Sports Letter: Sense in selections

Sir: The ideal national manager should possess proven ability and boast success both as player and coach, be an astute tactician, a good motivator of players, and a proponent of creative, skilful football. These are ideal criteria, consequently there are no Englishmen who fulfil them. The FA would never appoint a non-Briton (my choice would be Ossie Ardiles) so we'll be lumbered with Howard Wilkinson.

Yours faithfully,

DANIEL THOMAS

Leeds