Do’s and don’ts of managing England
What Fabio Capello can learn about the England managerial job from the experience of previous England managers...
Walter Winterbottom 1946-62
P138 W77 D33 L28
Win percentage 56
What Capello can learn:
Do not let FA blazers and club managers push you around. The vested interests of clubs who did not want to release players and the control freaks in the governing body undermined Winterbottom, while the arrogant belief that English football is the best has lingered for decades.
Alf Ramsey 1963-74
P113 W69 D27 L17
Win percentage 61
What Capello can learn:
Winning tournaments is possible if discipline and professionalism are instilled and the tactics are spot-on. You do not need a warm relationship with the press, public or even your players. Unearthing a hero striker and persuading Fifa to play all future World Cups in England would help.
Don Revie 1974-77
P29 W14 D8 L7
Win percentage 48
What Capello can learn:
Do not try to bond with players then treat them ruthlessly by dropping them without explanation, do not experiment frantically with new blood and new formations, do not overload players with information - and do not quit to go to the United Arab Emirates for more money.
Ron Greenwood 1977-82
P55 W33 D12 L10
Win percentage 60
What Capello can learn:
Continuity from youth to senior level benefits everyone. Big tournaments call for bold decisions - see failings in the 1982 World Cup finals. Forget Greenwood’s idea that “winning for winning’s sake” is worth less than “the finer values of football” – a bit more winning would be nice, thanks.
Background
Bobby Robson 1982-90
P95 W47 D30 L18
Win percentage 49
What Capello can learn:
Accept that you are in a fickle world in which you can be a dunce one moment, a guru the next. You need stamina and a thick skin. Do not line up your next job on the eve of a World Cup. Tell the referee to watch out for possible handballs. Practise penalties.
Graham Taylor 1990-93
P38 W18 D13 L7
Win percentage 47
What Capello can learn:
Do not fall out with your captain and star forward and substitute him when you need a goal. Give the long ball short shrift and suit tactics to personnel: why choose a formation that suits Carlton Palmer but wastes Chris Waddle? If someone suggests a fly-on-the-wall documentary, say no.
Terry Venables 1994-96
P24 W11 D11 L2
Win percentage 46
What Capello can learn:
Given the inevitable scrutiny of your private life, make sure you are not carrying any baggage. It helps to have media allies. Players will respect a streetwise attitude combined with deep knowledge. Tactical tinkering is fine within the context of a focused overall vision. Practise penalties.
Glenn Hoddle 1996-98
P28 W17 D6 L5
Win percentage 61
What Capello can learn
Sports psychologists, yes; faith healers, no. Do not write books while still in charge. If you have eccentric ideas about the disabled, keep them to yourself. Do not be afraid to drop popular players or to pick prodigies, even if they are “not natural goalscorers”. Practise penalties.
Kevin Keegan 1999-2000
P18 W7 D7 L4
Win percentage 39
What Capello can learn
Do not let your heart rule your head – know what you are getting into when you take the job. Clean sheets are not overrated and tactics beyond “outscore opponents” are required. The thrill of beating Germany soon evaporates. Passion and motivational skills alone can take you only so far.
Sven-Göran Eriksson 2001-06
P67 W40 D17 L10
Win percentage 60
What Capello can learn
A few good early results extends your honeymoon period. Flirting with other clubs can get you a pay rise; flirting with women and fake sheikhs can get you sacked. Glasses make you look clever, Wayne Rooney as a lone striker makes you look stupid. Practise penalties.
Steve McClaren 2006-07
P18 W9 D4 L5
Win percentage 50
What Capello can learn
Platitudes and shiny teeth do not compensate for toothless displays. Appearing in thrall to key players makes you look weak. England’s reserves are not good enough. Umbrellas are not cool.
