David Dein named international president for England 2018 bid
David Dein named international president for England 2018 bid
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 18, Feb 2010 05:02
By Alistair Potter.
Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has been handed a crucial role in the bid team looking to secure the 2018 Fifa World Cup for England.
The Football Association has announced Dein, 66, will take on the job of international president within the England 2018 team, with a view to using his extensive contacts base within football to boost the ailing bid.
The move is the first open admission from the FA that their bid is faltering slightly as they gear up for the Fifa decision on the tournament in December.
"I am delighted to be part of the 2018/22 bid and look forward to an exciting campaign," said Dein, who was a Gunners director between 1983 and 2007.
"Having had 25 years in English, European and world football this was a challenge I could not refuse. Now the hard work begins."
Bid leader and FA chief Lord Triesman praised Dein, saying his "huge amount of experience in world football and an excellent network of contacts" would bring a new weight to England's bid.
"We are very pleased that he will be joining the team in such an important role for the crucial final ten months," he said.
"We are happy with the way the bid is progressing but it is important to keep the momentum building in any campaign, and to peak at the optimum moment, and we are sure David can achieve that with us."
Dein represented England's bid in an informal capacity at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Angola, but the FA - who initially decided against his inclusion in the team - were keen to bring him on board to bolster their international connections.