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When Jose the “Chosen One” Morinho turned down the England job that he wasn’t approached for, I was one of the few that hadn’t been whipped into frenzy by the tabloid press and was quite pleased.  I had already gone on record as saying I would sell the TV if he got the job.  At least that promise wont be tested as it could have caused a fall out with the girlfriend.

Now I am baffled.  Fabio Capello has stated that the role of managing our National team is his “dream job”.  A job that has been such a dream that he hasn’t even bothered to learn the language although if he can do that in one month then I will take that back.

Lets be honest and substitue the words “dream job” for “more money than I could have dreamt of”.  Fast forward to 2010 when England have once again failed to achieve anything in the World Cup.  Fabio will skip away with £3-6M in his pocket and a smile on his face  - enough to make anybody dream.

The there is the back up team - another 4 Italiens - well at least he will be able to communicate with them - shame they wont be able to communicate with the players.  As I’ve said before coaching at this level should be a small part of what is required.  Organisation and motivation are the key ingredients - how can that be done when the organisers don’t speak the language.  I suppose it could be argued that most of the team don’t speak English either but that’s another matter altogether and not one to swell on today.

We were told and I think are still being told that there will be an English coach working alongside these guys at some point.  The name that keeps coming up is Alan “the pundit” Shearer.  Why oh why?

Where are his credentials at managing and coaching?  (In Shearer’s Bar maybe?) He talks a good game and is obviously great at second guessing along with the rest of the BBC commentary team but I will lay good odds that he will not take an active role. In the same way that he is always mentioned for the Newcastle role but never steps up to the plate.  He knows that the only way for him with the Geordie crowd is down and that is where he is more than likely to end up. It’s much easier and safer to sit back and pick holes in the people that put their heads on the line then do so yourself.

Anyway - end of rant!

Like thousands of others I set my alarm on Saturday night to listen to the 5 Live commentary of the Mayweather Hatton fight, full of expectation.  It went off at 3:55am and I listened half asleep to somebody going on about Alice in Wonderland for 5 minutes, wondering if it was on digital radio, which would have meant getting out of bed and going downstairs.  Then thankfully they went to Vegas after the 4:00am news (yes they still have news at that time of the morning!).  I then dozed in and out, wondering if it would ever start before waking with a start at the sound of the bell.

I’ve still not seen any highlights, but from what I heard (ignoring the fact that the referee seemed to be helping Mayweather in the early rounds at leat), Hatton was well beaten by a better and stronger opponent.  He seemed unable to hurt the American but keep getting picked off before hitting fresh air.  Nobody can doubt his courage and determination, but unfortuately that only gets you so far and legions of British fans were once again left with that feeling of disappointment in a year of disappointments and near misses (the Ashes series aside of course).

It was satisfiying therefore to see Joe Calzaghe win Sports Personality of the Year - at least he did win something.  It would have been wrong to reward Hamilton or Hatton who have undoubtedly achieved much, but not actually won their ultimate prizes. 

The Team of the year went to the English Rugby Union team - they too failed to reach their ultimate goal but with no competition from cricket or football, it was pretty much a full gone conclusion.  I wonder who might have won it had they been beaten first round…

It almost here.  The biggest fight of the decade and it involves a British fighter.  Both fighters are undefeated but Hatton is making a step up in weight so is the underdog.

Yesterdays, predictable yet still exciting skirmish (these guys know how to hype), as given it that extra edge as if it was needed.

Although the underdog, with most experts predicting that Hatton will need to stop Mayweather to win, he will have the full support of the whole of the UK, not to mention a legion of fans who have made the trip to Vegas.

I’m out on Saturday night and and have to be up on Sunday to play my first vets game (i know I don’t look it), but still thinking about staying up to watch it.  I’ve not been so looking forward to a fight since Bruno v Tyson.  Lets hope the out come here is different!

If Hatton can get inside Mayweather and do some damage without picking up too much on the way in then he has a chance.  The longer the fight goes on though the more chance there is of Mayweather winning, as he is used to the weight.

It will be fantastic for Hatton and British Boxing though is he can pull it off.  All Brits love to see a cocky, loud arrogant Yank get beaten, especially in his own back yard.  Or is that just me?