FA chairman will be in hot seat

The incoming Football Association chairman, now likely to inherit an organisation with an empty England manager’s chair and a chief executive under fire, could play a pivotal role in the appointment of Steve McClaren’s successor. Key executives and board members are hopeful that Geoff Thompson’s successor will be appointed in time to be involved in the selection process should England not qualify for Euro 2008.

Defeat in Moscow on Wednesday has taken qualification out of England’s hands and left McClaren certain to be axed if England fail. His fate will not be sealed until mid-November, however, by which time interviews for the independent chairman will be under way.

The nominations panel, chaired best ideas about canada goose parka on pinterest by Lord Mawhinney and featuring Sir Dave Richards, is due to meet this month to compile a shortlist for chairman, with the former sports minister Richard Caborn among the names linked.

The chief executive Brian Barwick is determined not to act in haste in the search for McClaren’s successor and will back the coach publicly until England are out. He also has time on his side, as the World Cup 2012 qualifying campaign will not begin until summer 2008.

The recruitment process used last time, in which managers were interviewed by a nominations committee including Richards and David Dein, alienated several candidates and led to a compromise appointment in McClaren. The view from board members yesterday was that a tighter process, led by the right chairman and the chief executive, would be preferable. Barwick’s position may yet be called into question, but he is determined to stay on and believes his record is credible, England aside.

London 2012 eyes Calder

One of the key coaches in the Springboks’ back-room staff could play a significant part in Great Britain’s medal aspirations for London 2012. Sheryl Calder, a South African vision expert, is employed as a specialist coach by the Springboks, having filled the same role for Sir Clive Woodward’s England side in 2003. Calder is very close to Sir Clive and canada goose coat 1000 calorie is likely to play buy canada goose coat uk a part in his controversial individual coaching programmes for select athletes. Meanwhile, the Springboks’ assistant coach Eddie Jones, who coached the Wallabies to the final in 2003, has still not been granted a blazer by the best ideas about canada goose outlet online canada goose coat 0f on pinterest touchy team management. The players objected to Jones being the only man not given a coveted team jacket, but the management refuse to hand the honour to a non-South African.

England make meal of it

England are on guard for any attempt to tamper with their food in the run-up to the final, with nutritionist canada goose coat 1000 bulbs reviews Matt Lovell overseeing the preparation of all meals served to the team from the kitchens of their hotel in Neuilly. Suspicion of poisoning has surrounded canada goose coat 1000 bulbs reviews several major rugby matches, with the New Zealand side convinced that their players were got at in South Africa ahead of the 1995 final. “We have plans in place to protect against anything of that sort,” said an RFU spokesman.

Lapasset on a best ideas about canada goose outlet online on pinterest roll

Bernard Lapasset, president of the French Rugby Federation and chairman of the World Cup organising committee, is expected to be appointed the new president of the IRB following a board meeting today. Lapasset was tipped to succeed the incumbent Syd Millar before the tournament, but the success of the last six weeks has sealed his position. One of his first challenges will be sorting out the 2011 tournament in New Zealand, which is in financial difficulties. There is also pressure from the Kiwis to up the number of matches, with suggestions of a round-robin format.

Laporte put in his place

It has not been a good week for Bernard Laporte linked site, the outgoing French rugby canada goose coat 1000 bulbs promo coach. Last Saturday he watched his side defeated by England, a result that saw his tactics shredded by the French press as he prepared to head off to a new job as a junior sports minister in Nicolas Sarkozy’s government. By Wednesday he had been attacked by his new boss, the sports minister Roselyne Bachelot, for suggesting that he had only taken the job on a trial basis. Bachelot suggested it might not be up to him.

Three together, please

England fans hunting for tickets will be delighted to hear that the World Cup final will be watched by three government ministers, with culture secretary James Purnell and sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe joining the prime minister at the Stade de France. Gordon Brown, officially a guest of the RFU, has made a substantial donation to a police charity, in excess of £500, to cover the cost of his ticket. average cost canada goose jacket Purnell, meanwhile is to call for every professional football club to appoint a supporter to the board when he addresses the Supporters Direct conference in Manchester today. Purnell’s backing may place extra pressure on clubs to listen to fans. Purnell is a close ally of former Supporters Direct chairman Andy Burnham.