Next England Manager: Sven sets the standard for next boss

Euro 2012 / Michael Lintorn / 09 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sven-Goran Eriksson can't even get an interview for the Leeds job right now, despite outshining every other 21st century England manager

"Bloody foreigners coming over here and guiding our national football team to the quarter-finals of three successive international competitions."

Michael Lintorn looks back on the reigns of the last five England managers, judging which were successful and who failed, and labelling Sven-Goran Eriksson the best of the bunch...

Glenn Hoddle
Hoddle's stint is hard to judge decisively because of the abruptness of his exit, but he didn't scale the heights of the brief Terry Venables era. England finished above Italy to a seal a World Cup spot yet the tournament itself didn't go to plan, a defeat to Romania forcing them to face Argentina in the second round. A shootout loss there was followed by a pretty poor start to Euro 2000 qualifying.
Verdict: Failure

Kevin Keegan
A passionate Englishman with a decent record at club level - what could possibly go wrong? Quite a lot, it transpired, as after progressing to Euro 2000 in inglorious fashion, the Three Lions proceeded to bow out at the group stage even after beating Germany. Keegan clung on after that, but resigned months later after a 1-0 World Cup qualifying loss to Germany in the last game at the old Wembley.
Verdict: Failure

Sven-Goran Eriksson
Bloody foreigners coming over here and guiding our national football team to the quarter-finals of three successive international competitions! It's far more fun to stay at home with a Graham Taylor or Steve McClaren. Despite wins over the likes of Germany and Argentina and outperforming every other England manager of the last 15 years, Sven is still unfairly seen as a failure. Not on this list!
Verdict: Success

Steve McClaren
This writer feels some sympathy for McClaren due to his treatment as England boss, and commends his recovery with Twente. However, it's undeniable that failing to qualify for Euro 2008 with a group used to reaching the latter stages of major tournaments was dire, and - whisper it quietly - that he didn't measure up to the vastly more experienced and decorated foreign coaches either side of him.
Verdict: Failure

Fabio Capello
The World Cup clearly didn't go to plan - though Germany were one of the teams of the competition and thrashed Argentina in similar fashion - and there were a few off-field hiccups, but after inheriting a side that skipped Euro 2008, Capello led them to two finals with ease. His post-South Africa record was solid and achieved while overhauling the squad, so he did far better than is widely implied.
Verdict: Success

So that's a rather contentious Foreigners 2-0 Englishmen tally, with Sven the pick of the quintet, so should England turn to Guus Hiddink for Euro 2012? Have your say below...