Fourteen men have managed the England men's team since Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup in 1966, and none have come close to repeating the feat. Under high expectation, intense scrutiny and crippling pressure, a series of England managers have been hounded, humiliated, abused and, in Sam Allardyce's case, stung by a ruthless media. No wonder Graham Taylor called it 'the impossible job'.
The Unique Pressures of the Role
The role of England manager has developed its own lore and mythology over time, a mystical code that hasn't been cracked for 60 years. But what makes it so difficult? Is it really unique? Is it any more pressured and intense than being manager of Spain, Italy, or Brazil? One element of the role that is unique is England's specific history in the World Cup. Since 1966, layers of emotion have been added on top of one another, from the injustice of Diego Maradona's 'hand of God' goal in 1986, to the heartbreak of penalties in 1990, 1998 and 2006, via the ignominy of failing to qualify in 1994. England's relationship with the World Cup is one of potent emotion and visceral frustration.
Media Scrutiny and Past Managers
That relationship has played out in a vociferous media which has not been afraid to tear down players and managers along the way. Taylor was infamously depicted as a turnip on the front page of The Sun, and later Sven-Goran Eriksson was shown as a swede. Bobby Robson was implored to quit following a draw against Saudi Arabia with the headline: 'In the name of Allah, Go', while Glenn Hoddle and Allardyce both departed in scandal after a newspaper interview and an undercover sting respectively.
Gareth Southgate's Approach
Yet Gareth Southgate's unique approach – to open up himself and the players to the media – helped to soften the tension and lighten the 'weight of the waistcoat'. His success on the pitch compared to his predecessors also helped to cultivate a more positive feeling around the England team, at least up until Euro 2024 when both fans and journalists began to turn on Southgate and he finally stepped down.
Thomas Tuchel's New Era
Now Thomas Tuchel has taken on the role with his own notably free and blunt style with the media. It appears to be working – so far – in shedding some of the pressure and more negative scrutiny from the media. Does it help to be detached from the long, often tortured English football narrative that precedes him? Essentially, is 'the impossible job' perfect for a German manager?
Podcast Discussion
In this week's episode of 'Copa Independent' – The Independent's new World Cup podcast – chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere is joined by chief football writer Miguel Delaney and senior sports writer Kieran Jackson to discuss what it takes to be the England manager, why it's so 'impossible' and whether a foreign coach like Tuchel is the answer.
The episode also features a debate on our all-time World Cup XI, as they attempt to select a central midfielder to play alongside German great Lothar Matthaus, with plenty of disagreement before eventually settling on a player who has never won the World Cup.
For more World Cup analysis, listen to Copa Independent – your weekly dose of news, politics, predictions, and nostalgia. It won't just get you feeling the World Cup, but thinking about it, too. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
