HOWARD Wilkinson is not the right man for the England job.

That is the stunning verdict from one of his former Albion team-mates.

Brian Powney, who made almost 400 appearances in goal for the Seagulls, said: "It's very nice for him, but I'm not sure he is the right man for the job.

"When he was a player at Brighton he didn't seem to have the charisma you would think a Premiership manager should have, yet alone the England coach.

"He was always a thinker and very much into coaching. He wasn't a good player and was the first to admit that.

"I was surprised he did so well in management at Notts County, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds.

"Good luck to him. We have always been good pals and he has a brilliant opportunity to prove himself and keep the job, but I am surprised."

Powney, who played with Wilkinson for Albion from 1966-71, reckons Terry Venables should return as England coach.

"I've always been a great Terry Venables fan," he added. "He was the man for the job in the first place and should never have been forced to leave.

"He is a great motivator and tactical thinker. If I was the FA I'd go running to him now."

Mel Hopkins, another of Wilkinson's Albion colleagues from the Sixties, has also expressed doubts about his stern, military approach.

"He is a bit sergeant majory," said the former Welsh international fullback. "I don't know whether the players will get on with him, but I think he can do a job.

"He always had a school master approach. He was very studious and thoughtful about the game. I was 100 per cent certain he would go into management and do it in an intellectual sort of way.

"He had great success at Leeds and he won't be afraid of the job. If England win two or three matches they will keep him, because success is the be all and end all."

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