Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith has called on the next England manager to drop John Terry and Rio Ferdinand for Euro 2012.

The team is currently without a coach after Fabio Capello resigned on Wednesday evening following the FA's decision to strip Terry of the captain's armband without consultation.

"I think the best thing to do would be to leave both John Terry and Rio Ferdinand out of the squad for Euro 2012," Smith wrote in The Telegraph. "Terry at his best is still a very good player but given what has happened, his inclusion in the squad can only cause problems.

"I don't think anyone would argue with the fact that Rio is not the player he was in his prime, and I think the time is right for a clean sweep."

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp is the overwhelming favourite to succeed Capello.

Written by
Jack Prescott