Bertrand Russell says that

“The essence of the liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held but in how they are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively, and with a consciousness that new evidence may at any moment lead to their abandonment. This is the way opinions are held in science, as opposed to the way in which they are held in theology.”

There is a fragility about uncertainty that makes robust certainty in the face of all evidence so appealing. But what happens to certainty when it becomes certainly and obviously wrong?

Maybe we’ll find out in November.

What do all these players have in common ?

• Beckenbauer
• Vogts
• Voller
• Klinsman

They are all great german players who went on to coach their national team. The best dutch players, too, seem to make an easy transition to coaching - Cruyff, Gullit, Rijkaard, van Basten.
How come english players don’t do the same ? It seems that you are not qualified to be an England manager until you have coached Swindon, Watford or Oxford.