THERE are born leaders in this world. And there are born sidekicks. To confuse the two is to invite disaster. Hence the fine mess England are in. The football and rugby union teams are going down the pan because they have impostors masquerading as the real deal.
Andy Robinson is to rugby what Steve McClaren is to football. With Robinson still in charge, world champions England will be the laughing stock at next year's finals. McClaren's England could easily sit out Euro 2008.
And all because some people do not know their limitations. When Robinson held his first England press conference, he showed up in a suit and tie. Immediately he struck an incongruous figure, the tracksuit coach aspiring to be something he is not.
McClaren sought the help of Max Clifford, the publicity guru. He now has his hair cut before every England gathering, his teeth polished and collar starched. To little avail. He still looks like a fish out of water.
Highly regarded as coaches, neither make convincing leaders. When Robinson's predecessor Sir Clive Woodward walked into a room, the atmosphere became charged. He was ruthless. A bit like his England team.
There is no sparkle with Robinson. He is dour and so are those trying to avoid an eighth successive defeat at Twickenham this afternoon.
Robinson's promotion was a mistake and the refusal to get rid of him at the earliest opportunity was another blunder. As World Cupwinning captain Martin Johnson conceded this week, drastic action is required. Robinson must go.
McClaren should share this fate. Ridiculously pleased with himself after the draw with the Dutch on Wednesday, he gushed: "I can't think of any negatives with regard to our performance or system."
Excuse me? England convinced no-one against an ordinary Dutch side missing key personnel.
Andy Johnson was misused on the right while Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard continue to look ill at ease, even in a 4-3-3 chosen with their happiness in mind.
By March next year and the fraught trip to Israel, McClaren must have all the answers. Yet Wayne Rooney has no steady partner up front, the left flank is bare thanks to Joe Cole popping up and doing quite nicely on the right and England's defence continues to leak.
It bodes ill, but then what do you expect from a coach who has spent the best part of his career sharing a dugout with someone infinitely more influential? Alongside Sir Alex Ferguson, McClaren looked and played the part of an invaluable No.2.
So Charlton beware. Les Reed's promotion, from assistant to manager, may make financial sense but there is little to suggest Iain Dowie's former right-hand man will get it right. "I am more of an arm-around-the-shoulder type, " said Reed yesterday, when asked about his managerial style. A bit like Ferguson, Wenger and Mourinho. . . I don't think so.
There are exceptions, but precious few. Walter Smith did an admirable job stepping into Graeme Souness's shoes at Ibrox but he had a long apprenticeship. Others have fallen flat on their faces: Brian Kidd, Ray Harford, Stewart Houston, and Roy Evans.
It is not a natural progression. You either have the mentality to become a leading manager or you do not.
McClaren and Robinson will rue the day they accepted jobs beyond their capabilities. And so will England.
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