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Pearce allowed to carry on as normal following defeat
Football Association chief executive Ian Watmore will not interfere with Stuart Pearce's coaching style but expects the England Under-21 boss to reflect on his own performance in Sweden.
England's youngsters were thrashed in the European Championship final but, while they went out with a whimper, Pearce was raising his hand to a German player by the touchline before restraining himself.
The 47-year-old also launched tirades at the fourth official which led to questions as to whether he was in full control of his emotions, in contrast to the methodical approach of seniors boss Fabio Capello.
Watmore, who has handed Pearce a new two-year contract to continue as Under-21 coach and Capello's assistant, said: "When you appoint people you know what they are like and we ask him to do the job his way and back him. I would never interfere. His job is to convey passion to his players.
"There is a fine dividing line between people caring and not caring. We all know Stuart cares. Let's not forget the visual features of his face when he scored the penalty against Spain.
"Stuart will reflect on what he has done in this tournament. What they teach well on the Pro-License is the ability to step back and reflect and learn and that is what we are trying to do here -– give people practical experience of tournaments, do our best, learning and coming back and doing better next time."
Pearce will look back at selecting a squad with only three forwards, although he was not helped by injuries to fringe players.
The former Manchester City boss has also appeared intense at times compared to other Under-21 coaches such as Germany's Horst Hrubesch, who was in relaxed mood on the eve of the final.
"He is the first to admit he still has a lot to learn," said FA director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking. "We are getting an English coach with a lot of experience. The step up to senior level is a massive one. Fabio hopefully has at least another three years with us. But you cannot link the two."
Due to his role with the seniors, Pearce is inevitably seen as being groomed to be Capello's successor, which is why comparisons are made.
Watmore, however, added: "I want to make it very, very clear that we are not even looking at an heir apparent to Capello. He is here for three more years, doing a great job.
"Everyone is 100 per cent behind him. The fact that Stuart has a new contract is because he is doing a good job at what he's doing, running the Under-21s and providing that link with the senior squad."
Steve Wigley, assistant boss with the Under-21s, insists the passion on the touchline never affects Pearce's judgment.
"It's not like the lunatics running the asylum," he said.
"He kicks every ball and he demands 100 per cent – I cop it sometimes. But he has a switch that is incredible. He seems to be able to go to the opposite and be calm."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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