England Under-21s

Stuart Pearce keen to return to England Under-21s

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 14 December 2016

Stuart Pearce reveals that he will apply for the vacant managerial role with England Under-21s, a position he previously held between 2007 and 2013.

Stuart Pearce has revealed that he wants to manage England Under-21s for the second time in his career.

Aidy Boothroyd has been in interim charge since Gareth Southgate stepped up to take charge of the senior team, and the former Watford boss is favourite to be given an extended amount of time with the squad.

However, Pearce - who won 23 of his 41 matches in charge between 2007 and 2013 - admits that he wants another crack at the job after leaving the role when England lost each of their three group games at the 2013 European Championship.

The 54-year-old told Sky Sports News: "Whenever you go for a job, inside or outside of football, you always look at the criteria of the job and do you match the criteria that the job offer entails.

"When I read through that, I thought yeah, I do. I have done the job before, I know the job and I know the organisation. One of the most motivating factors is that I really enjoyed the job, it's a fantastic job and I was very proud to work for that organisation.

"I know the FA comes under criticism at certain times, but what it really represents, the fans, English football, is something I am really passionate about."

Pearce's last position in the dugout was a 32-match spell with Nottingham Forest between July 2014 and February 2015.