EPL ponder football ‘schools’ after World Cup flop

The English Premier League (EPL) is contemplating the creation of “football schools” in a bid to improve the standard of the England national team.

EPL chief executive Richard Scudamore insisted his organisation had “suffered” as a result of England’s early World Cup exit and wanted to do something to address the issue of youth development.

“What we can’t do is have a knee-jerk reaction and alter everything we do, but it hurts us as much as it hurts anybody and we do suffer,” Scudamore said on Wednesday.

“It absolutely strengthens our resolve in terms of youth development and to make sure that the maximum number of young English players are identified to give the England team the best chance.”

One possible change could involve the creation of ‘football schools’, which will see youth academies associated with top-flight clubs extending to 15-20 hours of coaching for their nine to 16-year-olds instead of the current five hours per week.

That increase would bring English academies into line with European counterparts such as the Netherlands.

The plan was spawned following a review of Ged Roddy, the Premier League’s director of youth development, and was agreed by the 20 clubs before England’s failure at the World Cup.

However, Scudamore insisted there were not too many foreign players in the Premier League.

“It’s not an acceptance that we have to do something about the foreign players, it’s the opposite: if you are going to make it as an English player into our first teams you have got to be world class.

“There were 222 English-qualified players who played first-team football in the Premier League last season and we believe that is enough to find 11 to perform in international competition.

“What we really want is an England manager who is spoilt for choice.”

He added: “I can envisage a day where in the north west of England we have a Premier League school where a number of clubs have their boys.

“Or perhaps a sports school in London where a number of sports get together and have a school for elite athletes whether it be swimmers, runners, rugby players or whatever.”

Britain’s Department for Education said they would be happy to talk to the Premier League about setting up a school.

A DfE spokesperson said: “We want every child to have a premier league education and would be very happy to talk to the Premier League about setting up schools in communities across the country, where there is a local need.

“We would be delighted if they joined the hundreds of passionate and talented groups that care about raising standards for all children and are interested in setting up new schools.”