England has lots of good players and a very good league, with plenty of excellent sides.
That means England are often among the tournament favourites, but that doesn't mean there's any genuine expectation of winning it. The fact is that England almost always under-achieve, considering the talent and resources available, and that often IS easy to blame the manager for.
We never really employ the right kind of manager. I mean, it's difficult to find a manager who will create a mindset and tactical set up that will sustain success, ala Germany or Spain, but we put yes men in charge of qualifiers and they usually do well enough (Southgate, Hodgson, Eriksson), but then when it comes to a tournament we lack someone as vocal and able to rouse team spirit, like a Venables. We usually fall flat on our faces when we get to a competition because no one wants to take charge and lead us, for fear or being the scapegoat if it goes tits up, no one takes responsibility. As shown by that comical last press conference from that cowardly cunt, Hodgson.