"Carragher quits England"

[MFletcher]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...d=1779&ct=5

 

Liverpool star quits England

Carragher fed up after failing to win McClaren's vote

 

By BOB CASS - More by this author »

 

Last updated at 22:12pm on 7th July 2007

 

Comments

 

Jamie Carragher is ready to quit the England team after being left out of the crucial Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia last month.

 

The Liverpool centre-half, who played in four of England's five games at the World Cup last year, has made just five appearances under Steve McClaren.

 

He has never started in his favoured position in a back four, even when John Terry and Rio Ferdinand have been injured, despite winning rave reviews as he helped his club to a second Champions League final appearance in three years.

 

His likely decision to retire from international football, which mirrors Paul Scholes' self-imposed England exile,was brought to a head when he was left out of the side who defeated Estonia 3-0 in Tallinn.

 

A source close to the 29-year-old said last night: "Jamie does not want to sound like a big-time Charlie. He just feels that at this stage of his career it would be better if he concentrated his efforts on helping Liverpool become the No 1 team in England again.

 

"He has always regarded it as a tremendous honour to represent his country and he has happy memories of pulling on the shirt. But things have to end some time and he thinks this might be a good time to bow out."

 

Against Estonia, the euphoria surrounding David Beckham's England return overshadowed Carragher's huge disappointment at being dropped to the bench.

 

He had accepted the fact he was behind the likes of Terry, Ferdinand and Jonathan Woodgate in the central defensive pecking order but, in a match when both Ferdinand and Woodgate were unavailable, McClaren's preference for the injuryprone Ledley King came as a bitter personal blow.

 

The situation was made worse when the England manager picked Wes Brown at right-back, a role Carragher has filled in the absence through injury of Gary Neville.

 

McClaren, having failed to talk Scholes into returning to the international scene, has not given up on persuading Carragher to reverse his decision and has been in constant touch with him. He will seek to meet the player on his return, before he names the squad for the friendly against Germany on August 22 at Wembley.

 

Carragher has collected 34 England caps since he made his debut as a substitute against Hungary in April 1999, ironically in the game that also signalled Brown's nternational arrival. In that time, the Anfield favourite has earned a reputation for being a wholehearted player who rarely let the side down, despite being asked to play all across the back four.

 

Eriksson once tried him as a holding midfield player, but McClaren has used him at right-back, left-back and as one of three centre-halves in a 3-5-2 formation, as well as, briefly, in his favoured position.

 

Carragher won 27 caps during Eriksson's reign, but his appearances have been restricted to just three starts since McClaren took over.

[josemisuncle]

The mail's record has been pretty good recently.

[PLY]

Didn't Bscombe allude to this happening about 5-6 weeks ago?

[Mike]

good lad.

 

f***ing disgraceful decision that was.

[fyds]

I hope he has made that decision - they always needed him more than he needed them and were just too stupid too realise it.

[MFletcher]

It's a mystery really. I rate Carragher as the best centre-half in the league. His performances in recent seasons have been absolutely incredible, and yet two injury-prone players who aren't half the player he is come into the team in his place? And then a Man Utd reserve takes the right back spot? It's ridiculous.

 

I'll be delighted if he retires though, because it will mean that when the rest of the international teams are playing two matches in five days, he'll be sitting in Liverpool with his feet up in front of the TV.

[stressederic]

Wouldn't surprise me for a minute.

[anfield11]

good lad.

 

f***ing disgraceful decision that was.

 

 

I'd love it if he told that inept git to shove it.

[Gunga Din]

he should have opted for Ireland anyway. at least that way he would have been appreciated. best defender in the country by a mile, and getting overlooked in the England squad by players not fit to lace his boots

[addi #7]

[Guest Snorky]

Didn't Bscombe allude to this happening about 5-6 weeks ago?

 

The stories came out immediately after the team was released to the players, there were rumours going around that Carra was ready to up sticks there and then.

 

I think it's f***in awful the way Jamie has been constantly overlooked by successive England managers.

[R A Softlad]

The mail's record has been pretty good recently.

 

Indeed.

[muleskinner]

he should have opted for Ireland anyway. at least that way he would have been appreciated. best defender in the country by a mile, and getting overlooked in the England squad by players not fit to lace his boots

 

Did he qualify? Never knew he had to make the decision.

[Joxer]

Well in James.

[Guest Sabre]

Good on you Carra lad. If there is anyone that deserves some respect in the game it's Carra. Wears his heart on his sleeve and didn't deserve to be left out like he was.

[Barnesy_10]

the sooner Carra's autobiography comes out the better.... its goin gto be a right laugh!

 

fair play Jamie lad... Maclaren is a f***wit

[genghis]

Not remotely surprised, except by various england "managers" overlooking him.

 

I don't blindly herald LFC players as the best in their position over obviously classy rivals, but in JC's case I fail to see any defender in Britain that's better (Terry is perhaps his equal) and can't immediately think of one on the continent who's clearly better. A defender is there to stop goals and attacks, and JC does that as well as anyone in the game.

 

Hope this is true. F'ck 'em.

[kacangpool]

good news for rafa, and improves a tad our premier league chances.

[New York Red]

Good. B*llocks to them. He's been treated terrible.

[Cunny]

As I've said in the past I can see the logic (even if I don't agree with it) of playing Terry/Ferdinand ahead of him.

However, when England have injuries/suspensions and play the likes of Brown and King ahead of him, it just defies belief and any footballing sense.

 

Liverpool's gain though.

[Lee W]

Most England managers generally defy belief - it's the top requirement in the job spec.

 

A very astute move if true, as we should get another five years out of Carra as a result.

[The_MC]

Well played Jamie (assuming its true). It's the right decision; McClaren couldnt give a sh't about ya, so why should ya give one for his team, even if it is England. Great news for Rafa too, slightly less need for defensive cover now considering Carra will have more time to rest throughout the season.

[liverbird04]

From a selfish perspective its a great decision for Liverpool, f*** england.

[ManOfSteel]

I hope it's true. It's a real waste of his time and shows how stupid McClaren is when he goes off to join the England squad.

[baz2107]

Well done Jamie Lad, b******s to them, you are better than Terry, Ferdinand, Campbell, King etc so sod 2nd choice Steve, enjoy playing for Liverpool and at any time any of the other centre halves want a chat show them yout European Cup Winners Medal