Norman backs Jose for England
World Cup winner Norman Hunter has told a Shropshire audience he believes Jose Mourinho is the man to restore England's former footballing glories. World Cup winner Norman Hunter has told a Shropshire audience he believes Jose Mourinho is the man to restore England's former footballing glories. Hunter is refusing to condemn the current crop of players for their failure to reach next summer's final stages of the European Championships. But the former Leeds defender freely admits they are in desperate need of leadership - and believes Mourinho is the man to provide it, giving the Portuguese manager his nod to replace Steve McClaren. He was speaking as guest of honour at a sportsman's dinner at Shewsbury Town's Oteley Road stadium. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Jose Mourinho" class="imageframe alignright" height="130" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/mourinho.jpg" width="175"/>World Cup winner Norman Hunter has told a Shropshire audience he believes Jose Mourinho is the man to restore England's former footballing glories.Hunter is refusing to condemn the current crop of players for their failure to reach next summer's final stages of the European Championships.
But the former Leeds defender freely admits they are in desperate need of leadership - and believes Mourinho is the man to provide it, giving the Portuguese manager his nod to replace Steve McClaren.
Speaking as guest of honour at a sportsman's dinner at Shewsbury Town's Oteley Road stadium, Hunter said: "I was hugely disappointed by the defeat to Croatia.
"We had been given a lifeline (by Israel's win over Russia) and then we got back to 2-2 and we still couldn't do it.
"The manager has paid the price but now we need to look to the future.
"I think people who suggest the players don't care are talking nonsense.
"To say they don't care about playing for England just because they earn 'x' amount of money doesn't wash with me. I still think we have some of the best players in the world - we just haven't got as many as we have had in the past.
"I would love to see an English manager to take it on but I honestly can't think of a candidate.
"For me, you have to go for Mourinho - I just think he has something special about him."
Hunter is also delighted that he - along with 10 other 1966 World Cup winning squad members including former Wolves ace and Telford United player/manager Ron Flowers - will finally receive a medal, despite not being in the final team which beat West Germany 4-2.
"At the time it didn't really bother me but as the years go by, you think it would be nice to get one," he added.
"All I had to show I was part of that squad was a tracksuit which doesn't fit me any more and a picture of me wearing the tracksuit at Arsenal's old ground.
"I'm pleased it's happened now and there is talk about us meeting up at Wembley to receive them which would be fantastic."