Ahead of England’s international friendly against the Republic of Ireland this evening, we look back at the top 5 worst decisions made by The Three Lion’s managers.
5. Taking Emile Heskey to South Africa in 2010
The former Leicester and Liverpool forward Emile Heskey was one of England’s top strikers for many years, but when Fabio Capello decided to take him to the 2010 world cup in South Africa, and even play him, it was a terrible decision.
Playing at Aston Villa during the 2009-10 season in the premier League, Heskey ended the campaign with a dismal five goals from 42 appearances.
His international form was not impressive either, after only scoring twice during England’s journey to reach the World Cup, so it makes you wonder why Capello registered him in the squad at all.
At the age of 31, Heskey only assisted one goal in England’s shocking 2010 World Cup campaign, where the country crashed out to Germany in the round of 16, and his performances showed it was a shocking decision to be brought along in the first place.
4. Harry Kane taking corners
When you think of Harry Kane, you envision a powerful striker willing to put his body on the line to score a goal from a set-piece.
Instead, under Roy Hodgson at the Euro’s in 2016, Kane was taking corners for the side!
The team crashed out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to Iceland in the round of 16, but the nation was in shock as their star striker was crossing the ball in from the corner flag, and crossing it poorly…definitely one of Hodgson’s worst decisions in his managerial career, let alone England.
3. Bringing Theo Walcott to the 2006 World Cup
Everyone was asking the question, “who is Theo Walcott?”
At the age of just 17, promising forward Walcott was chosen by then England manager, Sven-Göran Eriksson, as the team’s fourth striker-a staggering decision as Walcott hadn’t made an appearance for his new club Arsenal, let alone the England side.
The Swedish manager didn’t play him once in the tournament hosted in Germany, and came under real fire when Michael Owen got injured and Sven choose to only turn to Peter Crouch for goals.
Why bring a player to the greatest tournament in all of football, if you don’t have the confidence to bring him off the bench against Sweden?
He ultimately cost England a massive opportunity at a second world cup as the team lost 1-0 to Portugal, and only has himself to blame.
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2. Gareth Southgate not playing Jack Grealish
So far in his managerial career, Southgate hasn’t made too many terrible decision’s like his predecessors, but if he decides to not pick Jack Grealish for the upcoming European tournament in 2021, it will become a sackable offence.
Grealish has carried his home team Aston Villa from the Championship and the side are currently sixth in the Premier League with a game in hand.
However, despite the fact the 25-year-old is England’s best creative player and has the potential to turn the team from, tournament potential semi-final contenders to European and World Cup favourites, the man in the waistcoat has insisted on not selecting him.
This horror decision is only speculation though, as the former Middlesbrough captain has the time to redeem himself and potentially become the first manager to bring home the European trophy, especially when his penalty miss in the shootout loss to Germany in 1996 cost England from progressing to the final all those years ago.
Do the right thing Gareth, pick Grealish over Mason Mount.
1.Steve McClaren
Almost every decision Steve McClaren made as England manager was the wrong one, and the list is endless.
From dropping Sol Campbell and David James, to not recalling David Beckham back to the squad for over a year, the poor decisions were endless, but even then, the so called ‘Golden Generation’ should’ve at least qualified for the European Championships.
England missed their first major tournament since the 1994 World Cup, and with arguably their best ever team.
The talent was endless: Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes, John terry, Gary Neville… I could be here all day, but the fact he couldn’t set up a team with all of these star players is abysmal.
His tenure as The Three Lions manager is the greatest failure in the history of English international football, and easily takes the number one spot.
The media labelled him as, “The Wally with the Brolly.” Sums it up really.
If you disagree with any of these managerial failures or think any have slipped under the radar, let us know in the comments.
