For all those who didn’t think it could happen, it happened. England got frozen by Iceland and let it go. There were no special offers given out, with England lacking all forms of penetration, ability and even basic skill by the end. It was three strikes and out for Roy Hodgson. Hodgson’s third major tournament as manager ended in disappointment like many before. Many have failed before him, but not in quite the same fashion as here.
Hodgson was different to recent holders of the England manager position. Here was a man who had 40 years of managerial experience, including spells in charge of Switzerland and Finland. He’d had international experience, but not with his own nation. Here was his chance, he desperately wanted it to work, but it went so very wrong. Another tournament failure and at the age of 68, it’s questionable as to whether this will be the end of him as a manager.
Progress
Hodgson was given a free swing at Euro 2012. He was appointed 4 months before the start of the tournament and guided England to a quarter final defeat on penalties to Italy. Unknown at the time, but this would be Hodgson’s highlight as England manager in a major tournament. They qualified for the 2014 World Cup, but just 120 hours later and after two defeats and a draw to Costa Rica, England were knocked out in the group stage. At this point he should have been sacked, but he clung on to the job with limpet-like ability. An unbeaten qualifying campaign for Euro 2016 followed, but an easy group stage wasn’t negotiated well and it culminated in England’s most embarrassing defeat since 1950, possibly ever.
A New Generation?
Hodgson claims to have ushered in a new generation of players. What else was he supposed to do after the “Golden Generation” all retired? Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and John Terry all retired from international duty under Hodgson’s management. Over 400 caps worth of experience gone, and with it went leadership which was sadly lacking in this tournament. Players such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jamie Vardy have been outstanding for their clubs, but Hodgson failed to get the best out of them in the international arena.
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere had some sort of spell over Hodgson throughout the manager’s tenure, as if it was a relationship that wouldn’t break up. Although impressive in the qualifying campaign, the Arsenal midfielder should never have been selected in the squad for Euro 2016. Hodgson’s Wilshere-fetish extended to bringing him on at the detriment to the team, notably in the match against Russia, but he also came on at half time against Iceland. He made absolutely no impact apart from giving the ball away, and he was clearly not match fit.
Game Plan
All good teams have an identifiable way of playing the game. England and Roy Hodgson didn’t. A plethora of attacking talent was available to him, but there was a lack of defenders. Team selection and formation is a critical part of the manager’s puzzle, but Hodgson failed. He constantly fought back against the media’s assertion that he was conservative and defensive, by bringing on attacking replacements. After four years in charge of the team, Hodgson should have known his best formation and best players to fit into it, he didn’t, and that’s a cardinal sin. Iceland were better organised and better defensively. There was a period in the game where Iceland were playing like Barcelona and England didn’t have any answers. Simply unacceptable
A Ruthless Streak
Hodgson bears a vocal resemblance to the character Brick Top from Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. Unlike the villain who fed those who wronged him to pigs, Hodgson didn’t have the same kind of ruthless streak. Wilshere aside, Joe Hart had a shocking tournament, despite “not having to do much” (Hart’s words), he faced five shots in the tournament and conceded four goals. Did Hodgson drop him? No. Wayne Rooney could have been dropped over the course of the last few years. Hodgson bottled the big calls and his lack of a ruthless nature was transferred onto the pitch during this tournament.
Is it all Hodgson’s fault?
Absolutely not, the manager can only do so much for a team. He can set them up in a formation, tell them the game plan etc. but the manager cannot influence what happens on the pitch. By the second half against Iceland, the England players were struggling to do even the basics. Passing and controlling the ball is a basic skill, England’s Premier League footballers were unable to do even this.
The debate over a winter break will again be mentioned. Germany and Spain both have a mid-season break and they’ve been the dominant international teams over the last decade. England’s players looked tired in this tournament. There are multiple objections to having a break in this country and the debate will surely continue.
The other question will be aimed at the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league in the world, but only 33% of players eligible to play for England in it. Foreign clubs see English players as an expensive liability, therefore no players play abroad. Its competitive nature is a positive, but the world’s best players play on foreign soil.
The Future
It’s difficult to see where England and the FA go from here. An inquest has been announced, but there will also have to be a new manager installed. England can’t afford to take the safe option and they must find the footballing equivalent to Eddie Jones. As to whether there is an equivalent is something else. Gareth Southgate is the early favourite, but Alan Shearer is my preferred option. Gary Neville is too closely linked with this failed regime and he’s just lost his second coaching job in 6 months.
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