Best manager England never had?

[Fyldewhite]

While reading the Gerrard thread I got thinking about England managers and those never given the chance. I know I'm biased but just look at Big Sam's record.......

Limerick - Won promotion as player/manager in first season.
Preston - Coach, appointed caretaker and did well, unlucky not to get the vacant job so moved on.
Blackpool - best league position for 20 years - sacked! (by Owen Oyston current chairman's dad who was actually in prison at the time).
Notts County - won the league by 19 points in first full season.
Bolton - achieved 8th, 6th, 8th, pilloried as a long ball merchant (well, Arsenal didn't like it up 'em - still don't tbh) yet signed Djorkaeff, Campo, Speed, Okocha.....any old clogger really.
Newcastle - Building a good squad, 11th in table - moved on for not playing "attractive" football. finished 12th, relegated following season.
Blackburn - Sacked when 13th in table. finished 14th, relegated following season.
West Ham - Pressure for style of football (again) but so far have stuck with him. Looking at last season probably a good job they did.

Like the Cloughie/Revie situation he was passed over for the "safe" Steve McLaren.....same result. Only real blot on his record is the "brown envelope" allegations.......but at least he's never been caught!!

The record above seems to me to show he's not the easiest to deal with, speaks straight and doesn't mind who he upsets, which explains fully why the "suits" would never appoint him (just like with Clough). We'll never know of course but I do just wonder what he may have achieved with our so called "Golden Generation". Could he have been worse than McLaren/Capello?

 

[Deleted member 18588]

Could he have been worse than McLaren/Capello?

Yes!!

Sorry but I cannot take him and his tactics at any price. Yes he signed some good footballers whilst at Bolton but he also signed Kevin Davies and Michael Ricketts!

 

[woody69]

Yes, he could have been worse, at best on a par. The fact he has had mediocre successes with mediocre teams says all you need to know.

 

[Hacker Khan]

H'es tactically about 20 years behind current international football and has never managed a team that competes at the highest levels of the Premier League, or at a major European or International level. But he's English and a bit like Mike Bassett, so he'd probably be ideal for the position

 

[Fyldewhite]

Sorry but I cannot take him and his tactics at any price. Yes he signed some good footballers whilst at Bolton but he also signed Kevin Davies and Michael Ricketts!

To be fair, he signed Ricketts before we were in the Prem and he scored 19 in 39 appearances so not too bad a signing. Was soon moved on (for £3.5 million!!).

Yes, he could have been worse, at best on a par. The fact he has had mediocre successes with mediocre teams says all you need to know.

You could argue that that's exactly what England are on the international stage. "Mediocre success" is all we can hope for.......problem is we don't even get that these days.

H'es tactically about 20 years behind current international football and has never managed a team that competes at the highest levels of the Premier League, or at a major European or International level. But he's English and a bit like Mike Bassett, so he'd probably be ideal for the position

He was pioneering use of "sports science" at Bolton but yes, inexperience at top level certainly was an issue but when that's leveled against players we all shout "get them in". Love the reference to Mike Bassett, can't really argue that one!

I really believe that his biggest strength is to get players playing to their top potential and under performing has (I think) been the biggest fault with England. With the resources he would have had I really do think he would have done a lot better than McLaren who inspired nobody or Capello who couldn't even speak English.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Mike Bassett clone - never good enough to manage an international team

 

[Hacker Khan]

He was pioneering use of "sports science" at Bolton but yes, inexperience at top level certainly was an issue but when that's leveled against players we all shout "get them in". Love the reference to Mike Bassett, can't really argue that one!

I really believe that his biggest strength is to get players playing to their top potential and under performing has (I think) been the biggest fault with England. With the resources he would have had I really do think he would have done a lot better than McLaren who inspired nobody or Capello who couldn't even speak English.

I think another big issue would be the (lack of) respect he would have had from the majority of the players. Rightly or wrongly the England team was/is mostly made up from players from top Premiership clubs who are used to having very successful managers. And I think asking players who play under Ferguson, Mourihno et al to have the total respect and to want to play for Big Sam is a bit of a stretch.

That probably says more about the attitude of the players than the competence of the manager, but that's how it is.

 

[Crazyface]

H'es tactically about 20 years behind current international football and has never managed a team that competes at the highest levels of the Premier League, or at a major European or International level. But he's English and a bit like Mike Bassett, so he'd probably be ideal for the position

Tactically behind???? You mean not like Holland, 3rd place, hoof up to a whippet up front and charged in behind? Sounds just like Sams playbook.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Have I got this correct?

His only success was to gain promotion for Limerick and Notts County and he is being touted as the best manager England never had.

SAF is the obvious answer.

 

[Liverbirdie]

Bob Paisley - thank god. Was he ever offered it? If not, shame on the FA.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Has to be Cloughie surely. Definitely not Big Sam in a month of Sundays. Are we talking an English manager for the role? Of anyone, Sir Alex would have been the best for the role but he'd never have taken it (nor would Shankley) and to be fair the FA would never have offered it. Beckenabuer would have been an interesting option

 

[Fyldewhite]

Looks like I'm in a minority of 2 then (ie me and Sam) LOL

 

[Pin-seeker]

Clough & the Special one.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Bob Paisley - thank god. Was he ever offered it? If not, shame on the FA.

Understand he was spoken to by the FA after 82 but made it perfectly clear he had no intention of ever doing the job

Greatest manager this country has seen :thup:

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Understand he was spoken to by the FA after 82 but made it perfectly clear he had no intention of ever doing the job

Greatest manager this country has seen :thup:

Think Ferige and Utd fans may have a different opinion but I guess that's a whole different kettle of fish for another thread

 

[sev112]

Glen Hoddle ..
Oh yes, he got sacked for good footballing reasons

 

[chrisd]

Yep, Paisley or Clough would have been brilliant. Sam - not a chance!

Saw Worst Ham this season, give the ball to Collins he punts it to Cole, Cole couldn't win a one ticket raffle and Sam is happy with a draw except we ( the mighty Eagles) do the double!

 

[richart]

Judging by the posts on the World Cup threads, I would say at least 50 forumers.

Must agree with Chrisd, which I never thought I would type. Clough and Paisley. Both in different ways could deal with players with big egos.

 

[chrisd]

Must agree with Chrisd

.

I feel all sort of strange!

 

[richart]

I feel all sort of strange!

Don't worry, never likely to happen again you old codger.:ears: