FA assure Stuart Pearce over job safety

Pearce's side failed to qualify for the semi-finals

Stuart Pearce will not be sacked as England Under-21 boss, despite his side crashing out of the European Championship in Denmark.

The Football Association were today adamant there was no chance of the new two-year contract Pearce was offered almost two months ago being withdrawn in the wake of the country's dismal Group B campaign.

Pearce has come under fire for his team selection and tactics throughout a tournament England arrived at as the number one ranked side in Europe, having reached the semi-final and final at the last two competitions.

But despite failing to win a match this time, the 49-year-old will lead them into their qualification campaign for the 2013 finals in Israel as long as he puts pen to paper.

There is always the possibility the former England left-back will decide to quit the job he has held for four years.

But he has every incentive to stay, having been all but guaranteed the job of leading Great Britain at next year's Olympics in London, which will involve a side made up largely - if not exclusively - of England age-grade players.

Pearce, who has repeatedly expressed a desire to coach the British team, said of the position last night: "It's not been ratified yet.

"Whoever the manager is, he will have some players from this age group."