Spain, Italy and England are the only three nations to have provided two teams in the final of the Champions League in the same year, but none have so far managed to do it twice, let alone in successive seasons. However, the Premier League could become the first association to pull off that feat.
The only problem is, standing in their way – for the second year in a row – will be a Barcelona side who have scored more goals and won more domestic matches than any other team in Europe’s top leagues. And they are playing, without question, the best football anywhere on planet Earth today and they are the bookies’ hot favourites to become the new kings of the continent.
As bubbly and vibrant as their champagne football might be, style alone can’t win them massive encounters like these in a competition like the Champions League, and certainly not the title itself, although they would beg to differ.
It’s true that Barca have swept past all comers with swashbuckling ease this season, blitzing French champions, Lyon, and the German champions, Bayern Munich, in the last two rounds of the competition. And they were overpowering against their own Spanish champions, Real Madrid, back home in La Liga in their El Clasico clash back in December.
However, they have not been tested against the tactically astute and physically superior English. Until now. If Barcelona wish to hoist the European Cup for the third time in their history, they will have to navigate past the rampant Premier League mob, like it or not.
Guus Blues; Pep’s Barca
The first obstacle for the Blaugrana is Chelsea. The biggest threat that the Londoners pose is that they have a team full of superstars, a world class footballer to occupy almost every position. Up until now, Barca have never had to deal with a rival who had more than one or two key players on the pitch at any one time.
The Pensioners do have a dazzling array of stars and, their fans would argue, that they have the manpower in their squad to match, or even outmatch, the Catalans. But let’s be honest, Barca simply have too much class.
For every Drogba, the Spaniards have Eto’o and Henry. For Bosingwa, there’s Dani Alves. For every Lampard, there’s Xavi and Iniesta. And for every Malouda, Anelka, Ballack and Deco, there’s Lionel Messi.
Chelsea’s only hope is Guus Hididnk. In the veteran Dutch maestro, they have one of the most well-respected and consistently successful tactical minds in world football today. And the inexperienced Pep Guardiola will certainly have his work cut out if he is to outsmart his counterpart.
But Hiddink has worries of his own, especially his leaky defence, having shipped in five goals in total against Liverpool over two legs in the quarter-finals and three more against unfancied Bolton in between. This will be music to Barcelona ears, considering the irresistible form they’ve been in. They took just 43 minutes to score four times against Lyon in the first leg of the last 16 and exactly 43 minutes again to score another quartet of goals against Bayern in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Chelsea will have good reason to quake in their boots whey they step onto the Camp Nou turf for the first leg. And it won’t be because of the 90,000-plus bloodthirsty fans bellowing a cacophony of noise. But if they can get past the first 43 minutes in one piece, they might just have a chance.
Repeat Success Or Revenge Mission?
If Barca can get past Chelsea, they will be confident of lifting the trophy in the Eternal City on May 27, as the most problematic test would have already been negotiated. No disrespect to Manchester United or Arsenal, but the Blues are Barcelona’s trickiest hurdle, albeit not necessarily the toughest.
If Pep’s entertainers do make the final, it’ll be down to a question of what they prefer most: a rerun of the 2006 final against Arsenal, or, if they feel up to the challenge, go on a revenge mission by taking on a Manchester United side who heartbreakingly sent them packing in last season’s semi-final.
Barcelona vs Manchester United will indeed be a dream final for almost every football fan, neutral or otherwise. It will pit, without doubt, the two most dominant club sides in Europe this season.
United outfoxed the Blaugrana last term, relying almost on a catenaccio game plan to stun their Spanish counterparts coached then by Frank Rijkaard. Even though the Red Devils have increased their attacking firepower this season, there’s every chance they could employ that same strategy to conquer the Catalan colossus again.
Only difference is, Barca were a dysfunctional family last season. This time around, they are playing like a well-oiled, well-drilled attacking battleship where every pass is precise and every assault destructive. And Sir Alex Ferguson’s tactical wiliness may no longer be enough to trump them.
Then, of course, there’s the little matter of the personal confrontation between Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. The two best players in the world will finally be on the same stage – post-end-of-year individual awards season – big enough to end the debate of all debates and it will be a straight fight to see who the best footballer really is, with no two-legged contests to hide behind.
A Barcelona-Arsenal final will also have quite a symbolic precedent, especially in today’s football climate, as it will see the two 'youngest' sides in the competition lock horns. The Blaugrana may have a finely balanced team of experience and youth, but coach Pep Guardiola is very much a freshman.
Arsene Wenger, on the other hand, is one of the most experienced and successful club managers today, but his squad, with an average age of just 23.5 years, look more like a boys’ church choir group than a professional men’s football team.
Should they both make the final, it will prove that you do not need a big bank account, or the most seasoned coach, or a squad full of big-game players to win the most coveted trophy in club football. It will also be one for the purists as the Gunners are the only side left in the competition who can match the Blaugrana in terms of collective entertainment.
And if a United showdown will produce a collision between The Messiah and CR7, an Arsenal showcase will allow Cesc Fabregas and Xavi to square off in what will be another mouth-watering dispute to indulge fans and determine just exactly who is Spain’s most gifted deep-lying playmaker.
One way or another, you just get the feeling that this year’s Champions League final will be a humdinger, provided Barcelona go through. But I’m getting ahead of myself. First stop, the Camp Nou.
Courtesy: KS Leong, Goal.com
Showing posts with label manchester united. Show all posts
Showing posts with label manchester united. Show all posts
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Carling Cup Final: Man Utd v Tottenham
Venue: Wembley Stadium Date:
Sunday, 1 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, text commentary on BBC Sport website plus full commentary on BBC London 94.9, BBC London DAB and BBC London online at bbc.co.uk/london. TV coverage on Sky Sports
Sir Alex Ferguson has told youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck they will start Sunday's Carling Cup final.
Rafael Da Silva is out with a fractured ankle but Wayne Rooney should start as he continues to build match fitness.
Tottenham's Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios, Carlo Cudicini and Pascal Chimbonda are all cup-tied.
Jamie O'Hara (hip) has declared himself fit but on-loan Fraizer Campbell cannot play against his parent club and Ledley King (knee) will have a fitness test.
Ferguson said next Wednesday's Premier League trip to Newcastle is a bigger priority for his side than the Carling Cup final.
"We obviously want to win because the winning mentality in the club is why we have been successful, but we know what our priorities are and that will affect the team that I pick on Sunday," he said.
"We have a big game at Newcastle on Wednesday and the priority for us will always be the Premier League and the Champions League.
"The Premier League is the only place to be and Harry Redknapp is well aware of that judging by the team he picked in the Uefa Cup on Thursday."
But Ferguson dismissed suggestions that United were taking the game lightly by travelling down to London just 24 hours before the game.
"We have always travelled down to the League Cup final the day before the game," he said.
Paddy_The_Red_Devil
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said United were his dream opponents in Sunday's final.
"You have to look forward to playing Manchester United," Redknapp said.
"When people asked when Derby won the first leg of their semi-final if it would be great if they could pull it off, I said no way.
"No disrespect but I really wanted to play United in the final. It's a way for you to test yourself against the best.
"They are the best team in Europe, and they were tremendous against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
"We've had some good games against the big teams this season. At home with United we drew, with a good performance, so we've got players who can play against anyone.
"Hopefully, playing on a big stage on Sunday will bring best out of them and we'll get the bit of luck that you always need against the best teams."
Redknapp added that he had been struggling to find time to prepare for the match after a busy schedule which has included Uefa Cup matches alongside Premier League games.
"It's been difficult to enjoy the week as having so many games we haven't been able to relax," he said.
"I was going to take them to Southend to walk them up the pier and have a bowl of jellied eels and ice cream, but we just haven't had the time."
Tottenham (from): Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, King, Bentley, Jenas, Modric, Zokora, Lennon, Pavyluchenko, Bent, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Bale, Dawson, Gunter, Giovani, Taarabt.
Man Utd (from): Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Fabio, Gibson, Evans, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Evra, Welbeck, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Scholes, Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United take on the holders Tottenham Hotspur in the 49th League Cup Final and the sixth sponsored by Carling.
United are vying for a unique five-timer. They have already won the World Club Championship in Japan, and stand all square at 0-0 in their last 32 Champions League tie with Inter Milan, going into the Old Trafford leg. The Red Devils are in the box seat at the top of the Premier League table, and have an away tie to Fulham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Tottenham will be playing their third match in seven days, having been knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. Monday's 2-1 win at Hull lifted them three points further away from the Premier League's relegation zone, but they are still uncomfortably close.
This year's final comprises two of the three most recent winners.
Both clubs had to knock out two Premier League clubs and two Championship sides to qualify for the final. Both also lost one leg of their semi-final against lower league opposition; Manchester United at Derby, Tottenham at Burnley.
The League ladder
Tottenham lie 13 places below leaders Manchester United in the Premier League table.
Referee
Chris Foy (Merseyide)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Current form
Unbeaten in 12; won 11 and drawn one in all competitions since losing 1-0, away to Derby in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final on 7 January.
Avoided defeat in 26 of the last 27 matches.
Recent League Cup performance
The 1992 and 2006 League Cup winners are competing in their seventh final.
The Manager
Victory will give Sir Alex Ferguson his third League Cup victory. He will join a distinguished list to have achieved such a feat; Brian Clough (four wins), Bob Paisley and George Graham.
Currently in his 22nd year in charge at Old Trafford, Sir Alex boasts 10 Premier League titles, two Champions League, five FA Cups, two League Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the World Club Championship, the European Super Cup, the Inter-Continental Cup and the FA Charity/Community Shield seven times, excluding the year when United were joint holders.
Player milestones
If he gets a run out, Ryan Giggs will become only the seventh player to play in five League Cup finals. The Welshman could hold the unwanted record of being the first to lose three League Cup finals with the same club.
Wayne Rooney needs a hat-trick to become the first player to score five goals in League Cup finals. He netted twice against Wigan in 2006. Chelsea's Didier Drogba currently holds that record with four.
If Dimitar Berbatov finds the back of the net, he will become the first player to have scored in the final for two different clubs, having opened Tottenham's account from the penalty spot in last season's 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
League Cup fact
United's 4-0 win against Wigan in 2006 was the biggest ever victory in a League Cup final, since the showpiece ceased to be played over two legs.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Current form
Monday's league win over Hull was their only victory in five in all competitions.
Won two of 10.
Recent League Cup performance
The 1971, 1973, 1999 and 2008 winners are competing in their seventh League Cup final and are aiming to become the third team to retain the trophy, and the first since Nottingham Forest 19 years ago.
Victory would see Spurs join Aston Villa as the second most successful club in this competition with five wins, two behind Liverpool.
The Manager
Harry Redknapp, who led Portsmouth to FA Cup victory last season, is hoping to become only the second English manager in 13 years to win the League Cup. Steve McClaren was the last to bear that distinction, with Middlesbrough in 2004.
Player milestones
If he plays, Roman Pavlyuchenko will become the first Russian to feature in a League Cup final.
League Cup fact
Last knocked out of this competition by Arsenal in the semi-finals in 2007. Since then they have played 11 games, winning nine, drawing one and losing one.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
Manchester United have won almost twice as many league games as they have lost against Tottenham; won 70, lost 38.
The Red Devils are undefeated in 17 league and cup games against the Londoners, and are meeting them for the third time this season.
The Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane was a goalless draw, but United subsequently knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup, 2-1 in the fourth round at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes and Berbatov both scored within a minute of each other, half an hour after Pavlychenko had given Spurs an early fifth minute lead.
League Cup
But it is a different story in the League Cup. Spurs have won five of their six meetings.
The most recent was a 3-1 triumph in the quarter-finals at the Lane on 2 December 1998, when Chris Armstrong got a brace and David Ginola the other. Teddy Sheringham replied for United. Spurs went on to lift the trophy that season, beating Leicester 1-0 in the final.
The Big Match Facts were compiled by Peter Robinson, and Infostrada Sports.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm
Published: 2009/02/27 12:06:50 GMT
© BBC MMIX
Sunday, 1 March
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
Coverage: Live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live, text commentary on BBC Sport website plus full commentary on BBC London 94.9, BBC London DAB and BBC London online at bbc.co.uk/london. TV coverage on Sky Sports
Sir Alex Ferguson has told youngsters Darron Gibson and Danny Welbeck they will start Sunday's Carling Cup final.
Rafael Da Silva is out with a fractured ankle but Wayne Rooney should start as he continues to build match fitness.
Tottenham's Robbie Keane, Wilson Palacios, Carlo Cudicini and Pascal Chimbonda are all cup-tied.
Jamie O'Hara (hip) has declared himself fit but on-loan Fraizer Campbell cannot play against his parent club and Ledley King (knee) will have a fitness test.
Ferguson said next Wednesday's Premier League trip to Newcastle is a bigger priority for his side than the Carling Cup final.
"We obviously want to win because the winning mentality in the club is why we have been successful, but we know what our priorities are and that will affect the team that I pick on Sunday," he said.
"We have a big game at Newcastle on Wednesday and the priority for us will always be the Premier League and the Champions League.
"The Premier League is the only place to be and Harry Redknapp is well aware of that judging by the team he picked in the Uefa Cup on Thursday."
But Ferguson dismissed suggestions that United were taking the game lightly by travelling down to London just 24 hours before the game.
"We have always travelled down to the League Cup final the day before the game," he said.
Paddy_The_Red_Devil
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said United were his dream opponents in Sunday's final.
"You have to look forward to playing Manchester United," Redknapp said.
"When people asked when Derby won the first leg of their semi-final if it would be great if they could pull it off, I said no way.
"No disrespect but I really wanted to play United in the final. It's a way for you to test yourself against the best.
"They are the best team in Europe, and they were tremendous against Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
"We've had some good games against the big teams this season. At home with United we drew, with a good performance, so we've got players who can play against anyone.
"Hopefully, playing on a big stage on Sunday will bring best out of them and we'll get the bit of luck that you always need against the best teams."
Redknapp added that he had been struggling to find time to prepare for the match after a busy schedule which has included Uefa Cup matches alongside Premier League games.
"It's been difficult to enjoy the week as having so many games we haven't been able to relax," he said.
"I was going to take them to Southend to walk them up the pier and have a bowl of jellied eels and ice cream, but we just haven't had the time."
Tottenham (from): Gomes, Alnwick, Corluka, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, King, Bentley, Jenas, Modric, Zokora, Lennon, Pavyluchenko, Bent, O'Hara, Huddlestone, Bale, Dawson, Gunter, Giovani, Taarabt.
Man Utd (from): Foster, Kuszczak, Neville, Fabio, Gibson, Evans, Vidic, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Evra, Welbeck, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Scholes, Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney.
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Manchester United take on the holders Tottenham Hotspur in the 49th League Cup Final and the sixth sponsored by Carling.
United are vying for a unique five-timer. They have already won the World Club Championship in Japan, and stand all square at 0-0 in their last 32 Champions League tie with Inter Milan, going into the Old Trafford leg. The Red Devils are in the box seat at the top of the Premier League table, and have an away tie to Fulham in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Tottenham will be playing their third match in seven days, having been knocked out of the Uefa Cup by Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. Monday's 2-1 win at Hull lifted them three points further away from the Premier League's relegation zone, but they are still uncomfortably close.
This year's final comprises two of the three most recent winners.
Both clubs had to knock out two Premier League clubs and two Championship sides to qualify for the final. Both also lost one leg of their semi-final against lower league opposition; Manchester United at Derby, Tottenham at Burnley.
The League ladder
Tottenham lie 13 places below leaders Manchester United in the Premier League table.
Referee
Chris Foy (Merseyide)
MANCHESTER UNITED
Current form
Unbeaten in 12; won 11 and drawn one in all competitions since losing 1-0, away to Derby in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final on 7 January.
Avoided defeat in 26 of the last 27 matches.
Recent League Cup performance
The 1992 and 2006 League Cup winners are competing in their seventh final.
The Manager
Victory will give Sir Alex Ferguson his third League Cup victory. He will join a distinguished list to have achieved such a feat; Brian Clough (four wins), Bob Paisley and George Graham.
Currently in his 22nd year in charge at Old Trafford, Sir Alex boasts 10 Premier League titles, two Champions League, five FA Cups, two League Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the World Club Championship, the European Super Cup, the Inter-Continental Cup and the FA Charity/Community Shield seven times, excluding the year when United were joint holders.
Player milestones
If he gets a run out, Ryan Giggs will become only the seventh player to play in five League Cup finals. The Welshman could hold the unwanted record of being the first to lose three League Cup finals with the same club.
Wayne Rooney needs a hat-trick to become the first player to score five goals in League Cup finals. He netted twice against Wigan in 2006. Chelsea's Didier Drogba currently holds that record with four.
If Dimitar Berbatov finds the back of the net, he will become the first player to have scored in the final for two different clubs, having opened Tottenham's account from the penalty spot in last season's 2-1 victory over Chelsea.
League Cup fact
United's 4-0 win against Wigan in 2006 was the biggest ever victory in a League Cup final, since the showpiece ceased to be played over two legs.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Current form
Monday's league win over Hull was their only victory in five in all competitions.
Won two of 10.
Recent League Cup performance
The 1971, 1973, 1999 and 2008 winners are competing in their seventh League Cup final and are aiming to become the third team to retain the trophy, and the first since Nottingham Forest 19 years ago.
Victory would see Spurs join Aston Villa as the second most successful club in this competition with five wins, two behind Liverpool.
The Manager
Harry Redknapp, who led Portsmouth to FA Cup victory last season, is hoping to become only the second English manager in 13 years to win the League Cup. Steve McClaren was the last to bear that distinction, with Middlesbrough in 2004.
Player milestones
If he plays, Roman Pavlyuchenko will become the first Russian to feature in a League Cup final.
League Cup fact
Last knocked out of this competition by Arsenal in the semi-finals in 2007. Since then they have played 11 games, winning nine, drawing one and losing one.
HEAD to HEAD
All competitions
Manchester United have won almost twice as many league games as they have lost against Tottenham; won 70, lost 38.
The Red Devils are undefeated in 17 league and cup games against the Londoners, and are meeting them for the third time this season.
The Premier League fixture at White Hart Lane was a goalless draw, but United subsequently knocked Spurs out of the FA Cup, 2-1 in the fourth round at Old Trafford. Paul Scholes and Berbatov both scored within a minute of each other, half an hour after Pavlychenko had given Spurs an early fifth minute lead.
League Cup
But it is a different story in the League Cup. Spurs have won five of their six meetings.
The most recent was a 3-1 triumph in the quarter-finals at the Lane on 2 December 1998, when Chris Armstrong got a brace and David Ginola the other. Teddy Sheringham replied for United. Spurs went on to lift the trophy that season, beating Leicester 1-0 in the final.
The Big Match Facts were compiled by Peter Robinson, and Infostrada Sports.
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/7905889.stm
Published: 2009/02/27 12:06:50 GMT
© BBC MMIX
Friday, February 13, 2009
No split at Chelsea, says Wilkins
Chelsea's assistant manager Ray Wilkins has denied reports there is a split in the dressing-room after the sacking of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Brazilian was dismissed on Monday, with suggestions that some players were not happy with his management style.
But Wilkins said: "The reports are totally untrue, we don't have any sort of split, none whatsoever.
"Every coach has their own methods and some players like them, some don't - it happens at every football club."
Captain John Terry hinted on Tuesday that the dressing-room was divided, saying: "Scolari had my full support, I'm sure two or three of the other players would say the same."
But Wilkins added: "Whenever any coach coaches a club as big as Chelsea, the players who don't play are going to be disgruntled, that's a fact and it's no different here.
"They all want to play, but you can only pick 11 people, so it's very difficult for the coach."
Wilkins is in charge for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Watford before handing over the reins to Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman, currently boss of Russia's national team, has agreed to manage Chelsea for the rest of the season, and met with players on staff on Thursday.
He will work with Wilkins, who rejected a claim by Scolari that Chelsea do not have a special talent in their squad capable of turning matches.
Scolari, in his first interview since being dismissed, told France Football magazine that their failure to sign Robinho - who ended up at Manchester City - from Real Madrid last summer cost them dear.
"At Chelsea we didn't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," said Scolari.
"In the past, Arjen Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no-one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this.
"The team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of the players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team."
But Wilkins hit back: "Football is all about opinions, and Felipe has his own opinions on the game.
"My opinion is that we do have special players at this club, a number of them in fact."
Wilkins also admitted he was stunned by the announcement of Scolari's dismissal and said he enjoyed his five-month spell under the 2002 World Cup-winning manager.
"I was shocked, yes. He was a very decent man, and I enjoyed working with him immensely," he said.
"But football is a tough game and a couple of results went against us and the decision was made.
"I was shocked, yes, and disappointed, because I enjoyed his company, he was a smashing guy."
Story from BBC SPORT:
Published: 2009/02/13 11:46:37 GMT
© BBC MMIX
The Brazilian was dismissed on Monday, with suggestions that some players were not happy with his management style.
But Wilkins said: "The reports are totally untrue, we don't have any sort of split, none whatsoever.
"Every coach has their own methods and some players like them, some don't - it happens at every football club."
Captain John Terry hinted on Tuesday that the dressing-room was divided, saying: "Scolari had my full support, I'm sure two or three of the other players would say the same."
But Wilkins added: "Whenever any coach coaches a club as big as Chelsea, the players who don't play are going to be disgruntled, that's a fact and it's no different here.
"They all want to play, but you can only pick 11 people, so it's very difficult for the coach."
Wilkins is in charge for Saturday's FA Cup tie at Watford before handing over the reins to Guus Hiddink.
The Dutchman, currently boss of Russia's national team, has agreed to manage Chelsea for the rest of the season, and met with players on staff on Thursday.
He will work with Wilkins, who rejected a claim by Scolari that Chelsea do not have a special talent in their squad capable of turning matches.
Scolari, in his first interview since being dismissed, told France Football magazine that their failure to sign Robinho - who ended up at Manchester City - from Real Madrid last summer cost them dear.
"At Chelsea we didn't have the player who can make the difference by himself by producing something magical on the pitch," said Scolari.
"In the past, Arjen Robben was at Chelsea and he could make the difference. But now there is no-one.
"Robinho could have been this player. He is not afraid to dribble, to take a risk. As a Brazilian, I like this.
"The team isn't Brazilian enough. It is a 'bureaucratic' team. That's the style of the players. That's why Robinho would have done a lot of good for the team."
But Wilkins hit back: "Football is all about opinions, and Felipe has his own opinions on the game.
"My opinion is that we do have special players at this club, a number of them in fact."
Wilkins also admitted he was stunned by the announcement of Scolari's dismissal and said he enjoyed his five-month spell under the 2002 World Cup-winning manager.
"I was shocked, yes. He was a very decent man, and I enjoyed working with him immensely," he said.
"But football is a tough game and a couple of results went against us and the decision was made.
"I was shocked, yes, and disappointed, because I enjoyed his company, he was a smashing guy."
Story from BBC SPORT:
Published: 2009/02/13 11:46:37 GMT
© BBC MMIX
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