Sep 21
Annoying Mourinho Leaves | United After Another ‘Hole’ Player? | Saha | SAF Quotes
Not too much to gush about this morning. Although, by the time this post comes up there may be gushable things to gush about. Regular readers may have realized that the post is usually not written early in the morning, thanks to the timezone yours truly lives in. So gushing capabilities are limited to whatever is hot and worth gushing about at that moment of writing.
So enough with the gushing then.
By now the whole world has talked and debated about Jose Mourinho. The Special One’s departure had to be made special. What else would you call it if you get £25m to leave something that has now become nothing short of a mad house. Obvious similarities could be drawn to the Real Madrid circus of recent times, most notably on two occasions when del Bosque and Capello were sacked. Although, the former must wonder what wrong he did to have been sacked after leading two brilliant Real Madrid sides to victory. The reason for Capello’s sacking – not winning with ’style’ – can be a fair enough analogy with Mourinho’s situation. Chelsea seem to be in danger of collapsing into some sort of a Russian circus – if you will if Roman starts up with his musical chair of manager sacking. Because, such is the aura and standards under which Mourinho left the club, that the next manager has a hell of a job to do in order to survive.
Yes, we all agree Mourinho was a megalomaniacal, egotistical, motor-mouthed, annoying, moaning, sore-losing, funny-speaking twat of a person, but he was a good manager and has achieved plenty in a short period of time. He was also the best man for the Chelsea job by miles. We, and the rest of the Premiership, are certainly relieved that he has left. However it does worry me that we have to play Chelsea this weekend. There is a good chance that the players, most of whom clearly swore by him, might be kicked into a rousing performance.
All that said, we will certainly miss his tantrums. Oh! The sight of a miffed Mourinho. Such fun it was!
Moving on to some other bits and bobs, United are apparently after another whiz kid from Sporting Lisbon. The kid is Nigerian and goes by the name, Yannick Djalo Rabiu Ibrahim. It is something I don’t believe at all. The player is another in-the-hole attacking midfielder, and we have enough attacking, in-the-hole midfielders to contend with already. It is obvious for the media to cook up something upon probably seeing CQ or Nani or Ronaldo making some sweet talk with some of the Sporting lads. The move wouldn’t make sense really.
And Louis Saha was frustrated with himself that he couldn’t make a start for United, so far, this season. I hope he doesn’t get too frustrated and suffer some sort of a frustration stroke out of trying too hard to show his frustration. Seriously though, it is good he has the desire to get back to first team action as soon as possible – preferably against Chelsea.
After the game yesterday SAF was visibly happy and satisfied with the team’s result. It is worrying in a way that he is happy. But I wouldn’t expect him to criticise performances after a win. He will reserve his hair dryer for private perusal.
The boss also thinks Rooney should be ready for Sunday, which is good news. Although better news would be for us to start with two strikers up front (preferably Saha with Tevez on the wing), but going by SAF’s caution against the better teams he might stick with some magically crafted version (of the Hogwarts’ school kind) of a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation – whatever that is.
“It was difficult for Wayne, having to play up front on his own,” [...] “We had to decide how long we kept him on the pitch, but as soon as we scored I decided it was time to get Louis Saha ready. Wayne will be better for his minutes on the clock and I’m sure he’ll be ready for Sunday.”
So that’s about it for the day. More news, when there is news to talk about. Hopefully there wouldn’t be too much news-like to talk about, so that we can start discussing about the Chelsea game.
Till then, have a good Friday and vote for Red Rants. Please!
Related items from Red Rants:
- Chelsea vs Manchester United: Preview
- Saha Talks Again | Brandy Off To Swansea | Twins To OT
- Jose Mourinho CAN succeed Ferguson at United
- In defence of Louis Saha
- Mourinho, Shut it!
Tags: Daily Roundup
September 21st, 2007 at 10:38
I think the whole media circus around Mourinho will be missed by everyone who follows Premiership football.
I have heard reports in Spain that are linking United with a transfer window move for Sevilla`s Russian striker Alexander Kerzakov, reports stated that an initial inquiry has been turned down with the Spanish club expecting a renewed bid closer to the opening of the transfer window.
September 21st, 2007 at 11:42
we should start playing 3-4-3s against small teams(coventry) with saha and rooney upfront and tevez playing behind them.
September 21st, 2007 at 11:50
it can go in the reverse way as well…team’s morale is down…so we can thrash them and rite back on track!! perfect team to beat!!!!
September 21st, 2007 at 11:53
Saha has the right to get frustrated for not starting on Wednesday but I am sure he will start on Sunday. Sunday’s game is tricky because Chelski players will want to prove something – that Mourinho’s departure does not affect their morale.
September 21st, 2007 at 13:00
Isnt the nigerian kid ibrahim?i could swear i saw yannick playing for the portugese under 21s
September 21st, 2007 at 14:21
The English football community n world at the moment has lost a great, tactical,funny,fanatic n full of life coach who neva accepts defeat dat easily.Am so disappointed dat he left b4 lossin 2 our side on sunday. All d best 4 him.
September 21st, 2007 at 14:59
The Nigerian kid is Rhaibu Ibrahim. I think you got it wrong in the name. I think the media is cocking up a lot .whenever they see a young,attacking,pacy midfielder they start to make up stories linking him to United,Arsenal and chelsea. according to what I read United is seriously scouting for a striker.Kerzhakov was just one. Huntelaar is another. He scored a Van Basten kinda goal in the last match for Ajax. Fergie will note that down….
September 21st, 2007 at 15:01
mourinho has left and this spells the end of chelski
back to the old days of united arsenal and liverpool battling out for the prem wiv everton chelsea tottenham battling out for the other champs spot
September 21st, 2007 at 15:49
So in more news with Ronaldo, who I wish would just stay out of hte news, he is being investigated by Liverpool police after reportedly stamping on the arm of an Everton fan last weekend, while the Everton fan was getting the ball. Sigh.
However, how on Earth was his arm on the ground if he was in the stands?
September 21st, 2007 at 16:40
Mourinho’s eccentric personality may be missed and there is no doubt over the fact that he was a good and very successful manager however, his coaching style and tactical awareness was limited and one dimensional. He also is one of the guilty managers who brought a very negative and defensive style of play to the EPL despite having enough offensive talent to do the opposite. I am no fan of Abramovich and his billions of Russian blood money but he was right to get rid of the Special One. The team looked tired and out of ideas on the pitch. They weren’t even capable of performing their usual 1-0 escape victory against lesser opponents anymore.
I have nothing but praise for managers like SAF Wenger and Martin Jol who believe the game should be attractive to watch as well as disciplined. Scoring goals, not a goal is what it’s all about. Life is to short to sit through 90 minutes of sheer boredom to wait for a Chelski style 1-0 win. Even his Champions League victory with Porto was a work of garbage. That was a week year in the CL. After all take a look at which to were in the final. Porto got there by playing negative football with a twist. That twist was the art of diving.
The rumors of Mourinho possible heading for Spurs I think are probably garbage. I would imagine that Roman was smart enough to put a stipulation clause in Jose’s settlement that he could not manage another EPL team. Let him go on his merry way and bore some other league to death with his vision and genius. Perhaps now the league will once again incorporate and study the tactics of true geniuses like Fergie and Wenger and thus try to make their teams emulate them rather than that of Mourinho’s Chelsea. I hope for Jose’s case that wherever he goes, he will be far away from any bird flu epidemic. I wish him well and luck but please Jose, stay out of the EPL.
September 21st, 2007 at 20:19
What is up with having AIG as a sponsor? Clearly it is the world’s most corrupt
organization. Read a little about them at americaninternationalgroupsucks.com.
As an American I must say it stands for the worst we have and is taking
Manchester United’s and the sport’s positive and blending it with their super
negative one.
It is this company that is responsible for a lot that is bad today in the world.
September 21st, 2007 at 21:21
THE NIGERIAN KID MAN UTD ARE REPORTEDLY AFTER IS RABIU IBRAHIM.
Yannick Djallo is a portuguese U21 international.
September 21st, 2007 at 21:27
I am not in agreement with some of you who feel that Chelsea will be driven to play a great game because of their anger over Mourinho’s dismissal. I expect and hope for the opposite to happen. They owe no allegiance of loyalty to Grant and in fact if they were not professionals, I’d expect them to tank the game as a protest to Abramovich. I have read that Drogba, Essien, Lampard and Terry are very upset over the decision. That doesn’t sit well for them. They may have a chance if Sheva plays because I’m sure he for one will be over the moon with the sacking and highly motivated. I also see Ballack making a remarkable recovery in the next 10 days. When Drogba returns I can see Chelsea going to a 4-4-2 if Grant has any delusions of keeping the job he has. The chances of that are very slim.
As for who will eventually take over the Chelski team, I would bet on an offensive minded manager. Klinsmann is the best choice to impose an offensive overhaul but I doubt he will be interested. Capello for all his success isn’t all that offensive in his style. Juande Ramos is a good manager but I think he is overrated. Just ask Arsenal. Hiddink is under contract with Russia and I thought I heard him say he was committed to them until the next World Cup. Deschamps is a defensive manager. So who will it be? I have a feeling Roman will go for a Brazilian coach or possibly an Argentinian like Pekermann so that he can accomplish his ultimate goal. That is to play attacking football and to sign Ronaldinho and others like him. Unless the Champions League spot is at great risk, I don’t see a true successor being picked until after the season.
September 21st, 2007 at 21:50
yea man yannick is portugese, ibrahim is a fellow SUPER EAGLE! Reckon we could do with some african pace and power
September 22nd, 2007 at 14:39
The Chelsea players are too professional to let it affect them. There won’t be a tactical overhaul and while they won’t have Mourinho motivating and finetuning from the touchline their overall game plan will be just the same.
Id like to see Man U with 4-4-1-1 with Saha leading the line, Rooney just behind, Ronaldo and giggs as right and left midfielders, Carrick and Scholes in the middle and defence as usual.
If we dominate the midfield which it should be easy to do with Chelsea injuries, then we have the quality in defence and attack to win the game easily.