Bilic condemns 'arrogance' of England players

Slaven Bilic yesterday launched a scathing attack on the "arrogance" of Michael Owen and English football after his Croatia team drew England again in the qualifying for the 2010 World Cup. The Croatia manager said that his team had been completely underestimated by England, whom they beat twice in qualification for Euro 2008.

The former West Ham defender, whose team ended England's hopes at Wembley last week, was responding to comments at the weekend from Owen that none of the Croatian team would get into the England side. Croatia are seeded as the top team in England's 2010 World Cup group. Bilic also said there were fundamental problems with English football.

Bilic said: "I respect the English team a lot. When everybody is fit they have the chance to win in Europe, maybe even the World Cup, but there is a little bit of arrogance. When we hear them say no player from the Croatia team would play for England, that is simply not true. You have to realise that football is played in the rest of Europe to a high level.

"Definitely, there is not enough respect. It is not everybody. I spoke to Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney – they know there are good players in other countries."

An overseas player himself in the Premier League with West Ham and Everton from 1996 to 2000, Bilic also said that England's Under-21s were not getting a chance in the senior team.

The Football Association is considering a Scotland proposal to stage a home international at Wembley in May after an informal approach in South Africa over the weekend. The FA is reluctant to commit to a game that a prospective new manager may not want. Yet with both sides out of Euro 2008, and concerns about how to fill Wembley for two friendly games in May, a revival of the home international is on the cards.

Australia have also put forward a proposal for England to play in Melbourne in May, but that would be a difficult sell to the clubs.

After his return from South Africa, Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, is due to meet Sir Trevor Brooking this week in order to discuss potential candidates and present the FA board with a structured plan for the appointment process.

l The former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal is interested in becoming the next England manager. Van Gaal, who has managed Barcelona and Ajax, is now in charge at AZ Alkmaar. He claims to have been offered the England job in the past and says he has a release clause in his AZ contract allowing him to leave for a national team post.