No place for women in the men’s game and that’s a fact

The PC Police have been out in force and on my case in the past few days.

I gave my honest opinion on the appointment of the first female football manager in the men’s game.

For those who aren’t aware, French Second Division club Clermont Foot named Helena Costa as their new manager.

It made headlines around Europe and was a major topic of conversation on TalkSport as football fans had their say on the decision.

And, of course, I was asked about my own thoughts on the ground-breaking news.

My views were and remain the same it can’t work at the highest level.

A women football manager just isn’t going to cut it in top-flight football and, as far as I’m concerned, that is fact.

In this day and age, you’ve got to be careful who you offend and let’s face it there is always someone desperate to be offended.

But the bottom line is you have to be honest.

Should I say I think Helena will do a great job, and it might only be a matter of time before we have a female football manager taking charge of a leading club in Scotland or England?

Maybe that’s what a lot of people want me to say, but I’m not going to namby-pamby around the subject.

It will, in my opinion as a former professional footballer, simply won’t work.

And although many might not have the bottle to come out and say what I’m saying, you can bet your bottom dollar they agree with me.

Maybe I am a bit of a dinosaur because of my views but I stand by every word that I’ve said.

Why not go the next step and mix male and females in matches?

Now I’m sure Helena knows the game inside out. But my main point here is I can’t see a female gaining control of a dressing-room in the men-only professional environment, handling horrible abuse from supporters and being respected enough by her players.

And let me share an interesting tale with you.

Recently, at Old Trafford, David Moyes is believed to have been discussing defending with his players, and highlighted how good Phil Jagielka was in a team meeting.

The response from a leading player was: “What has he ever won” followed quickly by: “and what have YOU ever won”.

The player has played at World Cup Finals and lifted the Champions League.

Now, if a player is able to say that to someone like David Moyes, then can you honestly tell me a woman could go into a dressing-room and gain the respect of footballers?

I know some say you don’t have to be a top footballer to be a top manager, and will list Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho as examples.

But in their own ways they carved out fearsome reputations. A woman would never be able to do the same.

In the days since this furore broke, I’ve had managers from both Scotland and England on the phone to me and to a man they agree with me 100%

I stand by every word.