Stu wants England's young Lions to feel they can win it
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Stu wants England's young Lions to feel they can win it
Reaching European Championships is a success but winning it is my burning ambition, says England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce
Reaching the European Championship finals is success in itself for England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce, although the burning ambition remains to win the tournament.
The Young Lions did just that in 1982 and 1984 but the best they have managed since is reaching the 2009 final when they lost 4-0 to Germany.
Pearce was at the helm then and kicks off his fourth successive finals against Italy tonight in Tel Aviv.
When you look at my time in charge, France have not been here once and they are a major side, the former England left-back said.
To get here is a success in itself. When we start our journey every two years, we sit our players down and we talk about winning the tournament. We are here to win the tournament.
On top of that it will be how many players can get tournament experience, the likes of Jordan Henderson, who can step into the seniors.
If I strip it down, the burning ambition inside me is to win it. But if I strip it down to me doing my job developing players the 23 players here will have had a fantastic experience.
Two years ago Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, all now in the seniors, were on this stage.
Spain are the bookies favourites to lift the cup but Pearce feels todays opponents Italy, who boast senior internationals Marco Verratti, Mattia Destro and Fabio Borini among their ranks, should have the shortest odds.
Pearce is without the suspended Thomas Ince and Danny Rose today but Manchester United starlet Wilfried Zaha is available after shaking off an ankle complaint.
Reaching European Championships is a success but winning it is my burning ambition, says England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce
Reaching the European Championship finals is success in itself for England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce, although the burning ambition remains to win the tournament.
The Young Lions did just that in 1982 and 1984 but the best they have managed since is reaching the 2009 final when they lost 4-0 to Germany.
Pearce was at the helm then and kicks off his fourth successive finals against Italy tonight in Tel Aviv.
When you look at my time in charge, France have not been here once and they are a major side, the former England left-back said.
To get here is a success in itself. When we start our journey every two years, we sit our players down and we talk about winning the tournament. We are here to win the tournament.
On top of that it will be how many players can get tournament experience, the likes of Jordan Henderson, who can step into the seniors.
If I strip it down, the burning ambition inside me is to win it. But if I strip it down to me doing my job developing players the 23 players here will have had a fantastic experience.
Two years ago Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Danny Welbeck, Daniel Sturridge, all now in the seniors, were on this stage.
Spain are the bookies favourites to lift the cup but Pearce feels todays opponents Italy, who boast senior internationals Marco Verratti, Mattia Destro and Fabio Borini among their ranks, should have the shortest odds.
Pearce is without the suspended Thomas Ince and Danny Rose today but Manchester United starlet Wilfried Zaha is available after shaking off an ankle complaint.
