Mike Bassett: England Manager

England manager and former lower-league player, Mike Bassett is a pragmatic, stubborn yet likeable underdog. He stubbornly sticks to a traditional 4–4–2 setup despite mounting criticism and imperfect preparations. His leadership blends blunt honesty with dry humor, and he takes calculated risks to guide the team through a turbulent campaign.

Bassett's wife and moral support, Karine tries to shield him from constant scrutiny while keeping the family grounded. She balances concern for Jason with pride in her husband’s stubborn determination. Her presence grounds the film’s lighter moments with a practical, domestic perspective.

Assistant manager and former car salesman, Urquart is more interested in profits and personal gain than loyalty. He appears cynical and opportunistic, offering coaching opinions only if a deal is in it for him. His clashes with Bassett reveal the tension between integrity and self-interest in football leadership.

The sycophantic coach who acts as a yes-man, Dodds is eager to please and quick to imitate Bassett’s methods. He represents the coaching staff's fragility under public scrutiny, often efficient in appearance but lacking in backbone when pressure mounts.

A once-glorious playmaker now fighting personal demons, Tonkinson is found drunk on a pool table after a northern pub visit. Bassett’s insistence on discipline pushes Tonkinson toward redemption, illustrating how personal failings intersect with professional revival.

England captain whose abrasive temperament leads to a red card and off-field issues. Wackett embodies the volatile mix of leadership on the pitch and the pressure to maintain composure under the spotlight.

A talented but under-the-radar player who rises to score and contribute in the knockout stages. Smalls’ quiet determination and occasional cheekiness provide a foil to the team’s more dramatic figures.

A sharp-tongued interviewer who vows to quit if England win, Tommo provides a running meta-commentary on the media machine surrounding the team. His persona mirrors the public relation circus around football politics.

Mike and Karine’s son, Jason becomes a focal point of off-field pressure. He faces bullying at school after a high-profile draw, highlighting how national sport can affect personal lives beyond the pitch.