Performances such as these boded well for the 1962 World Cup in Chile, but the tournament proved to be something of a disappointment. England did reach the last eight, squeezing through their group after a win, a draw and a defeat, but they were unconvincing. After a 3-1 defeat against holders Brazil they were on their way home.
The tournament marked the end ofWalter Winterbottom’s 16-year reign as England manager. In came Alf Ramsey, who had worked wonders at Ipswich, although he was said to be only third choice for the job.
Defeats against France and Scotland got die new regime off to an inauspicious start. Even so, Ramsey was soon predicting victory in the 1966 World Cup. Despite home advantage, England were not fancied to do well. The international side had lost just four times on home soil against overseas opposition, but as the optimists rested their hopes on fortress Wembley, the doom-mongers pointed to England’s World Cup record since 1950.
World History
