There is nothing worse than the course of a game being changed by a dodgy decision from an official. Sometimes the frustration leads to some great quotes from our bosses.
“The referee has got me the sack. Thank him ever so much for that, won’t you?”
Graham Taylor
“It’s like a toaster, the ref’s shirt pocket. Every time there’s a tackle, up pops a yellow card.”
Kevin Keegan
“The ref was vertically 15 yards away.”
Kevin Keegan
“That decision, for me, was almost certainly definitely wrong.”
Kevin Keegan
“I think in international football you have to be able to handle the ball.”
Glenn Hoddle
“Some of the goals were good, some of the goals were sceptical.”
Bobby Robson
When up against these sort of inept refereeing decisions, it takes real strength of character to maintain a positive attitude. Here are some of our favourite examples of the refusal to be defeated and never say die spirit of the English manager.
“To be really happy, we must throw our hearts over the bar and hope that our bodies will follow.”
Graham Taylor
“I’m not the type of person to go into depression after defeat.”
Kevin Keegan
“Danny Tiatto is not going to make a mistake on purpose.”
Kevin Keegan
“As far as I’m concerned, Danny Tiatto doesn’t exist.”
Kevin Keegan
“The spirit he has shown has been second to none.”
Terry Venables, on Terry Fenwick’s drunk-driving charge
“Being given chances, and not taking them. That’s what life is all about.”
Ron Greenwood
“Okay, so we lost, but good things can come from it – negative and positive.”
Glenn Hoddle
“For some it’s the ultimate job, for the others it’s the last job.”
Kevin Keegan
England managers on referees and the rules
England managers on tactics
England managers on the anatomy
England managers wise words to inspire their players
England managers getting their clichés confused
England managers knowledge of Geography
England managers knowledge of Maths
England managers on their players
England managers thinking unclearly