Four Four Two

nEIL WARnOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

nEIL WARnOCK S haron Warnock knew the drill well. retirement creeps into view. Besides: when Clockwise from really been given enough resources to give it When you’re married to one of English you’re still having this much fun, why stop? top Tea time with a real go in the Premier League, but I don’t football’s most experienced bosses, Sharon; leading think my record’s too bad. At Sheffield United, it’s like a sixth sense. It’s been more than eight years since FFT the Blades to the I had no money to spend but we only went So, on a balmy June morning when last caught up properly with Warnock, who is promised land in down on the final day [of 2006-07] – with 38 husband Neil came in from the garden in typically fine fettle. In October he marked 2006; “OFFSIDE!” points! Then at QPR, I never actually spent of their Cornwall home, facial features his 1,500th game in management with a 2-1 any time in the bottom three. betraying his excitement, she foresaw what win at home to Barnsley, becoming only the was coming. Neil Warnock was set to embark seventh man to reach that milestone with “As for Cardiff, I remember talking to Steve on his 18th managerial job. British clubs. Middlesbrough are his first team [Gibson] that summer and told him what our in the North East, although things could have wage bill was. He reckoned we had no chance “It was 8.30am and I was on the phone to turned out differently 28 years ago. of staying up – even Boro’s wage bill in the my daughter,” he tells FourFourTwo, recalling Championship was a lot more than that. But the moment Middlesbrough chairman Steve “In 1992 I was offered the Sunderland job,” I was very proud of that side and how they Gibson contacted him. “When I saw his name he explains. “It was a dream come true, as performed. We had no luck at all. come up on the screen, I asked if I could ring I’d always fancied managing a club in such her back. So I had chat with Steve, who said, a passionate region. But Malcolm Crosby, the “The home defeat against Chelsea late in ‘I really need your help, Neil’. ‘When?’ I asked. caretaker boss, was someone I had a lot of the [2018-19] season still bugs me. With less ‘Right now,’ he replied. time for – so I told chairman Bob Murray that than 10 minutes to go we were leading 1-0 I’d only come up and start once Sunderland and looking comfortable, when they scored “My immediate reaction was, ‘Well, that’s had been knocked out of the FA Cup. What an equaliser which was three yards offside, another retirement scuppered’ – but I knew happened? Malcolm led them all the way to then got a last-minute winner. that I had to go in and ask Sharon. Before I’d Wembley, where they eventually lost 2-0 to even finished, she said, ‘Go on then, take the Liverpool in the final!” “For some reason, fortune rarely smiled on job’. You see, my wife understands me and me when I was managing in the top flight – knew I’d always wanted to work for Steve. Sunderland’s loss proved many other clubs’ although if you’re only as good as your last gain. Warnock established himself as one of result, don’t forget Cardiff ended that season “If she had said no, I wouldn’t have gone. the game’s shrewdest bosses and something with a 2-0 victory against Manchester United She’s been unwell. She’s undergone a double of a promotion specialist. Accusations that at Old Trafford...’’ mastectomy and chemotherapy – although he can’t quite cut it at the top level, however, thankfully, she’s fine now. But I couldn’t go make him bristle. His time with the Bluebirds inevitably leads without her blessing.” to the devastating tale of Emiliano Sala – the “I’m proud to have taken sides up so many Argentine forward who died in a plane crash So, the couple’s best-laid plans to kick back times – it hurts to be labelled a Championship having just signed from French side Nantes – and relax were put on hold – again. manager,” he says. “That’s unfair. I’ve never a subject Warnock still finds hard to discuss. “We’ve got a place in Italy, a lovely spot on Lake Maggiore, and were intending to spend a few months there,” says the 72-year-old. “But this bloody pandemic means we haven’t been able to get out of the bloody house, let alone fly over there. I guess you could say the COVID-19 crisis played a big part in me going to Middlesbrough, and agreeing to stay there after keeping them up last season.” Upon his arrival at the Riverside Stadium, Warnock declared Gibson the best chairman in the business. He claims to be a long-time admirer of a man who joined the board of his hometown club in 1984 – when Warnock was midway through a five-year spell at Burton Albion, his second managerial role. “I’ve had all sorts of chairmen,” continues Warnock. “Good, bad and indifferent – but the ones I’ve done well for are the ones I got on with. The omens are pretty good because Steve and I go back a long time. I wanted to show him how good I am – and that’s not me being conceited. I just wanted to show him how I worked. “I was in the car within half an hour of his call, making the long journey up to Teesside. Just before half past 10, Steve and I chatted again. He asked what Sharon had said, and I told him I was driving past Bristol and on my way. ‘You’ll be here in around four hours then,’ he added. That was a lie. It was more like six, but Steve probably didn’t want me to know how far Middlesbrough was!” BURY, BLADES AND BLUEBIRDS Warnock might be a septuagenarian now – the second-oldest manager in England’s top five tiers behind Crystal Palace supremo Roy Hodgson – but dugout life continues to lure him back whenever the threat of permanent 52 January 2021 FourFourTwo

nEIL WARnOCK “It was a horrible, horrible time,” he sighs. “SUnDERLAnD OFFERED ME THE about that night. Derek said there were two “It did make me think about packing it all in. JOB AnD I SAID I’D START OnCE of us on his shortlist for the job and he’d like For several days, I kept asking myself if it was THEY WERE OUT OF THE FA CUP. to interview me the next day. I found out that worth it, but then I realised it was up to me THEn THEY REACHED THE FInAL!” [former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder] Gary to try to get the club through it. Megson was the other candidate, and made a chance of staying up. And the facilities were sure I told them that he was a Wednesdayite! “Leadership was needed, so I dug deep and absolutely awful – every day before training, tried to channel all of my experience into the I’d be spending 20 minutes clearing the pitch “It worked, because just a few hours later, club. But I couldn’t have done that without of dog s**t. When I got out of Bury, it was like Derek rang. ‘You’ve got the job, son, so come [chairman] Mehmet Dalman, who helped me coming out of prison.” along, enjoy yourself and bring us success,’ though a very bad period.” he said. I told him, ‘Thanks, you won’t regret From hell to heaven, it turned out, because it’. And I don’t think they did. Warnock prefers to remember his career’s on December 2, 1999 – a day after his 51st good times – the fun and surreal. birthday – Warnock received the best present “That same night, I drove to Bramall Lane, of his life. It was the day he became manager parked up and stared at the place, lost in my “At Scarborough, I’d occasionally speak to of Sheffield United, the club he had grown up thoughts. I’d go there with mam and dad as journalists while treating a patient’s feet at watching from the terraces. a child, having to sprint for the bus and just my surgery,” says the qualified chiropodist, making kick-off because dad only finished his whose speciality was ingrown toenails. “Now “I’ll never forget the night when [chairman] Saturday shift at 2pm. They would have been I’m conducting press conferences via Zoom Derek Dooley got in touch,” remembers so proud of me, and I was proud of myself. on a bloody laptop.” Warnock. “I was standing in a queue at ‘I’ll never have a better job in my life,’ I yelled. a takeaway in Ramsbottom, so asked ‘I’m managing my club’.” Ask Warnock to look back on the best and if I could phone back 10 minutes later. worst jobs he’s ever had, and the former “I couldn’t concentrate on the way Warnock spent more than seven years with significantly eclipse the latter. That said, home, my heart was pumping – even the Blades, but they ended acrimoniously now-defunct Bury, whom he led for the now I’m getting goosebumps thinking with the most painful loss of his whole career. 1998-99 season, was not a happy episode in his professional life. “Losing 2-1 at home to Wigan on the final day [of 2006-07] not only sent us down, it “That’s the one I least enjoyed,” he says. devastated me,” he admits. “I remember the “I’m still devastated about what happened dying moments, standing in the pouring rain to that club. They’d gone up to Division One with water trickling down my face, thinking and, to this day, I’m still trying to work out about the last seven years. Nothing went for how they managed that! Stan Ternent had us that day – Wigan winning, and of course left to join Burnley and took a couple of their that bloody [Carlos] Tevez scoring the winner best players with him – we didn’t really stand FourFourTwo January 2021 53

nEIL WARnOCK for West Ham at a weak Manchester United. “I SAID I’D WAnT BRISTOL CITY home, where they comfortably lost 3-1 to As I keep saying, luck seemed to desert me FAnS AT MY FUnERAL SInGInG, both Bristol City and his former club Cardiff. in the Premier League. ‘nEIL WARnOCK IS A W**KER’” “The job was tougher than I’d imagined – “It’s just a pity how it finished at Sheffield day. At our age, you don’t want to be pushing Above Warnock much tougher,” explains Warnock. “We were United. I’d known owner Kevin McCabe a long bikes up loads of steep hills.” has quickly won a million miles away from our opponents in time, but in the end I didn’t feel supported by over a sceptical those two matches. That’s why it gave me so him. I’d heard whispers that the club wanted Warnock may still be fighting fit, but he did set of players at much satisfaction to take four points off the a bigger name because he was looking to sell have a scare in the autumn after contracting Middlesbrough pair of them in October this season.” and, despite denials, Bryan Robson came in COVID-19. It left him housebound and, for so quickly after me leaving. He’d obviously once, football wasn’t top of his agenda. This campaign is ticking along quite nicely been lined up beforehand, which left a bitter for Boro, but what about next term? Warnock taste in my mouth.” “It did scare me a little – luckily it never got answers with another question. on my chest, but it wasn’t a nice experience,” Little did Warnock know that he was about he says. “My only symptom was a persistent “Who knows? The way the world is at the to embark on a great adventure, taking over tickly cough, but even so, when my test came moment, I’m making no plans. I’m not ruling two clubs which had never been on his radar. back positive, I was surprised. anything in or anything out. But what I will “Leaving Sheffield United proved a blessing say is that this job doesn’t disappoint. I only in disguise,” he insists, “because it gave me “Initially I didn’t feel that unwell, but within came back because it was Steve Gibson who the chance to go and manage Crystal Palace a couple of days I was so fatigued. I’d go to asked me, and working for him has been as and QPR. My God, I enjoyed some really good sleep, wake up and make myself a cup of tea. good as I hoped it would be. times down there.” But before I had a chance to drink it, I’d fall asleep again for two or three hours. “The players have been fantastic, too. When By ‘down there’, Warnock means London, I first joined the club, they probably thought a city he’d previously had precious little time “I was shattered for about a week and lost to themselves, ‘What does a guy of his age for throughout his career. my sense of taste and smell. I wasn’t even know about football?’. But it wasn’t very long thinking about football for a while. Thankfully, before they started to appreciate that I did “I’m a northerner and never thought about I recovered quickly.” bring something to the table. They’re even working south of Watford Gap,” he grins. “In trying to play attractive football. Carry on like fact, whenever we played in the capital, I’d For all his longevity, Warnock is having to that and they’ll earn me a bad reputation...” tell my players, ‘Come on lads, you can beat adapt to football without any supporters. On these southern softies’. Palace’s chairman, keeping Boro in the Championship in July, He may not have won a lot of popularity Simon Jordan – one of the best I worked for the Yorkshireman joked that he’d be booking contests over four decades but, whisper it, – was a clever bugger when he first contacted an open-top bus so that fans could celebrate English fans are starting to warm to Warnock me. He’d heard that I wanted a break from survival. “I’m even missing the abuse I used – and not just those who have reasons to be management, so asked if I’d take a good to get from some of them,” he smiles. grateful for his powers of alchemy. He might look around and tell him what was needed – have softened with age, but Middlesbrough’s a bit of consultancy work. Within two days, Boro were level on points with 22nd-placed boss remains a rascal at heart. I was the manager. Hull when Gibson asked Warnock to replace Jonathan Woodgate in June, but won four of “More than anything, I love to put smiles on “I loved my time there and at QPR, too. The their final eight matches to finish a relatively people’s faces,” he tells FFT. “Heaven knows, fans are right on top of you at those grounds comfortable 17th. He does, though, admit to we need a bit of happiness these days. That’s – the way I like it – and they made me feel so moments of serious doubt as his new team why I donated my Championship Manager welcome. I’d go off people-watching in the seemed bereft of confidence – especially at of the Month award for October [a record afternoons, sitting in a café in Covent Garden 11th time Warnock has won it] to the local for instance, watching the world go by. They Butterwick Hospice, who are raffling it off. were great times but mad times. They’ve raised thousands of pounds selling tickets. Football’s been so good to me, and “Have you watched the film Four Year Plan it’s lovely to be able to give something back. about QPR? Flavio Briatore was determined to transform them into one of the biggest clubs “It means a lot to be appreciated by fans in the land, but I look back now and wonder of the clubs you’ve managed, but I do enjoy how I ever had any success there. Winning all the banter from those supporters who are promotion at QPR in 2010-11 was one of my less inclined towards me.” most enjoyable seasons.” He’s talking about Bristol City. “Oh yes, we BACK TO BASICS WITH BORO have had a few barneys down the years,” he chuckles. “I’m not their favourite manager. Warnock’s father never made it into his 70s, I once said I’d want Bristol City fans at my let alone carry on working beyond retirement funeral singing, ‘Neil Warnock is a wanker’. age. In contrast, Middlesbrough’s boss retains Sharon says that’s all right, as long as it’s just the same enthusiasm and drive he originally them and no one else!” showed at Gainsborough Trinity in 1980. At this rate, however, raging Bristolians are “My dad was a steelworker and crane driver set to be significantly outnumbered by those who did 16-hour shifts at British Steel and across the country who have appreciated his smoked 50 fags a day, so his lungs weren’t in managerial skills over the years. a great state by the end,” explains Warnock. “That’s what makes me appreciate life a lot Not that it’s time to start writing Warnock’s more. I’m 72, but don’t think I look my age football obituary just yet. and certainly don’t feel it. I am considering getting some Botox next year, though, just to MORE On FOURFOURTWO.COM keep my youthful appearance! • Ask A Silly Question: Neil Warnock – pesky “Our main home is down in Cornwall, but otters, tractors and Graham Poll a few months ago, Sharon came up and we’re living in the North East semi-permanently. We • Bob Mortimer on Middlesbrough: “Emerson both enjoy it. We have two dogs and go out was a s**t dancer…” walking regularly, and we’ve bought a couple of electric bikes – I cycled 30 miles the other • 11 of the feistiest and funniest meltdowns between managers and journalists 54 January 2021 FourFourTwo



JUDE BELLInGHAM

JUDE BELLInGHAM YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR At 17, Jude Bellingham has already dazzled for a season in the Championship, made Champions League history and settled seamlessly into his new surroundings with Borussia Dortmund. Toppling Bayern Munich? No worries Words Ed McCambridge

ude Bellingham doesn’t like ENGLISH KIDS IN NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA Bottom left His August 2017. That decision, a year after Pep wasting time. winner against Guardiola’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium, was Bellingham had somewhere to be in a hurry. Stoke made him seen as a huge gamble. Now, after three full When he was 14 years old, In a pandemic-hit 2019-20, his box-to-box Birmingham’s seasons in Dortmund – in which Sancho has the midfielder was already performances provided a welcome tonic for youngest scorer made more than 100 outings and established playing four levels above his suffering Birmingham supporters cheering Below “Get in, himself in the England line-up – others have age group in Birmingham’s from home, and an intriguing proposition for I’m playing with followed suit. Bellingham is in no doubt about academy. Twelve months on, scouts at Europe’s top clubs. The Blues were Mats Hummels” the effect his new team-mate has had on he was handed a promotion set for a summer’s intense negotiations. British youngsters. to their under-23s. In August 2019, aged 16 years and 38 True to form, though, Bellingham was quick “It’s massive,” he tells FFT. “Jadon is a big days, his man-of-the-match to do a deal with Dortmund. The €25 million example for someone English and my age. display in City’s 3-0 League initial fee suited everybody – a world-record We’re all trying to play but, specifically, we’re Cup loss to Portsmouth was sum for a 17-year-old, but still a fair price all trying to make that next step into Europe’s even more notable for him things considered. In recognition of his rapid elite – especially if you’ve already played at becoming their youngest rise, Birmingham decided to retire his No.22 a certain level. Jadon’s done that perfectly.” ever player – beating Trevor shirt. Social media tittered, but the teenager Francis’ 1970 record by more was least bothered of anyone. Despite Sancho’s influence, Bellingham than three months. never directly reached out to his compatriot Within a few weeks, Bellingham had also “For me – whether people feel it was really before signing for Dortmund. Since joining, become the youngest scorer in Blues history, deserved or not – it was an honour,” reveals though, the pair have become good friends. emerging off the bench before hitting a late Bellingham. “The club I love, recognising the winner in a 2-1 Championship success over things I did during my time there. You could “When I first arrived in Dortmund, he was Stoke. If there were any concerns about the say, ‘Well he only played this many matches the one who really helped me out,” beams schoolboy’s ability to deal with the demands and scored this many goals,’ but in my city Bellingham. “He was like, ‘Do you need this, of senior men’s football, by that point they I almost became a bit of an icon for some of do you understand what this is, do you know were short-lived. the kids growing up. “It did almost feel like I was trying to prove a point,” the 17-year-old tells FourFourTwo “People enjoyed watching me play. I don’t now, at Borussia Dortmund’s Hohenbuschei necessarily think that was enough for them training ground. to retire my number, but it’s something I can Bellingham is reflecting on a preposterous be very proud of, and the club can be very past 14 months, in which he proved a vital proud of. Everyone benefited from me going, player for his boyhood club – at an age where so I can understand their reasons and I’m most of his peers are applying for provisional extremely grateful to them.” driving licences – then shot into Champions League history with Dortmund, becoming In July, Bellingham arrived in Germany to the youngest Englishman to start a game in begin his career’s next chapter. He describes the competition. Bellingham is different: you himself as a “confident lad”, but admits to don’t achieve all of that at 17 without being feeling awestruck during his maiden training a little special. session at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Relaxed and articulate, he doesn’t even talk like your average teenager, despite moving “It was surreal,” he recalls. “It was like, ‘Oh to a different country only months ago. But my god, there’s Mats Hummels, a World Cup perhaps it figures. winner. He’s done everything in football. And “I didn’t get nervous,” the starlet explains there’s Jadon Sancho, and Marco Reus’. You of his big breakthrough at Birmingham last know, they’re football icons. season. “I felt this was the chance I wanted, the chance I’ve worked for and fought for in “On the pitch, you see how these guys carry training since I was a kid. For me to then get themselves, how hard they work in training, nervous and spoil it would have been stupid, and how determined they are to keep getting so I decided to grasp it with both hands.” better. For me, that was insane, because you Just like that, Jude Bellingham had arrived. see how good they are already. That’s pushed me to want to be the best I can be.” It’s no surprise that Bellingham picks out Sancho in particular. The former Manchester City youngster changed the game for young English players after choosing to join BVB in 58 January 2021 FourFourTwo

JUDE BELLInGHAM how to get this?’ He didn’t need to do that. He Red Devils and even received a guided tour of of the DFB-Pokal, becoming BVB’s youngest could have just gone about his own business the training ground from Sir Alex Ferguson. goalscorer in a 5-0 shellacking of third-tier and worried about himself, so for him to take Despite United pulling out all the stops to try Duisburg in September. the time to do that tells you a lot about what to lure him from the Midlands, there was only he’s like as a character.” ever one club on the midfielder’s mind. “He attacks, he gets forward – and not just with his passing but with the ball at his feet,” Everything about Sancho, from his playing “United have a fantastic squad, but I was so BVB boss Lucien Favre said proudly after that style and dress sense to his online presence, focused and so happy with the interest from victory. “But he also comes back and defends hints at a young man who enjoys standing Dortmund that this became my first choice,” with great commitment.” out from the crowd. So, has the appearance he declares. “It was never a case of this club of another Englishman stolen his thunder? over this club. For me, it was always Borussia An assist on his Bundesliga bow – for fellow Dortmund, and that’s it. teen Giovanni Reyna – against rivals Borussia “Well, I’ve taken a bit of the shine off him, Monchengladbach followed five days later. haven’t I?” laughs Bellingham. “But no, he’s “The only thing I was bothered about while Bellingham then took Phil Foden’s record as been great with me. It’s nice to have another making my decision was playing football, and the youngest Englishman to feature in the English lad around – we share music tastes this was the best place to do that. Champions League, against Lazio in Rome. and other stuff like that.” “It’s as clear as day that if you come here “That was so crazy,” he says of the latter Had things played out differently, the pair and do the right things, you’re going to get milestone. “You never take the chance to look may have joined forces in the Premier League your opportunity.” back at your own journey. And because we instead of the Bundesliga. Over the summer, lost 3-1, maybe I didn’t either. In July, I was Sancho was the centre of a protracted saga MY SUPER SWEET 17TH playing in the Championship – towards the between Dortmund and Manchester United, bottom end of the table, aiming for survival. who eventually decided against meeting the There’s still no sign of Bellingham hitting the Fast-forward three months and I’m starting south Londoner’s alleged €150m valuation. wall. Not three months after turning 17, he in the Champions League.” Bellingham was also courted heavily by the made his competitive debut in the first round While Dortmund are renowned for offering tyros opportunities, Bellingham’s introduction appears particularly fast-tracked. Sancho, by comparison, didn’t become a regular starter until partway through his second campaign with the German giants. “Obviously it’s a step up, but I was ready for it,” insists Bellingham. “I played in 44 games last year, so maybe my situation was slightly different to Jadon’s. I had a short break after the season and felt that as soon as I got back on the pitch and could show everyone what I could do, I’d get my opportunity. “When you’re in the environment that I’ve been in last year with Birmingham and the start of this season with Dortmund, you have to grow up quickly. You have to leave behind your childish habits because you’re expected to be at a certain level that’s similar to your team-mates. Otherwise you’re letting them down, you’re letting yourself down and you’re not going to maximise your ability.” A smile breaks across Bellingham’s face. “To be fair, though,” he adds, “my parents would say I’m just as immature and that I’m putting it on for you lot.” The youngster’s family have been crucial on his journey so far. Born in Stourbridge, 13 miles from Birmingham, Bellingham juggled school with training at the Blues’ academy from the age of seven. “You don’t send your child off to football training with the plan that he’ll one day turn “BIRMInGHAM RETIRInG MY SHIRT nUMBER WAS An HOnOUR – I BECAME A BIT OF An ICOn FOR SOME KIDS In MY CITY”

JUDE professional,” Bellingham’s mother Denise BELLInGHAM has said. “He was having fun, that was the most important thing.” BUnDESBRITS Denise moved to Germany with her son in Only 35 players from British shores have plied their trade the summer. The pair share an apartment on in Germany’s top tier – but some left a lasting impression the outskirts of Dortmund, a city he describes as “a bit like Birmingham”, with “respectful KEVIN KEEGAN Munich, who agreed to take the forward on people who don’t bombard you with phones a season-long loan instead. Hughes didn’t or demand pictures”. Hamburg nearly doubled the win any silverware in Germany but achieved German transfer record to something far more interesting: playing two His mother’s gentle guidance may go some net Keegan from European games on the same November day in 1987. way to explaining why he appears so relaxed champions Liverpool in the After Wales lost 2-0 in Czechoslovakia, he on and off a football pitch, but that only tells summer of 1977. After a miserable opening hopped straight on a flight to beat Borussia part of the story. campaign, things changed rapidly – by 1979, Monchengladb -2 in Munich. Hamburg were crowned West German kings His father, Mark, enjoyed a 20-year career for the first time since 1960, then reached PAUL LAMBERT as a prolific non-league striker. Before finally the European Cup final a year later. ‘Mighty hanging up his boots in 2017, Bellingham Mouse’ bagged successive Ballons d’Or along Lambert impressed so much Snr starred for clubs including Stourbridge, the way, recorded a single which reached in a 1994-95 UEFA Cup First Halesowen, Bromsgrove, Leamington and No.10 in the German charts and even helped Round tie against Dortmund Sutton Coldfield, plundering more than 700 popularise the perm before heading back to for Motherwell, BVB manager goals. “They were all inside the six-yard box!” Blighty with So mpton in 1980. Sehr gut! Ottmar Hitzfeld offered the free agent a trial laughs his eldest son. “It’s important to keep at the end of the following campaign. A third him level-headed.” TONY WOODCOCK straight Bundesliga title proved out of reach for Dortmund during the midfielder’s solitary Bellingham’s dad continues to work as an Six months after winning the season at the Westfalenstadion, but BVB did officer with the West Midlands Police and has 1979 European Cup under win the Champions League for the first time, remained in England to help Jude’s younger Brian Clough, Woodcock left beating Juventus 3-1 in the final. The Scot’s brother Jobe, another promising player who Nottingham Forest for Köln outstanding marking job on Zinedine Zidane is in Birmingham’s youth setup. in a meaty £600,000 deal. The striker spent – and assist for Karl-Heinz Riedle’s opener – is three happy years with the Billy Goats, hitting still celebrated e Ruhr Valley. “This is the first time we’ve split up – we’ve 28 goals, and formed a feared partnership got 50 per cent of the family in Germany and alongside international forward Dieter Muller. OWEN 50 per cent in England,” reveals Bellingham, Alas, titles didn’t materialise and Woodcock HARGREAVES who senses his sibling, 15, may well become was eventually sold to Arsenal for £500,000. a different type of footballer. He returned to West Germany for a second Midfielder Hargreaves was spell with Köln in 1986, but won, er, nothing “I think he’s going to be a more advanced once again. Ne ind. born in Canada and played player. It’s difficult to say at the moment, as he’s having a growth spurt. MURDO MACLEOD for England, but moved to “I’m proud of him and can’t wait to watch After winning eight major Germany as a 16-year-old. The industrious how he develops over the next two or three honours in Scottish football years. We’ve always pushed each other. I’ve with Celtic, midfield enforcer ball-winner became a crucial cog for Bayern never really fought with him, but when I think MacLeod decided to leave back to the times I did, it was always about the Bhoys for a crack at the Bundesliga in the Munich after signing in 1997, capturing the football and who was winning. summer of 1987. At nearly 29, the Scotland international had a pair of suitors: Borussia 2001 Champions League, four league titles “Now he’s just hammering me whenever Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. MacLeod he gets the chance – that always keeps me watched them play one another in the final and three DFB-Pokals. His subsequent switch humble,” grins Bellingham. “Being a lad from league game of the season, sensibly signing Birmingham, everyone is working class, you a three-year deal with Dortmund, who won to Manchester United resulted in another know your roots and know how you have to 4-0. He topped 100 outings for BVB – lifting carry yourself. This kind of thing doesn’t often both the DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup – European crown and Premier League medal happen to someone like me, but I have the before coming e and joining Hibernian. perfect people around to keep me grounded. in 2008, but serious knee problems limited I’m so grateful for that.” MARK HUGHES him to a paltry five appearances in the three Professional footballer or not, education After struggling to get goals remains vital to Bellingham – he’s studying at Barcelona, Sparky fancied campaigns aft t. for a BTEC in sport while doing his best to a move back to Manchester learn a new language. United before the 1987-88 JADON SANCHO campaign. There was just one problem: doing “I’m understanding more day by day,” he so that soon would cost him a small fortune Few men snub Pep Guardiola explains. “I find it tough to speak German – in taxes. A lifeline came in the form of Bayern and then go on to greatness the way these guys pronounce the words is – but, aged 17, Sancho felt outstanding and pretty weird to me, but I’m ready to reject the coaching grasping more and more. goliath and do the hitherto unthinkable. In 2017, the highly-rated winger turned down “Luckily, everyone speaks English very well. a contract with Manchester City and sealed The coaches prefer to speak in German, but a bargain £8m move to Dortmund, where he there’s always someone to translate. Now has since developed into a star for club and I’ve been here for several months, if I pick up country. Last term, the 20-year-old became three words in a sentence, that’s enough to the first Englishman since Matt Le Tissier in piece together what the coach is on about. 1994-95 to post 15 league goals and assists It’s all good.” in one of Europe’s top five divisions. GRINDING WITH AXEL In addition to his fresh cultural surroundings, Bellingham is also adapting to a new playing style, which has only strengthened his game. 60 January 2021 FourFourTwo

JUDE BELLInGHAM “YOU CAn’T BE PART-TIME In To work with these kinds of players every day Park’s southern terrace accommodates more THIS GAME. EVERYTHInG nEEDS makes you want to express yourself, playing than 25,000 passionate standing supporters TO REVOLVE AROUnD FOOTBALL” a style of football that’s a bit more attractive. – almost a third of the stadium when full. Having these guys around makes your job so “I came from the second division of English Above Bellingham much easier, but also makes you want to “We had 11,500 fans in for a game against football, which is famous for being direct and quickly bonded with give more. It’s perfect.” Freiburg [in October] and it was still unreal,” more brutal at times,” he suggests. “I think fellow tyro Haaland he says. “It was so loud, and I can’t wait to here [in the Bundesliga] it’s more like a game Below Overlooked Although Sancho and Die Schwarzgelben’s hear what 80,000 sounds like. It’s something of chess: each move, each substitution, each Guerreiro “runs rings other attackers tend to hog the headlines, it’s every football fan admires Borussia Dortmund formation is perfectly placed to open up the around everyone” at an often-overlooked wideman who has left for. I can’t wait to perform in front of those opposition or get a certain reaction that will Dortmund training Bellingham astounded in training and games. supporters every week.” create opportunities. “The one player not many people recognise However, a big fanbase comes with added “Being in this environment will only improve or talk about too much is [left-back] Raphael responsibility. Dortmund are one of German my football knowledge. I’ve experienced the Guerreiro,” says the youngster, puffing out his football’s most successful clubs, having won brutal, tough side, and that’s what got me to cheeks. “Honestly, he only plays with his left two Bundesliga crowns and two DFB-Pokals this point; now, I’ll continue to keep learning foot but some of the things he can do – his over the past decade. But with last season’s the German style, too.” passing, his dribbling – he makes look easy. Treble winners Bayern Munich targeting their He runs rings around everyone – to him, it’s ninth consecutive title this term, the pressure The 17-year-old has frequently partnered a laugh. When Jadon is on it, it’s frightening. is on Favre’s charges to re-assert themselves Belgian powerhouse Axel Witsel at the base Some of the stuff I’ve seen him do is scary, after back-to-back runners-up finishes. of Dortmund’s midfield. and I’ve only been here a few months.” “There’s no hiding, really,” says Bellingham. “Axel is the perfect Championship player,” Sancho may yet depart the club in 2021, “We want to win trophies, of course, but it’s he laughs. “I’ve not told him that, though, as but Dortmund’s youth policy means there are not something we put too much pressure on he might squash me.” always exceptional young players ready to fill ourselves to do. Ultimately, you win trophies the void. Goal-machine Erling Haaland, 20, by winning football matches. That’s all we’re Witsel, a 100-cap international, is just one and midfielder Reyna, freshly 18, are joined focused on. We just try to win the next game of many world-class players Bellingham now by free-scoring forward Youssoufa Moukoko and the one after that.” calls colleagues. While he holds his former – only just 16, but also expected to have an pals at St Andrew’s in high regard, BVB’s new impact this season after making his debut at There’s certainly no hiding for their teenage No.22 has equally embraced the step up. Hertha Berlin in November. midfielder, whose first England call-up also came much earlier than expected. Following “With all due respect to my “I think when you play with these guys, it’s an injury to Southampton midfielder James Birmingham team-mates easy to build a connection because you can Ward-Prowse, boss Gareth Southgate invited – and they were great relate to them a bit more,” says Bellingham. Bellingham to his first Three Lions squad in with me, the way November, then gave him his debut against they treated “We’re in the same boat, at similar points the Republic of Ireland at Wembley. Now with me as a player in our career, but at the same time we a foot in the door, the starlet has an outside and as a young have a great balance in the squad. chance of making it to next summer’s Euros professional was I’ve said before that the young – although, for once, he is more than happy amazing – it’s a huge step up in terms of the players will get the spotlight to take things slowly. quality, in training sessions and in matches,” when everything’s going well, he admits. “They won’t mind me saying that. but you have to look to the more “It’s obviously everyone’s dream to play for experienced guys and how much their country and I’m no different,” he says. they help ease us in games.” “But the manager decides that, and it’s not Despite his excellent start, there something I want to rush. I just want to keep is still one thing Bellingham hasn’t doing what I’m doing for Dortmund. That’s ticked off – playing in front of the all I can do. famous Yellow Wall. Signal Iduna “You hear about players who are unhappy at a club and want to move – then they move, they’re still unhappy and they want to move again. I’d say simply enjoy your football, keep working very hard and identify which areas of your game you need to improve. You can’t be part-time in this game. Everything you do needs to revolve around football. “Some people aren’t willing to sacrifice that much and some are, and it’s those guys who will get their chances eventually. Work hard and play with a smile.” But that’s easy for Jude Bellingham to say. When you’re this good, how could you play any other way? MORE On FOURFOURTWO.COM • How to deal with being the world’s most sought-after starlet? Erling Haaland simply scores goals... (by Chris Flanagan) • Lion cubs: England’s 20 youngest-ever debutants (by Paul Sarahs) • Quiz: Name the 20 youngest players to make 100 Premier League appearances FourFourTwo January 2021 61

DEPORTIVO LA CORUnA DOWNFALL OF THE YEAR

DEPORTIVO LA CORUnA L A C O R U n AIT’S ALL GOnE LOCO In M aria Pita defines what it is to be from A Coruna. On May 4, 1589, Twenty years ago, Deportivo La Coruna she watched her husband – an became Spanish champions – now, army captain defending the old they’re languishing in the third tier city walls from Francis Drake’s for the first time since 1981. How English Armada – die from a crossbow to on Earth did things get so bad? the head. Not only did she not flinch, Pita FFT goes in search of answers fought for her besieged Galician city. She picked up a spear and launched it at the Words Andrew Murray English flag bearer, killing him. “Quen tena honra, que me siga!” she screamed to her captivated troops – in local dialect Gallego, not Spanish – from A Coruna’s highest rampart. “Whoever has honour, follow me!” Pita’s forces then repelled the English with the same fierce determination Drake & Co. had exhibited in the English Channel a year previously. Just over 400 years later, on May 20, 2000, nearly half of the city’s 245,000 population gathered in the square that bears Pita’s name, statue and battle cry to celebrate A Coruna’s most significant event in the interceding four centuries – Deportivo becoming just the ninth team in history to win La Liga. A small club on Spain’s north-western tip, Depor were the embodiment of their war hero’s underdog spirit, bravery and will to win. Yet, as a dynasty beckoned, an economic catastrophe meant ‘Super Depor’ became little more than a yo-yo club between La Liga and the Segunda. This summer, things got worse. In July, 20 years after winning Spanish football’s top prize, Deportivo were relegated to the regional Segunda B – the 102-team third tier which is more of a graveyard than a football league – without even playing the last game of a chastening season. How did it come to this? Depor were dying when Augusto Cesar Lendoiro became president in June 1988. A lawyer-turned-politician who had made the city’s roller hockey club Liceo national champions in five years, Lendoiro needed quick cash to keep the club afloat. So, he enlisted retired midfielder Manolete – by then the director of a local bank – to push through a series of loans to pay players and service some of the debt. Never one to do things by halves – think ex-Atletico Madrid owner Jesus Gil, only slightly less unhinged – Lendoiro doubled down on his investment. In 1991, under the progressive instruction of local coach Arsenio Iglesias, Deportivo secured their return to La Liga. “They took risks, but they paid off,” Luis de la Cruz, a Deportivo supporter and AS journalist who has been covering the club for 25 years, explains to FourFourTwo. “All of a sudden, you’ve got the cleverest kid in the class doing something that no one else can do.” Lendoiro added the stardust, using his cult of personality to convince Brazilian trio Mauro Silva, Bebeto and Donato – two of which would start the 1994 World Cup Final – that the Galician climate (one of

DEPORTIVO LA CORUnA Spain’s wettest) was akin to the Copacabana DEPOR BEAT THE GALACTICOS nOT JUST In THEIR OWn at the height of summer. BACK YARD, BUT On REAL MADRID’S 100TH BIRTHDAY Three years after winning promotion back not just in their opponents’ back yard, but on Above Copa del Riki, Filipe Luis and Andres Guardado – were to the top flight, Deportivo were a last-minute the occasion of their 100th birthday. It was Rey delirium for too raw to bring Champions League football. missed Miroslav Djukic spot-kick away from later dubbed El Centenariazo, and Deportivo Deportivo in ’95 a maiden title. Regular penalty taker Donato fans sang Happy Birthday at full-time. after, eventually, “It was obvious from the outside that there had been substituted against Valencia and beating Valencia were serious financial problems within the Bebeto refused to step up, leaving their visibly “That’s the game I look back on differently at the Bernabeu club,” admits AS journalist De la Cruz. “It was terrified centre-back to hand Johan Cruyff’s to any other,” says captain Fran. “I genuinely a slow death.” Fran adds, “You think the glory Barcelona the league instead. It was, says De don’t think any other side could have done is going to last forever – the problem comes la Cruz, “the worst thing you could imagine what we did that day.” when you can’t maintain that.” having to deal with”. The Branquiazuis were no less triumphant President Lendoiro had bet the family silver Revenge over Valencia came in the 1995 on the continent, reaching the latter stages on elite continental competition each season. Copa del Rey Final. Played over two separate of the Champions League for four campaigns Without the Champions League’s television days (four days apart) at the Bernabeu after running. The one match every Deportivista money, Depor were haemorrhaging millions torrential rain interrupted the first game with remembers is 2003-04’s quarter-final second every year. It didn’t exactly help that Lendoiro 11 minutes remaining, midfielder Alfredo’s leg at home to Milan, having lost 4-1 at San had enshrined his €400,000 salary into the header sealed the prize upon its resumption. Siro. Not only did Depor win, they won 4-0 club’s constitution in 1999. This was a team which fought for each other; against defending champions who would go an outlier on Spain’s fringes. on to feature in two of the next three finals. And so, Deportivo floundered. Relegated in 2011 and again in 2013, they were in deep “The atmosphere within Depor was always “That game is about more than just the trouble despite bouncing straight back with incredible – it was just like a family,” one-club comeback,” says Fran, who scored the fourth promotion both times. Following that second man Fran, who went on to make more than goal that night. “You’ve got Cafu, Dida, Pirlo, demotion, Lendoiro’s creditors finally caught 600 appearances, tells FFT. “We experienced Maldini, Shevchenko, Kaka. This is one of the up with him – notably, the Spanish treasury. an amazing period with magnificent results all-time great teams we beat – incredible.” Depor’s debts were €160 million, making for and achievements that nobody expected.” Spanish football’s biggest insolvency hearing. That Milan win was the beginning of the The only way that the administrators would It was under Basque coach Javier Irureta end, though. Within a year, Irureta was gone, countenance the club’s continued existence from 1998, however, that Depor played with Mauro Silva and Fran retired, and Djalminha was if Lendoiro resigned, which eventually the percussive urgency befitting the ‘Super’ joined Makaay in departing for pastures new. happened on Christmas Eve 2013. epithet. A man of the north, having reached Valeron remained, but by 2007 Albert Luque, UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey finals as a player Diego Tristan, Jorge Andrade, Lionel Scaloni The Lendorio era was laid bare. “The real for Athletic Bilbao, Irureta embraced Galician and Victor had also moved on, replaced by causes of Depor’s insolvency lie in the fact of culture. He once walked the 500-mile Camino youngsters who – while accomplished, like having maintained a mode of management de Santiago pilgrimage from southern France disconnected from reality,” read the report, across northern Spain to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. By the final day of 1999-00, Deportivo were again battling for top spot, with playmaking genius Djalminha and centre-forward killer Roy Makaay the latest foreign recruits lured to the Riazor by president Lendoiro’s millions. Beat Espanyol and they would be champions; lose, and Barça could pip them. Again. “We were that convinced we’d win,” insists Fran. “Djukic and the penalty had damaged the club, but it was so important to lay those ghosts to rest.” When Donato opened the scoring after just three minutes, victory was all but assured. The celebrations went on long into the night. “I’d never seen anything like it,” recalls Fran, as bars overflowed with people. “Everyone was out on the streets – we tried to take the team coach to the Cuatro Caminos fountain where most supporters congregated, but we couldn’t get anywhere near it.” Partying in the Plaza Maria Pita came a day later – a city drunk on football. The players – sporting bleached-blond hair – slurred their words on the town hall’s balcony. Lendoiro struggled to even stand. “I’d only just turned 18, so you can imagine what I did for several days!” Victor Losada, a lifelong Deportivo fan who went to his first match in 1991 and runs the riazor.org blog, reveals to FFT. “This was a victory for the city, not just its football team.” Juan Carlos Valeron came in from Atletico that summer and the success kept coming: Depor beat Real Madrid’s Galacticos of Raul, Roberto Carlos, Luis Figo and Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu to lift the 2002 Copa del Rey, 64 January 2021 FourFourTwo

DEPORTIVO LA CORUnA which lambasted a “reckless and misguided Below A flying They needn’t have worried: a fired-up Depor “This is the most delicate moment in this business model” at the Riazor. visit to the third won 2-1, denying Fuenlabrada a play-off spot. great club’s history, which is why we wanted tier is crucial for to help,” he tells FFT. “We wouldn’t have done “If Lendoiro is the artifice of the success, Depor’s future; Another case is going through the Galician it if we didn’t think we could get the club back he’s also the principal person responsible for and fans were courts to decide whether Bergantinos’ arrest to where it belongs. What we must do is get the economic fall,” says De la Cruz. “Little by quick to snaffle was lawful, given it was based on an ‘offence’ back to Segunda A as soon as possible, then little, year by year, you keep losing something season tickets that hadn’t even happened. stabilise. Step by step, that’s the only way.” until you’re left with nothing.” “The only good thing to come out of this is Promotion won’t be easy – with Spanish The new president, Tino Fernandez, paid off that fans have woken up and united against football halfway through a restructure, there the €45m owed to the government through the authorities,” insists AS scribe De la Cruz. will be 102 teams in the regional Segunda B a mixture of investments and bank loans, Indeed, a new branch of Deportivo’s official this season, competing in 10 groups and 20 which restored Depor’s standing off the pitch. supporters’ club called ‘Tebas Vete Ya’ (Tebas sub-groups. Three phases and a final play-off In five years he halved the club’s debts, but Go Now) has sprung up above English subtitle will determine the four promotion berths. struggled to win over a sceptical fanbase that Love Football, Hate Tebas. grew increasingly frustrated at the constant “It’s hard to imagine what will happen if hiring and firing of managers. He employed If there’s a positive for Depor’s first season Depor don’t go up,” says De la Cruz. “There’ll nine coaches in half a decade, including three in the third tier since 1980, this is it. Despite need to be a big investment from someone (ex-West Bromwich Albion gaffer Pepe Mel, the pandemic, the club have flogged a league to survive another campaign at this level, and Cristobal Parralo and former Milan midfielder record 20,000 season tickets – a figure most the bank, who have already invested €30m Clarence Seedorf) in 2017-18 alone, which La Liga clubs would struggle to match. in capital this season, is unlikely to make it.” ended in relegation from a top flight they are yet to return to. Fans are even permitted inside the Riazor Deportivo, their memories of that title 20 as Segunda B doesn’t count as ‘elite sport’ in years ago turning ever more sepia, now face “There has been a stream of presidents, Spain, with 3,000 (10 per cent capacity) able a do-or-die moment. sporting directors and coaches with different to savour an opening-day 2-1 victory against ideas,” says Losada. “You need patience. We Salamanca. It was the first of three wins and “Honestly, those golden years were worth haven’t committed to a project. Plenty start a draw from Depor’s first four league games. it,” says Losada, beaming with pride at what off and then never go anywhere, or we move his club achieved. “Sure, we’re suffering now, on to the next one.” The feelgood factor has been strengthened but I hope we can see those days again. We further by the return of club legends Valeron didn’t know then what we had in front of us, Fernandez was voted out in May 2019, but and Fran as B team manager and academy and you don’t appreciate what you’ve got. I’ll replacement Francisco Zas lasted a matter of head respectively. Fran himself is delighted. remember what Segunda B feels like forever.” months. Present incumbent Fernando Vidal took over in mid-January. Vidal has allowed the bank Abanca to assume further control of the club, swapping debt for shares which now amount to 78 per cent. In their annus horribilis of 2019-20, Depor won just 12 points from their first 20 games. Another relegation, to the third-tier Segunda B, seemed a near-certainty despite their late revival under Fernando Vazquez – a former English teacher now in his second spell at the Riazor – from January. On the final day of the season, they had to beat play-off-chasing Fuenlabrada and hope results went their way to survive – but when several opposition players tested positive for COVID-19, La Liga postponed the game while allowing the rest of the matchday to start. In Depor’s absence, relegation rivals Lugo and Albacete both secured victories, condemning the Galicians to the drop. “It brings the legitimacy of the competition into question if you’re going to suspend only one game,” laments Fran. “I still can’t believe what happened.” The club pursued a fruitless legal challenge – a defeat made all the more exasperating when Fuenlabrada were represented in court by lawyer-turned-club secretary Javier Tebas Jnr, the son of La Liga president Javier Snr. “I don’t want to start with the whole Tebas situation, but it’s quite clear there’s a huge conflict of interest,” states fan Losada. “You won’t find anyone connected with Deportivo who says we didn’t have an awful campaign and deserved to go down, but the least we merited was to play all the final matches at the same time.” Two days before the rearranged clash three weeks later, Depor captain Alex Bergantinos was arrested after police received a recording of the midfielder apparently suggesting the team might not try in their upcoming fixture.

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ZLATAN “I haven’t come here as IBRAHIMOVIC a mascot, to stand next to the devil and dance.” “DID YOU SEE THE On January 3, Zlatan LAST DANCE? I’M NOT Ibrahimovic was unveiled for his MICHAEL JORDAN BUT second spell at Milan, and he had I SEE MYSELF IN HIS a message for his doubters. He could have WAY OF WORKING” easily delivered the same sentence three and a half years earlier, when he signed for VETERAN Manchester United. OF THE Back then, aged 34, many asked if Zlatan YEAR was too old for the Premier League, after a supposedly easy life at Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1. He responded emphatically with 28 goals in 2016-17. Fast-forward to 2020 and the 39-year-old is still scoring as regularly as ever. If some thought Zlatan’s return to Milan might be as an impact sub, an old war horse to chuck on when games weren’t going well, it’s turned out to be nothing of the sort. Ibrahimovic had no intention of watching matches from the sidelines, alongside anthropomorphic devil mascot Milanello: a more sinister version of Fred the Red. By late November, Ibra had smashed 20 goals in 24 league games during 2020 and was Serie A’s top scorer in the new season, despite sitting out two of the opening three matches because of coronavirus. Milan were 11th when Ibrahimovic returned in January: after eight games of 2020-21, the Rossoneri led the table. Had things been different, Zlatan could have been a Leeds player right now. Andrea Radrizzani attempted to recruit the Swede for the second half of the Whites’ promotion campaign, when it became clear the veteran was leaving LA Galaxy. “I spoke concretely with him, but he chose to go to Milan,” said Leeds’ owner. The seven-time European champions were searching for a saviour: staring at their worst league position since 1983, following a 5-0 tonking at Atalanta in their final game before Christmas. They turned to the spearhead of their last title-winning campaign, in 2010-11. Ibrahimovic scored 56 goals in two seasons during his first stint at San Siro, rejuvenated after a nightmare time under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. He was flogged to PSG, despite coach Carlo Ancelotti voicing concerns about

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC IBRA-CADABRA Bravado follows Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but why change when you back it up? Now 39, the Swede retains his magic Words Chris Flanagan Additional reporting Emanuele Giulianelli his age – even at 30. “The policy of PSG is to Below Ibrahimovic’s “He was right, though. He’s impressed me I see myself in his way of working, in what he invest in young talent – he doesn’t fall inside age-defying genius a lot, and his impact has been crucial. How is demands of himself and others. our parameters,” Ancelotti had commented has guided Milan to he doing it? Just because he’s very good! He earlier that summer. the Serie A summit knows what to do, he always puts himself in “A lot of people say only the game counts. the game and forces others to do the same. But for me, no – how you practise is how you Maybe Milan had concerns about Zlatan’s play the game. I want 200 per cent from my age, too, given the knockdown €20m transfer “Zlatan stimulates the others – he’s never team-mates, always, like I want from myself. fee. “I didn’t want to leave,” Ibrahimovic has satisfied, he’s ambitious. When we enjoyed Not everyone is Ibra, that’s OK, but you have since claimed. “It was a corporate decision.” success together, he was pivotal. In the hard to bring the best you can.” times, we all clung to him. He challenged us He was never replaced, and Milan slipped from the beginning to the end of training – Zlatan has been doing that ever since he into the wilderness – they haven’t qualified he’s a decisive and wonderful player. turned pro in 1999. While the tallies of some for the Champions League since 2013. historical players are disputed – we’re looking “Looking at his physical fitness, he can keep at you, Pele – some claimed he had joined the In his first start after returning to the club, scoring at 40 because his athletic shape is top 10 goalscorers of all-time when he struck Ibra found the net at Cagliari. He had struck better now than two or three years ago. Can his 554th in November. Either way, 2020 has a steady if unspectacular three goals in eight he help Milan to win the league this season? cemented his status as a great. league games, when lockdown hit. I’d say that’s complicated. But if it’s making them credible and aspiring to qualify for the Only three men have ever netted in Serie A “I came to Italy to finish my career with Champions League, I’d say absolutely yes, aged 40, but don’t bet against Ibrahimovic a great club, because they were telling me he can do that.” being the fourth. “If there’s a project which that in America it was far too easy,” he said. stimulates me, I could play at the same level “I came back, then they stopped everything. Ibrahimovic has undoubtedly been Milan’s until I’m 50,” he declared, not long before his I thought, ‘Perhaps there’s something trying driving force. “Did you watch The Last Dance, return to the Rossoneri. to tell me I should retire’.” the documentary about Michael Jordan?” he said recently. “I’m not saying I’m Jordan, but It seemed like he was joking, although with Having only inked a contract until the end Zlatan, you’re never quite sure. of the season, it looked like it might be a brief stay – particularly after an argument with chief executive Ivan Gazidis, which ended up in the newspapers. Maybe it just made him more determined. When Serie A resumed in June, Ibrahimovic plundered seven goals in 10 appearances to help Milan finish sixth. Eventually penning a new 12-month deal, he kicked off 2020-21 with a brace against Bologna. Not even a layoff with coronavirus could stop Zlatan roaring back, with eight more goals in his next five Serie A matches – two in a Derby della Madonnina victory over Inter, a fortnight after his 39th birthday. Since the turn of the 21st century, no player aged 38 or above had registered 10 goals in a campaign in any of the top five European leagues. Ibrahimovic has done it twice since his return to Italian shores – his finishing is clearly as sharp as ever. “I didn’t expect this,” Massimo Ambrosini, who played alongside Zlatan when Milan last clinched the title in 2010-11, tells FFT. “I’d be curious to know if he expected it either, or if it’s been a surprise for him as well. To me, his choice to return to Milan was hazardous – it was a great challenge. He had a desire to do it, he was physically fine and wasn’t afraid of the challenge, but it was a risk.

JACK CHARLTOn

JACK CHARLTOn IN MEMORIAM JACK In July, football mourned after losing one of its greatest ever characters; a man loved in not one but two nations thanks to his outstanding work as both a player and manager. Now, FFT remembers the everlasting laughs of Jack Charlton with those who knew him Words Chris Flanagan Additional reporting Leo Moynihan

JACK CHARLTOn J ack Charlton, three votes. Johnny glory in 1966, and domestic success at Leeds, Below Charlton Charlton had just retired as a player after Giles, three votes. Liam Tuohy, three it was a fitting end to an unforgettable career. and Moore were 21 years with Leeds, his only club. At 15, he votes. Bob Paisley, nine votes. Deep To become a national hero in one country is rock solid in ’66 had snubbed a trial at Elland Road because in the bowels of Merrion Square, the quite a feat. Charlton did it in two – not just Below right “Buy he wanted to work alongside his father in the FAI were choosing the new Republic for his achievements, but through his sheer one, get one free Northumberland coal mines – only to swiftly of Ireland boss, and it wasn’t looking force of personality. on Boro jackets” realise how unpleasant the job was. He then good for Big Jack. applied to join the police, before accepting In February 1986, the Boys in Green had OBDURATE WITH BALL AND MOUTH Leeds’ trial offer and earning a deal. never qualified for a major tournament, and had just had their World Cup hopes ended – When Jack Charlton began his managerial He helped Leeds reach the First Division in beaten in the USSR, then demolished 4-1 by career with Middlesbrough in the summer 1955-56, but was never short of an opinion. Denmark at Lansdowne Road. Worse still, of 1973, his opening salvo wasn’t quite as Team-mate John Charles once pinned him Northern Ireland had qualified for a second extreme as Brian Clough’s ‘you can throw all against a wall after a full and frank exchange time in succession. Eoin Hand was out, and it your medals in the bin’ speech, but there of views during one game. “Don’t ever speak was time to decide his replacement. were certainly similarities. to me like that again,” snarled the Welshman. Charlton had been receptive to the FAI’s A year before Clough uttered his infamous Leeds were relegated after Charles’ sale to approach, but some voiced concerns about line at Leeds, Charlton made his feelings clear Juventus. A mere four years before the 1966 his acrimonious departure from Newcastle on Teesside. As a World Cup winner taking World Cup, Charlton was part of a team that six months earlier. Some wanted a return for over a Second Division outfit, however, his came 19th in the second tier, only avoiding Giles or Tuohy, both former Ireland managers. players were a tad more receptive. Boro had relegation to the Third Division on the final Several people favoured Paisley, Liverpool’s been mid-table when Stan Anderson got the day of the season. He had spent much of the three-time European Cup winner who had sack in January 1973, but recovered to finish campaign unhappily playing out of position retired in 1983 but admitted interest in the fourth – losing just three of 15 games under as a centre-forward – he scored 12 goals, but vacancy anyway. caretaker Harold Shepherdson. endured a difficult early relationship with new boss Don Revie. The voting wasn’t finished, though. Further “All of a sudden we had this icon in Jack ballots eliminated Tuohy and Giles from the Charlton coming in – we were excited and That summer, Revie told Charlton he could race. Then, FAI president Des Casey refused nervous,” recalls Jim Platt, Middlesbrough’s leave, yet Leeds rejected a £28,500 bid from to endorse Paisley – Liverpool had warned young goalkeeper back then. “He met us at Bill Shankly’s Liverpool – even though it was that the 67-year-old had health problems. In a hotel, and the first sentence I remember just £1,500 short of the asking price. Charlton the end, Charlton prevailed and got the job, him saying was, ‘You can forget those results was then on the verge of joining his younger by 10 votes to eight. you got at the end of last season. They mean brother Bobby at Manchester United, only for f**k all, as you were playing teams who had Matt Busby to delay the deal. The first Englishman to lead Ireland would nothing to fight for’. I thought, ‘Bloody hell, become their greatest ever manager, in 10 I thought we did quite well!’” In the end, Charlton signed a new contract incredible years at the helm. After World Cup at Leeds. He soon forged a standout central defensive partnership with emerging stopper

JACK CHARLTOn Norman Hunter, which would take the club World Cup until the last 10 minutes of their him saying, ‘I’ll get the little bastard!’ If Jack to promotion in 1964, second place in the semi-final win over Portugal, when Charlton had actually caught up with John, I think he top tier a year later, and eventually the First handled on the goal-line at 2-0 up. A straight would have murdered him.” Division title in 1969. They would also win red card and suspension from the final today, the League Cup, FA Cup and two Fairs Cups. but back then he escaped even a booking. Middlesbrough won the Second Division Eusebio converted the penalty but England with six matches to spare – bagging the title Charlton was named the Football Writers’ won, before Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick heroics in with such ease that the boss attempted to Association’s Footballer of the Year in 1967 – the showpiece. The Charltons remain one of orchestrate it so they sealed it at Ayresome two years after making his England debut in only two sets of brothers to lift the World Cup, Park. He was genuinely annoyed when they April 1965, a month before turning 30. following West German duo Fritz and Ottmar celebrated a match earlier, at Luton. Walter in 1954’s ‘Miracle of Bern’. Leeds had just beaten Manchester United “I was running down the line screaming, when he heard about his call-up – bursting In May 1973, the Charlton siblings both ‘Let ’em have a goal, let ’em have a goal, let into a sombre opposition dressing room to became managers in the same week: Bobby ’em have a goal!’” Charlton later revealed. excitedly tell his brother, “I’ve been selected with Preston and Jack on his 38th birthday to play for England!” at Boro. He almost walked out before he had In their last match of the campaign – after been appointed – having agreed to meet the hammering Sheffield Wednesday 8-0 – they “Ah, congratulations,” replied Bobby, who board, he took umbrage when they started triumphed at brother Bobby’s Preston, who had made his international bow seven years quizzing him. “Wait a minute,” he thundered. were relegated. Jack was crowned manager earlier. “Now f**k off out of here,” another “I didn’t come here to be interviewed – I was of the year: the first gaffer from outside the Red Devils player shouted. told the job was mine.” top flight to win the award. Alf Ramsey saw the older Charlton brother He then produced a hand-written note from Back in the First Division for the first time in as the perfect partner for Bobby Moore – Jack Revie, outlining a manager’s responsibilities. 20 years, Boro immediately finished seventh, the no-nonsense destroyer to the ball-playing Either Charlton was given final say on all of only five points off champions Derby. Bobby. England didn’t concede a goal at the them, or he was leaving. Charlton also introduced the white band “GOD FORBID YOU EVER GOT “I’ll sit outside while you read it,” he said. across the club’s home shirt – he had been In JACK’S CAR. THERE WERE Fifteen minutes later, he knocked on the door. a trendsetter as a player too, coming up with FEATHERS, DEAD PHEASAnTS, “I’m going to sit here for another 10 minutes the idea of standing next to the opposition DEAD FISH, GEESE. IT STAnK” – if you haven’t made your minds up by then, goalkeeper before corners, to hamper their I’m off,” he added. He got the job. attempts to reach crosses. “We travelled to Portsmouth for Jack’s first After four years, he decided to leave Boro – match,” Platt tells FFT. “They had spent quite then months later, surprisingly took charge big, but we won 1-0. Then we played Fulham of Sheffield Wednesday, rock bottom of the at home and lost 2-0 – that was the first time Third Division. “They were bloody awful,” was we saw him bad-tempered. He came in on Charlton’s frank assessment. First he steered Monday and apologised in a meeting on the the Owls away from relegation, then guided pitch at Ayresome Park, but a couple of older them to promotion in 1979-80 and to within lads had a go back and he lost his rag again. a whisker of the top table a couple of seasons He said, ‘You either f**king do it my way, or later, missing out by one point. you won’t do it at all’. We went more than 20 games undefeated after that.” “Players wanted to play for him,” explained midfielder Gary Megson. “We were staying in Charlton got the best out of a 20-year-old a hotel one Christmas Day, and he got us all Graeme Souness, after initially leaving the together to have a secret vote on the worst young tyro out of his side. trainer, ugliest player, worst dressed etc. “I wasn’t the best professional – I went out “It was a brilliant laugh. He gave the winner chasing ladies, but Jack sorted me out,” the of each category a five pound note, but you Scot later recalled. “If it hadn’t been for him, couldn’t spend it as it had ‘UGLIEST PLAYER’ I wouldn’t have achieved what I did. written across it.” “God forbid you ever got in his car, though After returning to Middlesbrough for a brief – there would be feathers, dead pheasants, caretaker spell in 1984, saving them from dead fish, geese. It stank…” relegation to the third tier, Charlton suffered the only real disappointment of his time in The manager would frequently go fishing the dugout – with Newcastle, the club he had or shooting. “He didn’t take training five days always supported. He handed a first-team a week, because he felt we’d all get bored of debut to a 17-year-old Paul Gascoigne, but him,” says Platt. “Two or three days a week, the Magpies conceded 70 goals and finished he’d go and do some shooting or fishing and 14th in the 1984-85 First Division. let the first-team coach take training.” Early that season, they led 4-0 at half-time Charlton had an instinct for the minutiae at QPR but eventually drew 5-5. “Jack wanted of man management. to kill everyone in the dressing room,” Chris Waddle later told FFT. “All week, he’d been “I’d had a bad game once, and was in the saying a draw would be a great result. When bath on my own,” explains Platt. “He just had we brought that up, he wasn’t happy.” a quiet word with me and said, ‘Son, you’ve saved us plenty of times this season, so don’t Fan criticism intensified after Sunderland worry’. When he did team talks, though, he’d beat Newcastle to the signing of striker Eric speak about the opposition and some of the Gates. The single-minded Charlton leapt over pronunciations… we’d look around thinking, a fence to remonstrate with supporters at the ‘Who’s he talking about?!’ end of a pre-season friendly, resigning from his post minutes later. “Another time, he put his feet up on the table and he had a big hole in his shoe – we IRISH EYES ARE SMILING were all nudging each other and sniggering. He shouted, ‘What’s so funny, what are you After taking over as Republic of Ireland boss laughing at?’ He’d join in training, and once in 1986, Charlton embarked on a recruitment John Craggs tripped him – Jack chased after drive. By accident, he unearthed the player FourFourTwo January 2021 73

JACK CHARLTOn who would score the two most famous goals the same score in a home friendly. Charlton Above Big Jack He replied, ‘No, score so early – that was the in Irish football history. had quickly fashioned a special atmosphere. savours success hardest 85 minutes of my life!’” over Italy in ’94 “He came to see Oxford play at Villa Park in “It was like a club and we all bonded,” adds Below “Any of Ireland then drew 1-1 with the USSR, and the League Cup semi-finals,” Ray Houghton Houghton. “He was one of the lads – he fined you lot heard of came within eight minutes of knocking out tells FFT. “He’d come to watch John Aldridge, some of the players for not inviting him to the Pavarotti? What the Netherlands, the tournament’s eventual who had an Irish grandmother. In the players pub one evening. What he didn’t know is that about you, lad?” winners. Wim Kieft’s cruel header sent the lounge after the game, John told him that my he wasn’t left out because he was the boss, Irish home as national heroes. dad was born in Ireland, so Jack asked if I’d it was because he never bought any drinks – be interested in playing, too. I said I needed in the whole time I knew Jack, I don’t think “THE POPE WOULD HAVE SAVED THAT” a few days to consider it. The next morning, I ever saw him at the bar!” I got a call from him saying, ‘Have you made Jack’s Army promptly qualified for their first your mind up yet?’” Ireland won their last three qualifiers, and World Cup. Their maiden opponents at Italia when Bulgaria surprisingly lost 1-0 at home 90? England again, putting Charlton face to The Glasgow-born midfielder joined up to Scotland, the Boys in Green had reached face with former protégé Gascoigne. with the squad ahead of a Euro 88 qualifying their first major tournament. campaign which featured three teams who “Before the game, Gazza was sitting in the had competed at the World Cup – Scotland, Their first match at Euro 88 couldn’t have dressing room all on his own,” remembered Bulgaria and semi-finalists Belgium. been scripted better: Charlton faced England, who hadn’t even replied to his job application “The team went back to basics,” continues when offering his services to succeed Don Houghton. “His big thing was not to give the Revie in 1977. In Stuttgart, Ireland pulled off ball away. He liked to get the ball quickly in an upset to win 1-0. behind opponents, and put pressure on their defensive players high upfield. It was tiring “That result put Jack’s Ireland on the map and high tempo. There wasn’t any room for and changed the country,” says Houghton, pretty stuff, especially from the back. He was who nodded the winner. “Before that, Frank asking guys used to passing the ball patiently Stapleton had a testimonial for Ireland and at Liverpool and Manchester United to play only 10,000 people turned up. After we beat a very different way, but we soon bought into England at the Euros, David O’Leary had one it and results followed.” and you couldn’t get a ticket. Three months after a 1-0 win at Hampden “After that game, Jack walked over to me Park against Scotland, Ireland beat Brazil by in the dressing room and said, ‘Never do that again’. I asked, ‘Score against the English?’

JACK CHARLTOn Charlton’s son, John. “He said, ‘Go and get The meeting with the Pope was memorable Things got weirder when Ireland qualified your father’. He was nervous and needed to for several reasons, not least when Charlton for the World Cup again in 1994. “Jack was speak to him. Dad walked into the England nodded off mid-ceremony. “When Jack woke very aware that England hadn’t qualified, so dressing room and tried to calm him down. up, the Pope was performing the blessing,” the focus would be on us,” says Townsend. He told Gazza to play his normal game, but Paul McGrath later recollected. “Jack thought “We were building up to the first group game said, ‘Just don’t play too bloody well!’” the Pope was waving at him, so waved back.” against Italy, and Jack turned to everyone on the bus after training and said, ‘The world’s Ireland drew all three group matches, then Townsend picks up the story. “After that, all press are focusing on you, so don’t do or say famously beat Romania on penalties in the 25 of us went to the Pope’s private quarters,” anything stupid’. last 16. Before their quarter-final clash with he tells FFT. “Pope John Paul II walked in and Italy, though, his team talk was disturbed by asked who our goalkeeper was. He then said “He was being serious, then we all walked a legendary singer warming up nearby. to Packie Bonner, ‘When I was a young boy in back into the hotel, and for whatever reason Poland, I used to be a keeper, too, so I’ll keep there was a Star Trek convention taking place. “Shut the f**k up!” shouted Charlton, as he an eye out for you’. Jack was looking at Klingons walking around opened the dressing room door. “You can’t with pointed ears, thinking, ‘What the hell is say that, it’s Pavarotti!” he was told. “Never “During the game, Roberto Donadoni shot, going on here?’ We got into the lift and, of f**king heard of him,” huffed Charlton. Packie made a save, stumbled beyond a post course, Captain Kirk and Spock also came in and Toto Schillaci fired in the rebound. After and stood next to Jack. Prior to that, Big Jack took his squad to see the match, Jack told Packie, ‘The Pope would the Pope, as well as welcoming a Guinness have f**king saved that’.” “His face was a picture. I don’t know if he’d truck to the team hotel. ever watched Star Trek – he didn’t have a clue “JACK GRIPPED MY ARM AnD what was going on!” “A couple of pints turned to five or six, and SAID, ‘DID SHE HAVE BIG TITS?’ we started playing the penny game – you put I TOLD HIM SHE DID, ACTUALLY. Not everyone stayed within Charlton’s rules, a penny on your forehead and hit the back of HE SAID, ‘I LOVE BIG TITS’” however. “I brought a girl up to my room,” your own head until the penny falls off,” said Tony Cascarino told FFT. “Some alarms went Aldridge. “Jack wanted to have a go, so Andy off, so the next morning Jack got the team Townsend placed a coin on Jack’s forehead – together and said, ‘OK, who had the bird in then took it off at the last second. Jack was their room last night?’ He was going nuts so winding his arms up like a windmill, belting I stayed quiet, but then I walked over to him the back of his head. People were absolutely and said it was me. ‘You stupid big bastard,’ pissing themselves – he must have whacked he yelled. His face got redder, and I thought himself 10 times before he twigged and tried I was in real trouble. to clip Andy round the ear!” “He dismissed me, then as I walked past him, he gripped my arm and asked, ‘Did she have big tits?’ I laughed and told him she did, actually. He said, ‘I love big tits’.” Houghton scored the winner once again as Ireland beat eventual finalists Italy en route to the last 16. Big Jack had guided Ireland to three tournaments, and established himself as their greatest ever boss, before resigning in 1996. He could have been a great England manager, too, had the FA not rejected him. “He would have done a good job,” insists Townsend of his former gaffer, who passed away in July, aged 85. “How long he would have lasted, though, with the way the English press were, I don’t know. Jack never waited to be sacked – when he wanted to leave, he just went. He most certainly could have done the job, but it wouldn’t have surprised me if one day you woke up and found he’d walked out of the door, got his fishing rod and was sat by the side of a lake somewhere.” It was the sort of location where he spent a lot of his retirement, enjoying some peace and quiet away from Luciano Pavarotti and the Klingons. Jack Charlton lived quite a life. It was a life that established him as a legend, on both sides of the Irish Sea. MORE On FOURFOURTWO.COM • Finding Jack Charlton: “Seeing him with dementia was very difficult, but it didn’t define him as a person” (by Chris Flanagan) • Footballers on Desert Island Discs: a classic history of bangers, books and luxury items (by Andrew Murray) • Was England’s 1966 World Cup XI destiny, fate or a chance affair? (by Paul Simpson) FourFourTwo January 2021 75

MARCELO that instruction while John Terry was yelling BIELSA in his face, dedicated the prize to ordinary people who make ethical decisions every day REASOnS without any recognition, and the honour was WHY LEEDS mocked by former Derby boss Frank Lampard. Dirty Leeds winning FIFA Fair Play awards is 9LOVES BIELSa funny, but the joke isn’t on us. It needed a madcap Argentine to scratch Leeds’ 16-year Premier League itch. The Square Ball’s Daniel Chapman explains why El Loco is now a Yorkshire idol 6 KIDS LOVE HIM 1 HE’S A WEIRDO... fans understand anything, it’s that you can’t Right “Vamos Before COVID-19, Bielsa gave out In the 1950s, Major Frank Buckley just change your allegiance. We love him all Leeds, carajo!” lollipops to children at Elland Road who were was strutting around Elland Road dressed like the more for remaining true to his first club. Below Phillips’ queuing up to welcome the team coach. At a country gentleman, cracking out needles to development an under-23s game, cameras spotted a group give his players a dose of the ‘monkey serum’ 4 HE’S NOT STEVE EVANS under Bielsa is of youngsters nervously approaching, then which had made him famous at Wolves. Don Or Neil Warnock, or Darko Milanic, good for Leeds being caught up – all three of them – in a big Revie’s superstitions are better known, from or Dave Hockaday, or Paul Heckingbottom. and England bear hug. Recently, when two kids met him in believing photographs of birds brought bad But mostly Evans, who had the very large Wetherby, he delved into his pockets to find luck to Gypsy Rose Lee’s visit from Blackpool front to ask how Bielsa was going to cope at each one an LUFC pen. Again, Leeds used to to banish a curse by relieving herself on each Rotherham on a Tuesday night. Evans could be managed by Evans: about as generous in of the four corner flags. When you listened to barely cope when one of his Crawley players spirit as a human seagull. Howard Wilkinson’s digressions through his scarfed his chips. Now, where Evans used to specialist subjects – Sheffield footballers of plough the technical area with his Jurassic 7 KALVIN PHILLIPS IS GREAT the ’80s, red wine and Barbra Streisand – you tread, we have Bielsa on his bucket sipping England should be grateful as well. realised just how strange he was. And then some coffee. Serene. We thought Bielsa had sold the wrong one came Marcelo Bielsa, about whom the least by letting Ronaldo Vieira go to Sampdoria in unusual part is his ability to watch videos of 5 WE’RE NOT DIRTY ANY MORE 2018 – then again, who would have paid us two matches at once. His peculiarities get We became the fairest club in all money for Phillips? Now there’s a city-centre a sympathetic shrug in Leeds, however. It’s the land – nay, the whole world. It was an FA mural putting the Leeds-iest midfielder since just how he is, isn’t it? publication back in 1964 that first pinned the David Batty on a wall between Lucas Radebe Dirty Leeds tag, but a higher power granted and Albert Johanneson – and it started when 2 …YET ALSO ORDINARY? a worldwide Fair Play award for letting Aston Bielsa saw something in the ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ Bielsa’s quirks are a staple of TV Villa run in an equaliser in 2019. Bielsa gave that even he didn’t realise could be found. commentaries – residing in a flat over a shop, shopping in Morrisons, walking to work – but 8 HE JUST LOVES ‘BEAUTIFUL’ they are part of a deliberate effort to live his This is why all supporters should life in simple accord with the people of Leeds. love him – not just Leeds’. “You can choose For every fan asking for a selfie, dozens more to play with any style, and you won’t win are nodding hello and letting him get on with every time,” he said last term, skewering the pushing his trolley down the freezer aisle. idea that one way of playing can ‘guarantee’ results. So, why not aspire to poetry? “What 3 HE’S HONEST makes football beautiful is the beauty of the Our love goes one way and that’s way you play,” he insists, despite the modern fine. While Leeds supporters have never loved game – money, media and results – working a manager the way we love Bielsa, he can’t against the ideal. “Football makes you worse. tell a lie: Leeds is special, he always says, but If not, football does not accept you.” Well, he’ll never love a club like he loves Newell’s Bielsa does not accept that, and his players’ Old Boys. He donated almost his entire first dedication on the pitch and in the community season’s salary at Leeds to build them a new is a testament to him. He has talked about training facility. But that’s perfect: if football research showing if “a group of players are better human beings, in the long term, they will become a better team”. The legendary three-hour litter-picking session he put his men through is more than an anecdote: it’s an integral part of training. 9 HE BROUGHT LEEDS BACK Leeds United are in the Premier League, and we thought that might never happen again. Bielsa’s critics accuse him of lacking trophies in his career, but what’s a tin cup compared to the apparently impossible resurrection of such a cursed club? When our promotion was confirmed in July, I started writing a ‘banter years’ list of every bad thing that happened after relegation from the top flight in 2003-04. About 15,000 words later, I was left with one five-word thought: thank God for Marcelo Bielsa. 76 January 2021 FourFourTwo

MARCELO BIELSA CU HERO WHAT’S A TIn CUP COMPARED TO A CURSED FOOTBALL CLUB’S IMPOSSIBLE RESURRECTIOn?

JAMIE that are on par with the very best forwards, VARDY while his finishing is far more composed than hit and hope – as was Michael Owen’s crude VARDY assessment once.” THE PARTY nEVER EnDS Remind us to add ‘advice about strikers’ to Leicester’s main man may be approaching 34, but the tearaway continued to ‘film reviews’ in things we won’t ask Little Mo embarrass backlines – and confound dieticians – during a chart-topping 2020 about again. However, one person who has never underappreciated his star asset is City Words Joe Brewin goals, before plundering his 100th top-flight Above Vardy’s party manager Rodgers. When FourFourTwo visited effort in July – making him the 12th-quickest piece stole the show him for a lengthy chat this time last year, the A little nod from Brendan Rodgers was player to join that exclusive club of 29. Only in September’s 5-2 Northern Irishman was at pains to point out enough. Leicester’s trip to Arsenal in Ian Wright (aged 28) made his first Premier romp at the Etihad Vardy’s intelligence with a simple question: October was drifting towards a 0-0 League outing later than Vardy (27), by virtue “How many times do you see him offside?” draw, their talisman hunched on the of the division’s 1992 rebrand – he had been (answer: 0.8 times per game last season, for bench having only recently recovered a First Division player for three years by then. a frontman who lives on defenders’ shoulders from a niggly calf knack. like an irritant insect). But then came the signal: warm up Since the start of the season he became son, you’re on – that is, if ‘warm up’ meant a champion, nearly five years ago, Leicester’s “He’s a genuine world-class striker,” added binning off the stretches and chugging down fox in the box has proved conspicuous by his Rodgers in November. “If he didn’t have the a can of Red Bull, like Popeye on a sugar rush. consistency: league goal tallies of 24, 20, 18 path he’s had as a player, you’d be speaking The days of Jamie Vardy being powered by and 23, with a blip of only 13 in 2016-17. But about him much more. People say he’s the Lucozade, port and skittles vodka en route to is the former Fleetwood ace still underrated? guy who’s come through from non-league Premier League glory may be long gone, but and played his way into the Premier League, some things don’t change. “He’s a far better striker than he was given but this is a top-level striker.” credit for in his early Premier League years, And why would they? Twenty minutes later, when he was billed as just a supremely quick But there’s a sense that some opposition the Foxes’ fearless frontman had cracked nuisance,” says Leicester Mercury journalist teams still don’t fear Vardy in quite the way open a game going nowhere by scampering Jordan Blackwell. “His touch, movement and they should – as his record of 43 goals in 78 upfield to head home Cengiz Under’s cross. game intelligence have developed to levels games against the so-called Big Six indicates. It secured Leicester their first win at Arsenal A hat-trick in Leicester’s September romp at for almost half a century – a year to the day Manchester City was Vardy at his best, when since netting a hat-trick as his side destroyed he terrorised Kyle Walker on the break and Southampton 9-0 at St Mary’s. flicked home a goal with skill that Gianfranco Zola would have appreciated. “The minute he comes on, he doesn’t even have to do much,” says his former club-mate “I think those sides have a bit of arrogance of eight years, Andy King. “He just instantly about them and don’t try to counteract his strikes panic into opposition defenders – it’s strengths so much,” King tells FFT. “They just a different game.” think, ‘We’re a big team, we’re going to try to dominate the ball’, but it plays into his hands Vardy had done it again. January 11 is the because it leaves him space to get in behind. former England attacker’s 34th birthday, yet You’d think people would have wised up by he shows no sign of decline. Indeed, 2020 now – whether it’s defenders holding a high was the year in which he finally scooped the line or fans giving him stick. The worst thing Premier League’s Golden Boot prize with 23 they can do is attempt to get under his skin – he loves it. He’s still got that nastiness about him, which he channels so well in matches. He comes back into the dressing room after games laughing, then says, ‘Well I hope they do that again’.” Even without fans this year, Vardy has kept up appearances as chief rustler. “Seeing his commitment to baiting opposition supporters continue with a celebration in front of empty stands at The Hawthorns was a highlight,” notes Blackwell, in reference to the striker’s annual ear-cupping at West Brom: five visits, zero blanks, six goals and counting. Fans might be split on loving or loathing Vardy, but they all agree: you’d want him in your team. His case to be Leicester’s greatest ever player is virtually cast in stone by now – and one day, may well be literally – yet such status looked laughable after a difficult first season out of non-league in 2012-13. “I think he certainly considered going back to Fleetwood on loan or something – I don’t think he would have minded that after his first season,” confesses King. “It’s completely normal for someone to come from that level, jump three leagues and then need a little bit of time to settle, though. You could always see the attributes he had. He’d scored a few goals in his first year and we could see what he was about, but in the second – the season 78 January 2021 FourFourTwo

JAMIE VARDY “HE DOESn’T EVEn HAVE TO DO MUCH AnY MORE – HE InSTAnTLY STRIKES PAnIC InTO OPPOSITIOn DEFEnDERS” CULT HERO we got promoted to the Premier League – he came back and I remember thinking, ‘F**king hell, he’s on one’.” Vardy hasn’t been off it ever since – just ask Leeds’ Robin Koch, who was comically punished like a bum boxer tangling with Terence Crawford in November. Retiring from international duty in 2018 has certainly helped Vardy’s cause, but so too has Rodgers’ more intelligent conservation project. “Those mad runs out wide to charge down full-backs are a much rarer sight these days,” says Blackwell. “Rodgers doesn’t want Vardy to expend energy needlessly, and he’s not urged to drop deep, despite making plenty of improvements in that area. Basically, Rodgers wants to see him preoccupying centre-backs at all times.” At this rate, though, it’s not clear when such relentless harassment will come to an end. He may be approaching his mid-30s, but he’s still the same snarling tyro of five years ago; still the same antagonistic anarchist leaving defenders on their backsides and hustling for laughs inside empty stadiums. “It’s just Vards,” says King, smiling. Red Bulls all round, then.

JACK nOW YOU KnOW GREALISH The brilliant Brummie has CULT merely proven what Aston HERO Villa fans knew all along in 2020. Finally, England boss Gareth Southgate and an entire nation are on board the Grealish bandwagon... Words Mat Kendrick A ston Villa fans who bang on about how good Jack Grealish is and always has been are like that boring mate who first watched Oasis in some obscure working men’s club in Oldham. That filthy flick against Belgium? “Yeah, pal – I watched him doing that as a teenager on loan at Notts County.” Now that the secret is finally out, the claret-and-blue faithful are rightly revelling in telling you they told you so, while Super(sonic) Jack shows you so. Grealish dragged his boyhood club into the Premier League, then kept a vulnerable Villa there with eight goals and six assists last season. At the start of 2020-21, he launched them up the table with four more goals and five assists by late November. For a while, that still looked too niche for the 25-year-old to be taken seriously. He has had to repeatedly run the show for England, stocking up his mantelpiece of man of the match awards, to jink his way into the mainstream appreciation society. At last, though, football – including an initially sceptical Gareth Southgate – has woken up to the fact that the Holte End darling is more than an Alice band-wearing show pony with tiny shin pads. More than a Brummie Jack the lad with a calf game not seen since Paul and Pauline were in their pomp. More than a flat-track bully who was able to rip up the Championship but not the big stage. Pundits who accused him of going down too easily are instead falling over themselves to praise his poise. Part-time observers who previously complained that he didn’t track back are back-tracking to notice a work ethic he has always had. And cynics now believe the hype that has long been bubbling away beside the Bullring. There’s no denying that Grealish has taken his game to another level during 2020. He is

JACK GREALISH DIAMOnD LIGHTS Like Grealish, these stars from history frequently stood on their team-mates’ shoulders to shine brightest in the sky Words Joe Brewin MATT LE TISSIER Southampton GABRIEL BATISTUTA Fiorentina thriving on the responsibility of captaining his Above Grealish Le Tiss racked up 100 goals and A nod to Rui Costa, with whom club in the Premier League. has grown into 64 assists in 270 Premier League games for Batistuta enjoyed a glorious understanding a top-flight star Southampton – remarkable figures in a side for the mid-90s Viola, but there’s only one He has come of age as a leader. Now, the that never came any higher than 10th from true demigod in Florence. Batigol top-scored big club talent spotters who weren’t totally 1992-2002, and were routinely among the in each of his nine Fiorentina seasons from convinced enough to recommend the writing favourites for relegation. “I knew I should 1991-92, and stayed despite relegation to of a blank cheque last summer are reeling have worked on my fitness more, but I also Serie B in 1993 – before a World Cup, no less. like so many dizzy defenders. knew that I had the ability to change games Adoring fans would leave bottles of wine and without being as fit as others,” he told FFT in motorcycles outside the Argentine’s house, Physically he is stronger, emotionally he is 2010. Undeniably true. Without him, Saints honouring the man who shot them to Coppa maturing, and that swagger he carries onto went down three years later. Italia victory in 1996, although not Serie A’s the football pitch should not be mistaken for summit. He couldn’t do everything. arrogance. Away from the pitch, he is humble TOM FINNEY Preston and hard-working, often studying clips of his CHARLIE ADAM Blackpool contemporaries to make himself even better. The 76-cap England legend once Grealish knows he can get better. At 25 he is accurately declared that “a one-man team Yes, really. When the Tangerines yet to reach his prime, despite episodes like has never existed anywhere”, although there made the midfielder’s loan deal from Rangers that nutmeg on Virgil van Dijk and his dinked was little doubting his influence at post-war permanent in August 2009, few would have finish to net the Lions’ seventh goal against Deepdale. “Finney should claim income tax foreseen just how influential the £500k man champions Liverpool. relief for his 10 drips,” one pithy scribe wrote would become. The following season, his 16 of the Preston Plumber – his supplementary league goals helped Blackpool climb into the Don’t start giving it the ‘new Gazza’ when income on top of a weekly football wage of Championship play-offs, then further efforts fundamentally he is the same old Grealish; £14. Finney twice went close to First Division in the semis and final took the Seasiders into the kid with craft, graft, a twinkle in his eye glory and reached the 1954 FA Cup Final, but the top flight for the first time since 1970-71. and the careful caress of a ball not enjoyed ended his career without a major trophy to There, Adam gave Ian Holloway’s supposed by this nation for a generation. his name. After nine top-tier seasons, PNE no-hopers a chance, but 12 goals and eight went down in 1961, just after Finney retired. assists couldn’t quite keep them up. When even Birmingham City fan groups are warning members to stop saying nice things GARETH BALE Tottenham ERIC CANTONA Man United about “that greasy diving Viler” on Facebook, you know the Second City superstar is well on Bale famously humiliated some Cantona became the indisputable his way to excellence. Brazilians in the Champions League as well Atlas of Alex Ferguson’s first title-lifting side as scooping personal silverware during a fine at Old Trafford. Volatile and unpredictable, he But then again, the Team Grealish originals 2010-11 at Tottenham – but as it transpired, dragged Fergie’s youthful, vibrant Red Devils knew that from the moment they saw him he was merely revving up for take-off. The through games and to glory. “It was like he doing keepie-uppies as a toddler in a Solihull Welshman was monstrous two season later, said, ‘I’m Eric, and I’m here to win the league playground two decades ago. repeatedly rescuing Andre Villas-Boas’ Spurs for you’,” Paul Ince once told FFT of King Eric’s with an array of blazing runs and staggering ascension. United failed to do so in only one What took everyone else so long? strikes – 21 of them in an incredible league of the Frenchman’s five campaigns – the one campaign. Real Madrid forked out £85m for he missed 17 matches for that kung fu kick. HE’S MORE THAn A BRUMMIE his services in 2013, which AVB proceeded to JACK THE LAD WITH A CALF spend with his eyes sewn shut. EUSEBIO Portugal GAME nOT SEEn SInCE PAUL AnD PAULInE In THEIR POMP GEORGI KINKLADZE Man City The 1966 World Cup was a first major tournament for Portugal, following Alan Ball swapped Le Tissier for previous qualifying defeats to Luxembourg another standout star when he became City (1961, 4-2), Northern Ireland (1957, 3-0) and manager in the summer of 1995. The £2m Austria (1953, a 9-1 humiliation). Thankfully, Kinkladze joined a struggling side that went though, the Black Panther was coming into down in his maiden campaign, but he was an form with Benfica at just the right time. After instant success – the Georgian wowed with seven goals in qualifying, Eusebio struck nine wizardry while those around him floundered, at the main event as Portugal brushed aside earning comparisons to “a young Maradona” Brazil en route to defeat against England in by club legend Dennis Tueart. His mesmeric the semis. No one got near Eusebio’s Selecao goal against Ball’s old team summed it all up. scoring record for 32 years.

WEIRD 35YEAR CRAZY THInGS YOU MISSED THIS YEAR Well, 2020: you’ve been awful. Thanks for that. But as we wave goodbye to this bizarre and arduous year, we do so with a chuckle – Lord knows there’s been plenty to go at… Words Huw Davies

WEIRD YEAR nAnCY SEnT SUPPORTERS A CARD FEATURInG A MAP nOT TO THEIR GROUnD, BUT A GRAVEYARD WITH THE CAPTIOn: ‘MY PLACE IS HERE’ NANCY’S LATE KICK-OFF MES QUE UN STITCH-UP Left “We definitely Suarez (mid-January), invoked a loophole said today was your permitting ‘emergency’ signings – even January 1, 2020 brought an unfortunate Apparently wowed by Martin Braithwaite’s unveiling, Martin...” though Lionel Messi, Antoine Griezmann, portent, as Ligue 2 outfit Nancy wished one-in-four career goalscoring record and Ansu Fati and two international forwards fans a happy new year by, er, directing Championship spell with Middlesbrough, in Barcelona’s B team were available for them to a cemetery. An e-card featured Barcelona bought the Danish marksman selection, and even though they had let a map with coordinates not to the Stade from Leganes. As a kid, Braithwaite had three forwards leave when the two-man Marcel Picot, but to a graveyard some 45 spent a couple of years in a wheelchair, injury crisis had already struck. Barcelona minutes’ walk away. The chilling caption: so this was a nice, heartwarming tale. Or coughed up €18 million, before slapping ‘My place is here’. Nancy apologised for was it? Leganes didn’t want to lose him. a €300m release clause on 28-year-old turning a reminder of where they play – It was late February: the transfer window Braithwaite; Leganes were duly relegated because fans do forget sometimes – into had long since shut. But Barça, ravaged on the final day of the season. Hooray for a memento mori. Well, at least they now by injuries to Ousmane Dembele (who’d Barça! Mes que un club! And speaking of know their New Year’s resolution for 2021. been sidelined since November) and Luis weird transfers... FourFourTwo January 2021 83

WEIRD YEAR (INEXPLICABLY) LOOKING FOR ERIC YAYA’S CHARITABLE ADDED TIME: ONE HOUR DONATION Having left relegated Stoke for table-topping Football fans are unknowing victims of Paris Saint-Germain, cleared a team-mate’s Every WhatsApp group has daylight robbery, as games average shot off the line and been preferred to Mauro that guy who takes things too far. only 50 to 55 minutes of ball-in-play Icardi off the bench in the Champions League In the UNICEF charity match chat, it time – and September’s tie between final, 31-year-old Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was Yaya Toure. Players complained after then joined PSG’s conquerors, Bayern Munich. the 37-year-old (above, right) shared a video Wycombe and Rotherham was a heist. We’re still processing this. of a lady bathing and bantered that he could Before these newly-promoted sides clashed, hire 19 sex workers for the team – a strangely the Championship record for least amount FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT specific number, implying a form of multibuy of football witnessed in a football match was deal. Toure, his generous/weird offer rebuffed, a meagre 40 minutes. This fixture obliterated Moving from France’s second tier to Turkey’s promptly dropped out of the game and, you’d that already-dismal milestone, with a pitiful third, we can reveal our Lovable Hooligans hope, the WhatsApp group too. 35 minutes and 50 seconds of playing time of the Year. In February, Afyonspor fan group between stoppages, set-piece preparations AFYOK started a half-time Royal Rumble that and general farting about. Rotherham won prompted police officer Engin Cakin to sigh 1-0 but, in truth, there were no winners here. wearily and intervene. There, he learned that AFYOK had merely staged a brawl to attract COVID-19, LOVREN 0 his attention, so that they could present him with a birthday cake and sing-song. Aww, you Of course, COVID-19 was caused by 5G, and big silly billies. vaccinations against it will implant us all with mind-control microchips. That’s according to MY BROKEN HEART footballers-turned-truthers David Icke and Dejan Lovren, who already plays as if there’s A shock January bid of £6m rising to £10m something lodged in his brain. The Croatian almost made Antonee Robinson the latest in centre-back warned Bill Gates on Instagram: a non-existent line of left-backs to join Milan “Game over Bill. People are not blind!” Maybe from Wigan – but only almost, as his dream Lovren should exchange COVID-19 conspiracy was dashed by an issue with his heart. Seven theories (er, cov-spiracy theories? – Ed.) with months, one cardiac ablation and relegation Genoa’s Mattia Perin, who told La Repubblica to League One later, the hitherto-devastated after his own recovery that coronavirus was Robinson (below) finally got his big move… to “born in a laboratory”. Meanwhile, Toronto Fulham. Still, who needs Milan anyway? San forward Jozy Altidore (left) worries the virus Siro may have hosted nine World Cup games, distracts people from UFOs, which is a much four European Cup finals and one of football’s better punchline than we would have written. greatest ever club sides, but Craven Cottage has a cottage. Ha! THE NO-SHOW MUST GO ON What were you up to during The Great Serie A Stand-Off of October 2020? Juventus were in Turin and Napoli were in Naples – not ideal, seeing as they were supposed to be playing each other. With two players testing positive for COVID-19, Napoli insisted the local health authority ordered them to stay put. Juventus said Serie A’s government-approved protocol overruled state authority. Napoli shrugged. Juventus went to the stadium and pointedly tweeted their line-up as supporters took their seats, even though – and this bears repeating – Napoli were 700 miles away. Lawyers from both sides will be custard pie-ing each other all season. Don’t you love football? 84 January 2021 FourFourTwo

“I STILL PREFER IT TO iFOLLOW” WEIRD YEAR That’s enough coronavirus. To Scotland now, where a robot camera mistook a linesman’s In Philadelphia star Rob McElhenney vowed to head for a ball. Since that apparently needs invest in the world’s third-oldest professional clarifying: the SPFL’s camera is programmed club and issued a perfectly-judged statement to follow the ball, but commentators had to of their intentions, including local community apologise during Ayr United’s meeting with commitments, a pledge to lead the club out Inverness Caledonian Thistle because it kept of the National League and three promises to homing in on John McCrossan’s bald bonce “always beat Chester”. Reynolds even knows instead. And we worry about Skynet. how to say Wrexham the proper way, rather than ‘Wrex-ham’. What more do you want? LADS LADS LADS PUNCTURED BALLS Much of what Manchester United captain Harry Maguire did on holiday in Mykonos While this incident took place in 2019, the is [REDACTED] following allegations of resulting five-year suspension arrived in [REDACTED] and a potential [REDACTED]. 2020, so we can mention it here. God bless We know that he kept varied company slow justice. During a post-match rumpus there, though. The usual suspects aside, between French amateur sides Terville and such as club-mates Marcus Rashford and Soetrich, someone somehow managed to Brandon Williams (who possibly did have bite one of the Terville player’s testicles. We to ask, “Do you know who I am?”), Maguire have logistical questions. The victim, whose met Chelsea man Ross Barkley, snooker star own six-month suspension added insult to Judd Trump, Love Island’s Chris Hughes and considerable injury, was first said to have Gunnersaurus. Only one of those isn’t true. required 10 stitches, then 12, although he still tells everyone it was 27. He was actually ARSENAL’S ASTEROID trying to break up the fight, because the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Gunnersaurus had other worries. For so long a part of the furniture in N5 – he came into Above “Bromley, GOD SMITES SWEEPER-KEEPERS existence before most of their players did – Barnet, Boreham Arsenal’s dinosaur (above) faced his meteor. Wood: get ready Goalkeepers trying to be outfield players may The club cited pandemic-enforced cutbacks for a bloodbath” ask, “What’s the worst that could happen?” for letting the man behind their mascot go, So you concede an embarrassing goal – the just hours before signing Thomas Partey for internet soon forgets. However, 16-year-old £45m. Well-paid ornament Mesut Ozil stuck stopper Ivan Zaborovsky, of Russia’s Znamya up for Gunnersaurus as, for all we know, he’d Truda, learned a harsher truth when he took been in the suit for the previous nine months. a shot in training and was literally struck by In fact, supporter liaison Jerry Quy had worn lightning. The ball bobbled wide. Don’t worry: it for 27 years, stopping for the odd shower. he’s OK – Zaborovsky survived with burns and Gunnersaurus will apparently return when a brief hospital stay before retaking his place fans do, but you can’t mend a broken heart. between the sticks, hint well and truly taken. EURO CLASSIC REACHES TIEBREAK “MY WORK HERE IS DONE” September gave us Backa Topola 6-6 Steaua Lightning struck twice at Everton in January. Bucharest (or FCSB as they’re now known, All right, not quite – it was something even which is a whole other story – see FFT 312). more unlikely. Florian Lejeune made 45 The scoreline in Serbia was more suited to an outings in England without scoring. In unfinished game of tennis, a very bad game the other match, he netted twice, of rugby or an awful game of basketball. But in the 94th and 95th minutes, this was Europa League football, and the first with a bicycle kick and scissor game in UEFA history – ignoring the Intertoto kick, to bag Newcastle Cup, as everybody does – to feature at least a point they were five goals for each side. The highest-scoring barely trying to stalemate in professional football’s recorded earn. The French history was 2-1 at the interval, 3-3 after 90 defender scored minutes, 4-4 going into extra time and 6-6 as many league goals when the referee decided a penalty shootout in two minutes of the would liven things up a bit. Unlike the hosts’ 2019-20 season as striker two red-carded players, FCSB’s fourth-choice Joelinton did in 2,699. goalkeeper enjoyed some redemption. After a display mocked even by the commentators, the teenage gloveman saved a spot-kick as the shootout finished ‘only’ 5-4. FC HOLLYWOOD OF WALES The strangest rumour of 2020 was Deadpool taking over Wrexham. Then it turned out to be true. Ryan Reynolds and It’s Always Sunny

WEIRD YEAR IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? Did Lejeune make Magnus Carlsen’s Fantasy PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT Above “See, Robbo THE BUS HAS BEEN DRINKING Premier League team? The Norwegian topped has 22 more points the world rankings (of just under eight million Sadly, not all GOATs are instantly identifiable. than you this year” When you hear that Oxford triumphed 4-1 players) midway through last season and was Christine Sinclair’s record-breaking strike for Below “You’re more at Accrington despite preparation difficulties, still in contention on the final day. He’s also Canada at home to St Kitts & Nevis in January Robbie Savage than you assume ‘injury crisis’ or maybe ‘late pitch a chess grandmaster with a recent unbeaten went widely unreported – but then it’s not as truly savage, Roy...” inspection’. Not ‘drunk team bus’. Yet that’s streak spanning two years and a record 125 if she became the leading goalscorer in the the truth... sort of. Oxford’s players scrambled games. You know that kid at school who was history of international football or anything. into expensive cars and even more expensive annoyingly good at all sports? That’s Carlsen, Fox Soccer’s tweet reporting Sinclair’s 185th taxis to travel 160 miles to the Crown Ground, except with FPL and chess. Ladies, keep calm. Canada goal – in a qualifier for the Olympics after alcohol mist in antibacterial spray made The eventual champion was later disqualified – received only 18 replies, 500 retweets and sensors on the hi-tech bus declare the driver for racially abusing Raheem Sterling, while 2,000 likes; you’d imagine Cristiano Ronaldo unsafe to drive. How often has a judge heard an earlier leader was the generically-named will garner a few more if and when he breaks that one, eh? ‘winorloseonthebooze’ team owned by Nick the men’s milestone of 109. Sigh. Tanner – an ex-Liverpool player. Are famous SAIL AND PAYNE RIDE AGAIN people allowed a triple captain every week? JURGEN COUNTERS ROY RAGE It’s ace when a rent-a-gob’s left gobsmacked, so viewers enjoyed Jurgen Klopp disagreeing with Roy Keane calling parts of his Liverpool side’s display “sloppy” in a win over Arsenal. He’d later explain he misunderstood Keane’s comment without context, but first, Klopp followed his players by pressing his opponent and launching a swift counter-attack. Keane, the hard man that he is, went full soprano and retreated, waiting until Klopp was off-air before saying, “Very sensitive, isn’t he? Jesus.” Unfortunately for Klopp, Liverpool lost 7-2 at Aston Villa six days later and Keane instantly turned from naysayer to soothsayer. Let’s break this down. Wellington Phoenix’s New Zealand international Tim Payne and reserve goalkeeper Oli Sail – it’s always the reserve goalkeepers, isn’t it? – received fines and bans for (1) breaking self-isolation and (2) drunkenly (3) joy-riding (4) a golf buggy (5) down a busy road (6) with their shirts off. Did we miss anything? THE RED DEVILS’ ADVOCATE Footballers can be good role models, though, feeding hungry kids or tackling sexist stigma. Having learned to love ballet in Paris while becoming PSG’s all-time leading goalscorer, Edinson Cavani performed a few pliés with a dance school back in Uruguay to challenge the preconception that ballet isn’t really for boys. He looked good doing it, too. Rashford, Cavani – your turn, Martial. TOMMASO BERnI HAD nEVER PLAYED In SIX YEARS AT InTER, YET HE STILL GOT SEnT OFF TWICE In 2020

WEIRD YEAR PERMA-SUB GETS INTER TROUBLE Above “Great game hosted football’s oldest ever player. Ezzeldin eyes on Ross County’s No.1 jersey, while the ref, you ruddy berk” Bahader, 74, featured for ‘6th October’ in the Highland outfit weigh up a January move for Let us introduce Stuart Taylor’s mardy Italian Below “What’s the Egyptian third tier to earn his certificate from right-back Joey Chandler... doppelganger. Tommaso Berni had been an secret to a fine head stoutmakers-turned-stattos Guinness. Their Inter goalkeeper from 2014 without making of hair, King Kazu?” recognition almost made up for him missing THEY THINK IT’S A ROVER a competitive appearance – his last minutes a penalty in a 3-2 defeat to El Ayat. Nice one, anywhere came in 2012 – yet he got sent off Grandad. Meanwhile, 53-year-old Yokohama Only morons attack a referee wielding a 2x4. twice in 2020. Wait, what? Simple: Berni was forward Kazuyoshi ‘King Kazu’ Miura’s playing The pros use a 4x4. An irate BMW driver – so, red-carded against Cagliari for sarcastically career now spans five separate decades, in a BMW driver then – bolted onto the playing applauding the referee, then dismissed for what is theoretically a proper league. surface during South Africa’s fourth-division dissent at Parma. Inter axed the one-time tie between Polokwane City Rovers and Luka Wimbledon keeper, clearly disappointed with “COULD THERE ‘BE’ ANY MORE ROSSES?” Ball Controllers (who presumably had most of his actions. Way to ruin a meal ticket, man. the possession), his SatNav programmed on Not content with striker Ross Stewart, central the whistle-blower after a debatable decision. GUESS WHO’S BACK (NO, SERIOUSLY) midfielder Ross Draper and their own name, Thankfully, no one was injured by the wacky Ross County now have four goalkeepers on racer, but the video does feature a worrying Hiannick Kamba was a former footballer in their books called Ross: Ross Laidlaw, Ross amount of laughter. more ways than one: he had been declared Munro, Ross Doohan (on loan from Celtic) and dead since 2016. So, it was a soap-worthy Logan Ross (on loan at Lossiemouth) all have WALTHAMSTOW’S WAR OF WORDS twist when the ex-Schalke defender – who was in their youth system alongside Manuel A hit-and-run pitch-invasion would probably Neuer – turned up alive, well and working in have been the icing on the ninth-tier cake Gelsenkirchen after overcoming the setback that was Clapton vs Walthamstow in October. of perishing in a car crash. Kamba claimed After inadequate line markings ensured the instead that he “was abandoned by friends game was called off with away fans already overnight on a visit to Congo”, just like FFT’s present, the visitors penned a blow-by-blow stag do. His reappearance made things a bit account of the farce, starring a local running awkward for his would-be widow, who had club gatecrashing proceedings and a Clapton received a life insurance payout. Cliffhanger official popping off to purchase paint at B&Q. ending – hit the credits! Clapton’s statement accused Walthamstow of joining a “bigger smearing campaign” and “I REMEMBER WHEN THIS WAS making “totally unnecessary comments such ALL PYRAMIDS” as, ‘Did we use invisible paint?’” All that was missing was an official Essex Senior League Egypt is the home of old things (the history statement sighing, “Can you see what we’re degree’s finally paying off), so naturally it dealing with here?”

WEIRD YEAR BAD LUCK OF THE IRISH AYDIn TWICE SAVED A PEnALTY ALWAYS TIP YOUR MAILMAN FOR USAKSPOR AnD TWICE GOT COVID-19’s impact on international football BOOKED FOR BEInG OFF HIS LInE Everyone hates poor Maurizio Sarri, it seems; has been stark. Withdrawals meant Scotland at Juventus, he even managed to upset the faced an entirely new Czech Republic squad RUBBER SEOUL Above Sarri sealed posties. Saying, “If I didn’t want to be under – and barely scraped a win. The Republic of the title for Juve but pressure, I’d have worked at the post office,” Ireland had to start their Euro 2020 play-off Coronavirus has hardly been the elephant in soon got the sack triggered a sharp come-here-and-say-that semi-final without forwards Aaron Connolly the room this year, causing deserted football Below “Hands up from Italy’s postal service. “We’re waiting for and Adam Idah due to a backroom staffer’s stadiums worldwide. But an elephant would if you love to score” him in one of our 15,000 centres, so he can coronavirus test result… which turned out to have been less awkward than what FC Seoul see our daily work,” they sniffed. Sarri didn’t be a false positive. They lost to Slovakia on decided to plant in theirs. Looking for lifelike put his stamp on the Old Lady but did deliver penalties – weirdly, there were simultaneous fashion mannequins, Seoul mistakenly filled a Scudetto, and opportunities for bad puns. shootouts for Northern Ireland and Scotland seats with sex dolls, creating a different kind with each three sets of opponents sporting of uncanny valley. Worse still, the dolls were “BEST OF SEVEN?” identical kits – and then had six players ruled advertising mucky websites – illegal in South out of their Nations League games days later. Korea. And several of their face masks didn’t Forgive us for including a second story from Thierry Henry’s handball doesn’t seem quite cover their noses. Embarrassing. Turkey’s third tier. You’ll see why. Ersin Aydin so cruel in comparison. and Levent Aktug were Usakspor’s heroes as they beat Ergene Velimese 2-0: Aydin saved RICH KIDS GO HOPP-ING MAD a penalty, received a booking for stepping off his line, then saved the retaken spot-kick but While 2020 saw many momentous protests, got a second yellow for the same offence, so Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich stuck up for defender Aktug saved the re-retaken penalty. the real victims: wealthy white men. Dietmar What kind of sociopath believes encroaching Hopp is despised for bankrolling Hoffenheim; keepers should be booked? when away fans called the owner a “son of a bitch” – part of a lengthy campaign against THE FINAL ROUND him in German football – Hoffenheim sulked and found allies in capitalist caricatures (and We’ve all needed a drink at some time during 6-0 leaders) Bayern. Both teams left the pitch 2020, so we hail Norwich fan Barrie Greaves, in protest against the protest, re-emerging who left £100 in his will to the City squad for only to faff about for 13 minutes. A walk-off some… ‘refreshment’. The players didn’t have is Level Two of UEFA’s three-step procedure any alcohol, with a match around the corner, for dealing with, er, racism – not that it had but that made the round go further. Cheers! been used a few weeks earlier when Schalke fans racially abused Hertha Berlin’s Jordan Torunarigha, who was later sent off. But you don’t hassle Hopp. Bayern ultras argued, “The interruption was excessive and absurd”, and said more would make matches unplayable. Then they added, “F**k you” to the German FA, which, depending on your opinion, either undermined or strengthened their argument.



FFT GRABS A WORD WITH... PABLO ZABALETA • STUART PEARCE • ARTHUR NUMAN • KEVIN KILBANE TEAMS San Lorenzo Espanyol Manchester City West Ham Argentina

PABLO ZABALETA the strength to sprint and celebrate the goal. We were nervous. There has been no other “WHEn I PUT US 1-0 ending as happy as that, and the celebrations UP AT HOME TO QPR, in the city afterwards were incredible. It was I THOUGHT I’D BE THE a liberation – until then, only United went out HERO – THEn AGUERO to celebrate titles in the streets. Any City fan GOT THE CREDIT...” will tell you that was the most emotional title. The full-back became a Manchester City What was it like to play for Pep Guardiola fan favourite, even if his goal didn’t turn at Manchester City? out to be a Premier League title-clincher I was only able to share one year with him – I had an offer from Italy and told Pep that if Interview Dani Gil he was thinking of rejuvenating the defence, I’d go. But after that talk, we decided I’d stay You retired in October after leaving West a wonderful place like Barcelona, and a club for one more year. I’d love to have played for Ham in the summer. Why did you take the where I’d won the Copa del Rey and reached Pep at 26, my best age – I’d have enjoyed it decision to stop playing at 35? the UEFA Cup final. I never thought I’d spend so much more, but in those months I learned It was the right moment. During my last year nine years in Manchester and experience the a lot. He’s done a great job. in England, I knew my time there was coming transition of the club. to an end. I waited over the summer in case Did you worry that he might leave the club there was something that might interest me, You joined days before Mansour’s takeover at the end of this season? and there were proposals from three clubs in – did you know that was about to happen? The circumstances didn’t help this year, as Spain and one in Turkey, but nothing excited No. The previous owner, Thaksin Shinawatra, sides like City ended last season’s Champions me. I also considered the pandemic situation was forced to sell City because he was facing League late and hardly had a rest. It was key and didn’t want to leave my family far away. corruption problems in Thailand. I remember for the club to sort out his contract as soon We’re in Barcelona now. We have friends and Espanyol wanted my transfer fee to be paid as possible – from my experience, it’s better a good quality of life here. in cash, so there wouldn’t be any issues. I had not to speculate about the manager’s future. no idea money was coming from Abu Dhabi. Is it hard to accept that your career is over? When City signed Robinho from Real Madrid, What do you recall about your departure Not at all. The wear of playing in the Premier we realised what the project could be. from City in 2017? League is significant. After so many years in The affection of the people. In the end, it boils football, I did everything and have no regrets. What did that first Premier League title in down to that. If you earn that recognition, it At the time of making it official I was sad, but 2011-12 mean to you? means you’ve done something well. The fans I also saw it as a celebration, having enjoyed It was a special moment, especially because stayed inside the ground after my last home such a long time in the game and lived some of how it happened. We were level on points game to say goodbye. The players who show unique moments. My time as a youth player, with Man United and the scenario was ideal – commitment and passion endure, and leave before travelling to Buenos Aires to join San at home against QPR, a team in decline. We a legacy beyond titles. Lorenzo. Sleeping in the club’s boarding house were hoping for a straightforward afternoon, without knowing if I’d become a professional but it ended up like the finale of a movie. Did you enjoy your spell at West Ham? footballer. My move to Europe and my arrival I got what I wanted – a place where I could in Manchester, shortly before Sheikh Mansour People remember Sergio Aguero’s winner, play football, enjoy the Premier League and took over. My last period in London with West but you’d scored to make it 1-0. Would you live in a beautiful city like London. West Ham Ham, too. Wonderful moments. have liked the game to end 1-0?! is a club with so much potential. Their home It was the forgotten goal. I scored to put us games attract 60,000 fans, and I think they In 2008, you snubbed a move to Juventus 1-0 up, and went into half-time thinking can improve. Maybe they lack some ambition and joined Manchester City. Why? that if it finished like that, I’d be the hero. to fight for the European places. It’s true there was interest from Juventus, but I hadn’t scored that season, but then there was a point at which negotiations broke after the break we somehow found How did it feel to lose the 2014 World Cup down because Espanyol wanted the buy-out ourselves 2-1 down. Who’d have Final with Argentina? clause to be paid. Then City came in. Vedran thought it? Aguero ended up It was a shame because we were close – we Corluka had gone to Spurs and Mark Hughes taking all the credit! When played well in the final and missed chances. needed a replacement. It wasn’t easy for me Sergio scored, my body But beyond the wound, which hardly heals – City weren’t the club they are now and I left beat me – I didn’t have as it’s not easy to return to a World Cup final, you just think you’re very lucky to have lived an experience like that as a footballer. What are you going to do next? I want to finish my coaching course. I started in England and have two years left. I want to try coaching, but I don’t yet know if I’ll like it! Have City offered you some sort of role? There have been talks. They’ve always shown desire for us to work together in the future, so the door’s open. I know lots of people, the club have expanded, and they own teams outside Manchester. It’ll depend on whether I get a licence, but there’s a reason I stayed for almost a decade and I could return. A few other coaches have also contacted me, and I wouldn’t rule anything out. FourFourTwo January 2021 91

STUART PEARCE You kicked off your career in non-league at I saw an advert in the programme – is it you?” Wealdstone. Did you think you’d make it as We had a little chat about football, then I had “GAZZA STRIPPED a professional? to gently remind him that he was calling on OFF, MUMMIFIED No – I really had no idea whether I’d be good my business line and I was waiting for work! HIMSELF In TOILET enough to get beyond the youth team. I got ROLL AnD THEn into the first team at the end of that season You went through the heartache of missing JUMPED InTO THE – not on form, but because we were playing a penalty in the World Cup semi-finals at SWIMMInG POOL” Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday and Italia 90. How long did that affect you for? a lot of senior lads couldn’t take the time off The most galling thing was that we’d played The ex-electrician will always work. I thought, ‘I’m getting £15 a week to our best football of the tournament against remember Italia 90, for many be semi-pro – this is brilliant’. I was 21 when West Germany. If we’d got past them, we’d reasons, but he eventually got I turned pro with Coventry. have had a hell of a chance of winning it. But his redemption against Spain it taught me a lot about myself and resilience. Even when you joined Nottingham Forest The next season was my best, because I had Interview Chris Flanagan in 1985, you regularly advertised for work something to prove. At every away ground as an electrician in the programme. Why? I got abuse from fans, but I scored 16 goals For the cash! I set up my own business when from left-back – with no penalties. I moved to Coventry. I went from semi-pro to the highest league in the country but had to You finally got your redemption at Euro 96 take a £30 wage cut, which shows how much – did you always want to take a penalty in the game’s changed. I’d work when I could in that shootout against Spain? the afternoons, so when I signed for Forest, I decided that failure would be not to step up. one of my first chats with Brian Clough was, We’d done some ad hoc penalty practice but “I’m an electrician by trade – would it be OK the five takers weren’t set in stone, so I knew to advertise in the programme?” that unless I got to Terry Venables at the end of extra time, he might not select me to take Did people phone you just to talk football? one. I had to get to him and say, “I’ll take the I had a business line in my house. Once, we third penalty.” He said, “Are you sure?” When played Brighton on a Tuesday night, then the the ball hit the net, the feeling was just relief. phone rang the next morning. The guy said, I was planning to retire from internationals, “I’m a Brighton fan, I was at the match and even though things didn’t pan out that way, so that might have been the last kick of my TEAMS England career. I watch the footage now and Wealdstone still don’t know where all my emotion came Coventry from [left]. It was simply a release of energy. Nottingham Forest Newcastle Is it true that, a day later, you and Gareth West Ham Southgate hung out with the Sex Pistols? Manchester City Yes! I used to get the music papers, and I saw England they were at Finsbury Park. Terry had given us the Sunday off and Gazza had gone fishing, so I said, “Would you mind if I watched some music?” I didn’t tell Terry who I was going to see, because I thought he might block it. But I persuaded Gareth to come with me and it was one of the greatest weekends of my life. Any good Paul Gascoigne stories? At Italia 90, it was baking and we’d been told to conserve energy. We were sat by the pool – not just players, but members of the public as well – and then there was a commotion on the diving board. Gazza had stripped naked, mummified himself in toilet roll and launched himself into the pool. The toilet roll floated to the surface, Gazza got out naked and walked to his room! That was a normal day for him. It was a pleasure to play with him – he won 57 caps for England and lost only four times. He’s the best we’ve had since Bobby Charlton. “I DOn’T KnOW WHERE ALL MY EMOTIOn CAME FROM – IT WAS SIMPLY A RELEASE OF EnERGY”

You became Forest’s caretaker manager in TEAMS 1996 – we read that you accidentally forgot Haarlem to pick a goalkeeper in your first line-up... Twente That’s true. I went in on the Friday and they PSV said, “Frank Clark has left, would you take the Rangers team against Arsenal tomorrow?” I wrote all Netherlands the players’ names down, and after three or four hours on the Friday night I came up with ARTHUR nUMAn a perfect formation. My then-wife said, “Oh, I see you’ve dropped Mark Crossley.” I said, “WHEn I JOInED RAnGERS, I SAID “Of course I haven’t.” She said, “Well, where is I LIKED YOU’LL nEVER WALK ALOnE. he?” I’d picked 11 outfield players, after hours THE FAnS YELLED, ‘YOU BASTARD’” of mulling around. It just shows what a mush your head gets in when you’re in the hot seat. After an unfortunate start at Ibrox, the Dutch defender helped the Gers taste plenty of success – to the delight of Sean Connery Why did you chuck David James upfront during your time as Manchester City boss? Interview Arthur Renard It was nearly a masterstroke! I took over with nine games of 2004-05 to go and we went on How did your transfer to Rangers happen? Your first Rangers press conference could a great run to get within striking distance of In February 1998, Dick Advocaat called me have gone better... a UEFA Cup place. If we beat Middlesbrough over during PSV training. He said, “I’m going I was asked to name my favourite song and on the final day, we were in Europe. The night to be Rangers manager next season – no one replied, “You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and before, I thought, ‘If the game is tight late on, knows about it, but I want you to come with the Pacemakers.” I noticed there was a short what could win it for us?’ and came up with me.” I was perplexed and told him I needed silence among the reporters, which was odd. the idea of going route one to David upfront. time to consider it, but he was adamant that The next day, I got killed for my remark, both I should make a quick decision, so he could at the club and on the streets. People yelled, How did your staff react? put things in motion. Without thinking a lot, “You f**king bastard!” Little did I know, it was I asked the kit man to print a James outfield I said yes. The only issue was there had to be a song adopted by Celtic fans! In the tabloids, shirt, but to keep it quiet. I told my assistant, another team interested, so it didn’t look like there was a huge headline reading: ‘Numan’s Steve Wigley, what I was planning – he said, Advocaat was just taking his captain without favourite song: You’ll Never Walk Alone’. What “You’ve had some stupid ideas, but this is the any consideration towards PSV. At the time, a start that was. Before my first game against worst.” The game went a bit quiet at 1-1 and Atletico Madrid wanted me, so I travelled to Celtic, my Scottish team-mates jokingly said, I wasn’t sure where a goal was coming from, Spain. They asked me to convince Jaap Stam “Don’t you f**king dare sing along!” Rangers’ so with about 10 minutes left I took a player to join Atletico, too, but he ended up signing song was The Best by Tina Turner – when we off, put Nicky Weaver in goal and stuck Jamo for Manchester United and I went to Rangers. played at Celtic, our kit man would blast that up top. Then we got a penalty and I felt quite smug, even though Jamo had nothing to do with winning it, and probably had the worst 10 minutes I’ve seen of any player! If Robbie Fowler had scored the penalty, people would have said the substitution did it. The flip side was he didn’t, and they think I’m an absolute idiot for putting a goalie upfront… You led Great Britain at the Olympics, and England as caretaker. Any regrets that you didn’t become England boss permanently? The Olympics was my best time as a coach – you think football is the be all and end all, but the Olympics is far bigger than a World Cup. I don’t have any regrets. I’ve done everything I can to be the best I can. Not being England boss full-time is probably because I ceiling-ed out ability wise, not effort. You’re back at West Ham for a second spell as David Moyes’ first-team coach. Have you closed the door on management? The first time I worked with David, I got a call out of the blue. We’d never worked together, just seen each other at games now and then. He asked if I’d like to join him, as I knew the club, and I jumped at it. His thoroughness is quite amazing, and he’s a genuine man. I’m really open-minded about managing again. I didn’t expect the opportunity at West Ham to come up – I’ve done motivational speaking and also worked in the media. I’d never shut the door on anything. Stuart Pearce’s book, ‘Never Stop Dreaming: My Euro 96 Story’, is available to buy today FourFourTwo January 2021 93

song out on the coach as we arrived at Celtic there was a huge silence. Celtic were winning KEVIn KILBAnE Park. When we got off the bus, all the home 4-0 and we were 5-1 up. We needed another fans waiting for us had heard it and gave us goal to seal the title, then we got a penalty in “IF ROY KEAnE HAD an extra hostile reception! stoppage time. It was incredible. BEEn In THE TEAM, I REALLY THInK WE There have been tales about Sean Connery You left Rangers that summer and decided COULD HAVE GOT AS entering the Rangers dressing room a few to retire. Why? FAR AS THE 2002 times. Did you ever see him? I had offers from LA Galaxy, PSV, Feyenoord WORLD CUP FInAL” Yes, he came in twice when I was there. The and Espanyol, but when I saw clubs starting first time was a rainy midweek match when pre-season I didn’t feel the eagerness to be The former Sunderland and we were playing away, somewhere at a very part of it again and retired. I was sure about Everton wideman came close old stadium. Once we were all in the dressing it and have no regrets. The circle was round, to glory in Japan, after being room, someone knocked on the door. No one as in my first season at Rangers we won the the butt of Graham Poll jokes paid much attention initially, then this voice Treble and in my last season we did it again. said, “Hello gentlemen, how are you doing?” They were the best years of my life. Interview Richard Edwards I was like, ‘I know that voice!’ When I looked over at the door, I saw who it was. I thought, Is it true that Romario recommended you You’re one of a small number of footballers ‘What the f**k? Sean Connery has just walked to PSV, having seen you play for Twente? to have played in all four divisions – which into the dressing room!’ He walked around, It’s true! He told a Dutch newspaper that PSV step up did you find most difficult? shook everyone’s hand and had a little chat. needed reinforcements, then mentioned me Stepping up to the Premier League was the The players were like, ‘Flipping heck, it’s 007!’ as a good player who they should sign. I was most difficult for me. I couldn’t comprehend He knew our chairman, David Murray, really surprised when I read that, but he must have the pace, how quick everyone was and how well. He came in another time, too, before the seen me at Twente where I was developing quickly the ball was moved around the pitch. 2000 Scottish Cup Final against Aberdeen at as a midfielder. Personally I was keen on PSV, It was a massive eye-opener for me. It took Hampden Park. After 10 minutes, Advocaat too, but initially there was more interest from me a little time to adapt, and I had doubts turned to Sean and said, “I want you to leave Manchester City and the manager, Peter Reid, about myself. I lost weight when I played at the dressing room, because the boys have to invited me to train. At that point PSV realised Sunderland, not through worry but because prepare for the cup final.” He was sent away they had serious competition and started the the training was much faster and the games – I couldn’t believe it! [Laughs] negotiations. Twente wanted me to move to were so intense. It was bloody tough. England, because City had offered 5 million Advocaat was a key figure in your career, guilders [around £2m], whereas PSV offered You started your career at Preston under coaching you at youth level, Haarlem, PSV, 2.2m guilders. I preferred PSV – I could have John Beck – what did you think of him? Rangers and the Dutch national team. Any earned three times as much at City, but I put His style of football was often criticised, but good tales about working with him? my development first. At PSV, I’d compete for Preston couldn’t really have gone any lower At Rangers he banned the players from using the title every season and it would increase – I was 16 and the club were in the bottom their mobile phones in the dressing room – my chances of playing for the national team. tier of English football. My first year as a pro, he didn’t want them to be a distraction. One When I arrived, Romario was really happy to when I was 17 and 18, was their promotion day I came back into the dressing room after see me and said something funny in broken season. If you’d asked me who I wanted to training and my phone went off. I decided to Dutch: “My man, good you’re here, when you play for when I was a boy, I would have said take the call, but to my surprise it was Dick at have ball, you give ball to me, I score, I earn Celtic, but Preston were my local team and the other end of the line. He just said, “That’s money for you!” I went to watch them. John was a fantastic a £250 fine!” He was laughing, then he hung coach and had ideas way ahead of his time up. I saw the funny side and paid the money, Before joining PSV, you could have signed in terms of nutrition and statistics. But the which went into a charity pot. for Napoli courtesy of agent Mino Raiola... style certainly wasn’t easy on the eye and it When I was starting out at Haarlem, I got to was difficult to play that way on an artificial What do you remember about the final day know Raiola, who wasn’t a football agent at pitch. He was Marmite. of 2002-03, when Rangers sealed the title the time. He was going to Haarlem matches in stoppage time? with his family as a fan, but sometimes we’d What was it like having David Beckham in That was unbelievable. We were at home to meet up afterwards. He said, “I’ll take you to the team on loan? Dunfermline and needed to win by one more Italy one day.” At Twente, Raiola arranged for I was a second year YTS when Becks came in goal than Celtic, who were playing away at me to visit Napoli to see their facilities. They for a month. I trained with him but never got Kilmarnock. I was constantly getting updates had some good players like Laurent Blanc, but a chance to play first-team football with him. from the crowd about Celtic’s score: “Arthur, Serie A teams were only allowed a maximum I think he scored from a corner on his debut, come on, they just f**king scored, we need to of five foreign players. I was still young, and score!” Then suddenly there was a big cheer. feared I might end up as number six or seven. I thought, ‘What’s happened?’ and fans were When I was at PSV I had the chance to join screaming, “They’ve missed a penalty!” Then Roma, again via Raiola, but decided to stay at PSV – Mino wasn’t too pleased! Later I heard that Louis van Gaal wanted me at Barcelona, but I’d already signed for Rangers. What have you been doing since retiring? I stayed in Scotland with my family for seven years, as we really liked it there. I developed a few activities, including with a local hospice. After a while I returned to football, becoming assistant of the Dutch national B team and working for Alex McLeish in a scouting role at Aston Villa. Now I’m back in Holland and do scouting for AZ. I’ve also spoken at Rangers fan clubs around the world, taking me to Las Vegas, Hong Kong and Melbourne. It’s great. 94 January 2021 FourFourTwo

and he scored an unbelievable free-kick, too. Preston wanted to keep him until the end of the season, but he was in United’s first team by the end of that 1994-95 campaign. You became West Brom’s first £1 million signing. Was there pressure? I actually felt plenty of pressure, yeah. There was a lot of hype around the move, but in the last year or so at The Hawthorns I began to make progress and got a call-up for Ireland. It was my ultimate dream when I was a kid – playing for Ireland was the number one goal. Is it true that England wanted you to play TEAMS for them before Ireland came knocking? Preston As soon as I saw Ray Houghton score against West Brom England at Euro 88, that was it for me. Ireland Sunderland had never qualified for a major tournament Everton before, so seeing that suddenly meant it was Wigan all I wanted to do. I was the first member of Hull my family born in England – everybody else Huddersfield (loan) in my life was Irish, and we were very much Derby (loan) immersed in an Irish community in Preston. Coventry When an England call-up came, I was always Republic of Ireland going to turn them down. People scoff at me when they hear that, but I never could have represented England. The England team now is very diverse, but back then I couldn’t have done it. I only had eyes for Ireland. How did the Ireland call come? Thanks to Sam Allardyce. He was my youth team coach at Preston and ended up having a word with Mick McCarthy, who got the job about a year later. Then I received a call-up to the under-21s. Not all Sunderland fans considered you to refereeing at the Stadium of Light. He knew shootout defeat to Spain – I was gutted and be a lucky charm, though... that he’d be the second most hated man in inconsolable, but after retiring I looked back Apparently not. I hadn’t heard of the Kilbane the ground, because I’d be the first! and viewed that tournament as the ultimate. Curse before someone started researching Standing in that line-up before the Cameroon my book a few years ago. When I signed for Were a few of the refs decent characters? match was probably my proudest moment. Sunderland, we were second in the Premier One day, I was in the gym before training at League, then things went against us and we Wigan and suddenly the door swung open. Did Keane’s bust-up with Mick McCarthy ended up finishing seventh! Goalkeeper Mike Pollitt ran in shouting, “Kev, affect Ireland’s campaign? get over here and have a look at this.” Chris Thinking about it now, it was extremely sad. Is it true that you sometimes took a bit of Foy would train with us, usually once a week, Without Roy, we probably should have got to stick from referees? because Wigan were his local team. He gave the semi-finals, and with him we might even Graham Poll made me chuckle. Sunderland the players a talk at the start of the season have made the final. We should have knocked were playing at home and I can’t remember about new rules and how we were expected out Spain, then would have really fancied our which of his decisions went against me, but to conduct ourselves on the pitch. But Polly chances against South Korea in the quarters I was having a right go at him. He calmed me spotted that he had brand new boots. Some and Germany in the semis. People can laugh down by having a laugh, then as he came off people have the names of their kids written about all the ifs, buts and everything, but we the pitch he told me that he always enjoyed on them, but Chris had ‘Foy Boy’. We’d never outplayed the Germans for 70 minutes in the seen anything like it! group stage, so who knows what would have happened? We didn’t fear anyone. “I WAS THE FIRST In THE What are your memories of the 2002 World FAMILY BORn In EnGLAnD, Cup, when Roy Keane famously walked out How frustrating was it to narrowly miss out BUT PLAYInG FOR IRELAnD on the squad beforehand? on the Champions League group stage with WAS MY DREAM AS A KID” When I was growing up, the big thing for me Everton in 2005? was watching the team during the national It was one of the biggest blows of my career anthem. I wasn’t necessarily nervous before – not being able to take that one last step in the first game, but when the anthem started qualifying against Villarreal. A lot of people it was like, ‘Bloody hell’. The realisation I was feared the draw was always going to conspire playing at a World Cup finals suddenly hit me against us. Villarreal ended up reaching the like a train. I missed a penalty in the last 16 semis, which shows just how tough we had it. FourFourTwo January 2021 95



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MY PERFECT XI PAUL PARKER Thirty years after steering England to the semi-finals of Italia 90, will the full-back choose Lions or trophy-toting team-mates from Old Trafford? His tactics matter... GK PETER SCHMEICHEL brilliant: that technique, change of pace, and “Obviously I’ve got the big ugly Dane in goal. the way he worked with you. He was a great PETER Peter was always such a huge presence, and communicator, too.” SCHMEICHEL vocal. He wanted everything to be perfect in front of him, and didn’t enjoy having to come ROY KEANE RB CB CB LB and catch crosses or save shots. He wanted “I could put Roy anywhere in this team and his afternoon to be as easy as possible, and he’d still be the best player. He’s in for sheer DENIS STEVE DES STUART would shout at you about everything. There’s energy, his quality with and without the ball, IRWIN BRUCE WALKER PEARCE nothing wrong with that: look at all the saves his heading, volleying – everything. And Roy he made when he was needed.” put me in his best team recently, so can you CM imagine if I left him out?” DENIS IRWIN CM BRYAN CM “There might be an argument about this one, BRYAN ROBSON ROBSON as I’m moving Denis from left to right-back, “He’d be my holding midfielder, even though ROY where I’d usually be. I think he’d go down as he’d run past everyone to try to score. Bryan rM KEANE PAUL LM one of the greatest all-round full-backs in the could run the full length of the pitch and back GASCOIGNE Premier League – up until now, maybe.” again. He was strong, comfortable with a ball CHRIS at his feet, and could improvise and create.” WADDLE RYAN STEVE BRUCE “He was a leader without even trying. Steve PAUL GASCOIGNE CF GIGGS didn’t need an armband – it’s just the way he “Gazza got into the England team just before was. Did I know he’d be a decent manager? me, and we formed a good bond on the pitch. MARK He always had that about him, always sitting Off it, no one wanted to be stuck with him for HUGHES in the coaches’ room after training. I’d love to too long! You had to let him burn that energy, see him fighting for titles and winning them.” or he’d be bugging people in their face. Chris THE GAFFER Waddle was always running away from him.” DES WALKER SIR ALEX FERGUSON “People usually remember Des’ pace, but he RYAN GIGGS “It may seem an obvious one, but I’m actually was a very good footballer: strong in the air, “Expectations were sky high around Giggsy. stuck between two bosses for my greatest ever. quick, able to sense danger and deal with it There were a lot of great footballers around I’ll go for my club manager, though, in Sir Alex. calmly. He was still playing until a few years when he came through, but he was immense He just edges Sir Bobby Robson with England.” ago, with the same passion.” and would be worth bundles today. He was predominantly one-footed, but that one foot THE SUBS STUART PEARCE “Before each game, he’d go into this was better than both of mine.” 01 02 03GARY ERIC intense zone. You didn’t need to ask PALLISTER CANTONA if he was all right: he was preparing. MARK HUGHES JOHN What a character. As a person and “Off the pitch he was fairly quiet and shy BARNES as a player, you knew what you were – Mark [left] was always about finishing getting out of Pearcey.” training, then going back to spend time CHRIS WADDLE with his family. Sparky’s such “I don’t think Chris and a lovely man. People might John Barnes got enough say, ‘Hey, what about Eric credit. It was a strange Cantona?’, but with Giggs, era – they’d try to beat Gazza and Waddle in the players and everyone side, I want a forward would moan at them. who can work the line Today, players do that and also bring other and you say, ‘Unlucky’. team-mates into the Chris played in front of game with his back me at Italia 90 and was to goal. The best at that was Hughes.” Si Hawkins YOUR nEXT FOURFOURTWO IS On SALE JanUarY 13



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