Pearce to learn future soon

Stuart Pearce wants to stay on as manager of the England Under-21 side
10 June 2013

The decision on whether Stuart Pearce will remain England Under-21 manager will be made in the "very near future", according to Football Association chairman David Bernstein.

The former international full-back has been in charge of the Young Lions since 2007, leading them to four successive European Championships. England finished runners-up to Germany in 2009, but have since been knocked out at the group stage in successive tournaments.

After faltering in Denmark two years ago, defeats to Italy and Norway have seen the Under-21s' exit confirmed with a game against hosts Israel still to come. The Jerusalem clash could well prove to be Pearce's last in charge, with his contract running out at the end of the month.

The 51-year-old has made his desire to stay in the role public, but FA chairman Bernstein was coy on his future.

"That was something we always said would be decided after this tournament and that hasn't changed," said Bernstein, speaking at a 'Football For All' event aimed at eliminating racism and violence from the sport.

"We will be sitting down as a Club England team in the very near future, I suspect within the next couple of weeks, to make that decision.

"Overall I have been very impressed with him, absolutely. I think his record has been good, he has won an awful lot matches, qualified regularly for tournaments.

"This tournament has been disappointing but I don't think it should be taken totally out of context in terms of his long-term deliveries, because on the whole he has delivered very well."

There is a growing clamour for Pearce to be replaced, with bookmakers making him odds-on to be leave the post.

Such a move would disappoint Under-21s captain Jordan Henderson, who wants to see Pearce given a new deal. Of course [I want Pearce to stay]," the Liverpool midfielder said. "He has been a brilliant manager since I've come into the 21s."

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