Since the end of World War Two, England had 12 coaches at the helm but none of them managed a better record with regards to percentage points success than Fabio Capello. The Italian topped the lot before his sudden departure last month.
Although he did not set any bushes on fire in the 2010 World Cup, Capello seemed to have geared up well for the European Championship finals next summer.
But then came the John Terry and the captain’s armband issue and Capello quit his post.
England had finished their Euro 2012 qualifying matches without defeat and that gave the players the extra confidence needed for the finals.
The following are the England managers and their feats, in order of percentage points:
1. Fabio Capello (December 2008 − February 2012).
World Cup: Second round elimination.
European Championship: Completed group phase undefeated.
76.19% − P42, W28, D8, L6, F83, A35.
2. Alfred Ramsey (February 1963 – May 1974).
World Cup: 1966 winners, 1970 quarter-finals, 1974 did not qualify to finals.
European Championship: 1964 first round exit, 1968 third place, 1972 quarter-finals.
73.01% – P113, W69, D27, L17, F224, A98.
3. Terry Venables (March 1994 – June 1996).
European Championship: 1996 semi-finals.
72.92% – P24, W12, D11, L1, F36, A13.
4. Sven-Goran Eriksson (February 2001 – July 2006).
World Cup: 2002 and 2006 quarter-finals.
European Championship: 2004 quarter-finals.
72.39% – P67, W40, D17, L10, F128, A61.
5. Glenn Hoddle (September 1996 – November 1998).
World Cup: 1998 eliminated in second round.
71.42% – P28, W17, D6, L5, F42, A13.
6. Ron Greenwood (August 1977 – July 1982).
World Cup: 1982 second phase.
European Championship: 1980 first round exit.
70.91% – P55, W33, D12, L10, F93, A40.
7. Walter Winterbottom (September 1946 – August 1962).
World Cup: 1950, 1958 first round; 1954, 1962 quarter-finals.
European Championship: 1960 did not enter.
67.65% – P136, W76, D32, L28, F375, A194.
8. Bobby Robson (July 1982 – July 1990).
World Cup: 1986 quarter-finals, 1990 fourth place.
European Championship: 1984 did not qualify, 1988 first round exit.
65.26% – P95, W47, D30, L18, F154, A60.
9. Graham Taylor (July 1990 – November 1993).
World Cup: 1994 failed to qualify.
European Championship: 1992 first round exit.
64.47% – P38, W18, D13, L7, F62, A32.
10. Don Revie (July 1974 – July 1977).
World Cup: 1978 failed to qualify.
European Championship: 1976 did not qualify.
62.07% – P29, W14, D8, L7, F49, A25.
11. Steve McClaren (May 2006 – November 2007).
European Championship: Failed to reach the finals.
61.11% – P18, W9, D4, L5, F32, A12.
12. Kevin Keegan (March 1999 – October 2000).
European Championship: Elimination in group phase.
58.33% – P18, W7, D7, L4, F26, A15.
Note: Joe Mercer (1974), Howard Wilkinson (twice: 1999 and 2000) and Peter Taylor (2000) acted as caretaker managers.