EXCLUSIVE The unlikely bromance between England icon Terry Butcher and the Serbia coach named after a cartoon mouse! Terry Butcher forged an unlikely bond with Dragan Stojkovic coaching in China He recalls a cheap hostel, drinking beer, and how he became: 'Mr F****** Hell' LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Why this could be Spain’s next Golden Generation By Joe Bernstein Published: 22:30, 15 June 2024 | Updated: 00:22, 16 June 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Terry Butcher remains as patriotic as the day he was left drenched in blood representing his country in a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in 1989. His support for England will be unwavering for Sunday's Euro 2024 opener against Serbia. But it does come with an unusual affection for the opposition because of his little-known friendship with their manager, Dragan Stojkovic, forged when they worked together in China.
‘I’m just glad this is the first game because if things don’t go well for either team there is room for recovery,’ admits Butcher. ‘Dragan is a lovely man, but I know him well enough to understand England have to be wary.’ Butcher is one of the most iconic footballing figures of his generation.
A captain colossus for Ipswich, Glasgow Rangers and England, he twice came close to World Cup glory, denied first by Diego Maradona ’s Hand of God in 1986 and then Germany in a heartbreaking penalty shootout four years later. He also managed in the top flight in both England and Scotland but one of his most.