Thomas Tuchel; England's New Football Manager

During the daytime of Thursday 10th October, Gareth Southgate confirmed that he would not be considering a return to management of any description. A few hours later England comprehensively fell apart at the seams against a well-marshalled and grieving Greece side at Wembley. As a professional musician, I applauded Southgate, at that moment, for his statesman-like stature, oratory and most significantly his timing. Lee Carsley, the interim coach looked clumsy at best and a calamitous buffoon at worst, with every utterance that followed. Watching the team achieve an away victory against a profligate but durable Finnish team did not give us, as fans, the reassurance that we desperately needed, if anything confusion was spreading faster than a viral outbreak. Something needed to be done to stem the disarray, Tuchel was appointed; I am entirely satisfied with that outcome.

There is a lot of white noise about us not hiring an English coach, but clearly those in the frame were either unsuitable or unavailable. We also had the Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola debate but the reality is that neither of them, at this point in their lives, wanted the job. I expect Pep to sign an extension at Manchester City or disappear for a sabbatical and Jurgen is with Red Bull. So, it's Thomas Tuchel an experienced, multi-lingual warrior who, as a sales trainer pointed out, is a closer, especially when the stakes are high and intensity is red hot. His knowledge of the inner workings of the Premier League and the real-time mindset of the players involved is invaluable. He is a true leader as well as a terrific 'on the grass' coach. No-one should ever forget how he calmly assumed the challenging stewardship role as the public face for Chelsea Football Club during the diplomatic difficulties involving owner Roman Abramovich's swift sale and departure. I was fascinated by the fact that the F.A. would not let him wear a neck-tie for his first press conference; he knows the significance of protocol, sadly the F.A. got that one wrong! But, the critical asset he possesses is that critical edge. He and his England team will continue to frustrate and stress us out during the tournament, if we qualify, but he will drop under-performing players regardless of who they might be; and that may push us closer to our target. I am very excited.

I am not even going to waste any energy discussing his German passport! As Gary Neville would say, we wanted the best in class, and we've got our man. Now the players must believe, step out and deliver. I will watch with great interest, Come On England!

Erik Ten Hag; Is His Time Finally Done at Theatre of Dreams?

As the referee blew the final whistle today at the end of a 0-3 reverse at home to Tottenham Hotspur on Harvest Festival Sunday 29th September 2024, the realisation that this match will probably signal the end of the tenure of current manager Erik Ten Hag has become a brutal reality. 

When Manchester United defied the odds and comprehensively defeated Manchester City in the F.A. Cup back in May this year, football fans everywhere were seduced by the romantic notion that Ten Hag had truly earned a stay of execution, and the whole pantomine that followed was nothing less than emotional torture. Ten Hag asserted his position with the hierarchy, confidently proclaimed his pedigree as a trustworthy winning gladiator, once the relevant weaponry was at his disposal. We conveniently forgot about the calamitous semi-final against lowly Coventry City that got them to the final and probably lauded the 7-0 destruction of Barnsley recently but the truth like a stubborn cancerous tumour, is that for fans of the Red Devils, most of Manchester United's games have been viewed from behind the sofa; the default position has remained unchanged, bewilderment at best and a living nightmare at worst

Much has been made of Sir Alex Ferguson's supposed pre match team talk statement, "It's only Spurs!" in recent days, that following today's demolition, one wonders if Ange Postecoglou himself may indeed have rallied his own squad before this contest with the words, "Come on boys, it's ONLY Man United, get after them!" It is not just the soft under-belly of this team right now, what condemns Ten Hag is that this is his team, the signings of his choice and worst, unlike last season barring the absence of Luke Shaw, he cannot use injuries as an credible excuse.

Victorious Tottenham manager, Ange Postecoglou has also been heavily criticised by his own fans, especially following the recent home defeat to local rivals Arsenal. But, he has a clear playing style and without star man Son Heung-min, his team always pose a threat, something Manchester United clearly can't do consistently. They were "at it" from the first minute and their second goal, after the restart, for me, was the critical goal of the match. They will face tougher tests than this one especially in the guise of more realistic rivals like Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Brighton. But, Ange has a clear. concise perspective on his direction of travel both in defeat and victory; more importantly, his public face is consistent and he always backs his players, even in adversity. Solanke could be the jigsaw piece that gives Spurs that coveted trophy, and the way he was approached and signed, without too much fanfare was, for me, a definitive moment for Levy.

Many have berated Chelsea for being a "basket case' of a club with their chaotic approach to implementing a philosophy, whilst playing russian roulette with their players and former manager Mauricio Pochettino; for now, the jury is still out but the recent upturn in results on the pitch give a glimmer of hope. But for now, Manchester United are the club very much sitting in the therapist's chair right now. 

Football can be a very brutal business and long-term United fans will shudder as they recall that 6 years after winning the European Cup with George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, the great Manchester United team were relegated from the top tier in 1974. The wayward antics of Best were an unfortunate and very destructive side-show. It was also still a huge shock that Leicester City suffered the same relegation fate in 2023, following their memorable experiences of glorious success, firstly for the Premier League Title in 2016 and then the F.A. Cup final triumph in 2021. 

Jim Ratcliffe, the new football custodian along with the Glazers and all those newly recruited "best in class" wise men behind the scenes, now need to put Ten Hag out of his misery, like Daniel Dubois did with Anthony Joshua in the boxing ring last weekend, don their thinking caps, switch them on fast, truly earn thjeir stripes and enable a different direction of travel before the sands of time engulf and destroy not just the leaking roof at Old Trafford, but protect the hard fought legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson. This has now become critical "Operating Theatre of Nightmares."

The Heartbreak of the Euro Final; Will Football Ever Come Home?

At the dawn of another challenging Monday morning, the realisation that our England fell short, in the final of the Euro Final in Berlin, is brutally painful. No amount of beautiful melodies from my delightful feathered friends can lift the gloom that has enveloped my heart, as I slump over the dining table. History will remind us that we lost 2-1 to the favourites who played the best football of the tournament but the reality is that this feels like another opportunity missed.

Despite their wonderful form going into this match, I sensed fear in the Spanish armoury mentally, for the first 45 minutes, and we failed to exploit it. On realising that we were not going to play on the front foot despite our embarassment of riches, Spain saw the soft underbelly and were ruthlessly urgent in the way they set about us to open the scoring; if Holland's forward line were more clinical, thre same would have happened on Wednesday. Having boldly made the decision to take both Ivan Toney and Olly Watkins, at the expense of proven international players like Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish, I expected a more proactive approach with one of them in his starting line-up. Successful teams have a clear understanding of their philosophy, believe in it and deliver in the big moments; Harry Kane was a passenger with a season ticket in this tournament who, for his minutes on the pitch, should have been contributing more. His opposite number Alvaro Morata, who incidentally has also has lost a yard of pace, applied his experience to greater effect before giving way to the ruthless Mikel Oyarzabal who scored the winning goal. It is worth noting that Portugal manager Roberto Martinez had the same problem with Cristiano Ronaldo, a player he dared not remove, who in reality should never have been anywhere near the starting line-up either. 

Goals change matches and in both the match against the Netherlands and in the final against Spain, our advantageous passage of play should have produced a decisive goal. It changes the narrative and plants seeds of doubt in the minds of the opposition. The collective frustration felt amongst the watching British public, is that we genuinely believed that this squad could and should have produced more when it mattered but were hampered by fear when freedom of expression and a willingness to attack would have served us better. In this tournament there has been a collective frustration from the English public, and I feel it is justified, that Gareth Southgate had a brilliant squad of players on this occasion that could have lifted the trophy, if he had dared to be brave but the wait goes on.

Gareth Southgate's time is done in my opinion, he has created a different vibe for all of us, by consistently progressing deeper in tournaments. As a leader he managed the England squad with an integrity that was a beacon for us as a nation when we needed it most. Sunday 14th July 2024 was a pivotal day because we had something to be excited about. He fostered a spirit amongst a group of young men that was beautiful to behold. We have, under his watch, learned to believe in and love following the England football team whether we truly love the game, or not. Football didn't come home this time but I simply want to say "Thank you!"

Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland were Mock Exams; Playing Holland is the REAL Test!

I recall hearing all the declarations from the ladies and gentlemen of various well-heeled circles; the Rotarians, the Masons, the Hunting fraternity, the Tennis, Cricket and Bowls clubs, the members of the Madrigal Choir, numerous church goers, many of my piano students and so on; "We won't be watching England this time around, they're all overpaid prima donnas" But now, EVERYONE is taking an interest and are prepared to show a degree of patriotism. 

The election is done and "the other lot got in," Our first Prime Minister of colour, a generally affable but obscenely wealthy chap, who screwed up spectacularly by choosing to leave the VE Day Celebrations early back in May, gave a lovely exit speech, and for once, his ever absent wife was actually beside him. We have our first female Chancellor of the Exchequer but once again, publicity-mad Nigel Farage found yet another cause to align himself with, and appear relevant for a few weeks on our TV screens. But, no-one cares now though, it's all about the football! Ladies of a certain vintage in the queue at the Co-op checkout are busily debating whether Gareth will ever drop Harry Kane to the bench, or will Cole Palmer start? Discussions are breaking out across dinner tables at all levels about England's best starting line-up. Despite the brilliance of Sky and TNT Sports, being on terrestrial TV changes the dynamic around any sport and right now football is definitely the hot topic, now that Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu will not be flying any sort of flag at Wimbledon.

So, after enduring 5 tedious matches fom behind the sofa or in my case via the bottle of yet another glass of scotch whiskey, we find ourselves in the Semi-Finals, a place which even the Germans could not manage! Can we bore our way through this one and then deliver 5 crisp penalties to secure a berth in the final? The simple answer is No! For the uninformed, the Dutch are a huge step up from opposition we have faced so far. Marshalled by Ronald Koeman, a general who understands the dark arts of achieving victory on the pitch and in the dug-out. For all the beautiful eloquent statements about brotherhood, fabulous friendships and a cocoon mentality in the camp; this needs to be a proper football with an execution of fluid, objective winning football at the highest level. If we fluff our lines on Wednesday, the boys will be back at Luton Airport before you can sing VINDALOO!!! The Dutch have won the Euros themselves with their own golden generation back in 1988 and before that in 1974 and 1978 were losing World Cup finalists with the golden Ajax generation including the late great Johann Cruyff. 

I actually believe that we CAN beat the Dutch because we have a fantastic squad of players, who possess a level of technical brilliance we haven't seen from an England team in this life-time. Knowing how to cross the winning line when you are face to face with an opponent who is highly experienced in this elite space will be Gareth's greatest test by a country mile. I personally believe in Mr Southgate, simply because he has got us here and deserves to be respected. The white noise around his suitability and tactical nous has been ridiculous. In sport, the greatest currency is victory. He has delivered at a stage consistently where many have failed spectacularly. Wednesday will be his greatest and hardest step yet.

I wrote in my previous blog about Arsenal facing Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, and Manchester City against Real Madrid in their respective Champions League second leg ties. The experience and resilience of their opponents proved too great in both cases. But, note that we have a collection of winning warriors. John Stones, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham are individuals who have learned, over time about the energy required to succeed in journeys like this, their knowledge is key. Bukayo Saka is a smart little wizard with a devastating end product, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon are like two caged canine snipers growling in anticipation of thge chance to slice open anyone in their way. Not forgetting the sublime sophisticated dribbling skills of Eze who finally gave us a glimpse on the big stage. If we are to win the tournament, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney, will be pivotal. Both have the mental strength to deliver under intense pressure; Bowen did it for West Ham United to win that Conference League Trophy and in bringing Brentford to the Premier League our Northamptonian star Toney, announced himself and has just grown and grown. We have the toolbox for this.

I am excited and nervous in equal measure about both semi-finals. Any of the four teams have the pedigree and superstar players to seize the trophy, I hope and pray that from now, we set the narrative, electrify the pitch on Wednesday and then go again on Sunday. Everything is crossed, another bottle whiskey is on standby with a mountain of ice-cubes and a reservoire of coca-cola, my knees are sore from praying. Come on England! Bring it home...

With The Exam Season Soon Upon Us, How Did The Leading Teams Fare In Their Own Champions League Interrogation? Part One

Many of you who follow my existence will have noticed that my eldest daughter, Lucy, hit the significant milestone of her 18th Birthday. She has and continues to have great fun. When school resumes next week, the intensity ramps up and the pathway to those important examinations start in earnest. Watching the British teams competing in Europe this week, in their first leg fixtures, had the same feel; it has been absorbing to observe.

If you truly love football the way I do, with the emphasis on technique, strategy, execution, decision-making, timing and true brilliance, the Champions League is the place to be. If you can watch it live, as I have, on numerous occasions, you appreciate that only the very best can succeed. This is not a place for chancers, mavericks or the ill-disciplined. It's like a great test series for cricketers; for all the bluster about "Baz-Ball" if the bowlers cannot bowl line and length, or the batsmen sorted out their footwork, no amount of courage or swagger will fool anyone. Arsenal and Manchester City were exhaustively tested this week by two teams with an unmatched pedigree in European football; Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.

Until Tuesday night, Arsenal were, in my opinion, easing towards the Premier League title. Their performances had been superior in every department, particularly their defending. Unlike last year everything was on message, thorough, unflustered and at times ruthless. Then came Bayern Munich, masters of top-drawer ringcraft, connoisseurs of the big occasion cantering through North London with all the imperious pomp and majesty of European royalty. As Handel's "Zadok the Priest" blasted through the speakers at the Emirates Stadium, this felt like the equivalent of an intense Oxbridge Viva-Voce, or the final interview for a life-changing corporate position in a world-leading financial bank. We held our breath, and the eternally fidgety Mikel Arteta employed his substitutes to great effect, and Arsenal competed superby throughout. To many uninformed onlookers, 3-3 at home may feel like a setback but the reality that Arsenal are still be "in the tie" demonstrates how far they have progressed from the 5-1 drubbing they suffered the last time they faced the Germans in London. Next week, the Allianz Stadium will provide yet another thoroughly authentic and distinctly uncomfortable inquisition but unlike Manchester United back in September, the Gunners understand their narrative and have acquired the ability to dig deep and believe. I have cleared my diary...

Regarding Manchester City, I overheard conversations about how many they would win by; Really?! And then the game started and the reality of facing Vinicius Junior, our very own Jude Bellingham and the magic feet of Federico Valverde alongside the wily old-stagers of Luka Modric and Toni Kroos with Antonio Rudiger bullying Erling Haaland like an lippy underage drinker in a city nightclub. With their own expensively assembled line-up of stars, this was a perfect match-up that ebbed and flowed. What was most captivating was that City for significant periods didn't command the ball; an experience that manager Pep Guardiola explained would have emotionally destroyed them in past match-ups. The art of competing and succeeding regularly in this environment, was something Manchester United and Sir Alex Ferguson never truly mastered, as Rio Ferdinand, Roy Keane and Gary Neville alluded to in an edition of the brilliant YouTube series of "The Overlap." For all the collective brilliance of their squad, they lacked the DNA to become serial winners in these situations; succumbing mentally far too often to Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Like Arsenal's tie, this game is there to be won but this is a contest that will hinge on the smallest of details.

As the clocks move forward, Spring is emerging and countless students are preparing for the brutal procession of academic examinations. Next week, when the final whistles are blown in Munich and Manchester, we will be better informed about the integrity of the unforgiving journey in the pursuit of excellence for both these superb teams. As I already said, the diary is cleared!

The Subject of Ownership at Manchester United is a Fascinating One...

I write this blog because I love football. It is a sport I love whole-heartedly and during the 50 years I have been actively attending matches I have learned that ardent followers are emotional creatures. They love their team so much that they experience personal umbrage if anyone harms their football club. With the exception of Mike Ashley at Newcastle United, who was wise enough to take the cash and run when Amanda Staveley rode into the North East with her wealthy gang of Middle Eastern bandits, I have never experienced a level of hatred to match what the fans feel about the Glazers' ownership of Manchester United. 

From the start of the 2005-6 season there was a distinct disquiet around the stadium which I detected on my first matchday trip to Old Trafford for a Group Champions League fixture against Benfica in September 2005. United were 2nd in the league but the anger towards the owners was venomous. It was like being at a wedding where everything was perfect from the food and venue to the entertainment but the vibes between the bride and groom were awkward; we have all been there! The team won that night but fingers were being pointed at Sir Alex for being such a cheerful bedfellow of this weird family of American geeks who were rarely present and publicly mute whilst heaping debt onto a highly profitable club and earning themselves fat dividends. 

Winning football matches and winning domestic trophies gave a fresh nuance briefly to the perception of the narrative, and the Glazers enjoyed some reflected glory for not interfering with Sir Alex on the football side. Winning three consecutive Premier League titles from 2007 to 2009 and a Champions League victory in 2008, albeit in fortuitous circumstances thanks to a John Terry penalty miss in Moscow. Wayne Rooney was not fooled though, and made his frustrations known aloud about the lack of a World Class mindset at Old Trafford following the departures of game-changing players Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez in 2009 and 2011 respectively; it was thinly veiled attack on the motives of the Glazers. His words were not heeded seriously and despite winning the Premier League in 2010-11, it is reported that the United dressing were unimpressed by the tone of how his comments reflected on them as individuals. For his stance, he was given a lucrative contract instead of being sold like Jaap Stam (who dared to question the manager in his autobiography, a decision Ferguson admiotted to me later as a mistake. But, despite being kept at the club,  Rooney was marginalised and new signing Robin Van Persie fired the United team to the Premier League title in manager Alex Ferguson's final season at the club. More significantly Chief Executive David Gill also left his role at the same time. 

The reality of the business model was laid bare when Ed Woodward, a man with very little knowledge of high stakes football administration, new manager David Moyes, inexperienced in the clinical process of lifting trophies, defending a Premier League title and managing and maintaining the mindset of a playing staff of habitual winners that needed refreshing and...the Glazers as exposed owners who continued to be absent and disinterested. The rot set in very quickly and with every passing year the unmistakable DNA of the Red Devils has vanished into the sunset. 

Those yellow and green scarves, created by die-hard fans who have vocalised and displayed their displeasure in fanzines, podcasts and youtube channels, not to mention the hordes that flood radio phone-ins regularly has been gaining traction in the last 10 years and, having seen the light, it seemed that the Glazers were ready to sell and walk. But alas, they have stalled because despite the opportunity to net a significant sum in the billions they have been greedy! I referenced Mike Ashley earlier, a man who is an astute businessman that did enough to keep Newcastle in the Premier League despite the vitriol and hatred to create a platform for the club to aspire to the dizzy exciting adventure the Magpies now enjoy. Like a suffering Casino punter, he struck gold when Amanda Staveley rang his mobile to give him £305 million and he kept his shirt in the process. Why did the Glazers not take £5 billion and canter into the sunset? Surely, for another billion you cannot tell me they want to keep flying back to Manchester to experience that abuse just to feel the North Western precipitation on their faces and a taste a few more plates of Lancashire Hot Pot in Manchester Picadilly and Deansgate or has Bez and Shaun promised them a night on the beer in Salford Quays. Guys, just sell and let Jim take the heat before this unpredictable world crteates yet another disaster and your winnings disappear in clouds of smoke! Just ask Tom Hicks and George Gillett who left Liverpool with nothing; timing is EVERYTHING! 

The tussle between Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been intriguing to observe based on the tiny morcels of information that we are fed about the perceived negotiations. One thing that is becoming abundantly clear to me is that the Glazers are actually a dysfunctional family unit and probably have always been thus. I am sensing that at the time of the acquisition of Manchester United, father Malcolm was the General and since his passing in 2014, the chain of command is not as resolute as it might be. Rumours are emerging that the Glazers regularly frustrated the Qataris by repeatedly moving the goalposts during negotiations to the point that they have now walked away altogether. It appears that Mr Ratcliffe, on the other hand has decided that the best tactic is the long game and opted for 25%...for the time being. Better to be within the set-up and observe the temperature and then ease out the family gradually. 

But, the biggest currency in reality, involves the results on the pitch. If United can progress significantly in the Champions League and remain in contention for both domestic cups, deal-making becomes an easier process for all concerned because the perceived consequences will lessen, in the short term.. The most important person in the conundrum right now, is Erik ten Hag, his success, or failure, will be pivotal to the outcome of the ownership chess-game. It took Sir Alex Ferguson 3 years to win the FA Cup, 6 hard years to conquer the league, after which he remained in contention consistently and finally 13 years to finally win that first European Cup in 1999. But it was in clinching that first hard fought league title in 1992 that really ignited everything regarding the dominant Red Devils global brand as we know it today. 

With so many proverbial potholes in the current United story, plus the recent sad passing of Sir Bobby Charlton, the in-tray of nostalgia, emotion and immediate uncomfortable operational dilemnas with the playing staff that I will not list here, the reality is a hugely delicate junction in the status, identity, value and most importantly the history of this great club. 

Lay Off Raheem Sterling!

Since the end of May, I have played numerous engagements but one recent event particularly stuck in my mind as I drove home because I was persistently asked the same question, and gave the same response; "Where are you from?" "Duston!" "No! Where are you ACTUALLY from?" "OK! I was born over there (indicating Northampton General Hospital) so I should say the Barratt Maternity Hospital!" But the question always persists. Of course I understand the narrative being pursued here because I have faced the same question frequently for every year I have spent on this earth, and these days thoroughly enjoy pleading ignorance much to the annoyance of my inquisitors! Eventually I relent, smile and state; "The answer to the question I think you're trying to ask is, my parents met in St James, Northampton, but my mother is from Barbados and my father is from Grenada in the West Indies!" What usually follows is a predictable account of how they once visited Jamaica even though I have no allegiance to the place and patiently I listen to their enthuasistic account of an Afro-Caribbean friend who I remind them of. I always michievously ask if their friend also keenly studied the Piano and I get a blank response! And then we move on...in these moments at present I think of one person; footballer Raheem Sterling. You see I get that intensity of cross-examination just for playing the piano well and I was born here, eat beans on toast, have always lived in the smartest areas, know the words to Jerusalem and am on first name terms with most of the movers and shakers of my home town, Northampton. Raheem Sterling, the saviour of the England football team during the Euros, was born in Jamaica and came here as a child. I shudder to think how his polite little interactions really go with the well-heeled ladies and gentlemen from the upper eschellons of British life. OK, before anyone gets hot under the collar, I am going to lay my cards on the table; why is Sterling not celebrated more for his achievements? I watched as he opened the scoring for England on Thursday and then the monkey noises started and a barrage of drinks were thrown at him, but he took it in his stride calmly. Watching the match at home, I was fuming, I could see what was playing out and so did every person of colour. Why is the poor guy "on trial" everytime he pulls on an England shirt? Before writing this blog, I watched the way he conducted himself calmly and eloquently at his press conference for England back in June following his Man of the Match performance and winning goal against Croatia, and many of the journalists were obsessed with whether he deserved his place in the team. HE was resolute and measured in his responses and yet Harry Kane was a rusty as a nail in the same match and no-one doubted his place in that line-up! If, England experience any success in the Qater World Cup, he deserves a knighthood. The business of Sterling's Britishness or Englishness should no longer be an argument; it should be buried right now, and never revisited. He is a proud Brent boy who grew up yards from Wembley Stadium, and acknowledges hia roots in the area. More importantly, he should be lauded for recognising the power of his achievements on the pitch being a catalyst for other youngsters residing in the same humble surroundings to believe and pursue dreams of greatness in any walk of life. So, let's celebrate the boy as well as his team-mates who have first time in my lifetime given many Englishmen a genuine reason to believe that we can make a credible challenge with great players, support staff, and a brilliant leader in Gareth Southgate. Those lads have an unbreakable spirit so let's give Sterling plenty of love so the next time he plays and scores, the opponents he has are wearinmg the opposition shirts; starting with Andorra later today... Come On England!