This book investigates the tactical and managerial challenges faced by Glenn Hoddle as he prepared the England national football team for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. Harry Harris, a veteran sports journalist, utilizes his access to the England camp to document the transition of the squad under Hoddle's leadership. The text examines the selection process, the internal dynamics of the team, and the high-pressure environment surrounding international football management. Through a combination of interviews and match analysis, the author provides a detailed account of the qualification campaign and the expectations placed upon the manager.

The work serves as a contemporary record of a specific era in English football, reflecting the intense scrutiny directed at the national team manager during the late 1990s. It provides a focused look at the logistical and psychological demands of international tournament preparation from the perspective of a sports reporter embedded within the football establishment.