So what of England’s immediate future? I’ve already mentioned that maybe it is time to try something different and here is my unbiased opinion on how we rebuild for 2014 in Brazil.
Firstly, why have I specifically pinpointed 2014? Well, because 2012 will be undoubtedly too soon for a new breed to establish themselves.
We must rid ourselves of many of the players from the so-called “Golden Generation”. It’s radical I know - but why associate ourselves any longer with failure and let’s face it – they’ve had their opportunity. The last thing I want to see is a 36 year-old Frank Lampard or a 35 year-old Emile Heskey trudging around breathlessly.
As I said: Thanks, but no thanks.
But more importantly I think it’s imperative that we rid ourselves of the players with whom failure has become almost synonymous. Not only have they had their chances and blown it every time but there is a risk that they hang around like an unwanted smell.
So who would I retain?
Joe Hart is at the very top of the list. He’s been in the squad for this World Cup yet he’s now tasted disappointment without even kicking a ball or saving a shot in frustration. Besides, he is by far the most capable goalkeeper we have in the country. Stick him in right away, back him if he makes mistakes and we could well have our first choice goalkeeper for the next ten to fifteen years.
Glen Johnson. Aside from his disappointing World Cup performance, I’d still back him and like Hart, he will learn from the experience. If he’s got any hunger he’ll come back stronger and that can only be good for the England side.
Ashley Cole. As a player, he still seems to be getting better and better. There really aren't many better left-backs in the world than Ashley Cole and if he can maintain his form and fitness then there is no reason why he cannot be there in Brazil.
John Terry is not blessed with lightening-fast pace but that is irrelevant to his game. Like Cole, his big match experience could be beneficial in a young squad. He’s likely to be one of the tougher characters and will be one of the very few players who would be unlikely to let past experiences affect him. Actually, probably quite the opposite – it’d drive him on.
Michael Dawson. Although uncapped, Dawson is would likely be in and around the next few future England squads. Limited but steady, Dawson has improved season upon season for Spurs. It remains to be seen whether he’ll do any worse than the likes of King, Carragher, Upson or Ferdinand.
James Milner has been one of the better players for England in a very disappointing campaign. I was delighted he was given an opportunity by Capello as he had been demonstrating in the Premier League and U21’s for years that he was ready. He’ll be 28 and in his prime assuming we get to World Cup 2014.
Aaron Lennon was a let-down at this World Cup, I have to admit. I’d expected so much more from Spurs’ flying winger yet he couldn’t get going at all. He was by no means the worst performer and playing alongside such a limited England side wouldn’t have helped his cause. Assuming he maintains his form he’ll be around for 2014.
Wayne Rooney is far from undroppable yet he does, at this time of writing, remain as England’s talisman – albeit a misfiring one. I can only hope that he will have one or two other players who can share the burden with him come the next World Cup.
Joe Cole. He’s the one player I was unsure about featuring for England in Brazil in four years’ time. He’ll be 32 but like many of the aforementioned, if he retains good club form in between now and then he’ll probably still be one of the very few England players who can unlock defences.
Peter Crouch, like Terry, isn’t blessed with pace yet copes considerably well without by compensating with many other attributes and skills. “Crouchie” will be 33 if we reach Brazil but that should be completely irrelevant if he’s still providing an option that was so underused at this World Cup.
Jermaine Defoe. As with many of the above, if Defoe is still scoring regularly in the top division then there is no reason as to why Defoe cannot play in the next World Cup. He’ll also remember this one bitterly and being the spiky little character he is he’d want to atone for it.
It's fairly obvious that this was indeed the very last chance for so many of the squad at this World Cup and whether it is enforced or simply transitional, it is very likely that the England squad in four years time will have a very, very different look to it.
The question is though, do we have the talent to compensate as our "Golden Generation" wind down their careers and look towards a career in coaching or punditry? Who are the stars of tomorrow?
Below, you'll see a few familiar names. It's hard to predict who will be in the squad in four years time as reputations are sometimes made in a season (Rooney and Walcott immediately come to mind) but I've tried to assess the obvious and in some respects, the not so obvious candidates.
Despite what feels like a shortfall of quality young footballers at the moment, I can confirm that we do have some exciting starlets breaking through amongst an already established cast of Premier League players.
With four years in between now and the tournament in Brazil I would imagine many of the young(ish) fringe players in the Premier League will come to the fore. The likes of Micah Richards, Ryan Shawcross, Gary Cahill, Jamie O’Hara, Fabrice Muamba, Ashley Young, Adam Johnson, Gabi Agbonlahor, Theo Walcott, Tom Huddlestone and Lee Cattermole will probably be involved more in the next couple of the seasons.
It's too early to say whether seasoned (yet elder) Premier League players such as Phil Jagileka (who will be 31) , Chris Kirkland (35), Joleon Lescott (32) and Ben Foster (31) will get much of a look in if the younger players are given the opportunity.
The same could be said of Stephen Warnock (32), Leighton Baines (30), David Bentley (30) and Darren Bent (30). It is a shame but appears that they too have missed the final boat to make a World Cup appearance.
I also fear for Steven Gerrard, who also may be considered too old by the time 2014 arrives. If he's playing at the top level still by then and his form is good enough his experience could be invaluable. Despite his moderately acceptable World Cup performance, Gerrard's career does appear to be winding down if last season is anything to go by.
Roger Johnson at Birmingham has been unarguably impressive this season and if he continues his solid displays at Birmingham then he might be an excellent bet to at least make the final squad in June 2014. However it may be his centre-half partner Scott Dann who could we pip his team mate. Dann, like Johnson, has been exceptional in his first season in the Premier League. Both reside in a Birmingham back four who finished with one of the best defensive records in the top division.
One player I have personally earmarked for the future England side is Manchester City's injury-plagued Michael Johnson. Johnson is a dyanmic midfielder but has been unavailable for the best part of two years. This may have stunted his progress but from the brief showings under Stuart Pearce and then Sven at Manchester City, he is one player who could develop into an international class footballer.
The selection of his team mate Nedum Onuoha may hinge on how soon he merits a call up for the senior England squad. Despite winning several caps for England at under 21 level, Onuoha is playing with the idea of representing Nigeria - his country of origin.
Promisingly, there is a myriad of exciting talent teeming to break through into regular Premier League football. Jack Rodwell, Dan Gosling, Keiran Gibbs, Jack Wilshere and Jordan Henderson have all made contributions to their respective first-team clubs last season (some moreso than others) and I have still to mention the likes of Chris Smalling, Manchester United's big money buy from Fulham, Fabian Delph (whom I rate very highly) and Chelsea's Michael Mancienne - who has already trained with the senior England side in previous years.
Chelsea also possess another four possible Premier League stars of the future in Daniel Sturridge, Jack Cork and Ryan Bertrand. Sturridge was signed from Manchester City and is tipped to be a future England international in respected footballing circles and Jack Cork has so far impressed in loan spells at Championship and League One level, culminating with Burnley during their flirt with the top-flight last season. Similarly Ryan Bertrand, another quick attacking fullback has also been improving and earning glowing reviews during his loan spells.
One being kept under wraps is the coveted Joshua McEachran. Already likened to Iniesta and Zidane, his development will be very interesting to monitor. The biggest indicator that he could well live up to his billing would be for him to break into the Chelsea first team. It's early days but the promise is there.
Across the capital in North London, Harry Redknapp is collecting young English footballers like Panini stickers. Kyle Walker, Kyle Naughton, John Bostock and Danny Rose are another group hotly tipped to shine in coming years. I guess we'll find out in the season's ahead.
North London rivals Arsenal are also beginning to blood the latest from their production line. Besides Jack Wilshere, high hopes have been pinned upon Gavin Hoyte, Henri Lansbury (who was very impressive on loan at Watford), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (impressive at Doncaster), Kyle Bartley and the amusingly named Thomas Cruise, who is practically an understudy to the Kieran Gibbs. Big things are also expected of young striker Benik Afobe, who literally exploded onto the scene in 2007 with 40 goals in 30 games for Arsenal’s U16 side.
Back on the Mersey they are also continuing to groom their stars of the future. Everton, most notably, could contribute significantly to the future of the England national team. Jack Rodwell has already established himself as a first team regular and similar things are expected of Jose Baxter and Hallam Hope, the former tipped as "better than Rooney".
Another striker, James Vaughan has been around the Everton first-team since he was sixteen. Despite showing brief flashes of promise has often been reisgned to a place on the inury table or the bench. He's still only 21 so has plenty of time to develop before the World Cup in 2014.
I have to give an honourable mention also to the ‘Academy of Football’ at West Ham who like their London counterparts, continue to produce possible future stars of the Premier League. The most recognised English talent at the club is perhaps is midfielder Mark Noble. Last season also saw the introduction of Junior Stanislas, Zavon Hines and James Tomkins (who I’m very unsure about). Striker Freddie Sears and defender Jordan Spence are two others to keep your eye on at Upton Park.
You can also find burgeoning talent below the riches and everlasting glow of the Premier League. Goalkeepers Frazer Forster (Newcastle on loan to Norwich) and in particular Alex Smithies (Huddersfield) both produced mature season-long performances and Nottingham Forest’s Lee Camp has also caught the eye of some Premier League clubs.
Danny Simpson, Nathaniel Clyne, Joe Mattock, Mark Beevers have all enjoyed impressive and solid seasons for their respective clubs.
The promising attacking midfielder Jonjo Shelvey secured a move to Liverpool from League One Charlton and Tom Cleverley raised a few eyebrows in a brief but successful loan spell at Leicester from Manchester United. The Reds also possess another two possible talents; the semi-involved Danny Welbeck and the seldom-involved Kenji Gorre. Gorre is the son of former Huddersfield midfielder Dean Gorre and is earning rave reviews at junior level.
Gorre holds dual nationality (British & Dutch) so I would hope that England keep a particularly close eye on him before his country of origin show an interest.
Ipswich coaching staff have also been trying to fan the flames since young striker Conor Wickham emerged from nowhere last season. Just 17, Wickham has already bagged himself 4 league goals and a host of admirers after some very robust and impressive performances. Better still, he already has 9 goals in 13 appearances for the England U17's.
The awkward Andy Carroll at Newcastle is another who is regarded of highly within the footballing community. Strong, tall and with a sublime first touch, comparisons to Peter Crouch have already been made. The past season in the Championship has been very beneficial to Carroll; he has fashioned himself a regular first team place and has developed into promising young striker. I'm expecting him to shock a few in the Premier League this season.
Abroad, Sporting Lisbon recently beat Manchester United and Arsenal to the signature of young English centre back Eric Dier. With a foreign coaching philosophy it will be interesting to see how and if Eric Dier realises his potential for the Portuguese side and if England are monitoring it. Once again, we'll see.
Hull's Tom Cairney , Wigan's Victor Moses, Blackburn's Phil Jones, Ciaran Clark of Aston Villa, Luke Garbutt at Everton and Nathan Delfouneso of Aston Villa are six more names who may become more prominent within the next couple of seasons.
Right now, there are no new "superstars" in our midst. Maybe that era has passed; as it did for Germany after 1994. Maybe we don't need a "Golden Generation".
Actually, maybe we don't need a overhyped, celebrity-like football team at all anymore. Maybe, just maybe, a team full of good, honest players is exactly the remedy we need.
I actually believe that if this is the case and we've now exhausted our "superstars" for the next few years then it could be of great benefit to us. A blessing, perhaps. Why? Because we'll no longer go into major tournaments as a favourite. Additionally, imagine a dressing room if the ego's were deflated just by 10%? Wow, now everything doesn't seem so bad at all!
With the expectation and the ego's lowered, England could go into a major tournament as underdogs. No crippling pressure, no scrutiny, no real association with any of the past failures and seemingly to the rest of the world, no hope of getting very far. It has worked for numerous other teams, so why not us?
We could really use a collective lowering of expectations so what better way to start than gutting the squad and appointing an untested, untried management team.
Yes, I said it. An untested, untried management team.
My initial preference was for Stuart Pearce to take the reigns. You know he'd not let any player for England shirk their duty and he'd be continuing his work with many of the players he coached in the U21 side.
It seems a fairly unspectacular though logical appointment. After all, it does appear he is being groomed by the FA as the next in line.
And then, all of a sudden, I considered Roy Hodgson. Miracle worker at Fulham and around the globe, Hodgson's coaching career is maybe the nearest mirroring of Bobby Robson's. Whilst Hodgson has not won a major European title, he has the experience and nous to turn underperforming teams into solid, competitive footballing sides.
He is a real candidate.
Yet it was during the Algeria game that I made my final decision. I want David Beckham to be the next England manager. Yes, he has no previous experience other than playing for some of the best managers and clubs in the world (!). Yes, he probably doesn't possess the necessary qualifications in the eyes of the FA.
However, he is an iconic English figure. Much like Alan Shearer, I guess.
Beckham cut a frustrated pose on the sidelines in South Africa and I couldn't help but feel that if he was given a larger role he could have a major influence on the direction and ultimately success of any future England football team.
Up until that moment when my friend turned to me and suggested "Beckham for manager?" I had never really considered it. Bizarrely though, the same thought had flashed across my mind a moment earlier. Temporarily, I put it down to watching Beckham grimace with his designer stubble and smart suit. Then, all of a sudden, my heart flickered too; Beckham? Manager? What is Beckham's credentials? Is he good enough? Does he have the tactical mind to outwit other managers? Would he be a good man manager? Can he motivate? Could he inspire?
My mind laboured to a stalemate with my heart. My mind said no, don't be ridiculous. My heart persisted and said yes, yes, yes! Then I remembered where I'd gone wrong all my life. I remembered that I had been taught (or "conditioned" as I like to put it) to make decisions with my mind. Society, schooling and employment does that. It was then I recalled my resolution earlier this year; to make all my decisions based upon my instinct and my heart. The day I stopped making decisions on instinct was the day I started to screw up.
I resolved that Beckham should be the new manager of England.
Crazy as it sounds, it might just work. He doesn't need the qualifications. His passion, leadership and integrity far outweigh any coaching manual or doctrine in print. His presence alone amongst a new breed of footballers who idolised him when they were young could have a massive impact.
In addition to this, what about his experience? He's not just a role model - or a model, for that matter. He's played at the top clubs and has been coached by the very best coaches in the world. Surely, with that expansive background he must have a considerable amount of knowledge?
As I have said before, Beckham will not need qualifications or coaching badges for such a role. He won't need to go out on a limb at all, just surround himself with a selection of well respected, talented coaches. All he has to do is be David Beckham. A starry-eyed squad willing to impress him and their country should do the rest.
Yes, it's that simple.
Other teams have already appointed iconic figures from the past to a degree of success. They don't seem to be doing too badly, either. Klinsmann started the German revolution in 2006, Beckenbuer done it in 1990 and Maradona and Dunga are repeating the feat for Argentina and Brazil respectively this year. Would Beckham be interested? I've no idea.
But didn't he just look the part in that dapper suit?
