Steve Mclaren In Possible Return To Club Management
Posted on June 6, 2008
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The ‘wolly in the brolly’ as described by some sections of the media section , or Steve Mclaren known to most has been speculated to be close to agreeing a move to FC Twente in the Dutch league. Current FC Twente coach Fred Rutten was believed today to be on the verge of leaving the club ensuring an open path for Mclaren’s appointment as manager. Mclaren was is Holland recently to experience the club qualifying for next season’s Champions League , an achievement that would tempt any manager to take the reigns of a new club.
Mclaren’s career to date has been a controversial one, enjoying success and failures both domestically and internationally. He was appointed the manager of the England national side for one of the shortest periods in history following the departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson. There were a number of significant events that increased the downwards spiral of his England managerial career. In Zagreb for example against a Croatia side that hadn’t lost a home game in a number of years, he played an experimental 3-5-2 formation which backfired, consequentially losing the game two nil. Mclaren subsequently failed to get the England team to this summers European Championships and was given a golden handshake by the FA. Mclaren’s achievements in club football – with Middlesbrough FC was however more successful. He got them to the Uefa cup final (losing 4-0 to Sevilla) and won the Carling cup. Before management he was a successful assistant manager to Alex Ferguson of Manchester United. Ferguson, regarded as one of the true great managers of the world acted as a solid mentor to Mclaren.
FC Twente is not the only team to be linked with Mclaren. Getafe of La Liga has also shown an interest in securing Mclaren’s services for next season.
Mclaren has recently made a significant effort to broaden his horizons in the world of football, by learning Spanish, visiting Barcelona and learning Dutch coaching methods. The next few weeks will be a testing time for Mclaren and will ultimately make or break his career in football management.
Ronaldo Admits Madrid Interest
Posted on June 5, 2008
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It has been reported today that Ronaldo has broken his silence and declared that he would be interested in a move to Madrid. The Glazers and Ferguson has however on a number of occasions categorically denied that they would let Ronaldo leave the club. Speaking at Portugal’s training base at Euro 2008, Ronaldo said “I want to play for Real Madrid, but only if it is true they are eager to pay me and Manchester United what they have been saying they will”
Ronaldo has stated that this would be the last reply from his regarding the move until after the Euros have finished. This is surely not going to do Manchester United any favours, and the ball now seems to have moved in to Madrid’s court.
Ronaldo has been in sensational form this season nothing up an impressive 42 goals in the campaign. His 42nd came in the final of the Champions League against Chelsea. He also won the Premier League for a second time with Manchester United. He is now regarded as one of the best talents in world football, and surpassing that of the likes of Kaka for AC Milan and Didier Drogba for Chelsea.
Real Madrid has always been one to increase speculation in potential transfer targets and this occasion proves to be no different. They are also one of the few clubs in the world who can match the spending power of the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United. Such is the success of the Spanish club – that every player at some point dreams about playing their trade there. There last famous signing was that of David Beckham in 2003. However in recent seasons Madrid has been a shadow of the team they once were. They no longer dominate in European football and have not won the European cup in a number of years.
By signing players like Ronaldo Real Madrid hope to become the team they once were. Whether this is possible all comes down to Ronaldo’s worth to Manchester United. Although it would be the last thing United would want to do, they may be forced to let a player leave who does no longer wish to play in the teams colours. What may now happen is a series of speculation and negotiation on both parts.
Aragones Demands Spanish Improvement
Posted on June 5, 2008
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One could be mistaken for thinking that the USA football team were a brush aside after an England dominating two nil win over them last week, however one of Euro 2008 favourites Spain could only manage a unconvincing one nil win at the Bernabeu on June 5th.
Spain manager Aragones has acknowledged that his side can not experience a repeat performance like the one against the USA. A Xavi strike in the second half is the only goal that separated the two sides. Despite the unconvincing win however, Aragones has stated that is was a useful exercise for his Squad.
Spain has long been regarded as one of the favourites for winning the European Championships this summer due to the sheer amount of quality players they posses. Players like Torres, Fabregas, Casillas, Puyol and Villa are just a few of the playing squad who would not struggle to make the starting line up of any top European side.
One criticism from the game against the USA was how isolated the Premiership’s top striker Torres was up front. Aragones stated afterwards that “In the first half Fernando Torres seemed like he was an island, all on his own and this was not good. Although is it true that this was whilst our opponents were at the top of their physical condition”
Aragones has come under a lot of criticism is recent years over his handling of the
Spanish football squad. It is believed that this will be his last year in charge. Earlier this month he dropped Raul from the senior squad. Raul, 30 has always been the fans favourite and is respected by all sections of the football world. At Madrid he is known as the king and demands a first team place on almost every occasion. Aragones has however had his successes as manager. The win over the US extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 16 matches and many still think the best is still to come.
If Spain and Aragones are to be successful this summer then there will have to be a drastic improvement from the performance against the USA. Known as Europe’s ‘nearly men’ Spain will have to find a way to gel and play as a team that has been seldom to them in recent years. They need to work together and try and win the Euros for only the second time in their history. One thing is for certain though, and that is they definitely have the players capable of challenging any team in the world.
Man City Confirms Hughes As New Manager
Posted on June 5, 2008
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Mark Hughes was unveiled today as the new Manager of Manchester City after Blackburn reluctantly let Hughes negotiate terms with the Man City board. After being linked with a move to Chelsea, Mark Hughes has decided to join City on a three year deal. There will now be a substantial compensation package paid to Blackburn, as Hughes has taken his Assistant Manager and coach with him.
Hughes has an impressive C.V. not just as a club manager but also as a player. He played his most successful years with Manchester United where he helped them to Premiership Titles, and then traded Manchester for London where he joined ranks with the Chelsea team. He was a regular member of the Welsh national side and notched up a number of impressive caps, eventually retiring in 1999.
As a manager Mark Hughes has got Blackburn in to Europe and the top six of the Premier league on a two occasions. Man City has qualified for the Uefa cup this season through the fair play league, and it is thought this is what swayed Mark Hughes decision to join City. Rovers have also reached the semi final of the FA cup twice and Hughes as been astute in the transfer market buying players like Santa Cruz and Benny McCarthy.
The task ahead for Hughes is a challenging one, but City chairman Garry Cook has said time and time again that this is one of the best jobs on offer in world football. This is true, simply because of the vast amount of resources that are likely to be at his disposal. It is expected that once owner Thaksin Shinawatra has his assets released from Thai courts this week, the pre-season spending can begin.
With this amount of resource will come huge pressure and responsibility. Shinawatra will expect to see a return from his investment, and not over five or so years but immediately. Sven Goran Eriksson was liked by many and judged to have done a good job during his first season (finishing 9th in the league – the highest for a few seasons) but even a manager of his calibre experienced the ruthless side of a billionaire owner.
The life span of a Premiership manager appears to get shorter and shorter these days, not helped by the fact that a new era of Billionaire owners expect to see results on the pitch and quickly. Many within the game argue that this new generation of wealthy owners do not know what football involves and how long it can take to build a team that can be successful. Alex Ferguson himself has stated on numerous occasions that managers these days do not get enough time to bring success to their clubs. Ferguson had to wait three years before he won any silverware at Manchester United. With this new generation of wealthy owners however managers in the game will have to adapt their approach to management and place just as much a focus on short term goals than their long term plans.
Mourinho: I Am Not The Special One
Posted on June 3, 2008
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Jose Mourinho was confirmed as the new Inter Milan boss today after declaring he is not the ‘special one’. When he was manager at Chelsea, some of his famous first words were that he was appointed as the ‘special one’. Three seasons down the line he was receiving his golden handshake from Abramovich and told to pack his bags.
Today is the start of a new era for European football. It is certainly going to be an exiting time for those in the football media with plenty of transfer speculation to occupy the back pages of all the tabloids. It is widely believed that Mourinho may be interested in targeting some of his former players at Chelsea, and he confirmed today that this might be a possibility.
Once the translator for Bobby Robson at Barcelona, Mourinho has risen up the ranks very quickly and has achieved what most managers can only dream of aged 45. He is still hungry for success and has declared that he will not change his style of management that has won him so many trophies in the past.
Unlike many media reports, the Inter Milan board are likely to back Mourinho in the purchase of 2 to 3 new players. Milan has been a successful team up to know, and is thought that only a few minor changes need to be made.
Inter Milan appeared to be the best choice for Mourinho and worth the wait. After declaring that he would not be able to manage in the Premiership any time soon, Inter pose the perfect challenge. Ultimately Mourinho will be judged a success or failure on the results he brings for the fans and board alike. The main aim has to be to win the Champions League – one of the most prestigious awards to win in world football.