Alex Ferguson believes managing England is a 'horrible' job

You know the position is ominously difficult, the proverbial poisoned chalice, when Sir Alex Ferguson, who himself rode the crests of great expectations during his 27-year tenure at Manchester United, viewed the England manager’s post to be a “horrible” one.

Roy Hodgson, the incumbent England manager, who was expecting to bask in the encomiums of the British press and fans for his role in steering England to Brazil for next year’s World Cup with commanding displays against Montenegro and Poland swiftly got embroiled in a needless fracas when it was reported that the England manager had apparently made racially incendiary remarks during his half-time speech on Thursday.

It is in this light former Manchester United gaffer Ferguson believes that helming England is zero-sum game as the press will eventually find a chink even at times of visible progress made by the English national team.

Speaking to Daily Telegraph, Ferguson said: “I don’t think the manager’s job with England is a good one. I think it’s a horrible one.”

“Managers have tried different ways of managing the press.

“But because England haven’t won the World Cup since 1966 they’re all going up the same alley.

“Unless you win, it’s a hard job.”