Knowledge Sharing
When Saturday Comes|August 2017

England’s recent success at youth level has come off the back of the FA’s different approach to coaching, shunning star names and appointing low-key but experienced coaches from the lower-leagues.

Gavin Willacy
Knowledge Sharing

The England squad that won the Under-20s World Cup last month was based on the cream of the Premier League’s Under-23 competition, but was shaped by a system that is allowing low-profile coaches to rise to the top.

Although there were five players from Championship clubs, the seven Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe this season provided two-thirds of the squad. The only player not from a Category One academy – midfielder Lewis Cook, a product of Category Two club Leeds – spent last season playing in the Premier League for Bournemouth. And they did it with a coaching team headed by Paul Simpson, who has been sacked as a manager by Rochdale, Preston, Shrewsbury and Stockport.

England’s route to the final saw them beat hosts South Korea 1-0, squeeze past Costa Rica 2-1 and Mexico 1-0, before the most impressive result, defeating Italy 3-1 in the semis. (What is far more remarkable than England finally winning a global tournament, is Venezuela – the only South American national side yet to qualify for a senior World Cup – reaching a final.)

While the Under-20s were winning their World Cup, a younger England squad triumphed in the annual Toulon Under-20 tournament. They were not up against any world powers – England beat Cuba, Japan and Scotland before needing penalties to overcome

Ivory Coast in the final – but it cannot hinder their development to experience a successful tournament with a squad including players from Brentford, Huddersfield, Hull, Nottingham Forest, Leeds and both Sheffield clubs.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2017 de When Saturday Comes.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición August 2017 de When Saturday Comes.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE WHEN SATURDAY COMESVer todo
Pirate Transmission
When Saturday Comes

Pirate Transmission

Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2019
Scandi Drama
When Saturday Comes

Scandi Drama

Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.

time-read
5 minutos  |
December 2019
Pot Of Gold
When Saturday Comes

Pot Of Gold

A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2019
Digital Divide
When Saturday Comes

Digital Divide

From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 2019
Haringey Ladder
When Saturday Comes

Haringey Ladder

The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 2019
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
When Saturday Comes

Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0

Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.

time-read
8 minutos  |
December 2019
Room With A View
When Saturday Comes

Room With A View

Hampden Park

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2018
Not In The Script
When Saturday Comes

Not In The Script

ARSENAL FILM

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2018
Out Of Place...
When Saturday Comes

Out Of Place...

After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker

time-read
3 minutos  |
January 2018
Uncomfortable Truth
When Saturday Comes

Uncomfortable Truth

At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.

time-read
3 minutos  |
June 2017