Criticism is of no concern to England gaffer

ENGLAND U/21 manager Aidy Boothroyd is not worried about the public perception of his playing style as he plots European Championship glory in Poland.

The former Watford and Northampton boss had been tagged with playing long-ball football in his club management career but, having joined the English FA as U/20 coach in 2014, just months after being sacked with the Cobblers bottom of the Football League, Boothroyd has led England to the brink of Friday’s final in Krakow.

The 46-year-old’s Young Lions face Germany in the semi-finals later today in Tychy and he is pleased to be changing opinions over his style.

“I do hope people are seeing me differently but I can’t do anything about that. I’m just concentrating on doing my job,” Boothroyd said.

“My first memory of football is watching the Brazilians play at the 1982 World Cup. That’s when I fell in love with it.

“However, when you are in a professional environment with budgets you have to get the best players you can for the money you have and turn them into a team.

“That’s what good coaching is and that’s what I’ve tried to do. I am lucky to work with some really good players, which allows you to do more.

“The game can be fickle but I love this job because it means I get to work with the best players. And when you work with the best players you can do a lot more.”

And Boothroyd reckons he can easily dismiss any criticism.

He said: “Once upon a time it might have bothered me but it doesn’t now. I have proved I can work in a way that’s more attractive than has been portrayed in the past.

Neil McCann