The Lead
Though Halloween is over as evidenced by the putrid pumpkins and soggy cardboard skeletons that litter our city streets, a lone ghost lingers over the European football world (this is my journalism school lead sentence—do you like it?). His stylistic preferences haunt elite sides to this day, and now he’s been spotted hovering over two of England’s biggest clubs. From the Telegraph this morning:
Guardiola, the former Barcelona manager, has reportedly told close associates that he is open to the idea of taking over at Stamford Bridge when he ends his self-imposed sabbatical next summer.
The 41 year-old quit the Nou Camp earlier this year after securing 14 titles in four seasons and was sounded out by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich before opting to spend the next 12 months in New York with his family.
Where, incidentally, he was also reportedly approached by David Gill and Sir Alex Ferguson last month over the possibility of the latter when he finally retires as manager of Manchester United.
But that’s not the only object of his perhaps entirely-made-up fancy. Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini was forced to respond to rumours his job could be in jeopardy thanks to Pep’s advances following City’s appointment of Barca’s former technical director, Txiki Begiristain. Mancini said on Friday:
“I’m very happy because we have a new sporting director (Begiristain), he worked for Barca and has big experience with a top team. I have my job, Txiki will have his job, Ferran has his job but together I think we can work.
“If you write that maybe next year we (City) arrive with Guardiola or another manager, I don’t know, this is not my problem.”
So Pep Guardiola via preternatural retirement from Barcelona has now morphed into a kind of managerial boogeyman, a device for anxious chairmen and needling reporters to imply, “You’d better start winning games or Pep’s going to come and take your job!” I’m no child development expert, but I’m pretty sure the ‘fear-reinforcement’ approach doesn’t work. It adds to job stress, undermines confidence, and leaves children screaming in a pool of their own tears and, I dunno, fear-induced vomit.
Moreover, it really doesn’t reflect well on either football’s leading chairmen or the assembled press corps to speak of Guardiola like he’s football’s unstoppable, Doom-like character, who will simply win everything once he’s put in charge of any club, anywhere (you’re thinking of Mourinho). His only managerial stint has been with Barcelona, and his success may be in part down to his intimate, life-long mastery of the Barcelona approach, with its current crop of elite La Masia graduates. It’s possible, just possible, this approach may not translate to a gilded, Galacticos-like side like Chelsea or Manchester City.
But that’s just me. I’m sure everyone in football knows better, so carry on…
England
“I want to finish my career at City.” -Yaya Toure
Mancini says it may be another decade until Man City a real Champions League contender.
First Rooney and now Suarez compared to Messi.
Liverpool fans get a good soaking at Anfield Stadium.
Italy
Best individual performances in Serie A this weekend.
La Liga
Espanyol and Deportivo La Coruna escape the relegation zone with wins.
Malaga defender denies that team’s poor performance due to lack of payments.
Germany
Best pics to summarize action in this weekend’s Bundesliga.
Joining team in the hereafter as even death can’t do Schalke fans apart
MLS.
San Jose beats Los Angeles in Western Conference semifinal series opener.
Bit and Bobs
Marco Materazzi poses in front of Zizou statue
Media’s fascination with Mario Balotelli continues as we get a glimpse of his softer side.
“It adds to job stress, undermines confidence, and leaves children screaming in a pool of their own tears and, I dunno, fear-induced vomit.”
I think this may be accurate with respect to Mancini and DiMatteo, but the ManUnited context is a different one. At least publicly there doesn’t seem to be any pressure on Ferguson (and I think he has earned that right), and he still seems very interested in managing – but it would be interesting to know if some of his motivation is really about waiting until an appropriate relacement comes along, or if it is an entirely self-centered pursuit. A generous interpretation of his motive might allow the possibility that he would step aside to let a Pep-level manager come on board (and other than Mourinho, it seems to be a pretty exclusive club). I have no idea if it would fit with the Glazer’s plans for investment, but there does seem to be a stronger ethos of developing from within at ManUnited – thus Pep as a longer term appointment could be a success.
Great article. Pep is going to be linked to every major club from now until he gets a job. He’ll be a boogyman for Mancini; and any manager, jobless or not, will be a boogyman for DiMatteo (it’s safe to say we know Abramovich at this point). But Ferguson is looking to leave anyway, so I’d agree with Dyslexic Nam that the boogyman effect just doesn’t translate into Fergie’s situation. There will be a million different names thrown out there for who’s going to take over that job.
But in the perfect football world made for entertainment purposes only, Pep would manage Chelsea and Mourinho would manage Manchester United. I mean, just imagine those press conferences…and the loyalty of Chelsea fans. Their heads would explode. Oh it would be soooo hilarious.
hahahahhaha that would be so perfect. (Pep at Chelski and Mou at Manu) I so hope this happens though so many stars would need to align just right. the drama, the humanity.
Richard, the links are popping up in the same tab instead of a new one, and the Suarez link seems broken.
blow away this comment if you want after they are fixed. would email you but too lazy today.
Wanna learn a new trick???
Try holding “Ctrl” down while clicking on a link…and be amazed at what transpires ;)
I understand how to navigate that way as well. (did you know you can also right click and choose *gasp* new window as well?)
the suarez link is still broken and this page doesn’t match the other pages the guys put up. It’s about consistency of experience for users. I personally don’t give a shit but doing work on some sites of my own I notice little things like that and I know the score guys don’t want viewers navigating away from the page when they could still have the tab open. It’s not about what is possible but about the intended functionality of the site. just giving the boys a heads up to balance out the stick that sometimes gets tossed about.
thanks for not typing in capitals.