Under three different managers and via a multitude of players, England have managed to qualify for the last seven major tournaments, last failing to do so in 2008.
Watching the Euros that year, held in Austria and Switzerland, it was an odd experience not seeing England – or for that matter any of the Home Nations – participating. The tournament was eventually won by Spain, in the manner they used to.
Regarding World Cups, England’s track record is better, last missing out for USA ’94, and in the years since there has been heightened excitement in the form of three quarter-finals and a deep run in 2018 to the semis.
Penalty heartaches aside, it’s been a blast.
That damp squib of a qualifying campaign in 2008 though still exasperates, an underwhelming period that failed to get the best out of a group of players capable of so much more, while seeing the back of a manager incapable of inspiration.
The appointment of Steve McClaren in 2006 prompted very little enthusiasm from the public, a collective apathy that only worsened when it was revealed he was the FA’s third choice.
Perhaps feeling the need to stamp his authority on proceedings therefore the former Middlesbrough boss wasted little time in dismantling a ‘golden generation’ that had barely glinted in truth, for all the promise they had.
Out went Sol Campbell. Out went David Beckham, for a spell at least.
And with a younger squad featuring emerging stars blended with established talent in captain John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney the Three Lions entered the fray of Euro qualification as group favourites in the football betting.
They were clear favourites for a distinct reason, that being a lucky break for the incoming coach in being granted a relatively easy grouping.
In a mini-league of seven, that would see two progress, only a brilliant Croatia side posed a real threat. Elsewhere Russia were handy, and Israel could spring a surprise on their day. That just left the minnows.
And yet, five games in, England found themselves hopelessly off the pace after unexpectedly drawing with Macedonia and Israel and losing in Zagreb.
A run of five consecutive 3-0 wins brought them back into the reckoning but then came a clunking defeat in Moscow, a missed sitter by Steven Gerrard summing up a miserable evening.
With one fixture remaining, England faced Croatia, who has already secured their passage to the Euros. A win or a draw would be sufficient under the Wembley lights.
It’s a game that has become infamous, kicking off with a Scott Carson howler early doors that saw England behind.
In the 14th minute the Chequered Ones scored again meaning a mountain had to be climbed, and no doubt at this stage the hosts were long odds in the online betting with the visitors knocking it around the slick pitch adroitly.
A generously-given penalty gave England hope, and then on the hour-mark Peter Crouch equalised to thunderous celebration only for disaster to strike soon after, when Mladen Petric blasted home from long range.
England were out and in the pouring rain a beleaguered Steve McClaren opened up an umbrella, forever earning himself the nickname of ‘Wally with a Brolly’. That aside, his stint as England boss is hardly recalled at all.
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 18th January 2023
