Glenn Roeder a coach under Glenn Hoddle for the England national team, before West Ham manager Harry Redknapp offered him an opportunity in club football again in 1999. In the summer of 2001, Roeder was handed a chance to manage in the Premier League at West Ham United after the Hammers failed to attract Steve McClaren or Alan Curbishley after Redknapp's departure. Roeder's appointment was opposed by some supporters, who had expected a bigger name to replace Redknapp. Roeder received a £15 million transfer kitty, and guided West Ham to seventh in his first season in charge. He signed David James from
England at the FIFA World Cup England. After missing out on the World Cup in 1994, England, managed by Glenn Hoddle, qualified for the World Cup in France. England were drawn in Group 2 of UEFA qualifying with Italy, Poland, Georgia and Moldova. England beat Poland, Georgia and Moldova both home and away, but a home defeat to Italy in their fourth match meant they went into the final qualifier at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome just a point ahead of the "Azzurri" and only needing a draw to qualify automatically; defeat would see them have to navigate a play-off to secure qualification. The match finished