England U-17 boss John Peacock recalls his 100 games in charge

England Under-17 boss John Peacock recalls his 100 games in charge as he targets more European Championship glory…

England’s Under-17 team need just a point in their final group game against Republic of Ireland on Wednesday to progress to the knockout stages of the European Championship in Bulgaria.

Having won the tournament last year and taken charge of his 100th UEFA game in Sunday’s draw with the Netherlands, England Under-17 coach John Peacock would be entitled to look back with pride.

However, the 59-year-old is looking ahead. “It’s nice to reach the milestone, but I don’t think I’ll be reaching the 200 mark," Peacock told TheFA.com. 

“The next game is always the most important one. What’s important on Sunday is that we try to qualify for the quarter-finals. That would be special.”

Peacock’s first spell with the Football Association began in 1990, working as regional director in the programme of excellence in his adopted Midlands. He left eight years later to take over as academy director at Derby County.

“Howard Wilkinson had started his role in ‘97 as FA technical director and I stayed for a little bit, but then I got offered the job at Derby. I loved it there, they were in the Premier League at the time and they are a really good club.

“But then I got a call from Howard and Les Reed asking me if I’d go back to The FA, and I just felt that it was too good an opportunity to miss working with the country’s elite players again.”

Privileged

It was 2003 when Peacock first took charge of England's Young Lions. “It’s been 12 years so I would never have dreamt I’d reach this milestone - but I’ve been privileged to have worked with some very talented young men, who are good people, and lots of excellent staff along the way.

“The success I have had is down to these two factors - players and staff as well as a bit of good fortune along the way.”

Peacock’s first major success came when he guided a team including future stars such as Jack Butland, Ross Barkley and Saido Berahino to victory at the 2010 European U-17 Championship.

England defeated Spain 2-1 in the final and when handed a photograph of him and former Spain U17 boss Gines Milendez - who is now Spain’s technical director - ahead of the final the memories come flooding back.

Tussles

“I like that picture,” said Peacock. “We’ve had some great tussles with Spain over the years. The final in 2007, which we lost 1-0, and then in the final when we finally got that first trophy.

“Gines probably epitomised what it was about, the humility and the way you conduct yourself. They were developing some really top players at the time, so they were some great games and memories.”

And that first Euro victory is something the two-time winner still looks back fondly on. “That was a special moment. It was unbelievable really. We’d been close and been to the semi-finals a few times before that and got to the final in 2007 but lost.

“To get to another final and win it, that was special and I remember us having a photo taken back at the hotel with the trophy – it was great.”

“After beating them in the final, we drew them again the next year in the elite round, and it was a really tough game. They only needed a point to qualify at our expense and we ended up winning 2-1.

“We ended up getting to the semi-finals and lost to the Dutch, but it was a World Cup year so we qualified for that tournament in Mexico.

“That was a major game that for us. Nat Chalobah was our captain that day, Raheem Sterling and Nathan Redmond played too and I remember it very well.”

And his friend Milendez is not the only Spaniard who made a lasting impression on Peacock. “Cesc Fabregas has to be one of the best players we’ve come up against,” he recalled. “It was the semi-final in 2004. Mark Noble, who has had a distinguished career at West Ham, was our captain.

“Fabregas had played a year young for Spain the previous year, and played again the following year which was in 2004, so he was a bit special. Gerard Pique was suspended, so Fabregas captained the side.

“We were drawing 1-1 with about a minute to go, Fraizer Campbell equalised for us, but they broke from our corner and we weren’t right at the back and ended up conceding a penalty. Fabregas took it and scored and that was it – the second semi-final we had been beaten in on the bounce.”

Big names

There are others too though. “Paul Pogba is another one that springs to mind - we faced him in 2010 against France. Good player, he was at Manchester United at the time. Other ones are Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze of Germany.

“There have been some great names really – but we have always had some good ones ourselves that have gone on and done really well.”

Despite his personal success in guiding his country to glory twice at the Euros, nothing gives Peacock as much satisfaction as seeing one of his former players make the breakthrough at senior level.

“Ultimately, the job of any development coach is to try and nurture the talent, challenge them, give them some key lessons to learn from both on and off the pitch – when they finally get to a senior cap it gives you an immense amount of pride.

“Even when they get to the Under-19s or Under-21s, it is still pleasing to see them moving up the ranks and doing well.

“I only get to see the lads now if I’m going to a match or sometimes at St George’s Park. I’m not the best on social media, so it’s hard to stay in touch with some of them, but my wife Karen helps me with that and keeps me updated on how they are getting on. I’m always pleased to see them doing well.”

Follow England’s game against the Republic of Ireland via Twitter @England from 5pm on Wednesday

A version of this article originally appeared on The Football Association website