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Ricky Tomlinson, Amanda Redman, Philip Jackson, Bradley Walsh, Phill Jupitus ... see more see more... , Ulrich Thomsen , Robert Putt , Martin Bashir , Pelé , Chris McQuarry , Geoff Bell , Dean Lennox Kelly , Keith Allen

The great British obsession with football (soccer to Americans) receives a thorough skewering in this mock documentary look at perhaps the most hapless coach in the history of professional sport. The ... read more read more...manager of England's national football unexpectedly succumbs to a heart attack, and suddenly the search is on for a replacement. Most people who seem qualified for the position have the good sense to turn it down, and so the responsibility falls to Mike Bassett (Ricky Tomlinson), a scruffy and loud-mouthed lout whose claim to football fame is leading a previously undistinguished team to a league championship. Bassett insists that England will win the World Cup under his leadership, but that's before he replaces his star player with a once-gifted footballer (Dean Lennox Kelly) who has since developed a drinking problem, and hired a one-time car salesman (Philip Jackson) as his assistant. After several stunning losses to Poland, Bassett goes from a favorite of both fans and the press to one of the most hated men in England; hoping to whip his team into shape, he subjects them to the high-tech training methods of eccentric Dr. Shoegaarten (Ulrich Thomsen), which injures more players than it helps. Despite Bassett's ineptitude, England manages to qualify for the World Cup tournament thanks to a loophole in the rules, and he flies to Rio with his team in hopes of somehow turning their bad luck around. British television journalist Martin Bashir, musician and comic Keith Allen, and international football sensation Pele all appear as themselves to lend Mike Bassett: England Manager an air of authenticity. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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4,679 ratings

Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.

Directed by: Steve Barron

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Flixster Reviews (253)

  • SirPant
    June 1, 2010
    SirPant
    A wry dig at British football at the end of the 90's. We all know who it's about, it has its fun and you enjoy it because at the end of the day, as much as well screamed and shouted, we've all got a soft spot for old Mr. Turnip head! Ricky Tomlinson is ace as always and this is ... read moreone of the better (and first) British mocumentary films!
    'Do I not like that'! :oD
  • stuartb1234
    April 22, 2007
    stuartb1234
    Great fun for all soccer fans, Tomlinson is great as the lead character and great enjoyment can be had trying to guess who the players are based on.
  • monkeybobbob
    January 22, 2008
    monkeybobbob
    This is quite a funny look at what happens when the Football Association put a manager from a lower league in charge of the international team.Cue some good gags and funny lines and the inevitable downfall of the England team.This isn't briliant but you do have a laugh along the ... read moreway and you do feel sorry for Mike Basset at times,played well by Rick Tomlinson,as well as laugh along at his,and the teams,mistakes.Overall,a decent,watchable,if not great,comedy.
  • DrLappos
    October 10, 2007
    DrLappos
    Really silly but watchable
  • reberscott
    May 19, 2012
    reberscott
    Painfully true, the England Manager's dilemma. I had a good laugh, I love that his claim to fame was winning at Norwich.

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Critic Reviews

Harry Guerin
March 26, 2003
Harry Guerin, RTE Interactive (Dublin, Ireland)

There's just not enough great gags in Mike Bassett to make it funnier than Kevin Keegan's time in the England hotseat. Full Review

Ian Waldron-Mantgani
January 8, 2002
Ian Waldron-Mantgani, UK Critic

Such an unnecessary movie, shot in a crummy pseudo-documentary style

December 30, 2006
Empire Magazine

Click to read the article Full Review

Neil Smith
January 8, 2002
Neil Smith, BBC

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Derek Adams
June 24, 2006
Derek Adams, Time Out

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Alexander Walker
December 15, 2003
Alexander Walker, This is London

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Christopher Tookey
December 15, 2003
Christopher Tookey, Daily Mail [UK]

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Rich Cline
February 4, 2002
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

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January 8, 2002
Guardian [UK]

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