England fourth in Fifa rankings

England have equalled their all-time high of fourth place in the Fifa rankings, underlining Steve McClaren's successful start as England boss.

 

Post-World Cup victories over Greece, Andorra and Macedonia have led to England leapfrogging world champions Italy, who have slipped to fifth.

 

McClaren said: "There is still a long way to go. You have done nothing until you win something."

 

England were last ranked fourth under Glenn Hoddle in December 1997.

 

Meanwhile, Scotland's promising start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign has led to a jump of six places to 34th, while Northern Ireland have moved up 14 places to 58th after their impressive win over Spain.

 

We won't become a better team or win anything unless we improve on these things

Steve McClaren

 

Northern Ireland managed to overtake Wales, who have slipped six places to 62nd and the Republic of Ireland are down five to share 43rd place with Iran.

 

At the top end of the table, France moved up two places to second - behind long-time leaders Brazil, with Argentina still in third.

 

But McClaren's England have been able to take advantage of Italy's poor form after winning the World Cup to claim the next place.

 

Holland, Czech Republic, Germany, Portugal and Spain make up the top 10.

 

The rankings act as a strong endorsement for McClaren, who took over as England boss from Sven Goran Eriksson after the World Cup finals in Germany this summer.

 

But the former Middlesbrough manager has been quick to play down England's disappointing quarter-final exit, labelling fans' expectations as unrealistic.

 

"People said we should have done better but, for me, the expectation was too high and we have to get some realism into it," said McClaren, who has claimed three straight wins as England manager.

 

"The realism is we have got a lot to prove and have got a lot of improving to do. We know we can do better.

 

"So far in each game there have been things we weren't pleased about. We won't become a better team or win anything unless we improve on these things."

 

Despite Italy's slip to fifth in the rankings, McClaren was full of praise for Marcello Lippi, who stood down as coach of the Italian national side three days after leading them to World Cup glory in July.

 

He and Lippi are among 72 national coaches in Berlin for a Fifa conference looking back at the World Cup - and the England manager was impressed by the World Cup-winning Italian's presentation.

 

McClaren said: "Players win tournaments but coaches affect games by tactics and substitutions and Lippi proved to be a master of that.

 

"In his presentation, he stressed the team ethic and said it was important that France or Italy were both nations who had a point to prove.

 

"He said the adversity, the (match-fixing) scandal in Italy, had brought the players closer together and that they were stronger as a unit for that, plus the flexibility and adaptability of his players."

 

England play Macedonia at Old Trafford on 7 October and then face an intimidating trip to Croatia, one of the stronger teams in Group E.

 

Latest Fifa rankings:

 

1. Brazil

2. France

3. Argentina

4. England

5. Italy

6. Holland

7. Czech Republic

8. Germany

9. Portugal

10. Spain

 

Selected others:

 

34. Scotland

43. Republic of Ireland (shared with Iran)

58. Northern Ireland

62. Wales

 

The next rankings will be published on 18 October 2006

 

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5341578.stm

Oh ho ho! The irony of this thread! Now England have the great Fabio Capello as manager! Good times ahead!

Where are england now ranked?

Where are england now ranked?

 

See for yourself!!

 

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

See for yourself!!

 

http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/ranking/lastranking/gender=m/fullranking.html

ok CALM down. I was only asking. I dont care for England now, or International football, it bores me:\

ok CALM down. I was only asking. I dont care for England now, or International football, it bores me:\

 

So why did you ask??:confused:

By the way, are you Michael Winner in disguise??:rolleyes:

I just wanted to know. But I used to like it but its kinda gone downhill.

I dont know who that is so I leave it up in the air. Maybe I am, Maybe Im Not:P

I just wanted to know. But I used to like it but its kinda gone downhill.

I dont know who that is so I leave it up in the air. Maybe I am, Maybe Im Not:P

 

Haven't you seen those car insurance commercials he does? "Calm down" has become his catchphrase!!:P

oh, yeah, :laugh3:Thats funny!!

Where did those adverts go???

Woo! Australia is 32! :D

oh, yeah, :laugh3:Thats funny!!

Where did those adverts go???

 

They crashed??:rolleyes:

They crashed??:rolleyes:

Its only a commerical Mark, they didnt really happen:rolleyes:

Its only a commerical Mark, they didnt really happen:rolleyes:

 

It seems that you've been brainwashed by the badvert.:P

My God...I thought that was up to date and thought to myself, "SINCE WHEN?!" :laugh3:

 

My USMNT boys are at #15...not toooo shabby, but surely we can do better. :D At least we are ahead of Mexico, heheh. :P In all fairness, the Mexican team is pretty decent though and has a lot of talent.

7th place, not that bad with all things considered

In 2 weeks time England will pretty much be the first guys to book their flights to South Africa.

In 2 weeks time England will pretty much be the first guys to book their flights to South Africa.

 

Spain will be first to get the magical Q next to their name in the tables I would say.

 

Unless England get lucky and win the next 2 games and Croatia drop points

2nd...yayyyyy...:dance:

German fuBall is the shiz.

 

We used to be the in the top ten...before we f*cked up the last world cup...

German fuBall is the shiz.

 

We used to be the in the top ten...before we f*cked up the last world cup...

 

"We" as in Germany or USA?

Amewika

Amewika

 

 

Hehe yeah I figured, because last I remembered Germany got 3rd. :P

 

Such a shame that we didn't go very far...but Bob Bradley has been doing wonders to our team. :D Will you be watching the Honduras match next week?

maybe, I think they're playing Costa Rica a few days before that too.

Ahhh yes, on the third, and then Honduras on the 6th. :D Those guys are gonna be busy as hell, and with Confederations Cup coming up too!!!