Walter Winterbottom - Career

Career

Born in Oldham, Lancashire, Walter Winterbottom was the only son of James Winterbottom, a ring frame fitter in a textile machine works. At the age of 12 he was awarded a scholarship to Oldham High School where he excelled. He won a bursary to Chester Diocesan Teachers Training College, graduating as the top student in 1933 and took a teaching post at the Alexander Rhodes School, Oldham. Whilst teaching he played football for Royton Amateurs and then Mossley FC where he was spotted by Manchester United. He signed for United as a part time professional in 1936 but continued teaching.

During World War II, Winterbottom served as an officer in the Royal Air Force.

The Football Association (FA) appointed Winterbottom as England's national director of coaching and first manager of the national team in 1946. Winterbottom is the only England manager to have had no prior managerial experience in professional football. His duties included not only managing the national team but also developing the overall standard of coaching in England. David Goldblatt writes: "That a single post could be responsible for such a massive workload suggests either naivety of lack of interest on the part of the FA". Winterbottom did not, however, have the power to pick the England squad: that remained with the FA's selection committee. His first game was a 7-2 victory over Ireland in September 1946.