European Soccer Part XIII

[Nathan]

Bring Back Carlos and bring Becks with you

From manutd.com
Carlos Queiroz is free to return to Manchester United as Sir Alex Ferguson's No.2 after his sacking by Real Madrid - less than an hour after Houllier lost his job. The Portuguese coach paid the price for a dismal season at The Bernabeu, ending in a humiliating fifth consecutive defeat on Sunday. But the 51-year-old enjoyed more success in his one season at Old Trafford where he was lavished with praise by Ferguson after helping United retain the title last year. Despite the stop-gap appointment of Walter Smith in March, Queiroz has not been permanently replaced. Last month he said he would welcome a return to English football, with Tottenham also in the market for a new coach. "In England I have friends and it is clear I miss Manchester United," said the ex-Portugal and South Africa coach. "There they valued my work." -Neil McLeman, Daily Mirror

[Big Poppa Pump]

Real Madrid skid forces changes (http://www.boston.com/sports/soccer/articles/2004/05/25/real_madrid_skid_forces_change_of_plans/)
The defensive weaknesses of Real Madrid were apparent before the season, but club president Florentino Perez continued seeking reinforcements for the attack, ignoring Queiroz's request for defenders, even negating a possible deal with Romanian defender Cristian Chivu because of the player's lack of marquee presence.

The joke in Madrid was that Perez's response to proposed negotiations was: "This Chivu, how many shirts will he sell?"

[Nathan]

BPP- would you like to see Carlos come back to United?

[Big Poppa Pump]

Originally posted by Nathan
BPP- would you like to see Carlos come back to United? The man knows what hes doing, and I like that. Personally, I'd like to see SAF out, and someone else brought in entirely but in the case that this isn't possible (which is how it appears) I want someone that SAF trusts, which is what Queiroz seems to be.

As that article says, he identified the weakness that Madrid had, and tried to fill the hole, but the president wouldn't let him. Maybe he could somehow fill the holes in our back line right now.

[Terrierbyassociation]

What a lame-duck season for Carlos.

Queiroz: "Give me Defense"
President: "No"
Queiroz: "Please?"
President: "Here's another forward"
Queiroz: "For the love of God give me some defense"
President: "How about this Romanian defender no one has ever heard of?"
Queiroz: "No! Someone who doesn't suck!! Come on here"
President: "Hey, imagine that, we lost games because no one could play defense, and we sacrificed Beckham's playmaking ability to play him in a more defensive position"
Queiroz: "Duh"
President: "I wish you had told me about this sooner, we're going to have to let you go"
Queiroz: "^%#^#%"

It pains me when I hear Sven talking about how he thinks he might use Beckham like Real Madrid did this season. Hey, England has a horde of midfielders who can play defensive. None of them can create scoring opportunites like he can though, something that England needs desperately. If we score three we'll win or tie for sure.

[Nathan]

Originally posted by Big Poppa Pump
As that article says, he identified the weakness that Madrid had, and tried to fill the hole, but the president wouldn't let him. Maybe he could somehow fill the holes in our back line right now.
Agreed. He knows talent, that's for certain. I'd love to see him come back to United, and bring Beckham back with him. It was a one-year experiment that didn't pan out. We can view the season as an aberration.

[FerrisLives]

Originally posted by Nathan
Agreed. He knows talent, that's for certain. I'd love to see him come back to United, and bring Beckham back with him. It was a one-year experiment that didn't pan out. We can view the season as an aberration.

Except Mrs. Beckham is now reportedly looking at houses in an ultraposh district of Madrid. So Beckham probably isn't coming back to England unless its for the EURO 2004 victory parade after an England championship.

I think the head coaching job at Tottenham would be better for Queiroz. He knows talent and deserves to be a head coach somewhere rather than an assistant.

[x-cheque]

Originally posted by FerrisLives
Except Mrs. Beckham is now reportedly looking at houses in an ultraposh district of Madrid. So Beckham probably isn't coming back to England unless its for the EURO 2004 victory parade after an England championship.

I think the head coaching job at Tottenham would be better for Queiroz. He knows talent and deserves to be a head coach somewhere rather than an assistant.

I wouldn't necessarily use the activities of Posh Spice as a indicator of what her husband is planning to do or where he may soon be playing. They can basically live anywhere they want with their money and their presitige, and if Victoria Becks wants a house in Madrid in addition to a place wherever David plays IN ADDITION TO that freaking castle in the English countryside, it'll happen regardless of where Becks is, pitch-wise. If Britain were a true "constitutional monarchy" I wouldn't be surprised if they took up residence at Buckingham Palace :D.

I hope Queiroz is seriously considered for the Liverpool job, I would be marveouslly happy with either him, Mourinho or Deschamps in the spot.

Apparently there's at least one Liverpool supporter NOT happy with the Houllier axing, read on Soccernet.com that Michael Owen of all people was a bit saddened by the sacking.

[USAFA Bulldog]

The UCL final is real close now, can't wait. Had to set up my VCR to tape it, since I have to work. Hope it tapes. :(

As far as Real Madrid goes, Chivu would be a decent pickup. Not world class but he should be adequate. I agree with the article about how much Makalele leaving ment. He may not be a superstar player, but his work ethic makes up for that. Definately an unsung hero. Real's loss is definately Chelsea's gain.

[Jimjamesak]

*Spoiler Alert*






You've got to be (freak)ing kidding me. Porto up 3-0 with 13 left, why do the Soccer Gods wish to punish us? Anybody but Porto please.

[Bob Gray]

Simulation has its day in the spotlight!

[FerrisLives]

Porto played a real good game tonight. And everyone's favorite diver Carlos Alberto got the game winning goal in the 39th minute.

I think Mourinho's spirit sapping defensive style would work better at Liverpool than at Chelsea. The owner at Chelsea doesn't strike me as the type to take kindly to Mourinho's coaching style.

[Jimjamesak]

Originally posted by Bob Gray
Simulation has its day in the spotlight!
Well said!

[Bob Gray]

Originally posted by FerrisLives
I think Mourinho's spirit sapping defensive style would work better at Liverpool than at Chelsea. The owner at Chelsea doesn't strike me as the type to take kindly to Mourinho's coaching style.
But it would be entertaining to see Roman squirm after signing a successful coach who doesn't fit Roman's preferred style. I wonder if Roman now wishes he would have pursued Arsenal, as I think Wenger's attacking style would make Roman much happier and the new stadium is now in the pipe?

[FerrisLives]

Just in case anyone's interested. The automatic qualifiers for Champions League group play next year are:

Porto
Valencia
Barcelona
AC Milan
Roma
Arsenal
Chelsea
Werder Bremen
Bayern Munich
Olympique Lyon
Paris St. Germain
Panathinaikos
Olympiacos
Ajax
Fenerbahce
Benfica

The 3rd stage of qualifiers is going to be quite a bout of major clubs as Deportivo La Coruna, Real Madrid, Juventus, Inter Milan, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayer Leverkusen, Monaco, PSV Eindhoven, and Celtic all will need to qualify.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Jimjamesak
*Spoiler Alert*






You've got to be (freak)ing kidding me. Porto up 3-0 with 13 left, why do the Soccer Gods wish to punish us? Anybody but Porto please.

That sound you hear is Martin O'Neil putting his fist through a wall in remembrance of last year... :mad:

[Terrierbyassociation]

Porto wins, Smith moves to ManU...god what a horrible day for soccer. Maurinho to Chelski...wait...that's pretty good since his style will work horribly there.

[Bob Gray]

I honestly can't believe Smith went through with the ManU switch! He'll never ever be forgiven in Leeds for this act of betrayal. The Leeds supporter groups have issued scathing statements already. Too bad he won't have to go back to Eland Road this year to play (unless it's a Cup game). After all the talk about being a Leeds fan his whole life, wanting to return, blah, blah, blah, he jumps to their hated rivals.:eek:

[Nathan]

Eh, ManU supporters do not see Leeds as a rival. They're more like a gnat, a little annoying gnat that follows you around at a picnic.

[Bob Gray]

Certainly not now, but over the years there have been many times where Leeds were ManU's equal or better. The 70s is a clear example that comes to mind. They don't call it "The War of the Roses" for nothing.

And apparently ManU fans aren't thrilled with getting Smith, due to past actions. But Smith has never come across as the brightest bulb in the pack. But a very good determined striker who's got a bit of a temper.