Missed opportunity: English manager unable to interview for England job due to scheduling conflict

Prior to the start of the World Cup, several candidates underwent interviews for the vacant position. Among those being considered was former Charlton manager Alan Curbishley. However, Curbishley had an unfortunate setback when his interview was scheduled at a separate time and location from his fellow competitors, putting him at a disadvantage from the outset.

Having to take charge of Chartlon's FA Cup quarter-final replay away at Middlesbrough in April - a game in which they lost 4-2 - at the same time other managers were interviewing for the England job, Curbishley instead had a different experience in the process. Steve McClaren was ultimately appointed Eriksson's successor.

England held interviews the same day Alan Curbishley had to manage Charlton

"Unfortunately, I don’t think I got the interviews that the other boys had," Curbishley exclusively tells FourFourTwo.

"Talking to Sam Allardyce at the time, they were being interviewed in a private house where they could showcase their profiles and videos of the work they had done. I couldn’t do that, because I had an FA Cup replay when my meeting was due.

"In the end, I had a meeting in one of the FA offices. It wasn’t an ideal situation, but what could I do? Steve McClaren got the job, and I understood the decision because he spent time with Sven-Goran Eriksson as a coach."

Curbishley, meanwhile, still left Charlton at the end of the 2005/06 campaign, after 15 successful years in charge. He didn't have another job lined up, however, with the Englishman having to wait until December 2006 before becoming West Ham boss.

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While there, Curbishley excelled, helping keep the Hammers up against all odds, with seven wins in their remaining nine games of the Premier League season securing their survival.

A top-ten finish followed in 2007/08, but he resigned at the start of 2008/09 campaign after becoming unhappy with the club's transfer policy. That ultimately proved his final job in management, though he has worked at Fulham as a coach in the meantime.