The then FA chief executive Adam Crozier had felt that Dein's success in bringing Arsène Wenger to Arsenal was sufficient to recommend him, but how about if Wenger had been offered the England manager's job? If he has to call people cheats would it not be better he did so to people we haven't heard of? We might even start to like him!
But on Thursday FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick confirmed he had been in talks with Portugal head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, after widespread reports about a meeting between the two men. "I think it's evident now we were in Lisbon yesterday, speaking to Luiz Felipe Scolari as part of our ongoing process of recruiting the next England senior national coach."
Earlier in the week, the FA's Director of Communications, Adrian Bevington, confirmed: "We felt it imperative that we had strong representation from the professional game on the nominations group and that we did not leave any stone unturned. Unfortunately for the fans, through speculation they have had to read (in newspapers, websites etc) that certain people have been certainties for the job at different stages." (The FA)
It's understood that a board meeting of the FA on February 2 excluded Dein from what began as a three-man panel to appoint Sven's successor. Dein considered it a slap in the face, but after successfully lobbying his view that he would be the FA board member with the broadest set of contacts throughout world football he was eventually taken into the sub-group a month later. (The Guardian)
European football writer Gabriele Marcotti commented in The Times today about how Wenger and Scolari are complete contrasts in the field of good, intelligent football management. Nobody denies both men have had success in their time.
But while Dein continues to orchestrate his distorted view of what is best for English football, not only will there be fewer English players but a foreign England coach with minimal knowledge of the English game is a recipe for disaster. Even after four seasons of European competition at club level, it's a big ask of the current Tottenham players to become world beaters by 2010.
Gary Lineker made it abundantly clear which one out of the two he would have preferred as the next England head coach. He said: "If they had decided to cast the net around the world and get the best man, I am staggered they haven't approached Arsene Wenger. With his background in English football, he would have been the perfect choice. I am surprised instead that they have chosen to take a big gamble with a Brazilian."
"They probably asked David Dein about Arsene and he would have said ‘Oh, he's not interested'. I am sure they would have asked. Arsene probably wouldn't have wanted to take the job but there was an obvious conflict of interests there." (The Sun)
Not only has Dein brought Wenger to Highbury, he's possibly prevented him taking charge of England, and influenced the decision to recruit another foreign England manager in Scolari. Since word broke that Scolari had been offered the position, the Brazilian has denied he is best buddies with Dein.
He told Sky Sports: ''When he needed something for Arsenal he asked me one year ago."
Dein had other matters to reflect on this week of course. After Arsenal reached the Champions League Final, to be played on May 17, he told BBC London: "When Arsene came here in October 1996, everybody said 'Arsene who?' It's great to have seen the youngsters that Arsene has introduced come through. He's given them a chance and they have been great. It is a phenomenal achievement and so much credit must go to Arsene Wenger, his coaching staff, and all the players."