swordfish

Trivia: Several of the England players and coaching staff in the film are based on real life English footballers and managers. Mike Bassett is based on England manager Graham Taylor. Both paced up and down the touchline yelling at players, and both wear the exact same style of glasses. The film is a mockumentary about England qualifying for the world cup: in real life Graham Taylor participated in a documentary just like this ("An Impossible Job"), only unlike Bassett's team, England did not qualify for the world cup in 1994. Like Bassett, Taylor had unusual mannerisms, including "Do I not like that" Kevin Tonkinson - England's star player. Extremely gifted but an alcoholic and a party animal. He is based on Paul Gascoigne, one of England's best players whose career ended due to alcoholism. The goalkeeper is never named nor does he have a speaking part in the film. However, he wears his hair in a distinctive long ponytail - exactly the same unusual style that England goalkeeper David Seaman had. Steve Harper - a midfielder, extremely good looking and often focused more on his social life and girlfriends than on the football game. This playboy is based on England midfielder David Beckham. Gary Wackett - a violent and aggressive defender. Based on England defenders Stuart Pearce and Vinnie Jones (who was English, although he played for Wales).

swordfish

Trivia: In the opening scene of the film, the country representatives discuss potential premier league managers who could be England manager. For reasons of libel, they can't mention them by name but it's clear to football fans who the managers really are: "Ally MacTavish" is the most successful manager in the Premier League, having won the premier league 5 times, the FA cup 3 times and the Champion's league. The only problem is that he is Scottish, so will not want to manage England. This man is based on Sir Alex Ferguson, the Scottish manager of Manchester United, and the most successful manager in the premier league. "Young Jackson" the manager who has worked wonders managing Liverpool and is a superb formed player himself, but is turned down by the FA for being "a bit mouthy" is Brian Clough. He was one of the English league's top goalscorers, and hailed by many to have been "the best manager England never had." Despite being willing to do the job, Clough was turned down by the FA on three occasions because his abrasive, confrontational personality was disapproved of.

swordfish