8 Fictional Characters Who Should Definitely Get The England Manager's Job

Determination, ruthlessness, and a savvy understanding of how to manipulate the media: Just three of the qualities you might need to be the England manager, or alternatively the President of the United States.

The drive and ambition that come with such high profile positions is not for the faint-hearted, and House of Cards’ President Underwood certainly doesn’t have one of those – mainly because he doesn’t have a heart at all. Frank doesn’t give a damn who he has to betray, backstab, or bury in the ground in order to get to the top, and Lord have mercy on whoever stands in his way (that means you, Gordon Strachan).

Of course, the media frequently paint a villainous picture of the American, given his previous apathy towards the England job. Upon filling the position after his predecessor stepped down following some unprecedented failings, Underwood simply said in a brief press conference, "The road to power is paved with hypocrisy and casualties." Rumours of him having metaphorical blood on his hands are perhaps greatly exaggerated, but he does seem to have put his house of cards together with incredibly astute vision.

Though the Leader of the Free World might meticulously craft a starting XI so strong it could overcome even the greatest challenge, it’s really the support of his assistant coach and wife, Clare, that gets him through the long away internationals in Slovakia and Lithuania. Sure, Doug Stamper does a fine job of managing the Under-21s, but his erratic team selections and narcissistic behaviour make it very hard to breed a youth squad worthy of wearing the Three Lions. No, it’s Clare (dubbed by the tabloids as ‘The First Lady of the FA’) that really drives Frank and the team to success when they need it, and together they show no forgiveness when it comes to failure – it sure was odd how Wayne Rooney went missing after he botched that penalty in England’s last qualifier…