Ciao Capello - Bella Alexis

The week Capello walked away from one of the most prestigious jobs in world football also welcomed in our new daughter, Alexis Laurina. I, foolishly assumed the world would return to a comforting equilibrium with the FA offsetting their drama with West Ham United's cutest and newest member to the clan. You make the choice on the more news worthy story:

Alexis Laurina

Fabio Capello

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Alexis is very cute and sleeps a lot. She is only slightly chubbier than Harry Rednapp. The first 4 songs she heard were all 'I'm forever blowing bubbles..'

Fabio Capello's resignation came hot on the heels of a strange exchange between the FA, John Terry and the media. I am sure you are familiar with the story - I want to add that the  timing of the courts clearing Harry Rednapp of tax evasion with Capello's departure was entertaining. Firstly, I am sad to see the FA put the preparations for Euro 2012 in such a deep hole so close to the competition. I do not agree with the manner in which they handled the removal of John Terry as the England captain, however I do agree he should not hold the position based on the accusations of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand. I feel some sympathy for John Terry - he may understand the politics behind this decision, but it is unfair to have it taken away twice. Capello, by the player's statements, is a very good coach. Yet his planned departure after Euro 2012 was strange - especially for the players to process without a valid reason. If Capello was 75, had the role for 20 years and with a great track record you could see it working. Otherwise the psychology of planned turnover has a negative impact on the team.

GQ's 2010 Intrerview with Capello - interesting read. 

So, England is left without a coach or captain. It will be interesting to see who is expected to a) coach and b) wear the armband. I expect Harry Rednapp to take over at the end of the domestic season - but in a temporary role. I struggle more to guess who the captain should be. My choice? Scott Parker. There is no doubt that Spurs' season took off as Parker arrived. Talk from West Ham United's training ground was that Parker was a model professional, a leader and supported the club's youth program. Just for kicks, here are the others, well some of them and why (for me) they are tricky choices....

1) Rio Ferdinand. Done it before, important to have the captaincy include diversity and representative of the English people. But has Rio's 'status' lost traction?
2) Frank Lampard. A good choice but it generates a selection issue, re.....
3) Steven Gerrard. If you give him the armband you've got to play him. Lampard & Gerrard selection stress ensues.
4) Wayne Rooney. Ok, I was just messing with you.
5) David Beckham. No, actually I am deadly serious. A leader on and off the field.
6) The rest - all still in diapers.
Maybe the solution is to settle for a predictable choice for the next 2/3 years and build the team for Brazil 2014 and beyond. I think we've lost track of what was said post South Africa 2010. The next crop of talent is several years away. I would be happy with Jack Willshire as captain by 2016.

What next?
The devil may be in the details. Here is a summary taking a look at the statistics over the last 50 years:

Based on winning percentage, the top three...(with number of games in charge)
66.7% Capello   (42)
61.1% Ramsey   (113)
60.1% Hoodle   (28)
All three were sacked or forced to resign.


Most successful in competitions
Eriksson - quarter finals in all 3  (the only coach to qualify for all competitions)
Ramsey - '66 World Cup winners, '68 Euro 3rd,  '70 World Cup quarters
Robson - '86 World Cup quarters, '88 Euor qualified, '90 World Cup 4th


Classic Memories we would love to see again....(somewhat objective, I know)
Terry Venables, '3 Lions' and crushing Holland at Euro '96
Sven in Munich needing a win - and handing the Germans a 5-1 defeat.
Sir Bobby Robson and Italia World Cup '90. Gascoigne, Lineker....


So, in summary. It is the hardest job in football. Managers and coaches only have the players, logistics and environment they are handed. A more detailed look at the development of the game, overseen by the FA, will show a correlation between national success and backward technical leadership. The top clubs have to take some of the blame for poor performance at international level - their priority is club before country - a philosophy Sir Alex Ferguson instils with a iron fist.  Huge financial rewards at club level for successful participation in the Premier League and Champions League take priority. An over scheduled playing season without a winter break or real recuperation in the summer results in jaded players. And then we have the 'national psyche' to throw in. That glass of water is always half empty. We, in England know a penalty shoot-out v Germany means booking the flight home - I often wondered if a nations' culture, expectations and self-belief has an impact. Here's my point - 8:30 in England is 'half past eight' in Germany it's half to nine' - it's a more postitive mindset and that counts during those 'make or break moments.


So, what's the takeaway here? Our daughter is beautiful. Capello has gone. Get your umbrella out this summer and get ready for the rain, if you're still an England fan.

Tragedy in Port Said - Updated

Port Said, Egypt. The death toll has risen to 80 since Thursday’s violence at the football match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly, the former winning 3-1 which should have been the spark for celebration. Bob Bradley’s new home produced the worse soccer violence in over a decade.

Of many reports the reasons focus in on the relationship between football and politics in Egypt. ‘The Ultras’ - who support Al-Ahly and were anti-government during the recent uprising in Egypt have made the claim that security forces sat back and let the home fans attack. The police, aware of the delicate yet volatile political situation, may have feared their interaction would indeed spark a new wave of rioting. It goes without saying - sport and politics is a dangerous cocktail.

More fatalities have occurred as police attempt to stem the tide of protest that has reached Cairo’s Tahrir Square. The cycle continues.

It is inevitable that sport is used as a vehicle to promote politics. The history of the Olympic Games is littered with examples. Whether it be boycotts due to Apartheid, Cold War propaganda or issues over national identity - or simple a display of social injustice, the Games have been targeted repeatedly over the years. Ironically, a brief overview of the last 80 years gives one a good perspective of world politics. 

I’ll spare everyone my analysis of the Egyptian situation. A recent radio story interviewing a ‘Hillsborough’ survivor reminded me of the sheer horror of how things can go so wrong so quickly at any sporting event. We may all know stories of football hooliganism, street battles and the movie industry’s attempt to glorify - yet when you sit down and talk to people who were actually there - reality is in stark contrast to the bravado of it all. It's a terrifying experience that never leaves a person. It's also a reminder of the necessity for large groups of people to follow the rules and be made to do so. Preparations for Millwall's visit to West Ham have been extensive and even included a ban on the sale of alcohol in a zone including the local area!

So what was it like last Thursday? We get an idea watching a BBC summary on the night.     Click here to see the story.
An east / southeast London derby may have its deeply ingrained history but I am sure it is light years away from the political turmoil a country like Egypt is caught up in. We may have fond memories of a Christmas Day football game in 'no mans' land' between front line trenches - yet the beautiful game is life to many, and unfortunately death too.

March 24th Update

Since events that night, the situation has not improved. The Egyptian FA cancelled the top fight league season - National Coach, Bob Bradley, finds himself trying to build a team that includes players with deep emotional scars from that night.

Here, a report from NPR in the US on continued conflict - click to get there. 
BBC World News with a further update.

NPR also reported on the position that Coach Bradley finds himself in - the pic will take you to that story.

Below, a blood stained chair. Far worse pictures can be found on the internet. Click on the picture to get a comprehensive report - and a terrible yet incredible piece of reporting as a fan gives a second by second account of the tragedy.