NEWCASTLE chairman Freddy Shepherd has always claimed that leading his club is one of the top ten managerial jobs in the world and, when it comes to Martin O'Neill, his theory is about to be put to the test.

If nothing else, the next couple of weeks should give a clear indication of whether the Ulsterman considers it to be bigger than leading England.

With both Shepherd and the Football Association keen to acquire O'Neill services, the former Wycombe, Leicester and Celtic boss finds himself at the centre of an unseemly tug-of-war.

But, while many are treating his eventual decision as a commentary on the current state of the club vs country battle, his choice of employer should not be taken as a definitive verdict on which form of the game is in the ascendancy.

As both Newcastle and the FA are currently finding out, O'Neill's personal position is unique. What is right for him may not be right for the next manager finding himself facing such a quandary.

At first glance, there does not seem to be much of an issue. Surely the chance to lead England overshadows an opportunity to lead a club who have not won a domestic trophy since 1955?

While expectations are growing ahead of this summer's World Cup, there is already an acceptance that England's finest hour could yet come when the European Championships visit Austria and Switzerland in 2008.

By then, the likes of Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole and Ledley King should be at the peak of their powers.

The talent is there and, while Sven Goran Eriksson could yet raise the bar by triumphing in Germany this summer, the Swede has never been a winner in the popularity stakes. Given O'Neill's ability to win almost universal respect, it is hard to imagine him struggling to gain the support of the England fans.

In terms of worldwide standing, the England manager's job remains one of the most exalted positions in the game and, as Eriksson is likely to discover this summer, even the most moderate of successes is enough to set someone up for life.

But, while succeeding the Swede can offer O'Neill fame and fortune, his head could yet be turned by more mundane fare.

The 53-year-old has not been in work since he departed from Celtic last May. While he has subsequently devoted himself to caring for his sick wife Geraldine, he has told friends and former colleagues that he misses a day-to-day involvement in the game. For all its profile and prestige, managing England will not provide that.

Australia boss Guus Hiddink could not believe the FA were unwilling to countenance making the England manager's job a part-time post. The Dutchman has guided the Socceroos to the World Cup finals despite also leading PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and, given the sporadic nature of the international game, he was confident he could achieve the same success over here.

If O'Neill really is missing football, leading England would provide only a temporary fix. By offering a return to hands-on club management, Newcastle could yet benefit from the FA's inability to offer anything more than a glorified scouting job in disguise.

While Jermaine Jenas was unable to handle the Newcastle 'goldfish bowl', Shepherd could also prosper from the difference in both expectation and intrusion that goes along with the two posts.

O'Neill would be expected to deliver on Tyneside, but he would be given time to sift through the mess left by former boss Graeme Souness and, crucially, his private life would remain largely that.

While his wife is gradually recovering from her cancer scare, she remains in a relatively fragile condition. As a result, O'Neill is understandably reluctant to expose his personal situation to the full media glare.

The more rabid elements of the tabloid media may be willing to make initial promises to England's new boss. Lose 1-0 to Northern Ireland though and, as Eriksson found to his cost, all bets are off.

Taking charge of England would bring inevitable intrusion and, at such an insecure stage of his life, early indications are that O'Neill is unwilling to make such a sacrifice.

That could well play into Newcastle's hands, but it is wrong to assume the England job has become too hot to handle. Other managers remain desperate to give it a go and, with the managerial merry-go-round currently in full swing, one team's loss remains another team's discovery.

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