Many didn't think the English game went backwards, & cited the European successes of Liverpool, Forest & Villa. However, I agree with you, some of the tactics used in those matches from the 70s were prehistoric. Lol :-)
It brings me to the argument about the effect foreign coaches & players have made... Managers called Bob were replaced by Roberto's. Alex's were replaced by Alexis & Pop became Pep.
Was it for the better or worse? Personally I think foreign involvement & ownership has made the PL the leading football competition it is. But what about foreign talent killing off local talent? Well this comes down to the coaching at youth level, rather than foreign youngsters being born better footballers.
My youngest went on a school trip to a seaside town which bordered Spain & Portugal. They played a football match against a Catalan school team, & I was pissing myself laughing when he told me, the opposition weren't interested in scoring, only keeping the ball.. (sound familiar?) :-)
He was saying they couldn't get the ball off them, so they practically gave up as they were knackered after spending the match chasing shadows!! Lol :-) Only City have carried this on fully in the English game, where the focus of our youth system is on skill, control, possession, an understanding of flexible, interchangeable tactics & not so much on winning trophies at all costs.
It would be great to see it, but who would dominate English football today? The all conquering Liverpool of the 70s & 80s? The all conquering ManUre side of the 90s & 2000s? Or the modern day Manchester City, treble winning Centurions?