Allardyce: FA wrong to appoint Brooking

TREVOR BROOKING yesterday found himself engulfed in controversy as he embarked on his first major task since being appointed as the Football Association’s director of football development.

The former West Ham and England player was the subject of a withering attack on the FA by Bolton manager Sam Allardyce who claimed he is not qualified to fill the role.

Brooking was involved in talks yesterday with England players about selection issues only to find his appointment the subject of a complaint by the League Managers' Association (LMA).

Allardyce said : "Trevor Brooking has taken the job because the FA offered him it I have no problems with that whatsoever. The only problem I have is the FA have appointed someone who isn't qualified to do the technical role. That was a position filled by Howard Wilkinson before on his own, which was just one job.

"What the FA have done is dilute that role by giving Trevor Brooking the job on a part-time basis.

"That is the FA not doing their job correctly.

"It should be someone of the equal or even better quality than Howard. He took this country forward in that department and brought some good world recognition by what he accomplished and the standards he set.

"That is in danger of failing rather than improving. That is not the fault of Trevor Brooking. It is the fault of the FA. If it is a money-saving adventure then that is the wrong place to be saving money."

The FA have refused to comment on the furore, but sources point out that Les Reed is Wilkinson's successor and remains acting technical director, and that technical issues are only a third of Brooking's responsibility along with encouraging grass-roots participation and dealing with international issues.

Allardyce, however, believes Reed should have been given that job.

"It is massive job and it was a job Howard did on his own. There has been a well qualified man, Les Reed, running it since Howard left. They need look no further than that.

"Trevor in a PR role fantastic but not in this department and not at grass roots. That's not where he has any qualifications or expertise."

Brooking might also quibble with that, after all he spent four years as chairman of Sport England, the quango which is supposed to boost involvement at grass-roots level. Allardyce however, who is a member of the LMA's committee, claims he is not alone in his views.

"All the managers I have spoken to feel the same, that he is not qualified to be doing the job he has just started as director of football development for the FA.

"When I say that he's not qualified, I mean precisely that. He hasn't got the UEFA Pro Licence or the UEFA Pro Licence Diploma, qualifications that every coach, manager and director of football across Europe is required to have.

"Like many managers I have spent a lot of time and money over the past five years getting qualified, only for the FA to appoint someone completely unqualified for one of their top jobs.