The League Managers Association has confirmed its support for the England 2018 Bid to stage the FIFA World Cup with a special reference to the campaign during the LMA Presidents Dinner at Wembley Stadium.

A host of past and present managers attended the dinner which was hosted by England Manager and LMA President, Fabio Capello, who is also an England 2018 Vice-President.  Fabio was joined on stage by Sven Goran Eriksson, Terry Venables and Graham Taylor for a question and answer session with broadcaster John Inverdale.  The three ex-England managers, who are all England 2018 Ambassadors discussed the challenges and joys of international management and wished Capello success in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa this summer.

LMA Chief Executive Richard Bevan commented:

“The annual President’s Dinner is one of the highlights of the LMA calendar and it brought together people from all parts of the game who want England’s Bid to succeed. The support of organisations such as ourselves, the Premier League, Football League and many other significant stakeholders, provides powerful evidence of English football’s collective determination to support the Bid and earn the right to stage such a fantastic tournament.

From the LMA’s point of view, our members have tremendous pressures placed upon them at every level and they’re obviously extremely focused on their own jobs as football managers. But there is still a tremendous willingness from all of them to do whatever possible to support the Bid. Thursday’s event involved the very best people from all areas of football and showed the depth of domestic and international talent, knowledge and experience the English game has at its disposal. I’m delighted and proud that the LMA and its members are working towards the collective goal of making England’s Bid a successful one.”

England 2018 Chief Executive, Andy Anson said: The LMA are being extremely supportive as an organisation and also through their membership. It’s a tremendous boost when club managers at the very top endorse the Bid and we are delighted and grateful for their support and indeed that of all the LMA members.”

LMA members supported the bid in a variety of ways including attendance at bid events in Candidate Host Cities and through video appearances for England 2018 campaign materials.

A final announcement will be made by FIFA on the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups in December 2010.