Wilkinson applauds new FA role

The Football Association’s announcement that it is to appoint a technical director after a gap of ten years has been welcomed by the only man to have previously held the job.

Howard Wilkinson, who left the post to take over as Sunderland manager in 2002, said it was “high time” the FA made such a move. The successful candidate is likely to be an experienced manager and will head up operations at the FA’s new national football centre at St George’s Park near Burton-on-Trent.

Wilkinson said: “Any federation needs someone who is responsible for strategic direction in terms of technical matters and the FA is no different. It is high time someone was appointed. I can’t think of a country in Europe that does not have one.

“It is a welcome announcement and if we are going to make the most of the opportunity that St George’s Park offers to us, then in the long term you need someone to think into the future and to plan for the future.”

Wilkinson has for years called for such an appointment. Les Reed was appointed to the role in an acting capacity after Wilkinson, but lost his job in an FA shake-up in 2004. The new technical director will work alongside Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA’s director of football development, and lead the drive to make St George’s Park a centre of excellence for coaches.

Alex Horne, the FA’s general secretary, said: “The role of technical director will be crucial as we continue to strive towards improving the technical ability and knowledge of our players and coaches, both now and in the future.”

The new technical director will have to possess a Uefa Pro Licence or the equivalent and is part of the FA’s drive to raise the standards of football at elite and grassroots level.