OPINION: 5 worst England managers of all time

Harry can’t necessarily be blamed for not being picked at club level. Like any of us, I am sure he relished the chance to play for his country when selected. Likewise, only a fool would fail to acknowledge that on his day he has been incredible for England. His performances in the 2018 World Cup finals, culminating in victory over Sweden in the quarter-finals, producing a ‘meme’ to rival Picard’s facepalm or the ‘This is Fine’ dog.

Yet both of those could, ironically, be rolled out by Southgate’s critics (of which there are many) every time he names the likes of Maguire, Saudi-based Jordan Henderson or the rarely plays at club-level Kalvin Phillips in his squad these days. Let alone his starting XI.

The chagrin felt every time a group is announced is less directed at individuals and more the inconsistency applied by the manager. The regular selection of his favoured few, even when they’ve been doing nothing more than laps with the reserves or keeping the physios busy.

Again, not their fault. We’d all be there like a shot if asked yet the ignoring of certain players is turning into a rod which Gareth is now using for a particularly masochistic form of self-flagellation. Going into the Scotland game there was an almost voracious appetite for failure from the vultures that circle social media. Waiting for something, anything, to go wrong so that the boot could then be put in with interest.

I’ve rallied many times as much about those players Gareth doesn’t pick as those he does. I couldn’t do his job and having taken his team to a World Cup semi (albeit with a very favourable draw) and European Championship final (albeit at home) in the last few years, he must be doing something right. Yet it is the failure to adequately address the questions about selection that are truly irritating so many supporters. His obsession with sticking to tried and tested rather than experiment when given the opportunity.

Imagine the likes of Brian Clough or Alex Ferguson pussyfooting around the press like Gareth does. You can’t because they wouldn’t.

If some players are untouchable then I wish he’d just come out and say it rather than tying himself up in contradictory knots.

If some players can be in the form of their lives (Rico Henry and Raheem Sterling, we’re looking at the pair of you in particular) but have no hope of being picked then, again, just ‘fess up.

England looked great against Scotland but the previous game against Ukraine was hardly the sort of breath-taking football to inspire. It did give concern, again, as to what would happen when the major step up was needed.

This got me thinking about England managers as a whole and the realisation that despite the national side’s inception back in 1872, there have only ever been 15 of them. Prior to the appointment of Walter Winterbottom in 1946 the team had been selected via committee. That they’ve only ever won one thing of note – a World Cup that took place on home soil almost 60 years ago.

When you look at the names and form of those 15, is Gareth worthy of the criticism coming his way at present? Whilst he wouldn’t make my top three (Bobby Robson – 1st; Terry Venables – 2nd; Sir Alf Ramsey – 3rd being untouchable) – there have been some stinkers over that period.

Before you moan about Gareth too much, and it is easy to do so, just think back to those who have gone before. The worst England managers of all time