England national football team manager

The role of an England national football team manager was first established in 1946 with the appointment of Walter Winterbottom.[1][2] Before this, the England national football team was selected by the "International Selection Committee",[2] a process in 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]

Nineteen men have occupied the post since its inception, four of those in short-term caretaker manager roles. Winterbottom held the position for the longest to date; a tenure of 16 years, including four appearances in the World Cup and a total of 139 matches. Alf Ramsey is the only manager to have won a major tournament, winning the 1966 World Cup with his "Wingless Wonders".[5] Besides Ramsey, only Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 has taken the team to a major tournament final. The other managers to have progressed to the semi-finals of a major competition are Bobby Robson at the 1990 World Cup, Terry Venables at Euro 1996, and Southgate at the 2018 World Cup.

Swedish coach Sven-Göran Eriksson became the first foreign manager of the team in January 2001 amid much acrimony. [6][7] He led the team to reach three successive quarter-finals in major championships. Italian manager Fabio Capello replaced Steve McClaren in December 2007, after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008. Capello's side endured a lacklustre performance during the 2010 World Cup, but the FA confirmed that he would remain in the role.[8] Capello resigned in February 2012, following a disagreement with the FA over their removal of John Terry as captain.[9] He was replaced, on a caretaker basis, by Stuart Pearce,[10] before Roy Hodgson was named as Capello's permanent replacement in May 2012.[11] Hodgson's contract finished on 27 June 2016 as England were knocked out of UEFA Euro 2016 by Iceland in the round of 16.[12] Sam Allardyce was announced as his successor a month later,[13] but subsequently left the role after just one competitive match.[14] He was replaced on a caretaker basis by England under-21 coach and former England international defender Gareth Southgate, whose position was made permanent after four matches.[15]

The England manager's job is subject to intense press scrutiny, often including revelations about the incumbent's private life.[16] Due to the high level of expectation of both the public and media, the role has been described as "the impossible job"[3][17] or compared in importance in national culture to that of the British Prime Minister.[18][19]

  1. ^ a b Nawrat, Chris; Hutchings, Steve (1996). The Sunday Times Illustrated History of Football. Hamlyn. p. 71. ISBN 1-85613-341-9.
  2. ^ a b "England Hall of Fame". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 5 March 2005. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  3. ^ a b "The impossible job". BBC News. 5 February 1999. Archived from the original on 19 December 2002. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  4. ^ "Football mourns Sir Walter". BBC Sport. 17 February 2002. Archived from the original on 20 December 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  5. ^ Nawrat, Chris; Hutchings, Steve (1996). The Sunday Times Illustrated History of Football. Hamlyn. pp. 136–137. ISBN 1-85613-341-9.
  6. ^ "2001: Swedish 'Iceman' starts England job". BBC News. 12 January 2001. Archived from the original on 7 March 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  7. ^ "Anatomy of ... Sven-Goran Eriksson". The Guardian. London. 4 June 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  8. ^ "Fabio Capello to remain as England manager – FA confirms". The Guardian. London. 2 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Capello quits as England manager". BBC Sport. 8 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2012. Retrieved 8 February 2012.
  10. ^ "Fabio Capello wished me well – Stuart Pearce". BBC Sport. 28 February 2012. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference roy was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ "Euro 2016: Roy Hodgson resigns after England lose to Iceland". BBC Sport. 27 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  13. ^ "Sam Allardyce appointed England manager and says: 'It's time to deliver'". The Guardian. London. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 October 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  14. ^ "Sam Allardyce: England manager leaves after one match in charge". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 27 September 2016.
  15. ^ "Gareth Southgate appointed England manager on four-year contract". BBC Sport. 30 November 2016. Archived from the original on 30 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  16. ^ "Mystery of Sven-Goran Eriksson and the Italian faith healer". The Times. London. 25 January 2008. Archived from the original on 11 October 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  17. ^ Majendie, Matt (25 November 2004). "The impossible job". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  18. ^ Wilson, Steve (22 November 2007). "Next England manager: The contenders". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 19 January 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
  19. ^ "Capello appointment gets England talking". Agence France-Presse. 15 December 2007. Archived from the original on 19 December 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2010.