4 of 11

Write now Article Tools

Let's not beat about the bush here - all of the home nations have had better times than the present as, for the first time since the 1994 World Cup in the USA, none of the UK national sides managed to make the finals of a major football tournament.

The blow back then was softened by the success of the Republic of Ireland, the only British Isles side to make it to that championship and containing many players playing in the English and Scottish top flight, such as Paul McGrath and Roy Keane. Most of us became adopted Irishmen as Jack Charlton's lads overachieved for the second World Cup in succession.

But even they failed to make it to this tournament, the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

And it seems it could get a lot worse before it gets better if experienced managers such as John Toshack are correct in their depressing predictions.

Speaking to the BBC, the Wales manager claimed that the British game was in need of a major overhaul.

"We play too much 4-4-2 in straight lines and think that's it, the way to play," said the 58-year-old.

"Where are the managers who go abroad from the English game? Clubs in Europe don't rate them and don't go for them."

If that is the case, the long-term future for British football looks bleak - no wonder the likes of Mourinho and O'Neill are distancing themselves from the newly-vacated England job.

In fact, with the main candidates for that post ruling themselves out of the running as if the Christmas sales have just been announced, the F.A. blazers may have to dust down a "Where's Wally" annual to find the right man, before they go back to burying their heads in the sand whenever the next crisis arises.

But while the flaws of the English game show up as many times as Pete Doherty makes court appearances, two home nations, despite missing out on the Euro 2008 bonanza, are making enough strides to challenge for World Cup qualification in 2010.

When Scotland were drawn to face France and Italy, the World Cup finalists in 2006, and the Ukraine, quarter-finalists in the same tournament, it looked as if "The Tartan Army" had been placed in the "Group of Death".

Two wins against the French, narrow defeats against the Italians, as well as an impressive home win against Shevchenko and Co, soon saw the Scots gain the respect of the football world. Had it not been for an untimely slip against Georgia away in their penultimate match, then the kilts would have been out in full force on the Swiss Alps next summer.

Northern Ireland

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Assessing the future of the UK national sides?
We want to hear your view. Write now!