England national football team manager

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The current England manager Fabio Capello
The current England manager Fabio Capello

The role of an England national football team manager was first established in May 1947 with the appointment of Walter Winterbottom.[1][2] Before this, the England team was selected by the "International Selection Committee",[2] a process by which the Football Association (FA) would select coaches and trainers from the league to prepare the side for single games, but where all decisions ultimately remained under the control of the committee.[3] A 1–0 defeat by Switzerland prompted FA secretary Stanley Rous to raise Winterbottom from "National Director of coaching" to "Manager".[1][4]

Fifteen men have occupied the post since its inception; three of those were in short-term caretaker manager rôles: Joe Mercer (seven games in charge), Howard Wilkinson (two games, a year apart from one another) and Peter Taylor (one game). In comparison, Winterbottom held the position for the longest to date; a tenure of 16 years, comprising four World Cups and a total of 139 matches. Alf Ramsey is the only manager to have won a major tournament, winning the 1966 FIFA World Cup with his "Wingless Wonders".[5] No other manager has progressed beyond the semi-finals of a major competition. Swedish coach Sven-Göran Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the team in 2001 amid much acrimony;[6][7] he helped the team to three successive quarter finals in major championships. The incumbent is the Italian Fabio Capello, who replaced Steve McClaren in 2008 after England failed to qualify for the European Championships.

The England manager's job is subject to intense press scrutiny, often including revelations about the incumbent's private life.[8][9] Due to the high level of expectation of both the public and media the rôle has been described as "the impossible job"[3][10] or compared in importance in national culture to that of the British Prime Minister.[11][12]

Contents

[edit] Position

[edit] Role

The England manager's role means he has sole responsibility for all on-the-field elements of the England team. Among other activities, this includes selecting the national team squad, the starting team, captain, tactics, substitutes and penalty-takers. Before 1946, the "Select Committee" (as appointed by the FA) would manage all issues barring the actual match day team selection, formation and tactics which was left to the head coach for the event. However interference was common, and not only from the FA. After the Second World War, with the relaunch of competitive international calendar, the manager's rôle expanded to take in all elements: from the selection of hotel and training camp venues, through to food and travel arrangements.

Stuart Pearce, the only Englishman on Capello's coaching staff
Stuart Pearce, the only Englishman on Capello's coaching staff

The manager is given a free hand in selecting his coaching ("back room") staff. For example, in 2008 Fabio Capello appointed four Italians (Franco Baldini as general manager, Italo Galbiati as assistant coach, Franco Tancredi as goalkeeping coach and Massimo Neri as fitness coach);[13] he then appointed Englishman Stuart Pearce, the England Under 21s coach, as an England coach, with Capello stating "From the start I made it clear that I wanted an English coach as part of my coaching team."[14]

The England manager may also involve himself in wider issues beyond the on-the-field team issues. The England manager is expected to advise the FA on how to approach the complex bidding system that surrounds the arrangement of fixtures for a qualifying campaign.[15] On a more tactical level, a host of other details can be influenced; Capello is even believed to have instructed the Wembley ballboys to return balls at speed when they go out of play.[16]

[edit] Appointment

The process of appointing a new England manager is undertaken by an FA committee, comprising board members and other high-ranking FA officials. For example, the members of the selection panel which appointed Sven-Göran Eriksson in 2001 were: chief executive Adam Crozier, chairman Geoff Thompson, vice-chairman Dave Richards, club chairmen and FA board members David Dein and Peter Ridsdale, and technical director Howard Wilkinson.[17]

[edit] National significance

The England manager's job has been compared in importance to that of the Prime Minister.[11] Passion for football as England's national sport is coupled with patriotism and Wembley Stadium as the "home" of football.[18] The dismissal or appointment of an England manager is front page news and the subject of intense interest.[19] Large sums are wagered on England winning,[20] and during tournaments the country is festooned in St George's flags; during the 2006 World Cup, 27% of English adults bought a flag in one month alone.[21] Shops and offices will be deserted as vast numbers of people watch the game.[22][23]

The England manager's job is made more complex by his dependence on the co-operation of clubs and their managers in releasing players for friendlies, and "club versus country" conflict is said to have happened when permission is refused, given reluctantly, or negotiated.[24] There are also repeated comments that the length of the English season (the top flight plays 38 league matches) is unhelpful for preparing tired players for major tournaments, but the self-interest of the Premier League makes a reduction in the number of games unlikely,[25] particularly in light of the 2008 proposal for Game 39, a match played between Premier League clubs outside the country. This combination of factors, coupled with England's mediocre record in major championships has led to the England manager's job being described as the "impossible job".[3]

[edit] History

[edit] Full-time era begins

Before 1946, the England national football team had been under the leadership of a Football Association official and a trainer, usually from a London club.[26] Appointed in 1946, initially as chief coach, Walter Winterbottom had been a member of the FA "International Selection Committee". The England squad was selected by an FA committee during his tenure, with Winterbottom's rôle restricted to selecting the starting team together with the coaching and tactics.[2] In his first game as manager, he led England to a 7–2 victory over Ireland at Windsor Park, Belfast in the 1946–47 British Home Championship.[27] Success in the Home Championship in 1950 resulted in England's qualification to the 1950 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. During the tournament, England suffered a shock defeat against the United States,[28] and went out of the tournament with another 1–0 defeat, this time to Spain.[27] England experienced another surprise upset under Winterbottom's guidance in 1953 when Hungary defeated England 6–3 at Wembley Stadium. Winterbottom said afterwards, "... The press tended to think we would win easily, but I tried to point out that the Hungarians were actually a great side."[29] He guided England to first place in the 1954 British Home Championship, which qualified the team for the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, but saw his side knocked out in the quarter-finals, going down 4–2 against Uruguay.[27] Four wins from four matches enabled England's qualification for the 1958 World Cup only for Winterbottom's side to fail in the group play-off stage, losing 1–0 to USSR.[30] England lost to Brazil in the quarter-final of the 1962 World Cup in Chile and, under attack from the British press,[31] Winterbottom resigned five months later.[27] He remains the longest serving manager of England.

[edit] World Cup success

Alf Ramsey took control of the team in 1962,[32] but unlike Winterbottom, Ramsey had been a club manager, achieving league success with Ipswich Town.[33] Upon his appointment, he declared England would win the 1966 World Cup.[34] His first match in charge resulted in a 5–2 loss at Parc des Princes against France.[35] England automatically qualified for the 1966 World Cup as hosts and, after a goalless draw in the first match against Uruguay, four consecutive victories saw England through to the final against West Germany. A 4–2 victory, after extra time, handed England the Jules Rimet trophy for the first and, as of 2008, the only time. As a result of his and England's achievements, Ramsey was awarded a knighthood in 1967. The following year England finished third in the 1968 UEFA European Football Championship in Rome, but Ramsey reflected "We are world champions. Third place is not our real position."[36] Automatic qualification for the 1970 World Cup was secured as world champions so Ramsey led England on a pre-tournament tour of South America. The effects of altitude on the team led Ramsey to appoint the first full-time team doctor, Neil Phillips, who helped prepare the squad for the forthcoming tournament in Mexico. England were defeated in the quarter-final by West Germany; with a 2–0 lead with 25 minutes of the match remaining, Ramsey substituted Bobby Charlton and goalscorer Martin Peters,[37] but West Germany went on to win 3–2 after extra time. Ramsey was heavily criticised in the British press for the substitutions.[38] Losing out to West Germany again, this time in a two-legged qualifying quarter final in the 1972 UEFA European Football Championship, Ramsey prepared England for qualification for the 1974 World Cup. Needing a win against Poland, Ramsey's tactical use of substitutions was again called into question as the match ended in a 1–1 draw.[39] England had failed to qualify for the World Cup and Ramsey was sacked the following May.[38]

[edit] Turbulent times

Joe Mercer took control of the team on a caretaker basis for seven matches,[40] before the FA appointed Don Revie on a five-year contract. It was a year before Revie's England suffered a defeat but despite this, he changed his starting line-up for every game. His relationship with the FA had broken down and his team-building exercises, including carpet bowls and indoor golf, led to disconsolation in the squad. A 2–0 defeat to Holland at Wembley turned the press against him; some commentators compared the loss to the 6–3 defeat by Hungary in 1953. Convinced he was to be replaced by Bobby Robson, he announced he was to become manager of the United Arab Emirates team. Selling his story to the Daily Mail, he subsequently resigned on 11 July 1977. Revie was charged with bringing the game into disrepute and was banned by the FA in a "kangaroo court" for ten years. On appeal to the High Court, the ban was overturned but the judge ordered Revie to pay two-thirds of the costs.[41]

Ron Greenwood was appointed, initially as a temporary replacement for Revie, but later in 1977 on a permanent basis. Bobby Moore described him as “the encyclopaedia of football”, and he guided England to UEFA Euro 1980 without a defeat during qualification.[42][43] The team exited the tournament at the group qualifying stage and Greenwood turned his attention to qualification for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Defeats in Switzerland and Romania led Greenwood to consider resignation, but a victory over Hungary convinced him to stay.[42] A 2–1 defeat in Oslo, which led to commentator Bjørge Lillelien's famous outburst concluding with "Your boys took a hell of a beating!", meant England required at least a point in their final qualifying game against Hungary. A Paul Mariner goal secured victory and qualification for the team.[44] Wins over France, Czechoslovakia and Kuwait allowed England into the second round group but two 0–0 draws ended in England going out of the tournament, without having lost a game.[43] Greenwood retired immediately after the World Cup and on 7 July 1982, two days after England were knocked out of the 1982 World Cup, Bobby Robson was appointed England manager, selecting former West Bromwich Albion team-mate Don Howe as his chief coach.[45]

[edit] Robson and "The Hand of God"

Bobby Robson managed England from 1982 to 1990.
Bobby Robson managed England from 1982 to 1990.

Robson's tenure included 28 qualifying matches, of which only one, against Denmark in 1983, resulted in a defeat.[46] This contributed to England's failure to qualify for the 1984 European Championships,[47] and Robson offered his resignation. It was rejected by the FA chairman, Bert Millichip, and Robson went on to lead the England team to qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.[48] England were defeated in the quarter-final by Argentina with a brace of goals from Diego Maradona; the infamous "Hand of God" goal, and the "Goal of the Century" he scored five minutes later.[49] Robson's England dropped only one point in qualifying for Euro 1988 which included an 8–0 defeat of Turkey.[47] However this was followed by failure at the tournament itself, held in West Germany, where England were knocked out in the group stage. They finished bottom of their qualifying group, succumbing to defeats against Ireland, Holland and the USSR.[50] Robson was vilified by the British press, and after a draw in a friendly with Saudi Arabia, one newspaper demanded: "In the name of Allah, go".[51] Robson led England without conceding a goal through the six-match qualification for the 1990 World Cup.[52] As in the 1986 World Cup, Robson was denied the service of his captain, Bryan Robson, who suffered an achilles tendon injury which prevented him playing in the latter stages of the tournament.[53] England topped their qualifying group, accumulating four points from their three games.[54] However their progress was not without controversy. England changed formation from their traditional 4-4-2 to incorporate a sweeper, with some sources suggesting this was due to player revolt after the 1–1 draw in the first match with the Republic of Ireland.[55] Robson refutes this claim in his autobiography.[56] This was followed by victories over Belgium and Cameroon in the knock-out stages, to set up a semi-final with West Germany.[54] England lost the match on a penalty shoot-out, after the score had been level at 1–1 following extra time.[57]

[edit] Controversial times

Robson had announced before the tournament that he would step down from the post after the finals and Graham Taylor was appointed, having been approached in April 1990 by the FA.[58] Failure to proceed past the qualifying round of UEFA Euro 1992 with a 2–1 defeat against Sweden led to newspaper headlines such as "Swedes 2 Turnips 1" and Taylor's nickname of "Turnip Head".[59] Following defeat to Holland in the penultimate qualifying match for the 1994 World Cup, for only the third time in its history, England had failed to qualify for the World Cup.[60] The qualifying campaign was recorded in a television documentary and Taylor's remark "Do I not like that" soon after entered popular culture.[61] Failure in the qualification resulted in Taylor resigning and Terry Venables took over the helm in 1994. As England were hosts for Euro 96, he did not manage the team in a competitive match for over two years.[62] In January 1996 he announced that he would resign after the tournament as a result of several court cases, but led England to the semi-finals where they were defeated by Germany on penalties.[63]

Glenn Hoddle managed England from 1996 to 1998.
Glenn Hoddle managed England from 1996 to 1998.

He was replaced by Glenn Hoddle, whose unorthodox off-the-field approach in bringing in faith healer Eileen Drewery to help the team drew significant criticism.[64] Hoddle suggested she was "more of an agony aunt" but during the 1998 World Cup, the press suggested Drewery had influenced Hoddle in squad selection.[65] England were knocked out of the tournament in the second round, once again on penalties, this time against Argentina.[66] Hoddle's much-criticised diary portraying his version of events at the World Cup was subsequently published, drawing further criticism. However, an interview with Matt Dickinson, a reporter from The Times, suggested that Hoddle had a "controversial belief that the disabled, and others, are being punished for sins in a former life."[67] Hoddle's comments were criticised by several notable politicians including Sports Minister Tony Banks and Prime Minister Tony Blair.[68] Hoddle stated that he was not prepared to resign and claimed his words were misinterpreted and pointed out his contributions and commitment to organisations helping the disabled.[69] The Football Association terminated Hoddle's contract soon afterwards,[70] which was welcomed by representatives of disabled groups.[71]

Howard Wilkinson was caretaker manager for a single game before the appointment of Kevin Keegan in February 1999. Initially combining the job with a rôle at Fulham, Keegan was made full-time coach in May.[72] He led England to qualification for the 2000 European Championship following success in a two-legged play-off against Scotland. Two 3–2 losses resulted in England leaving the tournament at the group stage. A loss to Germany in the last international match at the old Wembley Stadium in the first 2002 World Cup qualifying match led to Keegan's resignation.[72] Keegan resigned in the Wembley toilets, an hour after the team was booed off by the England fans; he told the FA officials that tactically he felt "a little short at this level".[73][74]

Howard Wilkinson again returned as caretaker for one more match, followed by Peter Taylor who presided over a friendly loss to Italy.[75]

[edit] Foreign management

The FA then took the unprecedented and widely criticised step of appointing the first non-Englishman as coach in the form of Swede Sven-Göran Eriksson.[6] Eriksson had a good record in European domestic football, with success in Portugal and Italy, and had led clubs to win the UEFA Cup on two occasions.[6] He led England to qualify for the 2002 World Cup with David Beckham scoring the vital equaliser against Greece, deep into injury time.[76] England were knocked out by Brazil in the quarter-finals and Eriksson came under fire for his "ice-cool" appearance on the touchline failing to inspire his team,[77] senior player Gareth Southgate contemptuously remarking after the tournament that "we needed Winston Churchill but we got Iain Duncan Smith".[78] Eriksson led England to qualification for the 2004 European Championship but once more the team fell at the quarter-final stage, again losing on penalties, this time to Portgual.[79] Losing 1–0 to Northern Ireland in Belfast during the qualification for the 2006 World Cup led to fans chanting "Sack the Swede", frustrated again at the lack of obvious emotion in Eriksson while his coach, Steve McClaren was much more animated.[77] In January 2006, the FA announced that Eriksson would stand down after the World Cup. With the team losing in the quarter-final again to Portugal and again on penalties, Eriksson duly left the post in July.

The search for Eriksson's replacement was controversial. It became clear that the FA wanted to appoint Luiz Felipe Scolari, but the approach was botched and Scolari turned down the opportunity.[80] Ultimately, Eriksson was replaced by the man who had coached the side under him, Steve McClaren.

Qualification for the 2008 European Championship proved too much, England losing the final qualifier against Croatia 3–2 in November 2007, when a draw would have been enough to take England to the finals.[81] The British press turned on McClaren, former Scottish international Alan Hansen stating that "... what McClaren should be held accountable for is that with a squad of this quality he failed to qualify from what seemed a reasonably straightforward group ...".[82] McClaren was sacked the day following the defeat to Croatia,[83] and was replaced in December 2007 by Italian Fabio Capello.[84]

[edit] Media reaction

The reaction of the British media to the England national team manager reflects the changing nature of the British media generally.[85] In recent times, managers have been attacked personally, for their personal beliefs, or private lives.

[edit] Personal attacks

The Sun front page, reporting Graham Taylor's resignation
The Sun front page, reporting Graham Taylor's resignation

The press had long campaigned for changes in management style and / or replacement of the manager himself, but a watershed was reached under the tenure of Graham Taylor, whose unsuccessful reign led to the manager being pilloried in the tabloids. Most notably, The Sun newspaper reacted to a damaging defeat by Sweden in the Euro 92 tournament, by the accompaniment of the headline "Swedes 2 Turnips 1" with a photographic montage of a turnip superimposed on Taylor's head.[86] Taylor was thereafter often referred to in the media as "Graham Turnip" or "Turnip Taylor".[80][87] Subsequent footballing ignominies were then followed by other depictions of Taylor as a vegetable; England's first game after Euro 92 ended in a 1–0 defeat to Spain, and The Sun pictured Taylor as a "Spanish onion".[88] When he resigned, they reverted to the turnip image, accompanying the front page headline, "That's yer allotment".[89]

[edit] Issues-based

Glenn Hoddle attracted the media spotlight for two key issues unrelated to on-the-pitch affairs. In the first, his reliance upon purported faith healer Eileen Drewery was questioned.[64] Drewery became part of the official England staff, and players were pressured to see her,[90] even though many of them were sceptical.[91] However, far more opprobrium was caused by Hoddle's comments about disabled people:[92]

“ You and I have been physically given two hands and two legs and half-decent brains. Some people have not been born like that for a reason. The karma is working from another lifetime. I have nothing to hide about that. It is not only people with disabilities. What you sow, you have to reap. ”

Public opinion, based upon the immediate media furore resulted in (according to one BBC poll) 90% of respondents believing Hoddle should not continue as English coach.[93] However the BBC survey showed that while many considered his comments insensitive to the disabled, others defended his right to express his religious beliefs by claiming that to sack him would constitute religious discrimination.[94]

[edit] Private life

Eriksson's private life came under scrutiny with a number of well-publicised accusations of trysts with women including Ulrika Jonsson,[95] and FA secretary Faria Alam,[96] despite his on-going relationship with Nancy Dell'Olio.[97] Though Eriksson maintained in press conferences that his personal life was a private matter,[98] his relationships with Jonsson in 2002 and Alam in 2004 were subject to tabloid headlines for several weeks.[99]

[edit] Campaigns

The media, both broadsheet and tabloid, will sometimes campaign for a manager to be dismissed, appointed or retained. Campaigns for managers to be dismissed can become front page news, with eye-catching headlines including "The final ron-devouz", "In the Name of Allah Go", "Norse Manure", "Blair Gives Hoddle The Red Card" for (respectively) Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson, Graham Taylor and Glenn Hoddle.[100]

Eriksson survived several scandals whilst in office, but his tenure was eventually ended when he was one of a series of celebrities targeted by a tabloid 'sting',[101] known as The fake Sheikh.[102] Eriksson's indiscretions revealed by the newspaper "... proved the final straw for the FA", although Eriksson was permitted to stay on in the rôle until the end of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.[103]

These campaigns can backfire. Former FA chief executive, Graham Kelly recalled a campaign, orchestrated by The Sun against Bobby Robson, that began in 1984 (six years before his resignation):[100]

“ The Sun was handing over "Robson Out" badges at England games as early as 1984 but the FA's then chief executive, Graham Kelly, recalled that with every press attack, his backing increased. "The irony was that just before the 1990 World Cup, the chairman, Bert Millichip, finally lost patience, let his tongue run away with him, and said that Robson either had to win the World Cup or go, and Bobby reacted by approaching PSV Eindhoven. Had this not happened, he would have served another four years, believe me." ”

The media have often campaigned for a particular person to be appointed England manager. At various times, but particularly during the tenure of Bobby Robson, the media campaigned for the appointment of Brian Clough. Robson once told FA chairman Sir Bert Millichip "I'm having a rough time and everybody wants Brian - give the job to him. If he's successful, everybody's happy. If he fails, that's the end of the clamour for Brian Clough to be England manager." Robson added, "He would have ruffled a few feathers and disturbed the corridors of power but I think he would have been a good England manager. He had good judgement, knew how to design a team and was a great motivator."[104] Terry Venables was also the subject of a media campaign for dismissal during his time as manager but was then supported by the press to return to the rôle in 2000.[100]

Most recently, Steve McClaren received media criticism and, as failure to qualify for Euro 2008 looked increasingly likely, the headlines became more visceral, with football magazine When Saturday Comes describing the newspaper coverage of his final month as "relentless and remorseless".[105] Both tabloids and broadsheets published critical pieces, The Times headlining an editorial "Fail and McClaren has to go".[105]

The media have also parodied this genre of campaigns for recruitment, dismissal or retention of managers. In 2000 The Sun launched a campaign promoting a donkey as the new England manager.[106]

[edit] Statistical summary

The following table provides a summary of the complete record of each England manager including their progress in both the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.

Manager England career P W D L % Achievements
Flag of England Winterbottom, WalterWalter Winterbottom 1946–1962 139 78 33 28 56 1950 World Cup – group stage
1954 World Cup – quarter-final
1958 World Cup – group play-off
1962 World Cup – quarter-final
Flag of England Ramsey, AlfAlf Ramsey 1963–1974 113 69 27 17 61 1966 World Cup – champions
1968 European Championship – third place
1970 World Cup – quarter-final
1972 European Championship – quarter-final
1974 World Cup – failed to qualify
Flag of England Mercer, JoeJoe Mercer 1974 7 3 3 1 43
Flag of England Revie, DonDon Revie 1974–1977 29 14 8 7 48 1976 European Championship – did not enter
Flag of England Greenwood, RonRon Greenwood 1977–1982 55 33 12 10 60 1978 World Cup – failed to qualify
1980 European Championship – group stage
1982 World Cup – second round
1984 European Championship – failed to qualify
Flag of England Robson, BobbyBobby Robson 1982–1990 95 47 30 18 50 1986 World Cup – quarter-final
1988 European Championship – group stage
1990 World Cup – fourth place
Flag of England Taylor, GrahamGraham Taylor 1990–1993 38 18 13 7 47 1992 European Championship – group stage
1994 World Cup – failed to qualify
Flag of England Venables, TerryTerry Venables 1994–1996 23 11 11 1 48 1996 European Championship – semi-final
Flag of England Hoddle, GlennGlenn Hoddle 1996–1999 28 17 6 5 61 1998 World Cup – second round
Flag of England Wilkinson, HowardHoward Wilkinson 1999–2000[107] 2 0 1 1 0
Flag of England Keegan, KevinKevin Keegan 1999–2000 18 7 7 4 39 2000 European Championship – group stage
Flag of England Taylor, PeterPeter Taylor 2000[108] 1 0 0 1 0
Flag of Sweden Eriksson, Sven-GöranSven-Göran Eriksson 2001–2006 67 40 17 10 60 2002 World Cup – quarter-final
2004 European Championship – quarter-final
2006 World Cup – quarter-final
Flag of England McClaren, SteveSteve McClaren 2006–2007 18 9 4 5 50 2008 European Championship – failed to qualify
Flag of Italy Capello, FabioFabio Capello 2008– 3 2 0 1 66.7

Key: P–games played, W–games won, D–games drawn; L–games lost, %–win percentage.

[edit] Statistical summary for British Home Championships

The following table provides a summary of results for each England manager in the British Home Championship, held annually until the 1983–84 season.

Manager England career P W S % Titles Notes
Flag of England Winterbottom, WalterWalter Winterbottom 1946–1962 16 7 7 41 1946–47, 1947–48, 1949–50, 1952–53
1953–54, 1956–57, 1960–61		 [109]
Flag of England Ramsey, AlfAlf Ramsey 1963–1974 10 6 2 60 1964–65, 1965–66, 1966–67, 1967–68
1971, 1973		 [110]
Flag of England Mercer, JoeJoe Mercer 1974 1 0 1 0
Flag of England Revie, DonDon Revie 1974–1977 3 1 0 33 1975
Flag of England Greenwood, RonRon Greenwood 1977–1982 4 3 0 75 1978, 1979, 1982 [111]
Flag of England Robson, BobbyBobby Robson 1982–1990 2 1 0 50 1983 [112]

Key: P–Number of complete tournaments played,[113] W–Number of tournaments won, S–Number of tournaments shared, %–win percentage.

[edit] References

[edit] General

  • England: The Official F.A History, Niall Edworthy, Virgin Publishers, 1997, ISBN 1-85227-699-1.

[edit] Specific

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  2. ^ a b c England Hall of Fame. The Football Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  3. ^ a b c The impossible job. The BBC (1999-02-05). Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  4. ^ Football mourns Sir Walter. The BBC (2002-02-17). Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  5. ^ Nawrat, Chris & Hutchings, Steve (1996). The Sunday Times Illustrated History of Football. Hamlyn, p136, p137. ISBN 1-85613-341-9. 
  6. ^ a b c 2001: Swedish 'Iceman' starts England job. The BBC. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  7. ^ Anatomy of ... Sven-Goran Eriksson. Guardian.co.uk (2006-06-04). Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
  8. ^ Mystery of Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Italian faith healer. The Times Online (2008-01-25). Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
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  10. ^ Matt Majendie (2004-11-25). The impossible job. The BBC. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.
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  26. ^ Graham Kelly (2002-02-25). Football: Wealth of Winterbottom's legacy almost impossible to. The Independent. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  27. ^ a b c d Walter Winterbottom - Managerial career. The Football Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  28. ^ Sir Walter: A life in football. BBC Sport (2002-02-17). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  29. ^ Ken Jones (1996-05-20). Beware the example of Hungary. The Independent. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  30. ^ World Cup finals group play-off, Nya Ullevi, Gothenburg, 17 June 1958. The Football Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
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  34. ^ Caroline Cheese (2006-07-31). World Cup 1966 flashback. BBC Sport. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  35. ^ Alf Ramsey - Managerial career. The Football Association. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  36. ^ Sportsweek: Replay 8 June 1968. Independent on Sunday (2002-10-06). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  37. ^ 1970 - Bracelets and bellyaches. ESPN (2006-05-03). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  38. ^ a b Obituary: Sir Alf Ramsey, 1922–1999 - The Life Of A Football Legend. The Independent (1999-05-01). Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
  39. ^ David Miller (2007-11-23). This was England's darkest hour. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 2008-02-14.
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  110. ^ Ramsey took over midway through the 1962–63 British Home Championship.
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  112. ^ The last British Home Championship was played in 1984.
  113. ^ Only British Home Championships managed entirely by each manager are included.
Football in England
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