England - The Fourth Lion

World Cup Fever is kicking in! With the kick-off to one of the world's greatest events just around the corner, I have decided to tackle international management for the very first time. And there was only one option for who I could take charge of - England.

The save and story starts midway through 2013, where the World Cup Qualifiers are underway. I am currently unsure as to how often I will be able to update this story, but as it will be predominantly based around news stories and match reports, they should be very enjoyable to write and I'll probably try and do some even when I have little time!



The current England national team assistant manager, Ray Lewington will lead England in preparation for the World Cup. Having learnt under Roy Hodgson with multiple clubs, and on the international stage, techniques of Hodgson could creep in while Lewington gets to work.

Win the European Championships

Win the FIFA World Cup

Top the FIFA World Rankings

Have a player win the Golden Boot at an international tournament

Demolish Germany (by 3+ goals)

Biggest Victory: 13-0 vs Ireland
Top Goalscorer: Sir Bobby Charlton - 49
Most Goals In A Match: Malcolm MacDonald - 5
Youngest Player: Theo Walcott - 17 years, 75 days
Oldest Player: Stanley Matthews - 42 years, 103 days
Youngest Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney - 17 years, 317 days
Oldest Goalscorer: Stanley Matthews - 41 years, 248 days
Most Capped Player: Peter Shilton - 125
Fastest Goal: Tommy Lawton - 17 seconds
Youngest Captain: Bobby Moore - 22 years, 47 days


With the story starting in July 2013, some fixtures have already been played. Some relevant fixtures where also played in 2012 for qualifiers, which are listed below.

Good luck, England saves are always good fun.

2014-06-01 11:52#177955 Josh_MU : Good luck, England saves are always good fun.

Thanks! It's a whole new experience, so one I could find challenging, but fun!

Ray Lewington, the recently appointed manager of the England national football team, has boldly told the press that a player's reputation is irrelevant when he will be picking his squads, writes Joe Norman.

In his first press conference since taking over from Roy Hodgson, Lewington announced he had plans to bring a refreshing change to the England set up, suggesting youth are the forward. Fans have not hesitated to voice their opinions on the England squad over the last few years, unhappy with the minimal changes and aging squads; notably with the likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham in the midfield.

Lewington also announced he planned to give a number of players debuts over the coming months, stating he felt they deserved it more than those who believed they were first on the team sheet. “Having been involved in the England set up for the past 12 months, I have seen a number of fans criticise the ability of the squad – full of players aging and past their peak. While other managers had shrugged this off, I am a firm believer of what they say, and agree that a bold change is needed.”

Lewington, 56, also told BBC Sport that he plans to change his backroom set-up. It is believed he will look towards those with a notable playing history in the England team, who have experience and knowledge of how a national team runs. A new assistant manager will be required after Lewington's step up, and he confirmed the Football Association are already in talks with a number of candidates.

More to follow...

Good Luck!

A great start and I do like the aim of hammering Germany. Good luck!

2014-06-01 12:17#177962 tallery1164 : Good Luck!

2014-06-01 12:24#177965 Jamesg237 : A great start and I do like the aim of hammering Germany. Good luck!

Thanks guys!

Nice start and good luck!

Ray Lewington has today announced his 23-man squad for England's upcoming friendly to South Africa, who are currently ranked 52nd in the world. Wembley Stadium will play host to the 1996 African Cup of Nations winners.

While South Africa are expected to field Kagisho Dikgacoi (Crystal Palace), Tokelo Rantie (Bournemouth), Dean Furman and Bongani Khumalo (Doncaster), who all play league football in England, the England squad has now been confirmed with notable inclusions.


Lewington's first ever 23-man squad has generally pleased fans, with four inclusions from Everton, and two shock inclusions from Fulham. While the inclusion of David Stockdale has turned some heads, all eyes are on 16-year-old Patrick Roberts, who may well make his England debut as early as next week. Fraser Forster is the only star included to be playing league football outside of England, but is only expected to start on the bench with the in-form Joe Hart in favour.

It seems Lewington certainly meant business when he claimed reputation would have no effect on him when deciding the team, with the experienced trio of Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole excluded. The in-form Aaron Lennon has also missed out on a place in the team.

Luke Shaw, Patrick Roberts, John Stones, Ross Barkley, Fraser Forster, Adam Lallana, David Stockdale and Rickie Lambert could all make their international debut in the fixture.

Interesting! David Stockdale?

2014-06-01 13:57#177987 Josh_MU : Interesting! David Stockdale?

It was a tough call. Joe Hart and Fraser Forster seemed obvious choices, and then it went down to the likes of Ben Foster, Jack Butland, John Ruddy etc.

Foster was out injured, and Butland had only just returned from injury. His club advised he didn't play, and he's not exactly much of a loss. John Ruddy seemed to be on dire form, with an average rating of 6.20 for his last five games.

I then looked around a bit, and with Stockdale earning an average rating of 8.2, I chucked him in. It wasn't like he was going to play or anything!

England: (4-2-3-1)
Hart, Shaw, Jagielka, Cahill, Stones, Barkley, Henderson, Sterling, Rooney, Lallana, Sturridge
Subs Used: Johnson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Lambert, Roberts, Welbeck
Not Used: Forster, Wilshere, Gerrard, Milner, Stockdale
Goals: Barkley (14, 25)

South Africa: (4-5-1)
Khune, Anele, Khumalo, Sangweni, Masila, Mkhwanzi, Furman, Dikgacoi, Tshabalala, Parker, Rante
Subs Used: Williams, Mathoho, Manyisa, Jali, Erasmus, Manyama
Not Used: Sandilands, Nthethe, Mphela, Xulu
Goals: Parker (27, 45+1)
Booked: Furman, Khumalo

Both sets of supporters came away from Wembley largely in good spirits following England's 2-2 draw against South Africa, writes Caroline Kelly.

With wonderkid Ross Barkley enticing the crowd on his debut, the midfielder struck home with a powerful long range strike in the 14th minute to give the home side an early lead, and Barkley a dream debut. Within minutes England were almost gifted a goal through Siphiwe Tshabalala's lapse in concentration allowing Daniel Sturridge to creep around the defence and connect with the crossbar.

A youthful England defence, with debutants Luke Shaw and John Stones taking charge of the flanks, handed the visitors a number of opportunities early on, who were unable to capitalise on the opportunities presented to them. It perhaps seemed too early for the likes of Shaw and Stones feature in the team together, requiring a little more experience in the heart of the defence.

Nevertheless, an error from South Africa's Itumeleng Khune allowed Barkley to score an accurate finish from inside the penalty area after 25 minutes, Jordan Henderson's long ball almost catching out Khune from his own half. Just two minutes after Bernard Parker was able to turn the game around though, with the midfielder pulling one back after 27 minutes with an accurate finish from the edge of the penalty area.

And it was Parker who found the all-important equaliser for South Africa in added time of the first half, with a powerful header just inside the six-yard box beating an unaware Joe Hart. Ray Lewington decided to switch around the team for the second half, taking a more defensive approach, with South Africa putting in a number of physical, and dangerous, challenges.

Substitute Danny Welbeck came agonizingly close with 15 minutes remaining, but a brilliant double save from the visitors ensured the game finished equal.