Taylor backs England's Bassett

Graham Taylor is a fan of the new England boss

Graham Taylor gives the thumbs up to Ricky Tomlinson's portrayal of Mike Bassett: England Manager.

Former England manager Graham Taylor has given his full support to the latest man to follow in his footsteps.

Despite Bassett naming his team off the back of a cigarette packet, hurling abuse at Pele, and leading the team to World Cup disaster, Taylor has nothing but admiration for the new man.

Fortunately, England manager Mike Bassett only exists on celluloid.

I was not aware that so much swearing went on in the game

Graham Taylor

Played by Ricky Tomlinson, the fictional Norwich City boss gets handed the England job when none of the more high-profile candidates are interested.

His time in charge evokes memories of the documentary "Do I Not Like That - The Impossible Job", charting Taylor's time in charge during the 1994 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The former Watford boss is well aware of the similarities but points out that he is not the only victim of the spoof.

"I think that every football manager, coach, player, reporter, director, ought to go to the film and recognise themselves, because somewhere they will," Taylor told BBC Radio Five Live.

He knows from bitter experience that the men in charge of English football are sure to become the objects of ridicule at some stage.

Ricky Tomlinson takes on the impossible job

But when asked whether he thought those at Soho Square would take this latest dig in the same good spirit, Taylor was unequivocal.

"No," he said. "I thought they were some of the best parts, they were more real than anything else."

Favourite scenes in the film for Taylor include when England fans try and tell Bassett who he should pick. But he also likes some of the more serious moments.

"It was very, very funny but at the same time, like all good comedy, it just eases up now and again and you see a serious note to it.

"You must take your job seriously - Mike Bassett certainly does - but there's some moments of real pathos, like when his son has his eyebrows shaved off at school."

What is sure to become the signature scene of the film comes when Basset delivers a half-time team talk as England trail Mexico 2-0 in the World Cup finals.

Taylor was not laughing in 1994

The bleeping machine goes into overdrive as Bassett puts Peter Reid to shame, and Taylor's reaction may not be totally sincere.

"I was not aware that so much swearing went on in the game."

But Taylor's apparent shock at the harsh realities of the football dressing room is not enough to change his opinion of the film.

"I thought it was excellent, I really did," said Taylor. "I think every football person ought to go and have a look at it."

And if there's a lesson to be learned by the world of football, it is one that Taylor has already taken to heart: "You've got to be able to laugh at yourself."