Ferrara’s Rocky spirit cannot hide the failures of another rookie

January 13, 2010

Under pressure Juventus boss Ciro Ferrara has come out fighting after a fourth defeat in five matches but it may not be enough for another first-time coach to save his job.

“One of my friends, one of the few I have at the moment, said to me, ‘you are like Rocky’. I am full of punches and blood but I say to my opponent, I am not hurt, punch harder because you are not hurting me,” Ferrara said in the wake of a 3-0 home defeat by AC Milan.

“There is nothing that could knock me down, my mother punched harder.”

His determination is admirable but are Juve now regretting appointing a man with no real managerial experience to replace Claudio Ranieri last May?

In recent times, Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola is possibly the only man to have succeeded in his first big club job.

Ferrara, previously much-loved in Turin as a no-nonsense defender, is in danger of following some other rookie coaches out the door.

Juergen Klinsmann and Marco van Basten had reasonable success as first-time coaches of Germany and the Netherlands, but their only important club roles at Bayern Munich and Ajax turned out to be disasters.

Alan Shearer was adored by Newcastle United fans for all his goals but when it came to trying to save the club from relegation from the Premier League, he failed miserably and went back to TV punditry.

Even AC Milan coach Leonardo had a dreadful start to his first managerial season, including a home defeat by FC Zurich in the Champions League, before a pickup in form which some critics allege is because of the weakness of Serie A rather than the quality of their play.

Managing prima donna players, dealing with unreasonble supporter expectations and fending off criticism from the media are no easy tasks. Why would someone who was a good player be naturally adept at being a coach if they only had minimal training?

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho’s playing career ended before it had begun but after years of shadowing a maestro like Bobby Robson he has achieved great things as a manager.

Is it all proof yet again that being a top player does not make you a top manager?

PHOTO: Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara looks on before the start of the Italian Serie A soccer match against Catania in Turin, Dec 20, 2009. REUTERS/Alessandro Garofalo

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Tags: ac milan, alan shearer, alessandro garofalo, Barcelona, Bayern, bayern munich, boss, catania, ciro ferrara, Claudio Ranieri, club job, fc zurich, Germany, inter milan, jose mourinho, juventus, klinsmann, leonardo, managerial experience, marco van basten, Milan, newcastle united, pep guardiola, premier league, prima donna, punches, punditry, relegation, Robson, the Netherlands, time coach, training inter, ZURICH

McDonald wants to stay at Celtic: agent

January 5, 2010

Scott McDonald’s agent has dismissed reports the Australian striker is keen on a move away from Celtic.

Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez both watched McDonald score in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Rangers at Parkhead, fuelling speculation they are mulling transfer window bids for the forward.

But McDonald’s representative, Lou Sticca, insisted that any move would not be initiated by his client.

“I speak to Scott every day, and, as far as I am concerned, he wants to be at Celtic,” Sticca told Glasgow’s Evening Times.

“I have also spoken regularly to (Celtic chief executive) Peter Lawwell, and he has told me that Celtic are happy with Scott. If anything does happen, it will be Celtic telling Scott to leave, not Scott asking to go.”

Sticca denied claims that McDonald had fallen out with Hoops boss Tony Mowbray.

“What we are seeing here is the usual reaction in the media if a club’s top scorer is not playing,” said Sticca. “Scott is doing the business for Celtic, as his goals show.”

McDonald is one of a number of players at Parkhead who could possibly be reunited with former Celtic manager Strachan at Middlesbrough.

Barry Robson, Gary Caldwell, Willo Flood and Mark Wilson are also being touted as potential targets and Strachan has admitted he is desperate to get some new players in after winning just two of his first 11 matches in charge.

“We really need to do something,” Strachan said. “We’ve got plenty of irons in the fire but it’s about actually getting them.

“January is a difficult time to sign players because clubs are reluctant to sell. But I’ve never been on the phone so much in my life in football management.”

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: doing the business, evening times, football management, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, gordon strachan, hoops, irons in the fire, Lou Sticca, Mark Wilson, middlesbrough, Peter Lawwell, roberto martinez, Robson, Scott, scott mcdonald, speculation, tony mowbray, top scorer, Wigan, willo flood

England to play Egypt at Wembley

December 21, 2009

England will begin their countdown to next year’s World Cup with a friendly international against Egypt at London’s Wembley Stadium on March 3, the Football Association (FA) announced Monday.

After this month’s draw in Cape Town, England manager Fabio Capello said he wanted the side to play against African opponents – something they’ve yet to do under the Italian – as Algeria will be one of their Group C rivals at next year’s finals in South Africa.

“I think we will play March 3 at Wembley, against Egypt, then we have to find the date to play against Mexico,” Capello said following the draw.

“All the friendly games we played were against European teams and we know the style of these teams. We have to play against South Americans and African teams with a different style.”

However, Monday’s statement from the FA said no other England fixture details had been confirmed at this time.

Group C also features the United States and Slovenia.

Capello would like England to play Mexico in May as he believes they will provide his team with a useful warm-up ahead of their World Cup opener against the United States on June 12 in Rustenburg.

England are planning to play one more friendly ahead of the World Cup, with Japan the likely opponents, following a pre-tournament training camp in Austria.

Egypt, who’ve yet to play at Wembley, only missed out on a place in the 2010 World Cup finals after losing a tense play-off to Algeria last month.

England have played Egypt just twice previously, most recently at the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

Then a goal from England centre-back Mark Wright was all that separated the teams as the late Sir Bobby Robson’s side advanced to the second round.

Four years earlier, again under Robson, England won a friendly in Cairo 4-0.

A home win at Wembley in March would give England their 500th victory.

England have won the World Cup just once in their history, when they beat the then West Germany 4-2 after extra-time at Wembley in the 1966 final.

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Cairo, cape town, countdown, different style, Egypt, England, england manager, extra time, fabio capello, fixture details, football association, friendly games, Germany, london, Mark Wright, Mexico, opponents, rivals, Robson, Rustenburg, sir bobby robson, South Africa, South Americans, time group, training camp, United States, Wembley, wembley stadium, west germany, world cup opener

Hearts stall Celtic´s title bid

December 20, 2009

Hearts came from behind to beat Celtic 2-1 in the Scottish Premier League at Tynecastle on Sunday, a defeat that left the Hoops four points behind leaders Rangers.

Celtic went ahead through Georgios Samaras in the 21st minute but Michael Stewart’s penalty drew the hosts level before half-time after Gary Caldwell had been sent-off for pulling down Jamie Mole in the incident that led to the spot-kick.

And although 10-man Celtic played well after the break, Ismael Bouzid’s header 24 minutes from time sealed what was only Hearts’ fourth league win of the season.

Samaras put Celtic in front after Australia’s Scott McDonald lost his marker to head a Barry Robson corner off the far post. Greek forward Samaras was quickest to react and shot low into the net from eight yards.

Glenn Loovens, though, let Hearts back into the match.

Celtic’s Dutch defender failed to chest the ball clear and as the ball fell to Mole, the striker’s heel was clipped from behind by Caldwell.

Caldwell was the last man and, having awarded a penalty, referee Willie Collum had little choice but to show a red card to the Scotland international.

Stewart confidently beat Artur Boruc from the spot.

Celtic went close to restoring their lead after the break when Aiden McGeady hit the post and Samaras saw a curling shot go narrowly wide.

Samaras also had a chance when, after McDonald dispossessed Jose Goncalves, he chipped the ball over the crossbar from 16 yards out.

Hearts, seventh in the table, then showed the Glasgow giants how to finish.

An excellent run and cross from David Templeton to the back post found Bouzid, who powered in a header from 10 yards out.

Celtic pressed for an equaliser but Hearts held on for a rare victory.

EDINBURGH (AFP)

Tags: Artur Boruc, Australia, Barry Robson, celtic, collum, crossbar, david templeton, Edinburgh, equaliser, four points, Gary Caldwell, Glasgow, Jamie, Jose, jose goncalves, last man, Michael Stewart, mole, premier league, rare victory, Robson, s scott, samaras, scotland, scotland international, scott mcdonald, Scottish Premier League, Stewart, striker, tynecastle, Willie Collum

Celtic hope for home comfort against Kilmarnock

October 31, 2009

Celtic will hope to quickly bury the memory of their mid-week League Cup exit when they host Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premier League on Saturday.

The holders crashed out of the cup competition on Wednesday after a 1-0 defeat at home to Hearts.

New coach Tony Mowbray is already under pressure, despite the Hoops topping the table, after leading his side to just two wins out of nine games at home this season.

The Hoops have come under fire from their supporters for their indifferent form at Celtic Park, a venue that was previously a fortress in domestic and European competition.

Celtic’s strikers have also come in for criticism, having failed to find the net in three successive home games, but midfielder Barry Robson says it is up to every player to chip in with goals.

“I think we have been playing well in a lot of games and we are still top of the league,” he said. “And if we win our next three European matches as well then we will qualify from our Europa League group.

“But it’s down to every player. The defenders should be aiming to score at set-pieces, the midfielders should be chipping in and I’m sure the strikers will score goals in the future.

“It’s just about trying to turn good play into goals. We could have won by a few if we’d taken our chances against Hearts so the boys are working hard in training to try and get things going.”

The mood amongst the supporters at arch-rivals Rangers is not much better.

Speculation has surrounded the future of the club all week since manager Walter Smith announced after last weekend’s draw with Hibernian that the Lloyds Banking Group were in charge of the Old Firm giants following David Murray’s decision to step down as chairman.

Bank officials moved quickly to deny this but the failure to sign any players for the past 18 months led Smith to say his side has stagnated.

Even a mid-week win against Dundee to secure a place in the semi-finals of the League Cup has not lightened the mood at Ibrox.

Smith’s own future, along with the rest of his backroom staff, is in doubt with his contract due to expire in January and his injury problems are mounting with Madjid Bougherra, Pedro Mendes and Lee McCulloch all out for Sunday’s visit to Dundee United.

Despite the storm clouds gathering over Ibrox as the club seeks a new owner, Smith has guided Rangers to second place in the SPL and they have yet to lose in domestic competition.

With important games against Dundee United and Unirea Urziceni in the Champions League coming up this week, midfielder Kevin Thomson says the club’s unbeaten start to the season shows the players are unaffected by the speculation.

“The whole thing surrounding the club is behind the scenes at the moment,” Thomson said. “We are the players and we need to do what is right on the park, that’s what we are paid to do.

“We know what’s going on, but it doesn’t affect the players. We still have a job to do – that’s what we get paid for and I think we have shown there is still hunger within the dressing room, regardless of what is going on behind the scenes.”

Elsewhere on Saturday, third-placed Hibernian, who sit just three points off the top of the league, entertain Aberdeen at Easter Road.

Motherwell take on Hearts looking to put their League Cup exit behind them and compound Hearts’ miserable start to the league which sees them lying in ninth place.

Bottom club Falkirk travel to St Johnstone still looking for their first win of the season and St Mirren take on Hamilton.

Fixtures (1500GMT unless otherwise stated)

Saturday

Celtic v Kilmarnock, Hibernian v Aberdeen, Motherwell v Hearts, St Johnstone v Falkirk, St Mirren v Hamilton

Sunday

Dundee United v Rangers (1230GMT)

GLASGOW (AFP)

Tags: arch rivals, bank officials, banking group, celtic park, cup competition, david murray, hibernian, home games, hoops, kilmarnock, league group, lloyds, midfielders, Robson, Scottish Premier League, semi finals, strikers, tony mowbray

Rogerio Ceni steals the spotlight as Sao Paulo beat Santos

October 26, 2009

Sao Paulo remain alive in the Brazilian championship, thanks to a hard-fought 3-4 victory at Santos on Sunday.

The Sao Paulo derby started well for Santos, who went ahead through Andre in the 5th minute. Hernanes leveled six minutes later, but Rodrigo Souto restored Santos’ lead in minute 25.

Washington (38th) and Jorge Wagner (59) then turned things around for Sao Paulo, but the hosts then set the score to 3-3 with an equaliser from Robson, six minutes after the hour.

The winning goal came from Sao Paulo goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni in the 68th minute. The keeper went from hero to villain when given a red card nine minutes later, but substitute goalie Denis made sure that Santos wouldn’t score another goal.

Palmeiras lead the Brazilian Serie A with nine games to go, and have one point more than Atletico Mineiro. Internacional and Sao Paulo follow at another point.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Andre, atletico mineiro, brazilian championship, brazilian serie, denis, equaliser, games, hero, hosts, Internacional, Jorge Wagner, Robson, rodrigo, Rodrigo Souto, rogerio ceni, roorda, Santos, sao paulo, six minutes, souto, spotlight, t score, victory, villain, Wagner, Washington

Fowler scores on losing A-League debut

August 8, 2009

Liverpool great Robbie Fowler scored on his Australian A-League debut but it wasn’t enough to prevent North Queensland Fury from losing their opening home game of the season on Saturday.

The former England international striker equalised with his 60th-minute penalty but Fury went down 3-2 to Sydney FC, with former Australian international forward John Aloisi scoring a brace for the winners.

Fury trailed 2-0 after 28 minutes but fought back to level after Fowler sent Sydney goalkeeper Clint Bolton the wrong way to score the first goal of his A-League stint before Aloisi clinched the win with a 73rd-minute penalty.

Fowler, 34, is the highest-profile signing in the five years of the A-League and is playing club football outside England for the first time since he finished as the fourth-highest all-time scorer with 161 goals in the English Premier League.

“We put ourselves on the back foot, but all credit to the lads to get it back to 2-2,” Fowler said.

“It was not the ideal result but I think we’ll take some credit to get back from two goals down — it shows a bit of fight in the team.”

Fowler has been handed the captaincy of the Townsville-based Fury, who have entered the expanded 10-team A-League competition this year along with Gold Coast United.

Gold Coast won their first-ever match 3-1 over Brisbane Roar on Saturday with New Zealander Shane Smeltz, Socceroo Jason Culina and Brazilian Robson all getting on the score sheet.

SYDNEY (AFP)

Tags: brisbane, Clint Bolton, club football, England, england international, English Premier League, Goalkeeper, gold coast, home game, jason culina, John, john aloisi, league debut, Liverpool, new zealander, north queensland, premier league, robbie fowler, Robson, score sheet, shane smeltz, socceroo, stint, SYDNEY, sydney fc, time scorer

Ipswich consider stand tribute for Robson

August 3, 2009

Ipswich are considering paying tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, who died of cancer on Friday, by naming a stand at Portman Road after their legendary former manager.

Robson transformed Ipswich into one of England’s top clubs during a 13-year spell that including winning the FA Cup and UEFA Cup before leaving to coach England in 1982.

The former Barcelona and Newcastle boss, who passed away aged 76, already has a statue at Portman Road, but Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg admitted they may decide to name a stand after him as well.

“We have given serious consideration to a further permanent memorial and tribute to Sir Bobby. There are a range of ideas we are looking at and have been looking at over the past few months,” Clegg told the club’s website.

“Naming a stand after Sir Bobby is one of the options we have discussed and we spoke to Sir Bobby about it but he didn’t feel it was appropriate until a period after he had passed away. We obviously want to respect that and will respect that.”

IPSWICH, England (AFP)

Tags: Barcelona, cancer, chief executive, coach, England, FA Cup, ipswich england, NEWCASTLE, newcastle boss, Portman Road, Robson, Simon Clegg, Sir Bobby, sir bobby robson, top clubs, tribute, uefa

´Devastated´ Gazza praises ´second dad´ Robson

August 1, 2009

Former England star Paul Gascoigne said Friday he was devastated by the death of Sir Bobby Robson, who he described as being “like a second dad”.

Gascoigne played under Robson when England reached the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup in Italy. The midfielder ended the tournament in tears when he was booked in the penalty shootout defeat to Germany.

Gascoigne told ITV News: “I’m speechless. I’m devastated. Bobby was like my second dad. I was like a son to him.

“I can’t describe how much he meant to me. I’ve just been crying for three hours, and I’ve come to see my mum and my dad. It’s just unbelievable.

“He gave me a chance to play in the World Cup. I can’t really talk that much because I just want to cry, that’s all.

“I love him. And his wife Elsie – I’ll always be there for her. I’m sort of numb.”

Robson, who once described Gascoigne as “daft as a brush”, made a last public appearance at Sunday’s charity match between an England XI and a German representative side staged to raise money for the 76-year-old’s cancer charity.

Gascoigne was among the former Italia 90 stars on show at the game.

“He kept himself alive for the game and I thought after the game he might pass away. I’m going to miss him so badly.”

LONDON (AFP)

Tags: Dad, Elsie, England, england star, england xi, Gazza, german representative, Germany, Italy, itv, london, match, midfielder, paul gascoigne, penalty shootout, public appearance, representative side, Robson, semi finals, Sir Bobby, sir bobby robson, wife elsie, World Cup

Share your memories of Sir Bobby Robson

July 31, 2009

The death of Sir Bobby Robson, England’s most successful manager after Sir Alf Ramsey, had been expected given his long battle with cancer, but his passing still jolts.

The son of a miner, Robson’s career was characterised by dignity, loyalty and hard graft and no little success.

As a player he won 20 England caps, but it was as an innovative manager that he will be best remembered, notably his success in guiding England to a World Cup semi-final in 1990, when his side came agonisingly close to reaching the final.

Before his stint with the national team, Robson managed Ipswich for 13 years, guiding the Suffolk club to FA and UEFA Cup success and twice led the Portman Road side to the runners-up spot in the old First Division.

At Ipswich, Robson brought in two Dutch players — Arnold Muhren and Franz Thijssen — who helped forge Ipswich’s reputation as a passing side playing attractive and enterprising football.

After stepping down as England manager in 1990, Robson then went to Holland, where he managed PSV Eindhoven, before going on to coach Sporting Lisbon and Porto in Portugal and then Barcelona in Spain.

While he was at Barca he helped

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