Wise move by the FA

Lawrenson: "McClaren is a shrewd appointment"

Mark Lawrenson speaks to Sport Online about the appointment of Peter Taylor as temporary England manager.

With most of the contenders for the job under contract, the appointment of Peter Taylor as England manager on a game-by-game basis is probably a wise decision.

He certainly knows the ropes, he's had a lot of experience as manager of the England under-21s and most importantly he knows the England set-up very well.

Wherever he has gone, the clubs have been successful and he will become a key part of the England set-up.

  Lawro on McClaren

Taylor's style of football, if it is akin to the way he played with the under-21s, will definitely suit the current crop of players at his disposal which is also great news for England.

Certainly he has the tactical and technical know-how but my only reservation is his lack of experience in management at the highest level.

Record

Remember, we are talking about a guy who has only ever managed 15 games at Premiership level and the FA said they wanted a manager with a proven track record.

However, they have recruited a good young manager as well as superb coach with the potential to one day lead England to glory.

The fact it is only a temporary measure before he moves into the England backroom to make way for the new long-term manager will provide England with the continuity they have for so long been craving.

One slight concern I have is that both Taylor and his new assistant Steve McClaren are superb coaches and you wonder who will pull the punches on the training field - but then I suppose you can never have too much of a good thing.

In fact, I believe McClaren's appointment is a very shrewd decision by the FA who have clearly recognised what a talent Manchester United have on the training pitch.

Key

Wherever he has gone, the clubs have been successful and he will become a key part of the England set-up.

But one thing is for sure - the FA wanted Bobby Robson in a caretaker role initially and they got their second choice in Peter Taylor.

To be honest, I think the FA still want Sven-Goran Eriksson and Arsene Wenger. But Taylor will buy time for them to enable the FA to make moves for either Eriksson in 2001 or Wenger in 2002.

That essentially would leave Taylor in charge until 2001 for a number of World Cup qualification games - a tall order for a man with a small amount of experience.