Hi chaps,
Not sure how many of you will have heard of George Raynor, but I think it's fair to say not many are aware of his extraordinary achievements in this country. Stated by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful international football manager of all-time, Yorkshire-born Raynor managed the Swedish national team in four different spells, most notably 1946-1954 and 1956-1958. In that time he managed Sweden in four major competitions, two World Cup's and two Olympic Games'. The worst he ever did was finishing third, winning the Olympics in 1948 and reaching the World Cup final in 1958.
He had a relatively unremarkable playing career, the Blades were the only top flight team he ever played for, although he only played once in two years at Bramall Lane. Raynor joined the club from non-league Wombwell and went on to play lower league football at Mansfield, Rotherham, Bury and Aldershot after leaving the club. Having taken Sweden to Olympic glory and a World Cup final, as well as managing Juventus and Lazio, Raynor had hopes of landing the England job upon his return to Britain. Instead he ended up managing part-time Skegness Town; there could be no finer indication of the contrast between his reputation on the continent compared to at home.
I think it's surprising just how few people are aware of Raynor, surely he should have some recognition in Yorkshire, either with the Blades or Rotherham where he played or at Doncaster where he managed. Anyhow, for those of you who are interested, the full article is here:
http://ahalftimereport.com/2016/01/07/george-raynor-the-greatest-manager-england-never-had/
Cheers.
Not sure how many of you will have heard of George Raynor, but I think it's fair to say not many are aware of his extraordinary achievements in this country. Stated by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful international football manager of all-time, Yorkshire-born Raynor managed the Swedish national team in four different spells, most notably 1946-1954 and 1956-1958. In that time he managed Sweden in four major competitions, two World Cup's and two Olympic Games'. The worst he ever did was finishing third, winning the Olympics in 1948 and reaching the World Cup final in 1958.
He had a relatively unremarkable playing career, the Blades were the only top flight team he ever played for, although he only played once in two years at Bramall Lane. Raynor joined the club from non-league Wombwell and went on to play lower league football at Mansfield, Rotherham, Bury and Aldershot after leaving the club. Having taken Sweden to Olympic glory and a World Cup final, as well as managing Juventus and Lazio, Raynor had hopes of landing the England job upon his return to Britain. Instead he ended up managing part-time Skegness Town; there could be no finer indication of the contrast between his reputation on the continent compared to at home.
I think it's surprising just how few people are aware of Raynor, surely he should have some recognition in Yorkshire, either with the Blades or Rotherham where he played or at Doncaster where he managed. Anyhow, for those of you who are interested, the full article is here:
http://ahalftimereport.com/2016/01/07/george-raynor-the-greatest-manager-england-never-had/
Cheers.
