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Could Fabio’s farewell be a nice bonus for Harry?
IT was one of those little teasers that people throw out around this desk now and again.
“Which England manager has the best record in terms of winning matches?”
This was on Wednesday morning and no-one actually guessed it first time. Fabio Capello with a 67 per cent win ratio to games played is the right answer.
It’s probably a well-known fact now in view of the bombshell that landed later that day.
So, if he’s been the most successful England manager if you follow that stat, how come I’m not all that disappointed he’s gone?
How come, despite qualifying us for major tournaments and having a magnificent away record, did I never really warm to him as the manager of my, your, our, team?
Well, I don’t know about you but, for a start, I struggled to tell what he was saying when he was interviewed.
I actually heard one leading radio commentator admit there were times he came out of an interview somewhat bemused.
This may be well off the mark but I wondered at times if players always followed clearly what he was on about. Football may be a universal language when communicating but it made me wonder.
I did think that at £6 million a year of the FA’s money (and think what they could have done with just half that in the past 12 months to further enhance the grassroots game they also provide for?) Capello might have somehow learned to speak the language a bit better.
He was speaking to me, you, all of us, before games and after games, and half the time he told me nothing - and when he did, I could hardly fathom it.
He’d a marvellous CV as a club manager and I’d no idea how good he was at his job but I found I couldn’t warm to him or be convinced by what I could understand.
It seems Harry Redknapp is being railroaded by all and sundry into the vacancy.
Is he going to ditch Spurs in the next few weeks as the season builds towards its climax?
For sure (as he’s fond of saying), if Harry does get it there’ll be a few “fantastic this” and “fantastic thats” knocking about.
For sure, I’ll be able to follow what my manager says if he does get it. He just needs a good win ratio after that!
The colour of Gary Megson’s hair, with its tangerine tinge, was the closest Wednesday got to Blackpool the other night.
One of those largely responsible was, by a distance, the oldest player on the pitch.
Nearer his 39th birthday than his 38th, the remarkable Kevin Phillips played with the exuberance of an 18-year-old. No inkling of going into coasting mode either even though his side were in the comfort zone early on.
His clear zest and enjoyment for the game was a lesson for any player of whatever age. This, allied to his class in terms of movement, touch and awareness, made it a joy and a privilege to watch him.
It was 14 years ago that I saw him score four for Sunderland in an FA Cup tie at Millmoor.
As you can imagine from a player who has scored more wonderfully-struck goals than most, there were a couple of corkers in there.
Pity he didn’t peel off one of those delicious volleys on Tuesday.
At his age, one imagines he will be hanging up those boots in the not-too distant future. But, I must say, he didn’t look even close to it the other night.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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There are 2 comments to this article
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handsworth
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:50 AMDo not know about it being a bonus for Harry it certainly was for me I thought Christmas and my Birthday had arrived when I saw in print that Postman Part had departed never to return You will not be missed
Bristol Owl
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 09:45 AMPost Fabio Rumours Part 1, Short term BrookingPearce nexus prior to disaster in Ukraine at Euro 2012, and to assuage anti-foreigner press, FA incompetence and Premier League Chairmen's racism. Part 2 There's no other possible candidate but 'arry if he can 'unhook' from Spurs Part 3 It's 'arry's job even if he can't 'unhook' from Spurs . White Hart Lane burned down in Tottenham - seems the riots were simply a practise run, Spurs thrown out of Premier League into Isthmian League for 10 years. Spurs board subjected to full attack from entire Fleet Street Red Top press gang and all laws against phone hacking the board are declared null and void. Part 4 'arry may not want to leave Spurs before a Euro place is secured "I know I can't spell, email, text, tweet, write a letter or fax, but I'm grateful for the support I got from the board and from the Spurs fans. They was marvellous, what they went and done". Part 5 There are other English candidates who might in fact be better and more suitable managers than 'srry. Roy Hodgson (WBA) has international experience with Switzerland, Finland, UAE and 'Premier League' experience to burn both n the UK and overseas in Sweden, Switzerland, Italy and Norway. Alan Pardew sorted Newcastle in double quick time and doesn't muck about with trouble makers. Gareth Southgate (surely not??!!!) has been mentioned. Part 6 Some 'foreigners' with outstanding track records, are better than most if not all of our lot, and have expressed interest, e.g. The Special One, Gus Hiddink. Part 7 Sven might have been interested but has decided to apply for the Leeds job. Part 8 Joe Mercer not available for selection and, luckily for the Owls, Smeggers (aka Gary Megson) has not been approached leaving a clear run for the Championship.. Part 9 Could be that, rather than a spell in jail, 'arry could get 3-4 years community service.
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