Why Eriksson may yet wave us goodbye

It was a whirlwind romance, with many joys – including the birth of a new England era – and many inevitable tribulations, but nobody quite expected it to end in a quickie divorce.

Until, that is, you closely analysed the partners concerned. The dapper, fashionably tieless Adam Crozier never quite escaped his early perception as an eager Harvard business graduate (he actually studied business organisation at Heriot-Watt). He had started things off at Lancaster Gate with a "100-day plan'' and ended dropping after the equivalent of Soho Square's 100-day war. He was shamelessly dynamic, if damned ultimately by his own impetuosity.

Yet his image always appeared somewhat incongruous among the Premier League club chairmen, who remain institutionally self-protective. Modernisers are a wonderful asset but, heh, just not on my patch, Adam.

Today the FA resemble a Wild West town where the pioneering marshal has been forced out, leaving behind the tumbleweed blowing in the wind and the wealthy landowners to make up the local laws to their advantage as they see fit.

Chelsea's Ken Bates will no doubt be demonised most because he is a character who appears to relish conflict, and some of his observations about Crozier have appeared petty in the extreme, but there are others among the FA's ruling élite who may yet regret the events of the last few days. As for the FA chairman, Geoff Thompson, he merely resembles the mayor quivering behind the bar as the saloon shootout takes place and, in terms of his continued leadership of this great institution, you wonder just what kind of future he has.

But where from here, for the future of the professional game and, perhaps of more immediate relevance for football followers, of the England coach? Sven Goran Eriksson may have confirmed his commitment to the job, but you suspect that may not amount to much in the long term. Things might be different if there was universal faith in his abilities. But after England's limp exodus from the World Cup and their performances in their first two European Championship qualifiers, that is not the case.

Within hours of the resignation of Crozier, Eriksson's greatest ally, the voices of dissent were raised. Significantly, it was nothing to do with his football qualities, it must be added. According to Birmingham City's David Gold, it is the Swede's foreignness that offends his sensibilities. Surely here a case of all that glistens... Crozier may be well out of it as his opponents begin to chip away at the man he appointed. Eriksson has already overcome problems involving friendlies and players' availability. Thus far, with Crozier behind him, the Swede has resolved such matters reasonably amicably. But that may no longer be the position with the chairmen's proprietorial attitude regarding their playing personnel.

Eriksson's brief was also to provide a model for future England coaches. Steve McClaren was an obvious candidate – and still might be – but his departure from the international scene to concentrate fully on his day job at Middlesbrough leaves Eriksson appearing isolated, except for Tord Grip, very much Tonto to his Lone Ranger. Also, of course, there is the question of how long the England coach will continue to suffer intrusion into his private life.

Geoff Thompson was still insistent yesterday that Eriksson would remain. Yet should he depart, under whatever pretext, it would create a huge dilemma. If the FA, without Crozier to lead the crusade, insist on an Englishman, where do they turn? Probably toTerry Venables or Glenn Hoddle for a second term. Nobody else in the Premiership truly fits the bill, other than McClaren himself. David Platt has done well as Under-21 coach but his promotion would be premature. The remainder are either lacking experience or, like the respected Alan Curbishley, are managing struggling teams.

A Frenchman might just be acceptable to the pragmatists among the FA's international committee, but one can hardly see either Arsène Wenger or Gérard Houllier rushing to put themselves forward for consideration.

All things taken into consideration, McClaren would be the FA's most obvious selection, assuming he hasn't been in any way tainted by association with England's indifferent displays in recent games. Could that have had anything to do with his departure from Team Eriksson? McClaren, who says the national side are in a far healthier state than when Eriksson arrived, insists that his decision was taken some time ago, and his parting shot was that "managing England truly is a job for a masochist". Crozier might say the same about the chief executive's role.

As for the Premier League, their chairmen have ostensibly got their way with the removal of an opponent to the proposed Professional Game Board, an absurdly grandiose title. And in one sense there is sound reason for professional football demanding self-control. That assumes, however, that they run it for the prosperity of the game as a whole.

And of that, there is nothing less certain. It is vital that a powerful umbrella body continues to exist, not least because where the England team is concerned it involves far more than the sectional interests of the Premiership clubs.

Yes, the élite professional game has many millions of pounds circulating within it and outside it, but it would be unhealthy indeed if that element was effectively sheared off like some protected species. Even the most powerful organisations need a regulator of some sort, and the FA should continue to have that responsibility. One can only endorse Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks' call for independent directors to sit on the FA board. Not that recent events will mean it will be a facile task to replace Crozier with a man possessing the necessary vision and energy. Look where that got Crozier.

The FA must endeavour to entice a man who is first and foremost an astute politician; dare one say it, perhaps something of a corridor creeper. Certainly one who can move into Crozier's office with the broadest of backs.

Crozier Mr Popular

Supporters are very concerned about the way the game is going. Adam Crozier's departure is a sad day. He will be difficult to replace.
Ian Todd, of the Football Supporters' Federation

We think Crozier is one of the few people running football with a bit of vision.
Malcolm Clarke, co-chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation

I am shocked and saddened by the news, like everybody else at the FA. But I am determined to carry on in my job.
Sven Goran Eriksson, England coach

If they're going to try to headhunt someone I think they're going to find it very difficult to fill his shoes.
Graham Kelly, Crozier's predecessor

Adam is not a quitter and he is determined to stand up for what he thinks is right.
Paul Barber, FA marketing director, before Crozier quit

I and my colleagues are very saddened as Adam has always enjoyed our total support.
Frank Pattison, FA vice-chairman

It is unfortunate, and it is an FA matter, but the Premier League clubs have won.
Richard Caborn, Sports Minister

Crozier Mr Unpopular

The real problem is that Crozier is out of control. Those checks and balances that used to be in place have been swept away and there is a serious lack of corporate governance.
Ken Bates, Chelsea chairman

As this is essentially a professional difference of opinion there are, therefore, no personal issues whatsoever on either side.
Geoff Thompson, FA chairman

Crozier's management style has upset too many people. He has forgotten he is an employee, not an employer.
Bates

Crozier has been responsible for the modernisation of the FA, but he's seen by some to have exceeded the speed limit and caused casualties en route... There are major topics that require intelligent debate and it's unfortunate that it has become so personal.
David Dein, Arsenal vice-chairman

It was not his dictatorial style so much as his unwillingness to account for his actions in any proper way that did it. And to which people like me would add a lack of substance. So much manipulation and spin would suggest he'd have been better off at No 10 than in Soho Square.
David Mellor