March 2011
6 posts
1860 follow the Pompey model, and Wilshere's...
The financial plight of TSV 1860 Muenchen
It is a somewhat rare phenomenon, to talk of financial crisis and potentially fatal debt at a German club. The Bundesliga’s reputation for economic prudence and impeccable self restraint is slowly becoming a thing of legend; the second most watched sporting league in the world remains at the moment the only major European soccer league whose...
A cultural thing - English fear and German...
The English mentality.
As a general rule, the word “pace” in English football is as overused as the word “change” in a Conservative election campaign. As a general rule, it is also as inaccurately used. Too often we see English pundits lazily remarking that foreign players are struggling to adapt to the English game, with all its admirable pace and power; they neglect to recall that the pace of...
John, Jens and Juergen.
John Terry’s re-appointment as England captain.
Fabio Capello’s stint as England manager has never been particularly readable. From dropping Walcott to picking Kevin Davies, the man who is now widely accepted to be the biggest failure as England head coach since…well, the one before him, has never ceased to surprise. There is surprising, however, and there is barmy. Furthermore, there is...
Wenger's folly and Eintracht's fear of the net.
Arsene Wenger’s comments on UEFA.
Arsene Wenger is, as this blog so frequently points out, a man all too readily criticised for his comments. Blinkered he may be on occasion, but no more so than any other Premier League manager – he is, in general, just better at arguing his point. There is, however, invariably an exception to prove the rule, and the Strasbourg Professor’s comments...
Three sackings in a week (sort of) and Fergie's...
The delayed sacking of three Bundesliga managers.
In German there is an important linguistic distinction to be made when one speaks of “sport”. Traditional sports such as football, handball and tennis alone are rewarded for their longevity with the simple label of “Sport”, and retain their loyal following of thugs, emotion junkies and academics. There is another branch of “Sportart”, more...
Drugs, City and Hannover 96's Cup Final
Kolo Toure’s failed drugs test.
Those who watch television on a regular basis will be aware that there are two great soap operas in this country. One is based in London, and the other in Manchester, and both have enjoyed varying degrees of success over the last few decades. The first is known as Chelsea FC and the second goes by the name Manchester City FC. And in the latest instalment of...
