Starting Eleven – ‘The defining moments of Steve Maclaren’
Despite continual claims that the Premier League is the best in the world, English football and particularly the national team were brought back down to earth last weekend with a humiliating 3-2 defeat to Croatia at Wembley. Twinned with a result for Russia in Andorra, the score line meant that next Summer will be fixtureless for the ‘Three Lions’ as they failed to make it through their qualification group ahead of the Championships in Austria and Switzerland in 2008.
On the back of their failure as well as a trail of poor results and bad press, Steve Maclaren was released from his contract with the FA the following morning meaning that his eighteen month relationship with the national set up ended well before anyone predicted.
With English football currently staring at the ruins of their first failed qualification campaign since 1994, we take a look at the stand-out moments of the Steve Maclaren era.
On the back of their failure as well as a trail of poor results and bad press, Steve Maclaren was released from his contract with the FA the following morning meaning that his eighteen month relationship with the national set up ended well before anyone predicted.
With English football currently staring at the ruins of their first failed qualification campaign since 1994, we take a look at the stand-out moments of the Steve Maclaren era.
‘Becoming ‘The Chosen One’
Following a summer of heartbreak and penalty dramas in Germany, England searched for a new head coach to replace Sven Goran Erikson who after six years in charge had decided to relinquish control of the English national team. With some much pressure on the FA due to the nationality of their previous coach, the selectors decided to limit their search within the British Isles, naming a shortlist containing Allardyce, O’Neil, Curbishley and Maclaren.
After the Irishman rejected the job on the grounds that he was not prepared to return to football at the time, the decision was made to appoint Eriksson’s number two Maclaren as the Swede’s replacement. Despite a recruitment drive of over five months following an announcement that the World Cup knock out stages would be Eriksson’s final act, the Football Association told the watching world that all along Maclaren had been their number once choice despite rumours to the contrary.
In the days following his selection as the national coach it became clear that the former Middleborough manager had been just once of many coaches offered the job, but had been the only one willing to discuss the position at the present moment, leading to the FA selecting him from a select pool of one.
The English media and supporters complained that having been Eriksson’s number two for so long and with some many things visibly not right with the England team, a promotion from within would change nothing about the structure or the performance of the national team. Many bemoaned the fact that Maclaren had won only one trophy as a club manager and did not posses the pedigree to take over one of the most difficult jobs in football. It was time to make some big decisions…
‘Ch-ch-ch-changes’
And so after being installed as the England manager Steve Maclaren set about compiling his first squad as the national team manager for a friendly with the European Champions Greece. With the World Cup opening many peoples eyes to the failures of the ‘Three Lions’, Steve Maclaren brought fresh impetus to his squad and made several unexpected changes. After naming John Terry as his captain he dropped former skipper David Beckham and also failed to include Sol Campbell and David James. With three of the more senior players in the squad removed Maclaren called up Dean Aston, gave a starting place to Aaron Lennon and Stuart Downing and called up both Ben Foster and Scott Carson. With several changes made to the party playing their first International game under the new manager, England fans everywhere were eager to see what the ‘new’ younger looking team was capable of…
‘The Acid Test’
England’s first encounter under Steve Maclaren was against European Champions Greece who were themselves in a transitional period. With the new structure fully in place and with Maclaren appointing Terry Venables as assistant the nation’s best International players headed to Old Trafford to face their first test. With so much downbeat talk of England being ‘nothing different’ under Maclaren, the team surprised us all with a comfortable 4-0 victory over an extremely poor side.
Captain John Terry started off the scoring and without the likes of Beckham, Cole, Rooney and Owen the team sparkled to a simple victory breathing hope into their qualification campaign for the European Championships. Now that the nation had got off to a winner under their new manager it was time for competitive action to take place…
‘The Wheels Begin To Fall Off’
England’s first test in their qualifying group after a 5-0 win at Old Trafford over Azerbaijan came in Zagreb where they faced an unbeaten Croatia in difficult conditions. Having over-run the minnows of the group with their expansive attacking football, Maclaren named the same team but in a different formation. Moving Ashley Cole to left win back and Gerrard into the middle alongside Lampard the England manager played 3-5-2 to utilize the attacking strengths of his team down the flanks.
On a cold and misty night in Eastern Europe, England never got going and despite holding on in the first half, their second half performance was shambolic enough to see them lose the game 2-0 without creating a single goal scoring opportunity. The first came from Dynamo Zagreb forward Eduardo who beat Rio Ferdinand to head home before an even worse mistake Paul Robinson caused England to concede a second late on to leave them with no hope of making their way back into the game. From a back pass by Gary Neville a horrendous but awfully placed divot caused the ball to bobble over the top of the England goalkeeper’s foot and into the back of the net. Having lost their first game under Maclaren it was time to pick up the pieces…
‘Home Stalemate’
After recovering from the awful result in Croatia with a 1-0 win over Estonia away from home, England faced another must win home game against Macedonia to keep in touch with Russia and Croatia who had become the two outstanding sides in the group so far. With a full team at his disposal with the exception of Wayne Rooney, Maclaren went with a 4-4-2 with Crouch and Owen up front with Gerrard on the right and a returning Joe Cole on the left.
The home side created a large amount of chances but were unable to convert the host of opportunities which fell their way, the best of which fell to Gary Neville who despite his experience was unable to keep his head down and steer a relatively easy chance into the far corner. England were booed off at full time by a disapproving crowd who began to show their disenchantment by calling for a new manager. Only a positive result in their next game would satisfy the large support of the team…
‘Booing sours vital win’
Heading to Azerbaijan for the return against the minnows of the group, England was expectant and believed themselves capable of getting themselves back in touch with Croatia and Russia after the two sides had drawn with once another the Saturday before England faced a crucial test in Northern Europe.
Starting with Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney up front England failed to create a notable chance in the first half and were booed off by vociferous away support who felt let down at their sides failure to score against a side ranked over seventy places below them in FIFA’s official list. In the second half however an inspired performance from Steven Gerrard led England to a 3-0 victory with David Nugent scoring on his International debut in the final minute to send the Three Lions to third in their group table.
Calls for Maclaren to be replaced still rang out after the final whistle and with dissenting reporters questioning the managers tactics and his sides poor performance, the England manager stormed out of the post match press conference telling the papers to ‘write whatever they wanted to write’. With a break of three months before the next round of International matches there were some big selection decisions to make…
‘Recalling the reformed star’
With the ‘new’ Wembley Stadium ready for action in the summer of 2007, England lined up a friendly against Brazil to celebrate the occasion and prepare for the vital game against Estonia in September. Maclaren had some big decisions to make after the sides struggling performances so far. The issue upon which he had to decide was one which spilt supporters all across the country, whether or not to re-call David Beckham. Maclaren’s first decision as England manager was to drop Beckham, saying that his club form had dipped and also that he wanted a fresh approach to the team however with Beckham inspirational in Real’s Championship chase in Spain and with many of the new faces being ‘caught out’ at top class International level, Steve Maclaren decided that it was time to bring back some experience and quality in the form over a player who had won over 90 caps and made his way back into a star studded European force.
With the little matter of the Samba magic of Brazil to take on England recorded a 1-1 draw in their first home game with Beckham supplying the equalizer for John Terry in the final minutes. With vital qualifiers for the final three months of the year it was important that England caught up ground of Russia by turning them over at Wembley.
‘Two 3 – 0 wins in a week, confidence returns’
Having lost to their rivals Germany two weeks before they faced Israel at Wembley, things were extremely downbeat at qualification looked to be far too distant for England to achieve. Given their recent form and their poor performances particularly at home the Three Lions faced two games in a week to save their chances of making their European Championships.
With Owen just returning from injury, Rooney out again and Frank Lampard sidelined after performing well against the Germans, England re-called Sol Campbell and Michael Owen as well as giving a starting place to Gareth Barry and Micah Richards in the absence of several of the senior players. With Peter Crouch becoming a peripheral figure at Liverpool, Maclaren recalled Emile Heskey into the squad for the first time since Euro 2004 and his decision paid dividends immediately as alongside Owen, the Wigan man showed himself to still be worthy of an International place.
The first game against Israel, England breezed through. Shaun Wright Phillips got the scoring going before Micah Richards and Michael Owen added goals in the second period. The challenge of Russia then became even more vital as only a win would keep England in contention and set up the showdown in Moscow in two months time as the groups most vital match. England got off to a tremendous start with Owen scoring in the first five minutes and adding a second inside twenty. A third came from Ferdinand in the second half and England scored a vital victory to turn Wembley into a qualifying fortress. Next up they travelled to Moscow, knowing that a win would seal their path to the finals…
Russia 2 – 1 England
With the confidence of a 3-0 victory at Wembley behind them, England travelled to Moscow in early November to take on Russia in their penultimate game in the qualifying group. Maclaren had the luxury of a full squad available and with Owen and Rooney returning to full fitness and form it was presumed that the absence of John Terry at the back would be compensated for by the sides attacking prowess. A point in the Russian capital would be enough to leave the outcome of qualification in England’s hands but a defeat would mean that England would need Russia or Croatia to slip up against the weaker sides in the group.
Despite fears surrounding the pitch, the cold and the hostile atmosphere, England started well and took a 1-0 just before half time through Wayne Rooney. Going into half time on a high, the hope was that the second half would be all about England demonstrating their qualities but it turned out the theme as usual was relating to defensive frailties. Missing Ashley Cole and the leadership of captain Terry, England capitulated in the final period of the game and missing chances through Gerrard and Richards, England was caught out at the back when Rooney needlessly gave away a penalty and Paul Robinson made another horrendous goalkeeper error when he allowed a routinely saved shot spill into the path of an onrushing forward who seemingly crushed England’s chances of making the finals in Austria and Switzerland, all the Three Lions could do now is hope for a miracle…
Israel 2 – 1 Russia
With England playing a friendly against Austria the night before Israel took on Russia, attention was drawn to Tallinn where the Israeli’s were unbeaten at home but missing their star player Yossi Benayoun through injury.
England needed Israel to beat Russia to leave qualification in their hands and anything less than a home victory would mean that Macedonia would have to do the Three Lions the same night they lined up against Croatia.
Israel gave England hope by taking the lead in the first half and that was the way the game remained until a crazy last twenty minutes when Russia equalized before in the final minute, hitting both posts and having a shot cleared off the line. Just as it seemed as though the game was going to end in a tie England’s prayers were answered when completely against the run of play Israel scored leaving England’s hopes of qualification in their own hands…
‘The Final Straw’
With Israel defeating Russia, England knew that anything other than a defeat against Croatia in their final group game would send them through to the European Championships, thus ending all the speculation surround Maclaren’s position. Unfortunately for the England manager he once again lost his captain John Terry before the game leading to him naming a relatively inexperienced backline for the vital qualifier. Without Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, Maclaren named Peter Crouch at the lone striker in a 4-3-3 system supported by Gerrard and Lampard, the England manager felt his side had enough firepower to gun down the Croatian’s who were already through thanks to Israel’s win.
The Wembley crowd was fired up for what they thought would be a home banker but Croatia took a 2-0 lead in the first half and the atmosphere suddenly flattened. A horrendous mistake from debutant Scott Carson and then some more poor defending let England down. Everything seemed to go wrong for the England manager, his players looked nervous, his tactics looked ragged and the team was playing badly. In the second half England fought their way back into the game through Crouch and Lampard penalty meaning with fifteen minutes left they were holding onto the result they needed.
As the nation began to celebrate qualification, Croatia struck once more and despite large amounts of possession and pressure, it did not amount to anything and England were finally put out of their misery and eliminated from the European Champions before the finals had even started. Following the game Maclaren refused to talk about his future but it was clear the writing was on the wall for him. Talks took place at 9am the next morning and his four year contract with the football association was terminated paving the way for the ‘Three Lions’ to begin their search for a new manager…
Following a summer of heartbreak and penalty dramas in Germany, England searched for a new head coach to replace Sven Goran Erikson who after six years in charge had decided to relinquish control of the English national team. With some much pressure on the FA due to the nationality of their previous coach, the selectors decided to limit their search within the British Isles, naming a shortlist containing Allardyce, O’Neil, Curbishley and Maclaren.
After the Irishman rejected the job on the grounds that he was not prepared to return to football at the time, the decision was made to appoint Eriksson’s number two Maclaren as the Swede’s replacement. Despite a recruitment drive of over five months following an announcement that the World Cup knock out stages would be Eriksson’s final act, the Football Association told the watching world that all along Maclaren had been their number once choice despite rumours to the contrary.
In the days following his selection as the national coach it became clear that the former Middleborough manager had been just once of many coaches offered the job, but had been the only one willing to discuss the position at the present moment, leading to the FA selecting him from a select pool of one.
The English media and supporters complained that having been Eriksson’s number two for so long and with some many things visibly not right with the England team, a promotion from within would change nothing about the structure or the performance of the national team. Many bemoaned the fact that Maclaren had won only one trophy as a club manager and did not posses the pedigree to take over one of the most difficult jobs in football. It was time to make some big decisions…
‘Ch-ch-ch-changes’
And so after being installed as the England manager Steve Maclaren set about compiling his first squad as the national team manager for a friendly with the European Champions Greece. With the World Cup opening many peoples eyes to the failures of the ‘Three Lions’, Steve Maclaren brought fresh impetus to his squad and made several unexpected changes. After naming John Terry as his captain he dropped former skipper David Beckham and also failed to include Sol Campbell and David James. With three of the more senior players in the squad removed Maclaren called up Dean Aston, gave a starting place to Aaron Lennon and Stuart Downing and called up both Ben Foster and Scott Carson. With several changes made to the party playing their first International game under the new manager, England fans everywhere were eager to see what the ‘new’ younger looking team was capable of…
‘The Acid Test’
England’s first encounter under Steve Maclaren was against European Champions Greece who were themselves in a transitional period. With the new structure fully in place and with Maclaren appointing Terry Venables as assistant the nation’s best International players headed to Old Trafford to face their first test. With so much downbeat talk of England being ‘nothing different’ under Maclaren, the team surprised us all with a comfortable 4-0 victory over an extremely poor side.
Captain John Terry started off the scoring and without the likes of Beckham, Cole, Rooney and Owen the team sparkled to a simple victory breathing hope into their qualification campaign for the European Championships. Now that the nation had got off to a winner under their new manager it was time for competitive action to take place…
‘The Wheels Begin To Fall Off’
England’s first test in their qualifying group after a 5-0 win at Old Trafford over Azerbaijan came in Zagreb where they faced an unbeaten Croatia in difficult conditions. Having over-run the minnows of the group with their expansive attacking football, Maclaren named the same team but in a different formation. Moving Ashley Cole to left win back and Gerrard into the middle alongside Lampard the England manager played 3-5-2 to utilize the attacking strengths of his team down the flanks.
On a cold and misty night in Eastern Europe, England never got going and despite holding on in the first half, their second half performance was shambolic enough to see them lose the game 2-0 without creating a single goal scoring opportunity. The first came from Dynamo Zagreb forward Eduardo who beat Rio Ferdinand to head home before an even worse mistake Paul Robinson caused England to concede a second late on to leave them with no hope of making their way back into the game. From a back pass by Gary Neville a horrendous but awfully placed divot caused the ball to bobble over the top of the England goalkeeper’s foot and into the back of the net. Having lost their first game under Maclaren it was time to pick up the pieces…
‘Home Stalemate’
After recovering from the awful result in Croatia with a 1-0 win over Estonia away from home, England faced another must win home game against Macedonia to keep in touch with Russia and Croatia who had become the two outstanding sides in the group so far. With a full team at his disposal with the exception of Wayne Rooney, Maclaren went with a 4-4-2 with Crouch and Owen up front with Gerrard on the right and a returning Joe Cole on the left.
The home side created a large amount of chances but were unable to convert the host of opportunities which fell their way, the best of which fell to Gary Neville who despite his experience was unable to keep his head down and steer a relatively easy chance into the far corner. England were booed off at full time by a disapproving crowd who began to show their disenchantment by calling for a new manager. Only a positive result in their next game would satisfy the large support of the team…
‘Booing sours vital win’
Heading to Azerbaijan for the return against the minnows of the group, England was expectant and believed themselves capable of getting themselves back in touch with Croatia and Russia after the two sides had drawn with once another the Saturday before England faced a crucial test in Northern Europe.
Starting with Peter Crouch and Wayne Rooney up front England failed to create a notable chance in the first half and were booed off by vociferous away support who felt let down at their sides failure to score against a side ranked over seventy places below them in FIFA’s official list. In the second half however an inspired performance from Steven Gerrard led England to a 3-0 victory with David Nugent scoring on his International debut in the final minute to send the Three Lions to third in their group table.
Calls for Maclaren to be replaced still rang out after the final whistle and with dissenting reporters questioning the managers tactics and his sides poor performance, the England manager stormed out of the post match press conference telling the papers to ‘write whatever they wanted to write’. With a break of three months before the next round of International matches there were some big selection decisions to make…
‘Recalling the reformed star’
With the ‘new’ Wembley Stadium ready for action in the summer of 2007, England lined up a friendly against Brazil to celebrate the occasion and prepare for the vital game against Estonia in September. Maclaren had some big decisions to make after the sides struggling performances so far. The issue upon which he had to decide was one which spilt supporters all across the country, whether or not to re-call David Beckham. Maclaren’s first decision as England manager was to drop Beckham, saying that his club form had dipped and also that he wanted a fresh approach to the team however with Beckham inspirational in Real’s Championship chase in Spain and with many of the new faces being ‘caught out’ at top class International level, Steve Maclaren decided that it was time to bring back some experience and quality in the form over a player who had won over 90 caps and made his way back into a star studded European force.
With the little matter of the Samba magic of Brazil to take on England recorded a 1-1 draw in their first home game with Beckham supplying the equalizer for John Terry in the final minutes. With vital qualifiers for the final three months of the year it was important that England caught up ground of Russia by turning them over at Wembley.
‘Two 3 – 0 wins in a week, confidence returns’
Having lost to their rivals Germany two weeks before they faced Israel at Wembley, things were extremely downbeat at qualification looked to be far too distant for England to achieve. Given their recent form and their poor performances particularly at home the Three Lions faced two games in a week to save their chances of making their European Championships.
With Owen just returning from injury, Rooney out again and Frank Lampard sidelined after performing well against the Germans, England re-called Sol Campbell and Michael Owen as well as giving a starting place to Gareth Barry and Micah Richards in the absence of several of the senior players. With Peter Crouch becoming a peripheral figure at Liverpool, Maclaren recalled Emile Heskey into the squad for the first time since Euro 2004 and his decision paid dividends immediately as alongside Owen, the Wigan man showed himself to still be worthy of an International place.
The first game against Israel, England breezed through. Shaun Wright Phillips got the scoring going before Micah Richards and Michael Owen added goals in the second period. The challenge of Russia then became even more vital as only a win would keep England in contention and set up the showdown in Moscow in two months time as the groups most vital match. England got off to a tremendous start with Owen scoring in the first five minutes and adding a second inside twenty. A third came from Ferdinand in the second half and England scored a vital victory to turn Wembley into a qualifying fortress. Next up they travelled to Moscow, knowing that a win would seal their path to the finals…
Russia 2 – 1 England
With the confidence of a 3-0 victory at Wembley behind them, England travelled to Moscow in early November to take on Russia in their penultimate game in the qualifying group. Maclaren had the luxury of a full squad available and with Owen and Rooney returning to full fitness and form it was presumed that the absence of John Terry at the back would be compensated for by the sides attacking prowess. A point in the Russian capital would be enough to leave the outcome of qualification in England’s hands but a defeat would mean that England would need Russia or Croatia to slip up against the weaker sides in the group.
Despite fears surrounding the pitch, the cold and the hostile atmosphere, England started well and took a 1-0 just before half time through Wayne Rooney. Going into half time on a high, the hope was that the second half would be all about England demonstrating their qualities but it turned out the theme as usual was relating to defensive frailties. Missing Ashley Cole and the leadership of captain Terry, England capitulated in the final period of the game and missing chances through Gerrard and Richards, England was caught out at the back when Rooney needlessly gave away a penalty and Paul Robinson made another horrendous goalkeeper error when he allowed a routinely saved shot spill into the path of an onrushing forward who seemingly crushed England’s chances of making the finals in Austria and Switzerland, all the Three Lions could do now is hope for a miracle…
Israel 2 – 1 Russia
With England playing a friendly against Austria the night before Israel took on Russia, attention was drawn to Tallinn where the Israeli’s were unbeaten at home but missing their star player Yossi Benayoun through injury.
England needed Israel to beat Russia to leave qualification in their hands and anything less than a home victory would mean that Macedonia would have to do the Three Lions the same night they lined up against Croatia.
Israel gave England hope by taking the lead in the first half and that was the way the game remained until a crazy last twenty minutes when Russia equalized before in the final minute, hitting both posts and having a shot cleared off the line. Just as it seemed as though the game was going to end in a tie England’s prayers were answered when completely against the run of play Israel scored leaving England’s hopes of qualification in their own hands…
‘The Final Straw’
With Israel defeating Russia, England knew that anything other than a defeat against Croatia in their final group game would send them through to the European Championships, thus ending all the speculation surround Maclaren’s position. Unfortunately for the England manager he once again lost his captain John Terry before the game leading to him naming a relatively inexperienced backline for the vital qualifier. Without Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, Maclaren named Peter Crouch at the lone striker in a 4-3-3 system supported by Gerrard and Lampard, the England manager felt his side had enough firepower to gun down the Croatian’s who were already through thanks to Israel’s win.
The Wembley crowd was fired up for what they thought would be a home banker but Croatia took a 2-0 lead in the first half and the atmosphere suddenly flattened. A horrendous mistake from debutant Scott Carson and then some more poor defending let England down. Everything seemed to go wrong for the England manager, his players looked nervous, his tactics looked ragged and the team was playing badly. In the second half England fought their way back into the game through Crouch and Lampard penalty meaning with fifteen minutes left they were holding onto the result they needed.
As the nation began to celebrate qualification, Croatia struck once more and despite large amounts of possession and pressure, it did not amount to anything and England were finally put out of their misery and eliminated from the European Champions before the finals had even started. Following the game Maclaren refused to talk about his future but it was clear the writing was on the wall for him. Talks took place at 9am the next morning and his four year contract with the football association was terminated paving the way for the ‘Three Lions’ to begin their search for a new manager…