Football Managers - It's a Hard Enough Life For Us...

Managers have a tough job sometimes.

Dealing with egos within the squad, developing team unity and unity towards the goals of the club and all this to do with club owners breathing down their necks. With Steve McClaren and Roberto Di Matteo being axed from Vfl Wolfsburg and West Bromwich Albion respectively, here is a look at some (of many) of the more odd/controversial managerial sackings of years gone by:

1) Leroy Rosenior – Torquay United (2007)
A former striker for variety of clubs including West Ham United, Fulham FC and Queens Park Rangers, Rosenior has the perhaps most dubious record of the shortest managerial position ever held. In 2007 he returned to Torquay United for whom he coached for between 2002 – 2006, when after being in charge for a whole 10 minutes, he was let go by the club. This was due to a new consortium taking over at Torquay, something that Rosenior was aware of but not thinking that it would happen only 10 minutes after he was unveiled as the then League Two’s new manager.

2) Jose Peseiro/Nasser Al-Johar – Saudia Arabia National Football Team (2011)
The Arabian powerhouse Saudi Arabia entered the 2011 AFC Asian Cup as perennial pre-tournament favourites to lift the coveted trophy with expectations running high for the Green Falcons. But after losing 2 – 1 to a lowly but determined Syria in the groups opening game, Portuguese coach Peseiro was told to pack his bags by the Saudi FA. Replacing him for the remainder of the tournament was technical advisor Al-Johar, but his fate was soon sealed just under a week later. The Saudis failed to pick up any points in the group stages (losing 1 – 0 to Jordan and being destroyed by Japan 5 – 0), exiting the Asian Cup in disappointing fashion and Al-Johar not even having the highest position in Saudi football for a week.

3) Chris Hughton– Newcastle United FC (2010)
After taking charge a dominant Newcastle United from the Championship in 2009 back to the promised land of the Premier League, things were looking good for Hughton. The Magpies were exceeding everyone’s expectations in the league and managed to put on some great attacking performances, including a 4 – 0 hammering of a sorry Aston Villa on the opening round of 2010/2011.


Owner Mike Ashley who had overseen many a sacking during a turbulent time at St James’ Park, decided to let go of the popular Hughton (seemingly out of nowhere) citing “an individual with more managerial experience was needed to take the club further”. Many of the St James’ Park faithful were in disillusion at such a decision, but yet came as little surprise if one looks back at the recent managerial merry-go-round for Newcastle United. Former Southampton and West Ham manager Alan Pardew was chosen to replace Hughton, but the Toon Army will never let down the importance that Hughton had in his short spell at the top.

4) Pierre Littbarski (2005/2006)
The Australian footballing scene had died a terrible, terrible death in 2004 due to the financial fumblings of those in charge at the former Soccer Australia and the dissolution of a national league (known as the National Soccer League) made matters worse. Coming from a yearlong recess in 2005/2006, the A-League was launched under the auspices of Football Federation Australia and Chairman Frank Lowy. New teams were established and football in Australia was given another shot at life.


A Sydney FC side, coached by charismatic German Pierre Littbarski took out the A-League Grand Final against the Central Coast Mariners thanks to a lone Steve Corica goal in the 63^rd minute. Once known as “Bling FC” due to their financial flair and high profile signing of former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke, the Sky Blues somewhat shockingly let go of their inaugural manager after leading them to the first ever piece of silverware due to his non-acceptance into taking a major paycut. It would be another four seasons before Sydney saw any silverware (winning the A-League double of both the minor premiership and grand final) under Czech coach Vítězslav Lavička. Littbarski had spells managing various sides in Asia and in Europe before setlling with German side Vfl Wolfsburg in 2010 as an assistant coach, before being assigned caretaker manager of Die Wölfe in 2011 after the sacking of Englishman Steve McClaren.

Comeback Kids - Great Footballing Comebacks in Recent Times

Comebacks have been the talk of the footballing weekend, particularly as Newcastle United FC managed to claw their way back to draw 4 – 4 against an Arsenal side that managed to put three goals past them in under 10 minutes.

Here we look at just a few of thousands of remarkable comebacks in recent footballing memory:

1) Manchester United FC v Bayern Munich FC (2 – 1) 1999 UEFA Champions League Final

In what would go down as a memorable moment forever etched into any Manchester United fan’s memory, this enthralling final saw a resilient Manchester United trounce a rampant Bayern Munich. What made this result more remarkable was the fact that both of Manchester United’s goals came in stoppage time.

After Mario Basler put the Germans ahead in the 6^th minute of play, Bayern Munich looked almost definite to hold up the UEFA Champions League trophy that is until England striker Teddy Sherringham had his say. Coming off the bench in the 67^th minute, the English marksman levelled the game in the first minute stoppage time before another substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjær won the game for the Red Devils in the third minute of stoppage time, poking the ball in the top of the net.


By Manchester United winning, this cemented their place in footballing echelons by completing an unprecedented treble (EPL, FA Cup and Champions League) and the players of this legendary team (despite having lost their captain Roy Keane and Paul Scholes due to suspension) have forever etched their names in footballing history.

2) Central Coast Mariners FC V Sydney FC (5 – 2) 22nd Dec, 2007 (Round 15)

Labelled as the greatest game in the A-League’s short history, a rescheduled game at the Bluetounge Stadium saw these two teams contest the South NSW Derby but with entertaining results. In a very fluid and attacking game, Central Coast keeper Danny Vukovic was given his marching orders in the 16^rd minute as he was to have judged to handle the ball outside his box, but this didn’t stun the boys from the coast. The Mariners had taken the lead in the 3^rd and 15^th minute thanks to goals from Mile Jedinak and John Aloisi respectively.

The Sky Blues then bounced back thanks to goals from popular defender Ian Fyfe in the 33^rd minute before Northern Irishman Terry McFlynn levelled the scores at the 49^th minute. In what is possibly the most exciting second half in the A-League’s history, Greg Owens for the Mariners restored parity in the 63^rd minute (courtesy of a penalty). This did little to dampen the Sky Blues attacking prowress as youngster Adam Biddle nutmeged defender Dean Heffernen and put Sydney FC ahead in the 71^st minute. Before Sydney fans had a chance to catch their breathes back, they were treated to a moment of true class as Brendon Santalab stunned the masses with a fantastic spin-come-strike from just inside the box to thunder Sydney further into the lead. A terrific goal was made better by the fact that this was his first A-League goal for Sydney FC.


In a tense final ten minutes, Adam Kwasnik levelled the scores before, remarkably, Kwasnik handeled the ball in the penalty box. With Kwasnik sent off, Ufuk Talay slotted away the spot kick to send Sydney FC 5 -4 winners and put and end to was has been and since unmatched, the greatest game of the A-League so far.

3) Liverpool FC v West Ham United (3 – 3, 3 – 1 penalties) 2006 FA Cup Final

What is it about a cup final that produces some of the greatest comebacks?

Going down in the 21st minute thanks to a Jamie Carragher own goal, West Ham were sent further ahead when Dean Ashton in the 28nd minute tucked in a loose ball from a West Ham’s Matthew Etherington shot, which Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina failed to hold on to properly.

Liverpool managed to peg one back thanks to French international Djibril Cissé’s goal in the 32^nd minute. West Ham had the lead going into the second half before the Gerrard show kicked in. A Peter Crouch knock down is volleyed in by the Liverpool captain in the 54^th minute, levelling the scores at 2 – 2. Paul Konchesky’s goal in the 63^rd minute had the Hammers thinking they had done enough to win the FA Cup but a thunderous Steven Gerrard 30 yard strike into the back of the net levelled the score on the 90^th minute, leaving Hammers keeper Shaka Hislop doing nothing more than pick the ball out.


Extra-time passed without much incident which led the game into penalties. With three misses from Zamora, Konchesky and Ferdinand for the Hammers (only Sherrigham managed to put one in), Liverpool were handed the 2006 FA Cup when John Arne Riise stepped up and slotted the ball in the back of the net.

This game was truly one of the greatest FA Cup finals to be had and it was truly the Steven Gerrard show for all to see.

4) Arsenal FC V Tottenham Hotspurs FC (4 – 4) 28^th Oct, 2008 (English Premier League)

Tottenham scored twice in the dying minutes of the game to level with their London arch-rivals in an enthralling game of skill, entertainment and football.

After David Bently had put the Spurs ahead on the 13th minute, the Gunners fought back and scored and seemingly had the game wrapped up with thanks to goals from Mikael Silvestre (37), William Gallas (46), and Emmanuel Adebayor (64). Even though Spurs managed to get one back in the 67th minute with a Darren Bent goal, Arsenal responded immediately with a goal from Robin van Persie in the 68th minute of the game.

For any fan that left with five minutes to go, they sure are kicking themselves now. In a display of utter skill and scenes that you can only imagine, Tottenham managed to score when a Luka Modric rocket hit the woodwork with Jermaine Jenas there to put in the rebound in the 89^th minute, making the ledger at 4 – 3. With Arsenal shelshocked, the damage wasn’t over as Aaron Lennon sent the white half of the Emarites Stadium into raptures when in the 90^th minute managed to level the scores from just outside the box.


So the game ended 4 – 4, a highly attacking display from both sides that saw the Gunners capitulate their lead into a 4 – 4 draw. Scenes like this against Arsenal weren’t repeated until an understrength Newcastle United FC managed to come back from 4 – 0 down in the first half to draw 4 – 4 in the dying stages of the game in 2011.

By Marcel Abboud

A-League Round 23 - Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory - Review

Two of the some of the A-League’s biggest clubs met at the Sydney Football Stadium last night (15/1/2011) in what can be effectively called Sydney FC’s “do or die” match against their arch rivals Melbourne Victory for a chance to qualify for the finals series.

A very frenetic, sometimes physical match ended with both teams taking a share of the spoils in a pulsating 1 – 1 draw that surely left many Sydney FC fans with their hearts on their sleeves. For all the Sky Blues’ possession and domination in the first half, they were unable to break down a stubborn Melbourne Victory defence. A few reflex saves by Petkovic saved the blushes of what looked like a depleted Victory backline, missing the services of inspirational hardman Kevin Muscat (suspended) and young defender Adrian Leijer.



Great lead up work from Hirofumi Moriyasu saw his shot come back off the post while a great header from Brazilian Bruno Cazarine was saved by the boots of Petkovic, arguably the two best chances of the first half. Melbourne lacked vigour in the opening stages and at times couldn’t keep up and stop the quick feet and creative work of sometime Socceroo and man of the match Nicky Carle.

The second half was a completely different story and the Sky Blues were made to pay for their lack of a finishing touch as on the Victory came out blazing with Melbourne coach Ernie Merrick making a very attacking substitutions in the way of Mate Dugandzic and Matthew Foschini. Carlos Hernandez slipped through the ball for a quick Victory counter as Danny Allsopp made his return the Australian domestic football scene scoring a looping deflected effort past Sydney keeper Liam Reddy.

Melbourne then sparked into life and absolutely dominated the remaning proceedings, as Sydney FC’s touch seemed to have gone passed them. An absolute air-swing by youngster Dimitri Petratos in the final third of the game could have sealed it for the homeside, but it was not until the introduction of right back Shannon Cole that Sydney FC showed some determination to at least snatch a draw. His delightful lead up play and resulting shot just ended up wide of the Victory posts, a bright moment in what was a dull half for the reigning champions.



When it seemed the game was set to end in the Victory’s favour, Finnish import striker and fan favourite Juho “The Surgeon” Mäkelä excellently latched onto Nicky Carle’s shot-come-pass to slot it passed the Victory, grabbing a late equaliser in the first minute of extra time to send the crowd of over 11,000 into raptures.

The pre-game press was dominated by Sydney FC’s CEO Edwin Ludgt coming out and saying that his side will “smash” the victory, but yet even though the Sky Blues managed a late and dramatic draw, it was the Victory who really come out as victors here. They further cemented their top six aspirations and at the same time have crushed their rivals’ very slim chances of ever making the finals series.

So for Sydney was it one point gained or two points crushed? In retrospect, all signs definitely point to the latter.

By Marcel Abboud (Facebook Follower) and Football Correspondant

A-League Round 23 - Sydney FC vs Melbourne Victory - Preview

This Saturday (15/1/2011) sees another exciting chapter in the interstate rivalry between Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory. While Sydney FC are experiencing a “mini-revival” of sorts after notching two straight wins against Newcastle Jets and Gold Coast United, Melbourne Victory will be trying to restore some pride after being humiliated 4 – 1 at the hands of a ruthless Adelaide United.

The Sydney Football Stadium will prove to be the defining place for both these teams’ seasons. Anything but a win for the Sky Blues against their nemesis will see their “mathematical” chances of making the finals vanish, as will (perhaps) Vitezslav Lavicka’s position as coach. If Melbourne succumbs to a second loss in a row, Ernie Merrick and his team will be biting their nails as the likes Melbourne Heart and Wellington Phoenix will be breathing down their necks for the top sixth berth.

Entering the heat of the battle, nothing but best from each of these two team’s key players will be expected. Sydney’s creative force of sometimes Socceroo Nicky Carle will be crucial for the team’s chances as he provided the much needed creative spark that the Sky Blues so severely needed this season. While injury has hampered his chances of showing his true potential this season, a fully fit and fighting Carle could just be the remedy that the defending champions need to add some lustre in what is otherwise an immensely disappointing season for both club and fans.

Finnish import Juho Mäkelä will also look to add some firepower into a very limp Sydney attack. His extra time goal against the Gold Coast catapulted “the Surgeon” (as he is affectionately known by The Cove) into fan folklore and into the memories of fans alike, sealing a much needed win scoring the club’s 200^th goal. Combined with Brazilian import Bruno Cazarine, perhaps this partnership is just what the Sky Blues need to save themselves from what is arguably the A-League’s worst title defence.

With charismatic leader and hardman Kevin Muscat suspended for this crucial meeting, defender Adrian Leijer out with a suspected groin injury and with Robbie Kruse out on Socceroos duty, the Victory will need to dig deep and muster a win to cement their position in the top six for the finals.

The Victory will once again turn to creative maestro Carlos Hernandez to launch the platform of a Melbourne assault at Moore Park. When the Costa Rican is at his best, everyone knows about it (particularly the score line). A mainstay to the Victory, “El Zorro” will need to dazzle his way through what has become a “stern” and “desperate” Sydney defence.

The return of Melbourne Victory’s favourite son Danny Allsopp has come at just the right time as an attacking front is exactly what the Victory are missing right now. If fed properly through the midfield, Allsopp can inflict great damage on any opponent and wouldn’t it be great to mark his return to the A-League with a goal in the Big City Derby?

So what will the next instalment of the Big City Derby bring? Who knows. Both teams are at a crucial stage in their seasons with a great importance riding on this game.

Nothing but a win for both sides will suffice.

By Marcel Abboud (Facebook Follower) A-League Correspondant