A manager can only do so much to determine the results of games. Ultimately they have to place their trust in their players.
With so much riding on the results of games, managers will either turn on their players or swoon over their contribution. Here are a few comical quotes from either end of the scale.
“When he was dribbling, he used to go through a minefield with his arm, a bit like you go through a supermarket.”
Bobby Robson, on Paul Gascoigne
“I want more from David Beckham. I want him to improve on perfection.”
Kevin Keegan
“Hoddle hasn’t been the Hoddle we know. Neither has Robson.”
Ron Greenwood
“Gary Speed has never played better, never looked fitter, never been older.”
Bobby Robson
“I thought that individually and as a pair, they’d do better together.”
Bobby Robson
“Jermaine Jenas is a fit lad. He gets from box to box in all of 90 minutes.”
Bobby Robson
“We’ve got great speed in the team, not just Gary Speed, but great speed!”
Bobby Robson
“Now we’ve got Southgate…”
Bobby Robson, on signing Jonathan Woodgate
“He’s the only man I know who could start an argument with himself.”
Bobby Robson, on Craig Bellamy
“Despite his white boots, he has real pace…”
Kevin Keegan
“…using his strength. And that is his strength, his strength.”
Kevin Keegan
“One of his strengths is not heading.”
Kevin Keegan
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England managers knowledge of Maths
England managers on their players
England managers thinking unclearly