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July 2000 News

26 July 2000

Keegan - No.10

Kevin Keegan was invited to No10 Downing Street with Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to promote the lauch of the Football Foundation, a new initiative to get football played in schools again. It's part of a drive to give more money for facilities to play football, cricket, and rugby. Given the superstars wages these days, you'd have thought more teachers and parents would be pushing their children forward anyway, but grown ups don't always see it that way, do we ? There was to be a 'blaze of publicity' but it was largely ignored by all the papers except 'The Daily Telegraph', which put it on their front page. See Keegan to kick off No 10 sports drive.

Firey Falkirk Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson (Falkirk) has updated his autobiography 'Managing My Life', and in the process is making the front pages of all the papers for his views on Arsene Wenger, Ken Bates and David Beckham. Sells books, I guess. See BBC SPORT MAN UTD Fergie slates Wenger and Bates and Football365

19 July 2000

Falkirk's Fergie's Firm

Sir Alex Ferguson (Falkirk) was featured in yesterday's 'The Times' newspaper saying he does not intend going back on his plan to retire in two years time. The Times reports Sir Alex as saying,

"I made it obvious for quite a while that I would like a role in the club, but I didn't hear anything from them so I started making plans. I've not been short of offers and I've got a lot of plans in various areas.Over the last six months, my sons have been developing some ideas. Some are in football, but I am finished with management and coaching, that is without question. I don't want it to be daunting for my successor. I don't want to be some sort of ogre. Martin Edwards felt that I should not have any involvement at all with the club because it is the Sir Matt Busby syndrome, but I can't agree with that. It's a different bloody era. Sir Matt didn't have the media war you have today, he didn't have the size of club you have today. It's a different set of circumstances completely.

"You would think that the club would want someone of experience to stay on. I wouldn't have wanted any involvement with the first team whatsoever and I said that to Martin Edwards. I'm not sure they could grasp the situation. This thing with Sir Matt seems to be in Martin Edwards's head quite firmly, although I don't think it is a fair comparison. Now, in the last nine months, I have come round to a clean break from my own perspective. I have accepted it and got on with my life. I'm not asking for anything, I don't need to ask for anything, I shouldn't have to ask for anything. They haven't made an offer, so you make your plans. It's as simple as that.

" I could have carried on to the very end of my contract but, say that you have a good season, you don't want to quit. You carry on into your sixties, then things start going not quite right. Then you get people saying you should have retired two years ago and I don't want all that garbage. I've said 'this is my date, I will be 60 and I am retiring'. The club has got two years to make its plans to replace me. That's fair to everyone."

See The Times Football Ferguson rejects extension overtures

6 July 2000

Smith Contract

One from mid-June this, but I got tied up watching Euro 2000. It's just to say that Jim Smith (Boston United) has won a two year contract to remain as Derby County's manager, so well done Jim ! See http--www.dcfc.co.uk-press-index.asppr_id=819

5 July 2000

Zoff's Off.

What a difference a minute makes. 4 minutes into the time played after 90 miutes Dino Zoff's Italy were looking like surprise winners of Euro 2000, thanks to Delvecchio goal in the 55th minute. Everyone was waiting for the final whistle andwriting the obituary of the French World Cup winning side, then, before you can say Silvian Wiltord it was 1-1. David Trezeguet got the Golden Goal for France and suddenly the Italian players were sprouting enough salt water to boil a bowl of spaghetti.

'It was the worst night of my life' said Dino. Now Dino is quitting the post as Italian coach due to the critical words of the politician, Silvio Berlusconi. Most of Italy was pleased with the runners-up position, which seemed barely achievable at the competition's outset, so perhaps once the sulk is over Dino will return.

See the match report at BBC SPORT EURO2000 EURO2000 France win Euro 2000, Dino's comments on the match at BBC SPORT EURO2000 ITALY Euro woe for proud Italy, and the story of the resignation at BBC SPORT EURO2000 ITALY Zoff quits as Italy coach.

Yorath Off (to Sheffield Wednesday)

Terry Yorath (Leeds United squad), Gabby's Dad (!), has followed Peter Jewell from Bradford City to Sheffield Wednesday to be his first team coach. It seems Terry has also worked before with Peter Shreeves when Wales just missed out in qualifying for the World Cup Finals. Terry was manager of Wales for five years. See Sheffield Wednesday Football Club - The Official Web Site.

Dalglish Releashed (...pretend you're Sean Connery before saying this one !)

To be fair John Barnes himself said that Kenny Dalglish (Celtic squad) stood by him before being sacked, nevertheless, one can't help but feel some sympathy for Martin O'Neill for sweeping the decks clear of directors of football. Last season two Directors of Football took over the manager's job (Bryan Hamilton (Linfield) of Norwich City being the other).So, although he won Celtic the Scottish League Cup, Kenny's been given the hoof. See http--www.celticfc.co.uk-newsdesk-latest_news-jun_29_1939_2000.shtml

Rioch Returns

Bruce Rioch (Aston Villa), who resigned from the post as Norwich City's manager back in March has returned as manager of Wigan Athletic. These press conference quotes from Bruce Rioch can be found at Wigan Athletic Official Web Site.

"I'm obviously very delighted to be here, and when I came up here and John [Benson] showed me the facilities, I thought they were quite outstanding, and very impressive, and overall a club going in the right direction. They were unfortunate last season not to achieve promotion and we need to take them to a stage further."
"I'm looking forward to coming back to the North West, and I'm looking forward to bringing success to the football club."
"It's another great challenge for me, great challenge for the players, and a great challenge for everybody at the club. Football is a tough industry and it's very competitive but there's no reason why we can't bring success to this club. I'm looking forward to the start of pre-season, and I'll meet the players on the 10th July, and start preparation for next season."

Quotes from Dave Whelan
"Bruce has a wealth of experience, coaching ability and his attitude with the players is excellent."
"When I heard he was interested I was very excited."
"Our aim has been and will always be the Premiership. If we don't have that ambition, what is the point of playing football?"

See more July 2000 news at the following ...

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