PM Brown backs call for 2008 home nations championship after British Euro failures

Brown said it was desperately disappointing that there would be no British teams at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, and felt there was a case for reviving the home international fixtures.

They were abandoned in 1984 because of fixture congestion, poor attendance and fan misbehaviour but the PM said: "I know some people have called for a one-off revival next year of the home internationals.

"That's something for the football associations and clubs to consider. I would certainly enjoy that.

"I have got great memories from the '60s and '70s. But that is a decision for the football associations and clubs."

Marcel Desailly claims the England national side is suffering because Premier League clubs are not giving home-grown players a fair crack of the whip.

The former France and Chelsea defender believes clubs should continue to sign the cream of foreign talent - but that they are hurting England by buying up "medium class" players from abroad.

Desailly believes that, although the foreign influence has helped the Premier League to become the best in the world, the balance of domestic talent is not right - and that has contributed to England's failure to qualify for Euro 2008.

Speaking in Durban before the draw for the 2010 World Cup qualifying competition, Desailly said: "The clubs should concentrate a little bit more on the top foreign players only.

"In each English club team, there should be only three or four top players from abroad.

"At the end of the day, it is the foreigners who have lifted the level of the Premier League - and that has given the league better exposure and increased sponsors and the media.

"But you have to be careful how you play the game, and it is true that the national team is not following the level of the league.

"Clubs have to give more chances to the local players than going and picking up medium-class players.

"You have to balance it and make sure you do not over-correct and hit the thing that has given you the exposure in the world."

Kevin Miles, international co-ordinator of the Football Supporters' Federation, believes the Football Association have at least done the right thing in sacking Steve McClaren following the failure to qualify.

He said: "They had to do it in the circumstances. Qualifying for the European Championships was the minimum requirement and he failed.

"Expectations can be overhyped but qualifying for the European Championships is not an overhyped expectation."

The job of England manager is often described as "impossible" because of the level of pressure which goes with it, but Miles said: "It is not an impossible job. He made it look like an impossible job.

"His predecessor (Sven-Goran Eriksson) managed to qualify for two tournaments."

Former England midfielder Alan Mullery believes it will take 10 years for an overhaul in coaching to come to fruition as the FA begin their "root and branch" investigation into the qualification failure.

Mullery insists that the FA's review must first look at the inferior technique of English players.

He told Sky Sports News: "The technical side all over the world is far better. Look how Manchester City have changed this season, Sven has brought in five or six foreign players and they are a different team.

"What we have got to do is to get our priorities right, kids have got to learn to be able to control a ball, pass a ball and do all the things you need to do to become technically gifted players.

"That is going to be another decade before it comes to fruition."

Mullery expressed his sympathy for McClaren and urged the FA not to rush the appointment of his successor.

"It's a shame really because Steve is a nice man. But it's a results game, you have to qualify for tournaments and Steve didn't do that," he added.

"The FA have got plenty of time to think about (the next appointment) because the players won't be doing anything in the summer other than probably going on a short trip for two or three games which the FA will organise.

"But they have got to get the appointment right."