Rio Ferdinand believes poor relationship between FA and Premier League is hindering England
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand doesn't believe England will be successful until the FA and Premier League work together, accusing the authorities of lacking enough strength to make bold decisions.
In his new book #2sides, released tomorrow, the QPR defender points to the German model, where a partnership between Bundesliga clubs and the German FA has helped the reigning World Champions.
“The Premier League is completely detached from the ideas and the vision of the FA and vice versa," he writes.
“The barrier has to be broken down. The big clubs have very little interest in the national team."
“All they care about is what benefits them, and they think mainly in terms of money."
Former captain Ferdinand, 35, was part of the FA commission set up by Greg Dyke to help improve England's national team, but doesn't feel the authorities are bold enough to challenge big clubs, suggesting:
“Each club develops its own identity and its own way of playing with no thought as to how it might fit with the national team.
“And the FA is not strong enough to decide on a policy from the centre.
“So what I expect will happen is what has always happened in English football. We’ll muddle along, tweaking a few things here and there.
“You don’t get results like that. You’ve got to be willing to upset a few people at the beginning but get people to buy into a long-term vision and wait for the fruits to grow.”