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Bryan Roy tears into 'unsuccessful' Pearce

ESPN staff
February 29, 2012
Stuart Pearce has come under fire from a former Nottingham Forest colleague
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Bryan Roy has admitted he is stunned to see former Nottingham Forest team-mate Stuart Pearce in charge of England for Wednesday's game with Netherlands.

Roy, who won 32 Netherlands caps, had Pearce as his caretaker boss during his spell at the City Ground - and he was far from impressed with what he saw in that period.

"I simply can't believe he is now coach of England," Roy told the Mirror. "As a coach he was inexperienced and unsuccessful, leaving the entire organisation and training work to his assistants because he wanted to play himself.

"I've worked under a number of top trainers, like Louis van Gaal when he was with Ajax and Pearce was in [great] contrast to him. So how he managed to get such a position within the English FA is amazing. But he must have done something good.

"It's a difficult job because when you're coach of England then you're always in a precarious position. England is dying for success and English coaches aren't highly-rated tactically."

Pearce was installed as interim England manager following Fabio Capello's resignation earlier this month.

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