MX23RW : Thursday, November 14 23:59:22| >> :600:2643156:2643156:

Aidy Boothroyd remains relaxed over England Under-21s future

Aidy Boothroyd remains relaxed over England Under-21s future
© Reuters
Aidy Boothroyd is out of contract in the summer, with others already being linked to the role.

England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd has dismissed speculation surrounding his job security.

Frank Lampard, Steve Cooper, Justin Cochrane and Paul Simpson have all been linked with replacing Boothroyd, who is out of contract in the summer.

The Young Lions are clinging on to their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of Euro 2021 ahead of Wednesday's final Group D game with Croatia.

They need to win by two goals in Koper and hope Portugal beat Switzerland but, as others are touted for his job, Boothroyd remains focused.

He said: "It's a really good job working for really good people and with really good people, so obviously the runners and the riders are going to get going in this situation but as far as I'm concerned there is nothing to get upset about.

"I'm currently in the chair and have enjoyed being in the chair and want to carry on and do what I think has been a successful job. That's it really. I don't get distracted too much, it's more to focus on the team and the staff."

Boothroyd has been in regular contact with senior boss Gareth Southgate while Football Association technical director John McDermott is in Slovenia with the Young Lions.

"I've exchanged a couple of texts earlier in the week and I spoke to Gareth a couple of times," he said.

"I had a good chat with John McDermott as well. Are we on the same page? Absolutely. All the way through the pathway, we're on the same page.

"You shouldn't be working in youth development if you think your job is to win every game and not produce players for the senior team.

"We're all on the same page. We have been for the last seven or eight years.

"We have won things in the younger age groups and as they've matured, they've been fast-tracked. That's how it works. That is the way to do it.

"I take your question that supporters want to win as well. Well, of course we do.

"But what would you rather have: an Under-21 team going around on an open-top bus, or do you want your senior team to win?

"Because it's about the senior team, at the end of the day. We're here to support them."

ID:441238: cacheID:441238:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4627:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!