MX23RW : Wednesday, January 15 21:06:51| >> :600:815439:815439:

Rio Ferdinand: 'World Cup exit a wake-up call'

Former England defender Rio Ferdinand believes that changes are needed in the English game if the Three Lions are to compete in international tournaments in the future.

Rio Ferdinand has expressed his belief that the English game needs to undergo a drastic to reform following England's early exit from the World Cup.

The Three Lions were eliminated at the group stage for the first time since 1958 after playing just two games in the tournament, both of which ended in defeat to Italy and Uruguay.

Ferdinand is adamant that changes need to be made to the set-up in England in order for them to compete in international competitions in the future.

He wrote in his column in the Daily Mail: "Enough is enough. England's embarrassing early exit from the World Cup needs to be a wake-up call that something is fundamentally wrong in our national game and it needs fixing or we'll be also-rans for ever.

"To say that we are now a laughing stock is not right, but only because our major rivals didn't start this World Cup genuinely fearing England. England crashing out is not a surprise to them, or to be honest with ourselves, to us."

England face Costa Rica in their final World Cup match on Tuesday.

ID:161170: cacheID:161170:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2122:
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashley Cole of England runs with the ball during the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifying Group H match between England and Moldova at Wembley Stadium on September 6, 2013
Read Next:
Scholes: 'Cole omission a mistake'
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool20145148202847
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest21125430201041
3Arsenal20117239182140
4Chelsea21107441261537
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle20105534221235
6Manchester CityMan City2110563829935
7Bournemouth219753225734
8Aston Villa209563032-232
9Fulham217953230230
10Brentford218494037328
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2061043029128
12West Ham UnitedWest Ham217592741-1426
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs20731042301224
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd206592328-523
15Crystal Palace204972128-721
16Everton193881525-1017
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2044123145-1416
18Ipswich TownIpswich2037102035-1516
19Leicester CityLeicester2035122344-2114
20Southampton2013161244-326


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!