Lineker hopes for England revival

By John Sinnott

Former England striker Gary Lineker remains confident the national side will win a major tournament, despite the failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

England have not won a tournament since the 1966 World Cup, but Lineker says the cycle of failure can be ended.

"If Greece won Euro 2004, how can you say England cannot win it?" Lineker told BBC Sport.

"We've got the players and the quality, but we shoot ourselves in the foot as our domestic season is so tough."

606: DEBATE I do believe that England are back on track to become a good side again 7keenan

Lineker, who won 80 caps for England, said the innate nature of football in the Premier League also works against the success of the national side.

"We play 100mph football compared to everyone else," he added.

Nevertheless, Lineker said the future could still be right under new coach Fabio Capello.

"We've been close in 1990, which shows it can be done," said Lineker, part of the England side which came agonisingly close to a place in the World Cup final in Italy before losing on penalties to Germany in the semi-final.

"All you need is to get it right at the right time. You need to get the tactical discipline, the players and the team spirit.

"Euro 2008 will not be the same without us in it and it's not great for English football.

The England team has underperformed for a long time Gary Lineker

"I always live in hope, though we might have to wait until we host a World Cup as that gives us a better opportunity."

England hope to stage the 2018 World Cup, 52 years after Sir Alf Ramsey's side beat West Germany 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley to lift the Jules Rimet trophy.

Lineker, who bowed out of international football at the 1992 European Championships, remains bemused at England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008 under previous coach Steve McClaren.

"With the quality of our players there's no way we should not have been in it," added Lineker, who won 80 England caps.

"But England have underperformed for a long time and not shown their true potential, and this time they have paid the price.

Cannot play media. Sorry, this media is not available in your territory.

Highlights: Rep of Ireland 1-0 England

"Hopefully England can turn things round and reach the World Cup in 2010. It is not hard to qualify for the World Cup unless you really mess it up.

"You worry a bit about the production of young talent, but I think the academies are starting to get it right.

"Even so I think it will be another six to 10 years before we really see the benefit of those players.

"Some pessimists think England will never win a major tournament again, but it's been a long time since England have won a major tournament so that is not that brave a statement to make."