England Vs France Match Thread

[BoroMart]

Yes I have just edited my post, but the programme was not knocked up in months. Saying Southgate was massively involved is uneven.

Nope, he joined the FA in 2011 I have even posted a link to help you, he was one of the key people involved in developing it over a 2 year period

 

[Rofesleg]

Against the big boys? We haven't beaten a "major nation" in a knock out game since 1966. If he can do this, which I believe the quality of this squad merits, he'll be rightly considered a top manager. Until then he'll be remembered as the manager of a squad that underachieved, sadly.

So if in 2026 we beat Italy in the round of 32 but lose to Panama in the round of 16 he will then be considered a top manager? Of course not. There is obviously more to it than that.

You say that you just need the 'knowledge' that he is the man to take us forward. Out of interest, what would specifically give you that knowledge?

A semi, a final and a QF is a very decent record. On top of that the performances have been pretty consistent.

Bobby Robson is viewed as one of our more successful managers after reaching a QF and a semi in the World Cup. Whilst failing to qualify for the 84 Euros and losing every game in 88.
Even in those world cups the performances were very mixed and inconsistent.

Terry Venables almost made a complete balls up of Euro 96 but is fondly viewed as a 'what might have been' manager.

Southgate has outperformed both of those both in terms of actual results and in consistency of performance. By all accounts the dressing room is also a happier more professional environment.

 

[Sheriff_John_Bunnell_ret]

Just to get this clear the definition of major nation is now any country with a history of success in international tournaments that has not been beaten by England.

It reminds me of the british museum s argument for keeping the Elgin marbles "we need to look after them as Greece is not able to look after them securely, the proof of which is we were able to steal them".

 

[Pembroke]

Nope, he joined the FA in 2011 I have even posted a link to help you, he was one of the key people involved in developing it over a 2 year period

Souhgate also left the FA in 2012. He was offered key technical position but turned roles down. The work on the programme was fundamentally done by others.