With the World Cup in South Africa rapidly approaching (and a metatarsal break to one of England’s best players surely just around the corner), we’ll take time to have a quick look at how past England managers have faired at the tournament since 1990, and where they are now.
Graham Taylor
Was recently appointed Interim Chairman at Watford, and is tirelessly attempting to find new investment for the financially troubled club. He also commentates for the BBC. Taylor’s England reign will always be remembered for the turnip incident.
He failed to get England to the World Cup of 1994, and was heard to utter the phrase that will surely follow him to his grave: ‘Do I not like that!’.
Terry Venables
ITV’s perma-tanned pundit on Champions League and FA Cup afternoons / evenings, Venables took over after the resignation of Taylor. He was liked by the public, and was at the helm for possibly England’s greatest modern day performance (the Euro 96 4 -1 destruction of a star studded Dutch team).
However, we were knocked out of that competition by Germany (yet again on penalties), in what turned out to be El Tel’s final game as England boss. Throughout his tenure, he was under the spotlight for alleged business irregularities, which never sat comfortably with the FA, and Venables decided to focus on clearing his name, rather than to continue with the England job.
Glenn Hoddle
Took England to World Cup France ’98, after gaining a memorable nil nil draw in Rome against the Italians, but again lost out on penalties (this time in the second round against Argentina).
Another manager tainted with controversy, after an article while preparing for Euro 2000 reported him allegedly saying that the disabled, and others, are being punished for sins of a former life. This, coupled with his insistence that ‘faith healer’ Eileen Drewery was part of his back room squad, resulted in mockery, and ultimately dismissal. Can now be found on the Sky Sports panel during Champions League coverage, and is still knowledgeable and well versed in the game.
Kevin Keegan
Statistically the least successful England manager, winning only 39% of the games in which he took charge. Keegan only played 26 minutes of World Cup football as a player, and never managed to get there as a manager. His best effort was the disastrous Euro 2000 campaign, during which England, despite beating Germany, lost to Portugal and Romania.
Keegan was seen as technically naïve and, after the initial fanfare of his appointment, things went sour on the pitch. Since leaving the England post, he had a semi-successful spell at Manchester City, and then returned to Newcastle before leaving in more controversial circumstances. He now pops up as a pundit on ESPN’s Premier league coverage.
Sven-Goran Eriksson
Svennis was England’s first foreign manager, and came to the England job with an impressive CV. Successful to the point that England qualified for everything they could under his management (2 World Cups and Euro 2004), however three successive quarter final exits in these tournaments put pay to any hopes of a longer term reign. A 5-1 qualifying victory against Germany in Munich will long live in England fans memories, but again it was a fleeting glimpse of what could have been.
Went onto manage Manchester City and Mexico, and has just stepped down from the Director of Football post at Notts County, so we and the tabloid press await his next appointment.
Steve McClaren
Vilified as the ‘wolly with the brolly’ after that loss to Croatia which meant not qualifying for Euro 2008. Wholly unsuited to the task, but was appointed due to the clamor for an Englishman to have the post. Was a good club coach and manager, and is proving to be a success at FC Twente in the Dutch league.
So, after South Africa, how will Fabio Capello be viewed ? So far, the job he’s done has exuded a calm and quiet self belief not seen with any other England manager. The way he dealt with the John Terry affair was a lesson to all. Here’s hoping he’ll go one better than the legendary Sir Bobby Robson (who took us so close to the Final in 1990), and if he can bring the trophy home, then the same (honorary) knighthood will be afforded. If not, it’s either the Manchester City job or the Sky pundit box along with the rest of them!
Robert Critchley works in the City in OTC Derivatives. He is an avid Manchester United fan, and commentates at QPR for the Soccer Sight Project.
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