I loved the Leicester City story as much as any of you. Well, maybe not just as much. Leicester’s title win was astonishing, but it was no fairy story. They outperformed far wealthier clubs, sure, but this was achieved by spending the kind of money Celtic couldn’t dream of parting with.
Apart from their league win, Project Leicester was typical of the financial chicanery which has been prevalent in English football for so long, and which Financial Fair Play seeks to end.
Right now they are in freefall. If they go down, loaded with an underperforming squad on eye-wateringly high salaries, they will find it impossible to downsize sufficiently to give anyone sitting around the King Power Stadium boardroom table that they will be able to achieve stability in the Championship.
Once you drop out of the Enland and Wales Premier League, the biggest parachute in the world simply isn’t big enough. Two of the three Championship relegation places are currently occupied by recent Premier League clubs. Aston Villa, twice the size of Leicester but with a far smaller wage bill, are currently 17th. Leicester will look ominously at Blackpool, 14th in League Two, and appreciate how rapidly a Premier League relegation fight can turn into something altogether more serious.
Claudio Ranieri is a football hero, but even from the outside it has been plain to see that something has been seriously wrong under his control in recent months. His comments before the Sevilla game, “we know they are the better team”, spoke of a man who didn’t believe in himself or his players anymore.
It is never easy to spot when a managerial hero should move on from a club where he’s loved, exect in hindsight. Clough was the greatest English manager, but stayed on far too long at Nottingham Forest. Relegation was his reward.
Jock Stein’s sacking as Celtic manager in 1978 was shabbily handled, as was the way at the club back then. I was too young to know the best of Jock’s years at Celtic, but I remember the grief he got from the terraces during his last four seasons, when Rangers (remember them?) won three titles and two trebles.
No one will tell you they got on Jock’s case back then, but it happened. Football fans in the 1970s took no prisoners.
Looking back, Jock stayed too long at Celtic. He produced miracles for five years then managed decline for eight. He should have taken the Manchester United job when offered. Clough squeezed two League Cups out of his squad in 1989 and 1990 and should have headed for this hills right then.
As for Claudio, he should have bowed out a champion in May. He didn’t have managerial alchemy after all, it was inevitable that performances would return to his normal trend this season. Someone at Leicester had to take responsibility. That’s football – and it’s not even a modern aspect of it.
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Seems he’s got a stutter too.
thetimreaper on 24th February 2017 9:10 pm
Wagflop kissing the badge, embarrassing.
At least his jersey had a badge on it…
Mon the Hairy Goalie
VFR800 IS NOW A MONSTER 821 on 24TH FEBRUARY 2017 9:15 PM
Maybe.
MACJAY1 FOR NEIL LENNON on 24TH FEBRUARY 2017 9:23 PM
If a tackle like that is made on a Celtic player tomorrow in the box, do you expect a [enalty?
KTF
Lurkin …. how ya doin’, pal? do yourself a favour, and give some of the French Pear ones a try … lovely.
KT is on call tonight, so I am off to meet Liam in Toronto for dinner …. nice little pub … great oysters, and a nice peat fire (the smell of a peat fire is the best smell in the world) … and, based on this conversation, a cider or two!
Yes
These things even themselves out
Penalty ICT!
KTF
Cqn paranoia meter implodes
!
You total fanny
Saved!
KTF
With the money in football today it is hard to feel sorry for Raneria he would get a huge pay off from City and he will get another job soon enough.He will be a millionaire football is no longer in touch with the working man. H.H.
Bada
Lol
Hate to be a party pooper however anyone who thinks Magners and Stella Cidre are proper ciders needs to examine themselves.
Just my opinion and taste , but having researched the product for years I will avoid that mass produced camel piss.
Knock yourself out if that is your bag, let it flow.
HH
Hi Bhoys
MIT
Ikea do a great pear cider but to open the can it’s a D.I.Y. job.
KEEP THE FAITH
Ha Ha
Outrageous
Heeeee heeeeee
Ya beauty! 2-1 ICT!
KTF
Great goal
Foderingham is by miles their best player this season
Yes ya dancer…
Sssssshhhh Saint Johnstone are coming:)))))
hello hello we love wee bhilly bhoy
Ha!
Nice one
YA DANCER!!!
enjoi yer nite Mike…..my youthful drinking has always put me off cider….I’ll think about it…..penalty ICT…..and they missed as Billy McKay scores the winner for ICT…..hahaha ;-))
FTSFA
H.H.
Foderingham just flew past my window!
—–
The Hielan’ Barcelona 2, Sevco 1…
King William III, Bill Struth, BFDJ, Tam Cowan….
Lulu & The Krankies, Leggoland2…
Your Boys Took ONE HELL Of A BEATING !!!!
Sweet…..
——
JMcCormick
What cider would you recommend
The Ole West Country Scrumpy stuff ????
Murty for President
Mike in Toronto
Real Men Dont Drink Pear Cider.
Thats a complete no no
So dont even think about it
JMCCORMICK on 24TH FEBRUARY 2017 9:30 PM
I understand what you mean; I used to drink in the Cider House in windsor where the cider was cloudy and strong, and certainly not gassy. It was different drink. The challenge was to see if you could drink more than 2 pints of the house special – if you did, it was all free.
Never seen anyone do it!
Having said that, Magners is refreshing and pleasant enough.
KTF
ICT 2 EBT. 1 (LOOKS GOOD)
Hahahahaha – the gift that keeps on giving
Oh Dearie me