Andy Gray: "Make Beckham England manager"

[T & P]

Just watched a highly amusing rant by Andy Gray on Sky News. He is working for Fox Sports during the WC and was being interviewed by one of the Sky Sports regulars after the game.

He was spitting blood as he complained about England being managed "by a foreigner", and said that there were plenty of English people who could do it. "Shearer" (LOL) he suggested first, before zeroing in on Beckham and suggesting he'd be a great manager.

I've never rated the boring slaphead to start with, but he's even more clueless than I thought. Why he has such a high profile job at Scum Sports truly is beyond me...

 

[AKA pseudonym]

I doubt becks has the coaching badges... think there is an element of reading n writing n stuff?

 

[skyscraper101]

Beckham doesn't want to do it. I wouldn't want to do it either if I was him.

 

[Gingerman]

He'd only be another King Kev

 

[Silva]

England had two of the most reputed managers at their service, both failing miserably from their expectations. I suspect putting a brain-dead footballer at the helm would make little difference if most players are equally brain-dead and see the national team almost as a nuisance that cuts their vacations short.

I sincerely doubt Beckham is tactically less able than Maradona. Yet, Argentina has been one of the hottest teams in this tournament. In the end, he might be outwitted by an opponent, but until then, the players are doing a fine job of winning. IYKWIM

 

[dilute micro]

I'd do it if I was Beckham. Shit I'd do it anyway. I'd just have everyone play textbook ball. That's what Germany did.

 

[ska invita]

There is a problem in Capello not being able to speak english - i dont mind non-english managers so long as they can give a half time talk etc without an interpreter.

I expect harry redknap to be the next england manager! At least he'll play Lennon.
Also, isnt there talk of Axle F standing down from Man U before too long???

 

[free spirit]

looking at how well maradonna's doing, maybe we should get gazza show cappello how it's done

 

[agricola]

England had two of the most reputed managers at their service, both failing miserably from their expectations. I suspect putting a brain-dead footballer at the helm would make little difference if most players are equally brain-dead and see the national team almost as a nuisance that cuts their vacations short.

I sincerely doubt Beckham is tactically less able than Maradona. Yet, Argentina has been one of the hottest teams in this tournament. In the end, he might be outwitted by an opponent, but until then, the players are doing a fine job of winning. IYKWIM

Maradona has just done what Stalin did in the Great Patriotic War - recognize that he is an idiot, leave the actual management to people (ie: Bilardo, and Veron (edit: or Shaposhnikov/Zhukov in Stalin's case)) who know what they are talking about, and dress up smartly and hope noone notices.

Given that he has Messi, and Higuain, and Tevez, and Aguero, it might work.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Maradona has just done what Stalin did in the Great Patriotic War - recognize that he is an idiot, leave the actual management to people (ie: Bilardo, and Veron) who know what they are talking about, and dress up smartly and hope noone notices.

Given that he has Messi, and Higuain, and Tevez, and Aguero, it might work.

That isn't true. Maybe if he had Menotti along side him you might be able to make a case, but Bilardo was and is a pragmatic and defensively minded coach - yet Argentina are not playing a pragmatic or defensively minded game; they are playing like they played under Menotti; carefree, attacking, aesthetic and slightly reckless football. And quite why you think Veron has anything to do with it, I don't know. Veron is the hub, but it was Riquelme at the start of Maradona's reign, with Veron not even in the squad. It is only because of Veron's form and Riquelme's, ahem, problems, that Veron is back in the fold and playing the architect's role.

This team has Maradona stamped all over it. He isn't just the poster boy.

 

[Shreddy]

Beckham's doing just fine being Arnold Schwarzenegger's new best friend and celebrity spokesperson for the California Tourism Board.

As the star-studded TV advert goes: "California. What's Not to Love?" Such is his commitment to the beautiful game...

 

[agricola]

That isn't true. Maybe if he had Menotti along side him you might be able to make a case, but Bilardo was and is a pragmatic and defensively minded coach - yet Argentina are not playing a pragmatic or defensively minded game; they are playing like they played under Menotti; carefree, attacking, aesthetic and slightly reckless football. And quite why you think Veron has anything to do with it, I don't know. Veron is the hub, but it was Riquelme at the start of Maradona's reign, with Veron not even in the squad. It is only because of Veron's form and Riquelme's, ahem, problems, that Veron is back in the fold and playing the architect's role.

This team has Maradona stamped all over it. He isn't just the poster boy.

I have emboldened the only correct bit in your post. In 1986 and 1990 Bilardo got Argentina playing in a way which maximised the effectiveness of its best player(s). In 2010, he has done the same - except this time he has far more attacking talent at his disposal than he did when he was (technically) the manager. That they are more attacking, and much less snide, is not an indication of a "Maradona style" any more than it is a rejection of Bilardoism - he is just managing his resources intelligently.

As for Veron, there was an interesting moment in the Nigeria game when he was blatantly telling Maradona what to do.

 

[g force]

Maradonna's completely winging it....you don't need to manage Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Tevez they know what to do already. He's tactically got it wrong not having Cambiasso or Milito in the side.

At some point his luck will run out. Sure the players seems to love playing for him. That will get him so far.

Beckham isn't as universally liked IMO - his presence was a bad decision, a reminder of past failures.

 

[gabi]

Nick Griffin for the win

Cant trust these fucking foreigners. What do they know about football!

 

[Gingerman]

This bloke's just won the Dutch Championship and he speaks pretty good English for a Dutchie,might be worth a punt

 

[Dr. Furface]

And where's Andy Gray from?!

 

[T & P]

And where's Andy Gray from?!

Indeed. And on the same interview, he explained himself on that respect by saying he wanted England to do well because otherwise it reflects badly on the status of the Premiership, for which he cares greatly apparently

 

[Proper Tidy]

I have emboldened the only correct bit in your post. In 1986 and 1990 Bilardo got Argentina playing in a way which maximised the effectiveness of its best player(s). In 2010, he has done the same - except this time he has far more attacking talent at his disposal than he did when he was (technically) the manager. That they are more attacking, and much less snide, is not an indication of a "Maradona style" any more than it is a rejection of Bilardoism - he is just managing his resources intelligently.

As for Veron, there was an interesting moment in the Nigeria game when he was blatantly telling Maradona what to do.

That is utter nonsense - you're the one who is winging it.

Have you ever watched a Bilardo team play? Bilardo was brought in specifically on the proviso of being the tough trainer - something Maradona, hardly the most disciplined of people, was never going to be good at. Bilardo's role is to exert authority over the team, but he quite clearly has fuck all to do with selection or tactics. Hence why his specific role isn't actually assistant manager but general manager.

Quite why so many people object to giving Maradona any credit is beyond me. I can understand it from the England fans, they're just bitter about him, but aren't you from Wrexham?

Maradonna's completely winging it....you don't need to manage Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Tevez they know what to do already. He's tactically got it wrong not having Cambiasso or Milito in the side.

At some point his luck will run out. Sure the players seems to love playing for him. That will get him so far.

Of course you need to know how to manage Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Tevez - all players need coaching, and in case it has passed you by there has been a complete transformation over the last few years, with most of the old guard being rooted out to be replaced by the next generation. I rate Camblasso, but they are playing with one holding midfielder and Mascherano is captain. I'm not sure which of the Milito's you are referring to - if it is upfront, then they could hardly afford yet another forward in the squad, and Palermo is in top form for club and country. Remember, they've also left out the likes of Palacios too - they just have a wealth of top forwards. It was a straight choice between Diego Milito and Palermo, and Palermo won out.

Quite besides, that wouldn't make him have it 'tactically wrong'. Selection isn't tactics at all.

That the players all want to play for him - eg Palermo's reaction when he scored - suggests that Maradona clearly isn't a peripheral figure with Bilardo doing the graft anyway.

 

[Silva]

Maradona has just done what Stalin did in the Great Patriotic War - recognize that he is an idiot, leave the actual management to people (ie: Bilardo, and Veron (edit: or Shaposhnikov/Zhukov in Stalin's case)) who know what they are talking about, and dress up smartly and hope noone notices.

Given that he has Messi, and Higuain, and Tevez, and Aguero, it might work.

Exactly. He has talented players fully committed to work with him (even if he's just a figurehead) and win the World Cup. Capello and Eriksson didn't, and unless a lot of things change, his successor will be in the same position.

Maradonna's completely winging it....you don't need to manage Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Tevez they know what to do already. He's tactically got it wrong not having Cambiasso or Milito in the side.

At some point his luck will run out. Sure the players seems to love playing for him. That will get him so far.

A possessive, pressuring midfield could be the death of Argentina. Until he faces one, his luck might go on and on. I mean, Argentina only needs to win three more matches

 

[Steel Icarus]

You only have to look at the fun Argentina are having in training to realise that squad harmony can be a brilliant weapon. It's nice for them they have Messi and Higuain etc, but Maradona played 2 forwards in qualifying and effectively stifled Messi. Now they're in the system they're all happy with, they're firing. Dodgy defence, but awesome going forward.

 

[agricola]

That is utter nonsense - you're the one who is winging it.

Have you ever watched a Bilardo team play? Bilardo was brought in specifically on the proviso of being the tough trainer - something Maradona, hardly the most disciplined of people, was never going to be good at. Bilardo's role is to exert authority over the team, but he quite clearly has fuck all to do with selection or tactics. Hence why his specific role isn't actually assistant manager but general manager.

Quite why so many people object to giving Maradona any credit is beyond me. I can understand it from the England fans, they're just bitter about him, but aren't you from Wrexham?

Um... no. Maradona's record as a manager by himself is woeful - IIRC its 3 wins from 20+ games. When he was appointed as manager of the national side he was made to work with Argentina's best ever manager. He was also given Argentina's best ever side. As a result his record has improved.

To ascribe the improvement to Maradona's own actions is naive beyond belief, though I do concede that him realizing he is not the best manager in the world is an achievement in itself.

 

[Ungrateful]

That's right Andy (didn't he used to be a Scotsman?) Gray. England would have done better with an English manager - just like we did under Graham Taylor and Steve Mclaren and Don Revie....

 

[Lo Siento.]

it doesn't matter who manages this group of players.

 

[Epico]

And where's Andy Gray from?!

My thoughts exactly

 

[ska invita]

Harry Redknapp keen to be next England manager
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jun/28/world-cup-2010-harry-redknapp-england

 

[Proper Tidy]

it doesn't matter who manages this group of players.

Nonsense. Hansen always comes out with this shit - 'you can't teach that', 'this group don't need coaching'. Bollocks. You may as well say 'this toddler seems smart, why bother sending him to school'.

Are you Alan Hansen?

 

[stavros]

Beckham more or less was England manager from 2001 to 2006.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Um... no. Maradona's record as a manager by himself is woeful - IIRC its 3 wins from 20+ games. When he was appointed as manager of the national side he was made to work with Argentina's best ever manager. He was also given Argentina's best ever side. As a result his record has improved.

To ascribe the improvement to Maradona's own actions is naive beyond belief, though I do concede that him realizing he is not the best manager in the world is an achievement in itself.

Granted his club record is dire, but then again his only club experience was during his cocaine and cheeseburger phase.

This Argentina side play nothing like any Bilardo side, ever. Not just the '86 and '90 teams but his club sides; including his last sting at Estudiantes, which was, what, five years ago. And the players can't sing Maradona's praises as a coach high enough - why would they do that if they could see that it was Bilardo doing the graft?

 

[agricola]

Granted his club record is dire, but then again his only club experience was during his cocaine and cheeseburger phase.

This Argentina side play nothing like any Bilardo side, ever. Not just the '86 and '90 teams but his club sides; including his last sting at Estudiantes, which was, what, five years ago. And the players can't sing Maradona's praises as a coach high enough - why would they do that if they could see that it was Bilardo doing the graft?

Yes, you can see Messi et al coming out during the tournament and attacking the manager's expertise, and insisting that he doesnt really run things anyway.

 

[Proper Tidy]

Yes, you can see Messi et al coming out during the tournament and attacking the manager's expertise, and insisting that he doesnt really run things anyway.

Messi et al?

So who, apart from Messi? Messi is a great talent but a precocious little thing. His love/hate relationship with Maradona long predates Maradona taking over as coach, and anyway he has since come out and sort-of apologised for his comments.

I don't know exactly how comprehensive his role is, and when Maradona took over I was pretty sure it'd be as a figurehead. However, I also expected Menotti to get the assistant's job. Bilardo did, and the way Argentina have played since pretty much disproves any idea that the assistant is really the manager. This is blatantly not a Bilardo side.