LEN Teh Footy God's Footballodium

[Moros]

Moyes is my bet.

[johnhughthom]

Good bet, when it's all but done...



Best odds right now, in the UK, are 1/10...

[drone]

Can't say I will miss Fergie Time, but you have to respect all that he has accomplished. He won the CWC with Aberdeen, back when it was a real competition, beating Bayern and Madrid along the way. He's been in charge of ManU for as long as I've been able to really follow English football, going to be strange seeing someone else yelling at the fourth official at Old Trafford. Happy retirement Alex, and thanks for giving us Graham.

Moyes is in the mix, apparently. Curious to see if the Glazers can screw this up...

[LittleGrizzly]

For any of you that still enjoy the Hitler reacts video's with subtitles, here is a SAF leaving one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-rS...ature=youtu.be

..........................................
Can't say I will miss Fergie Time
..........................................

Can't say I will either, we never really had anything extra or are we just talking about the ability to score goals late on in the game?

All but been confirmed that it will be Moyes, not necessarily my first choice but not a disaster either, looking forward to seeing what he can do.

[drone]

It's Moyes.

I wonder if Fergie's sudden retirement has anything to do with Stein. Didn't Ferguson have some stress-related health issues at the end of the last season? Maybe he figured he would right the ship and then get out before the job killed him.

[InsaneApache]

Over the next few days, we’ll all have to swallow gallons of journalistic effluvium about the great Alex Ferguson, who announced his resignation this morning. We will be told about the legendary gum-chewing manager who transformed humble, working-class Manchester United into a world-topping global brand. We should, however, be expressing relief that a man who has done so much damage to English football is at last quitting.

First off, we now have the cheering possibility that Manchester United’s boring dominance of top-flight football will finally end. This year they won the Premier League without at any stage playing all that well. Other teams just couldn’t get their act together. This makes a mockery of the Premier League’s claim to be the best in the world.

Man U have been impressive to watch, of course – they always are. Sir Alex’s sides play good attacking football, most of the time. But their relentless success – and the media’s excessive reverence towards it – is now tedious and frustrating.
There’s a darker side to Fergie’s legacy, too. Sir Alex helped cultivate the with-us-or-against-us, win-at-all-costs mentality that has taken over English football – and removed whatever tiny vestiges of sporting decency might have been left in the national game. Fergie’s Manchester United taught the rest of English football how to bully the ref. The sight of pig-thick footballers surrounding match officials, screaming and gesticulating psychotically, their faces twisted in mindless indignation, is now an integral part of the Premier League circus, and every team does it. But Man U mastered the act before anyone else.



Can you remember Alex Ferguson ever criticising his players for foul play? Nope, me neither. I can, however, recall him standing by Roy Keane after he admitted conducting a pre-meditated assault on Alf-Inge Haaland.

And let’s not forget his outrageous arrogance towards the BBC, which had the temerity to produce a documentary about Manchester United’s business dealings with his son Jason. Ferguson refused to talk to the Beeb for eight years – even though the Beeb pay huge amounts of money for the broadcasting rights of Premier League highlights. He only gave up his protest after football’s authorities threatened to fine Man U every time their manager refused to be interviewed. It’s hard to imagine that, with any lesser manager, the league would have taken so long to act.

In the post-match interviews he does give, Sir Alex is notoriously sulky and ungracious. He says the worst side won if his side lost. Last year, after United were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich, he even accused the German team of influencing the referee. Ha!

Perhaps you think football is too money-orientated these days. Well again, Ferguson ought to take some blame. Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea and Sheikh Mansour’s Man City may have bought their way to success, but they were only imitating United’s heavy spending tactics. It was Fergie who, after missing out on Rio Ferdinand for a transfer-record breaking £18 million in 2000, signed him two years later for a staggering £30 million.

So cheerio Fergie. No doubt you are the most remarkable manager in the history of English football. But I for one won’t miss you – not a jot.

http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/coffeeh...good-riddance/

My feelings exactly.

[The Stranger]

First off, we now have the cheering possibility that Manchester United’s boring dominance of top-flight football will finally end.

arguments like this ive never understood, i hear the same kind of thing against barca (or in other sports, against schumacher for example). im not going to respond to the rest of the blog but this is just a poor argument. i understand that the underdog has some attractive appeal but still. achieving great things often also exploiting every possibility to win (within the rules ofcourse) even if it may appear to be a bit dirty/ungentleman play. like mourinhos trick with getting a red card which would clear some players of the possibility of getting suspended later, its not exactly the gentleman thing to do, but its still kinda brilliant.

[Rhyfelwyr]

So the complaint against Ferguson is that he was so good he made his team dominant?

The English Premier League became the best league in the world with Ferguson at Man U's helm, and they never had singular dominance. Remember Asenal with Henry at his peak? That lasted a good few years. Chelsea under Mourinho, of late Man City etc.

It's a fantastic league and I always follow it even though I don't follow Scottish football at all these days.

[johnhughthom]

That article can be basically summed up with "Fergie sucks because other people were too weak to do their jobs properly, or stand up to him and Manchester United".

[Sarmatian]

I don't think so. The press is gonna jump on his bandwagon, possibly proclaiming him the greatest ever, irreplaceable... and while one might argue he has the silverware to back him, he shouldn't be considered a perfect role model because of some of his other... "qualities"...

[johnhughthom]

I don't think so. The press is gonna jump on his bandwagon, possibly proclaiming him the greatest ever, irreplaceable... and while one might argue he has the silverware to back him, he shouldn't be considered a perfect role model because of some of his other... "qualities"...

Arrogance? Nepotism? Hypocrisy?

Who mentioned role model anyway? It's not as if there are a million kids out there who will be Manchester United managers in the future. His flaws were simply highlighted above other managers because of his success, he did a lot of good inside and outside football away from Old Trafford. That doesn't sell papers though.

[edyzmedieval]

Sir Alex, at this moment, is the best British manager in the history of the game. He's got the trophies, he's got the wins, he's got the tactical knowledge and knows how to motivate players, he's got the hairdryer.

Sir Matt Busby made Manchester United a powerhouse, and it will pretty much stay a powerhouse after Sir Alex too.

[LittleGrizzly]

And let’s not forget his outrageous arrogance towards the BBC, which had the temerity to produce a documentary about Manchester United’s business dealings with his son Jason. Ferguson refused to talk to the Beeb for eight years – even though the Beeb pay huge amounts of money for the broadcasting rights of Premier League highlights. He only gave up his protest after football’s authorities threatened to fine Man U every time their manager refused to be interviewed. It’s hard to imagine that, with any lesser manager, the league would have taken so long to act.
..................................................

WTH is this rubbish Apache...

If any organisation produced a load of unsubstantiated about my child purely because of their fame which is gained because of me and I had the power to stand up to them I would do exactly that as any good parent would.

You are either a terrible parent (assuming you have children) or just too bitter to admit it to yourself he was right.

It is of course the price of success having such undeserved criticism though it is a price that is well worth paying.

[Sarmatian]

Arrogance? Nepotism? Hypocrisy?

Who mentioned role model anyway? It's not as if there are a million kids out there who will be Manchester United managers in the future. His flaws were simply highlighted above other managers because of his success, he did a lot of good inside and outside football away from Old Trafford. That doesn't sell papers though.

Not for the kids, for other managers.

His "win at all cost" attitude isn't what managers should strive to replicate, along with his arrogance and hipocrisy. I wouldn't accuse him of nepotism, though.

[LittleGrizzly]

His "win at all cost" attitude
....................................

Really?

TBH I find a lot of the stuff built up around SAF is overblown the guy sells papers so every little thing he does is big news. What is not noticed or print worthy about other managers is of interest when it involves SAF. I think there are plenty in the premier league far worse than him wouldn't surprise me if there is abroad as well although I don't watch a lot of football outside the Premier League.

[johnhughthom]

Not for the kids, for other managers.

His "win at all cost" attitude isn't what managers should strive to replicate, along with his arrogance and hipocrisy. I wouldn't accuse him of nepotism, though.

Nepotism isn't quite the right word, but there was certainly familial shenanigans when his son got sacked by Preston NE, and Fergie immediately recalled United players from loan there.

TBH I find a lot of the stuff built up around SAF is overblown the guy sells papers so every little thing he does is big news. What is not noticed or print worthy about other managers is of interest when it involves SAF. I think there are plenty in the premier league far worse than him wouldn't surprise me if there is abroad as well although I don't watch a lot of football outside the Premier League.

Indeed, Fergie has never quite reached the levels of bell endery that Mourinho indulges in. Tony Pulis is a loathsome individual, but this is overlooked because he is managing plucky little Stoke. There are a lot of managers around worse than Fergie.

[LittleGrizzly]

One more little point is hypocrisy is something almost any football manager could be accused off, even the ones not in the game that long. Every manager see his own players tackle a bit differently to the opposition manager.

If there was one manager in the football world who had earnt the right to be a little arrogant it was SAF but I imagine this was more to do with running Man United than it was anything to do with him.

Edit

when his son got sacked by Preston NE, and Fergie immediately recalled United players from loan there.

There could be a good reason for that in terms of he knew his sons plans for the players and that they would benefit from the loan whereas he couldn't know their new managers plans.

Though equally it could just be because they fired his son. That one did come across badly imo.

[Rhyfelwyr]

Sad as I am to see Ferguson go, it gives me some comfort knowing that he will be replaced by an even dourer, meaner, no-nonsense Scot.

[edyzmedieval]

http://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/co...a_classy_club/

Legend.

[InsaneApache]

Nice. Very nice.

http://www.boreme.com/posting.php?id=13557

[LittleGrizzly]

http://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/co...a_classy_club/

Legend.

That is the man all over.

[Sarmatian]

[COLOR=#333333]His "win at all cost" attitude
....................................

Really?

TBH I find a lot of the stuff built up around SAF is overblown

Naturally. He is one of the best. And he's the one newspapers will write about in the years to come. There are much worse than him, but newspapers won't write about them, analyzing their success, glorifying them for years to come... Do you now understand what I'm trying to say?

[LittleGrizzly]

I think so, the "win at all cost" attitude comment was not so much meant as an insult?

The little blurb at underneath my Really? comment wasn't so much aimed specifically at you more of a general point..

I don't want to come across as defensive (although I probably do.. I probably am) but I do think he gets a lot of unfair criticism.

My problem with the win at all costs attitude comment was his record through bringing through younger players and constantly rebuilding teams, I guess that meant more long term success but less short term success. Maybe he could have won more being a short term manager at several clubs?

I think his attitude was do the best he can for United at all costs rather than a win at all costs, bringing in a young keeper like De Gea wasn't the best option for the short term (1 season being short term) I think we may well have won the title last year had he gone straight for a more experienced option as De Gea (although probably not quite as bad as he was made out to be) did make several mistakes last year in the long term however United will be a far better team for it...

Edit: To clarify I think what he see's as part of United's heritage, bringing through the youth was possibly even more important to him than winning.

[InsaneApache]

28 years ago today. Requiescat in pace.

A memorial marking the 28th anniversary of the Bradford City football stadium fire, in which 56 people died, is to take place later.

The fire broke out during a match between Bradford and Lincoln at the Valley Parade stadium on 11 May 1985.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-22484044

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ_vG4cHRKU

NSFW.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtriO-OXv-M

I shall never forget that day.

Good luck for next Saturday City.

[LittleGrizzly]

That scene off the man on fire is very disturbing, the whole thing is. I have heard about the incident but never actually seen it, I wish them luck.

[LittleGrizzly]

Well deserved FA cup win for Wigan today, great to see Martinez and Whelan get what they deserve!

Played some quite good football and actually looked the better team. Just hope they can stay up now and I look forward to seeing them in Europe next year.

Only worry now is I think Man City may get rid of Mancini, would hate to see what they were like with a top manager at the helm.

[johnhughthom]

Only worry now is I think Man City may get rid of Mancini, would hate to see what they were like with a top manager at the helm.

That's quite a common sentiment, heard a lot of people say it.

Mancini is a bit of a knob though isnt he? Nothing is ever his fault.

[edyzmedieval]

Paul Scholes has announced is retirement for good. There goes one legend.

And speaking of legends, Frank Lampard is another one with a club record to his name now.

[johnhughthom]

Sepp Blatter in sensible comments shock!

This is great.

[Rhyfelwyr]

That's strange I thought Lazio fans would be more inclined to that sort of thing and Roma fans prided themselves on being to the left/progressive.