
ENGLAND Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has told the Football Association he would like to extend his temporary stint as manager of the senior team and lead them into this summer’s European Championship.
Pearce was handed the reins as an emergency measure earlier this month, after Fabio Capello suddenly resigned following a dispute with the FA over John Terry’s suitability as captain.
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to replace the Italian long-term, but Pearce has made plain his eagerness to stay in charge for Euro 2012 should that deal be derailed.
“I’m available and I have tournament experience if they need me to step into the breach in the summer. They know exactly where I am,” said Pearce (inset), who yesterday named an experimental squad for Wednesday’s friendly with Holland.
“I’ve not fluffed around it. I’ve not turned around and said I’m not sure what I want to do. They know exactly what I want to do. If they need me to take the squad in the summer I’ll do that with pleasure.
“If they need me to coach a manager that’s coming through the door, I’ll do that with pleasure as well. Beyond that I consider myself, after the summer, as the Team GB manager and Under-21 manager.”
Pearce has left out established names such as Frank Lampard and Rio Ferdinand for the Holland match, England’s last before the end of the season, on the grounds it is a final chance to test youngsters.
Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell’s first call-up was the biggest surprise, while Manchester United youngster Tom Cleverley and Manchester City defender Micah Richards are also included.
ENGLAND SQUAD | TO FACE HOLLAND
GK: Carson, Hart, Green; DF: Cahill, Cole, Baines, Johnson, Jones, Richards, Smalling, Walker; MF: Barry, Cleverley, Downing, Johnson, Gerrard, Milner, Parker, Young, Walcott; FW: Bent, Campbell, Sturridge, Rooney, Welbeck