The Football Thread

[snowy25]

I think its probably a case of many irons in the fire at this stage. There was talk about him potentially playing again as some clubs had made him offers to play. There was also as you say talk of him going back to Liverpool and now this Mk Dons thing. So I think he is just giving himself as many options as possible.

Interestingly according to ESPN Frank Lampard's rep was contacted by Mk Dons about the position however he is not interested. So maybe they are just casting their net to all big named players who are or will be free agents. Apparently also Lampard has ruled out a return to Chelsea.

[Meini Again]

The UEFA Pro License is a coaching licence from UEFA, the official governing body of European football. The license is the highest coaching certification available and follows the completion of the UEFA 'B' and 'A' licenses.
A UEFA Pro License is required by anyone who wishes to manage a football club in the top level of a European nation's league system on a permanent basis.

Wiki

I'm not sure that either Stevie or Frankie have even started their training on an 'A' or 'B' licence.

In the lower leagues they can be player/manager without problems, but, if they want to come in at the top they need a "Pro" licence.
Case in point is Ryan Giggs, who managed Man Utd but only as a 'caretaker' ~ this is allowed for 3 months for those without a 'Pro' licence.
Ryan could well have been doing his badges whilst he hung around Old Trafford, I don't know,he did after all apply at Swansea....

....but Gerrard and Lampard have been active as players, and the courses for 'A' and 'B' licences, whilst not being intelectually demanding, take TIME. No fast-tracking.

So, if either wanted management at the Top End, and they haven't the lower badges, it'll be at least 3 years. They can of course take their badges whilst being a player manager at a lower level. But that would mean they were "trainee managers" ~ which Board would allow that?

** On that Wiki page I was most interested to note that Chrissie Hughton claimed his PRO licence 14 years ago. 3 years before future England Managers ~ BFS and McClaren.

[hmir]

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

One of our problems is too many limp wristed managers not being tough enough and every body patting everyone on the back win, lose or draw.

This is the God's honest truth.

The ex-footballers turned pundits are absolutely the worst of the bunch. They just keep regurgitating the same old triple - "Rooney must play". For God's sake, they really need to grow a pair already, and call it like it is.

There are better options than Rooney in the striking role.

There are better options than Rooney in the No 10 role.

There are better options than Rooney in the central midfield role.

He does not warrant a place in the team.

P.S. Thank God, international week is over for the next few months.

[snowy25]

One of the reason many people like Scholes and Keane as pundits is they tend to be more honest about things. If someone is crap they will say so and wont sugar coat it. It seems most of the others dont want to hurt a fellow professionals feelings by being negative about them. However those players need a reality check, they need to be told they are crap and to up their game. They need to fear they will not play otherwise they will simply go through the motions. If I was manager I would start everyone from scratch. Play well and you stay in the side, play poor and you are out, no ifs or buts. If that means big named players or big reputation players are out in the cold well tough.

The problem is we seem likely to have another softie in charge who will do very little to change the cushy times for big named players. I am still trying to work out how a player who cannot get a game for his club can be captain of the national side. Would that happen in Spain, Germany or Italy?

[Devius]

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says that despite winning the Premier League 18 months ago the media still respects Arsene Wenger more than him.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38025096

Ahhh...poor José....

[snowy25]

Well that is typical Jose. When he is under pressure he tries to blame others or deflect attention away from him and his faults. United are no better under him really than they were under LVG or even Moyes. He was expected to come in and have a bounce effect on the whole team. Yet it hasn't worked for him, those there previously and for the vast majority the players he brought to the club. With it all not going as planned he needs to try to get the focus off him and onto others. The problem is unlike Fergie who massaged the media quite well, Mourinho just looks like an amateur.

[mungy]

Just back from the game...feels like a loss.

Gutted.

[snowy25]

Originally Posted by mungy

Just back from the game...feels like a loss.

Gutted.

I think you are right, conceding so late does feel like a loss for any fan of any side. 2 points lost for United but Arsenal will feel like a win as they snatch a point at the death. It hurts even more when your side concede late on to a side who don't deserve anything from the game.

[footstep]

Come on Wet Ham! 0 1.

Jose == 1 communication
2 communication
3 communication

Arsene doesn't calculate.He's an alsacian.(France Alsace).

[Greenman]

Hmm well it sounded like Liverpool had loads of chances to score against Southampton(whom I knew was going to be a hard side to beat at home) but just couldn't find the net! It's I hope a small blip in what has been a fantastic season for Liverpool so far and hopefully we can beat Leeds in the EFL next week and then Bournemouth at the weekend.