Shadow foreign secretary Francis Maude told pupils in Swindon the problem with English football is that there is nobody intelligent enough to run the national team.

The senior Tory MP has accused British footballers and managers of being "thickos" who are incapable of competing with professionals on the continent in their reading of the game.

The subject was intended to be a light-hearted diversion from a discussion about European issues with sixth form pupils at St Joseph's Comprehensive School.

But his comments have upset Swindon Town chief executive Pete Rowe, who said he was insulting to the national game.

Mr Maude was invited by the school to host a half-hour question and answer session as part of the sixth formers' recent political studies.

The pupils quizzed Mr Maude on a range of topics, from asylum seekers to the shortage of language skills in England.

And when asked about his thoughts on the appointment of a foreigner to the post of England manager, he first admitted he didn't really care.

Then he added: "This is probably politically incorrect but I think the general quality and intelligence of footballers on the continent is higher than it is in Britain. There are too many thickos in English football, and this Swedish chap has probably got more to offer."

Mr Rowe said: "People in glass houses should not throw stones and perhaps he should look at some of the thickos in his own party before getting involved in things he knows nothing about."

Mr Maude's visit followed a trip by the sixth form business studies students to the European Parliament in Strasbourg where they joined youngsters from across Europe in discussing topics such as human rights, the single currency and the environ- ment.

Year 13 pupils recently visited Swindon's Civic Offices to learn about the electoral process.

Pupil Aaron Leiblich, 17, said he was quite impressed overall with Mr Maude's answers.

"He was quite direct and confronted the issues raised quite well," he said.

Head of sixth form, Elaine O'Connell, said: "We are delighted that someone as high profile as Mr Maude should come to visit us and it is very useful for the students."