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Blatter: Get tough with Rooney

14/10/2005

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has urged England coach Sven Goran Eriksson and Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get tough with Wayne Rooney.

Rooney was in the news for the right reasons this week when he inspired England to an impressive 2-1 win over Poland.

His previous appearance in an England shirt in September saw the 19-year-old get booked for a dangerous aerial challenge and then argue with the officials and his captain David Beckham.

Just days later he was sent off in the Champions League for sarcastically applauding Danish referee Kim Milton Nielsen prompting a national debate about his temperament.

"His managers should be tough on him," Blatter told BBC Five Live. "He could go on for 15 years but discipline and respect is essential."

Rooney was certainly on his best behaviour on Wednesday night against Poland, when Nielsen was once again on duty.

He put in a virtuoso first half performance that underlined both his importance to England and his status as one of the best young players in the world.

Eriksson was full of praise for the teenager after the game, which was in stark contrast to the fallout from the Northern Ireland debacle when the Swede appeared to blame Rooney's tantrum for the team's defeat.

At club level, Sir Alex may have cooled in recent years but still has a reputation as one of the toughest managers in the game. He is also one of the most experienced at nurturing young talent having famously guarded stars like Ryan Giggs through their early years.

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