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Premier League foreign legion 'cost McClaren his job'

11/06/2008

The chairman of the Premier League has stated that the rising number of foreign players in the English top-flight effectively cost former national coach Steve McClaren his job.

Sir David Richards is reported to have told delegates at the third Dubai International Sports Conference at the end of last month that the money available to Premier League clubs has meant a decline in the quality of domestic players eligible for England.

According to the Guardian newspaper, who obtained a recording of the speech given by Richards, he admitted clubs "have been a bit lazy" and by purchasing foreign stars rather than training their own youngsters.

And this means the England national team is of a lower standard as a result.

"Steve will tell you that he has to have the best players available and the Premier League has hurt him," Richards is quoted as saying.

"In fact, I would probably go as far as to say the Premier League has probably cost him his job. Because what we've done, we've actually bought all these foreign players in."

Richards added: "Does the Premier League hurt the national side? I think the answer to that has got to be yes."