Robson wants one more big coaching job

BOBBY ROBSON insists he wants one last major job before ending his distinguished managerial career.

Speaking at the Soccerex conference in Dubai where he was making a guest appearance, 72-year-old Robson admitted he was frustrated to be out of the game.

The former Newcastle and Barcelona boss led England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 but has now been out of management for more than a year.

"It's been my life, working with players on the pitch," said Robson.

"There's another job in me somewhere. I think I've still got my marbles and I'm quite confident."

Robson was fired by Newcastle in August 2004 and recently came close to taking charge at Hearts following George Burley's resignation.

"I keep saying I'm not in a hurry to take the wrong job but I'm ready to take the right job," he added. "If it comes, it comes."

Turning his attention to England's friendly against Argentina last weekend, Robson said the performance of both teams but particularly Wayne Rooney will have sent a strong message to their World Cup rivals.

"There were two teams going for a victory," said Robson.

"Nobody played cagey, cautious football. On that evidence we looked a good side and Rooney, for me, was quite outstanding."

Robson was supported in that by Leonardo, the Brazilian midfielder who won 62 caps before retiring three years ago after starring at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, and former England captain Bryan Robson.

"I think Rooney is one of the best ever players for England but he has to show it on the big stage," Leonardo said.

"He has the ability to decide matches on his own and he has to do it in important matches. The main thing he needs is to grow up because he's young. A World Cup can give him that opportunity.

"His character is very strong, his spirit is very, very important because he is not so tall but he is very strong. The important thing for him is that he wants the goal, that's his objective and it's the most important thing in football.

"He has something that is very important, people want him because of his charisma and he should use that to his advantage because being powerful without having control means nothing. People want to see Rooney playing well and they want to make him the best player, the best English player, and he is that."

Robson said Rooney's performance in the 3-2 win over Argentina had been "quite outstanding" and tipped the Manchester United star to make a big impact at the World Cup.

Bryan Robson said that could only happen if Rooney was surrounded by England team-mates firing on all cylinders.

"I don't think he has to prove anything, it's whether he can make an impact," the West Brom boss said. "Wayne Rooney has all the ability and he's made a hell of an impact in the Premiership and obviously in the last European Championships he made a big impact, he was on fire. But

England have got to play well to give him the opportunity to become a world star."

Asked to compare Rooney with England's Italia '90 star, Paul Gascoigne, he added: "Gazza could score and he could influence the game from midfield. Rooney, he's got to be served because he's more of a forward player. Okay, he drops into midfield areas, but he's got to get good supply from his team-mates and that's why I'm saying England have got to play well for Rooney to be outstanding."

Robson, who led England 65 times, dismissed Rooney as a potential successor to current incumbent David Beckham.

"I would leave Rooney to concentrate on his game, let him develop and try to be a star. For me, there's other people in the team who are born leaders. For me, John Terry is a born leader, you can see it in all his characteristics, that he's a leader. Steven Gerrard is another one, so you've got enough in there without having to burden Rooney with something like that."

Given the choice between Terry and Gerrard, Robson was unequivocal, answering: "Terry."