England fans and experts please !!!!!?

Question

About this new England manager McLaren... I have great hopes this guy will do for England what all other managers could not. Just a feeling. The way he sounds he seems to be down to earth and HONEST. QUESTION; Who can name all the managers of England from today back to the WC of 1986 in Mexico ? AND who can remember the cock-up of Mexico WC in Monterey, ironically enough against Portugal ? I wish McLaren the best but I am begenning to believe that maybe, perhaps the problem isnot a MANAGER issue but something else. Who can put the finger on the real issue ? These are TWO honest questions and not sarcasm to which I really would like to hear your opinions. Thanks.

"Romanis2006" -- What a great analysis. It is precisely what I was hoping someone would say because that is where I think the problem lies...ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, and only ATTITUDE... ----> (1) the PRESS (which also incite the public to violence) and (2) the PLAYERS themselves -- One only had to listen to Beckham in 2006 and 2000..."WE ARE NOT BOTHERED" who we face next after winning ONE match.

"Romanis2006" -- ADDENDUM: You also said "Steve McLaren now has to pick up the pieces, and rectify the mistakes" -- I feel that that is too heavy a load for him. He might be a good manager for a team that do NOT have those sort of problems. England need an iron fisted manager... McLaren just isn't that.

"foongwk140804" - thank you very much. That is where the problem lies. How many of those managers were GREAT managers? So why didn't they achieve a lot with the England team (apart from Sir A Ramsey) ? How many English players did they all manage? Three, four hundred ?p Something is very wrong and needs to be sorted.Compare just two instances, penalty by Hargreaves and the one by Postiga... Look at each of the players reactions after scoring. One COOL and the other, violent punches in the air. Zidane or Figo even score a goal and they smile. Roonie puts on a face of a barbarian with expressions of hate and violence.. The problem with the England squads have been ATTITUDE. Monterey ? Word Cup 1986 ? Ray Wilkinson frustrated because the other team was more in control, throws the ball at the referees face !!!Sent off !!! Dejas vu ? Connection between Roonie and Beckham and Wilkinson ? (apart from the TWENY years ??) Same OLD problem. Will McLaren solve that problem ? Doubt it !

"Cassim E" -- Exactely... "not just a coach". The problem has not been the coach but an English press who take the mickey of the players, the mickey of the manager and themickey of the public too. They are not 'irresponsible press' they are... What name would you call them ?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

There are more than just 2 reasons for England's continued struggle to win the trophy. But I'll give you just 3.

1. The Media: The English Press is a nightmare for any manager. Although the press in Italy, France, Brazil, Germany etc, can also be very critical, they do it to highlight the problems in the team (tactics, playing style etc), and to remind players of their responsibilty in representing their country.
The Press in England do it for thrills, seeking at every instance to fish out some juicy detail, so as to make a fool of the manager and players.
They also make loud boasts and predictions and get the players to comment on these boasts. After repeating this so often, inevitably, the players also think they are going to be Champions, based only on 'paper strength' rather than playing ability.

The whole incident to expose Sven (in the Sheikh Affair and others), was a very stupid thing to do. Here is the man who leading your team to the Finals, they should be supporting him but no, they must dig up some dirt and shame him. The fact that he isn't even English, is harped on. Sven is only human, most people in such circumstances, won't even bother anymore and that is exactly what I think he did, not really bother anymore.

Any lambasting should be postponed until elimination is confirmed.

2. Over-Inflated Egos: English players are prone to boasting, be it openly or subtly. Fish out interviews with players from pre-Euro 2004 and pre-World Cup 2006, you'll be amazed at the consistency which Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney and Beckham (others too) have declared that England was going to win.

Obviously, players from other countries also do this (you'd expect this from someone representing your country, some would argue), but they are very cautious and would not so easily declare their team as being potential champions.
They may admit their team appears strong and has a chance, but would be quick to point out other contenders as well. But not the English, it has to be being Champions, period.

When Rooney came back to Germany after his scan, his words to the waiting media at Baden-Baden was, 'The Big Man is back in town'. Well the 'Big Man made a Big Mistake' in Gelsenkirchen!

All these constant media spotlight, feeds into the players' ego. They want to be seen in chic clothes, sporty cars and show off their girlfriends. All popular publicity they want, but once it turns negative, they scream injustice and loss of privacy.
One look at Beckham, should confirm this point.

3. Bringing the WAGs along was downright dumb! This is the World Cup of Football not Fashion. Their constant shopping, partying and bitching, took away crucial focus on the reason for being in Germany in the first place, football.
How would Ferdinand feel if for example, his partner told him of a nice ring somebody else was wearing? He will focus on pleasing her and this is exactly what happened.
Rooney getting an Aston Martin was highlighted to the press, the list just goes on.

Back in the past, very few nations allowed conjugal visits during the tournament, if it was allowed, it was only during certain rest days and for just 1 night or day. But here, they were at the same hotel, spending time every single day with the players, how is one going to focus with so much distraction?

I best stop here, there are other points, but let's leave it for another time.

It came as no surprise when England were eliminated, this was a disaster waiting to happen. Steve McLaren now has to pick up the pieces, and rectify the mistakes. Whether he has the capacity to impose discipline and construct a proper playing style, remains to be seen. But being an insider (as Sven's assistant), suggests he was party to all these factors. To now try and impose his authority might be difficult.

An outsider like Pearce or Curbishley, would be able to start afresh, McLaren has to do it in 'mid-stream'.

Answer 2

ENGLAND's past managers:

1946-1962 - Walter Winterbottom
1963-1974 - Alf Ramsey
1974 - Joe Mercer
1974-1977 - Don Revie
1977-1982 - Ron Greenwood
1982-1990 - Bobby Robson
1990-1993 - Graham Taylor
1994-1996 - Terry Venables
1996-1999 - Glenn Hoddle
1999 - Howard Wilkinson (caretaker manager)
1999-2000 - Kevin Keegan
2000 - Peter Taylor (caretaker manager)
2001-2006 - Sven Goran Eriksson
2006- - Steve McClaren

Steve McClaren will now official taken over from Sven Goran Eriksson after ENGLAND's quarter-final exit at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. his first game in charge will be the international friendly against GREECE, the current European champions on Wednesday, 16 August 2006 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Answer 3

THE MIND SET OF THE ENGLISH FOOTBALLER,AND COACH
IT IS JUST THAT FULL OF ENGLISH STYLE OF PLAY BOOM-BOOM HERE ,AND BOOM-BOOM THERE,ITS OUT DATED OF THE FIFTIES,STRATEGIES.
THEY NEED A TACTICAL STRATEGIST , NOT JUST A COACH.