World Football Thread XIX: Capello to the Rescue!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Ouch... it appears the Americans played like crap at Wembley today. Our apologies for putting on a ****ty show.

[LordShiva]

Nothing out of teh ordinary, so no apologies necessary

[Imran Siddiqui]

The US played far better in its last trip at Wembley, even though that was over 10 years ago and the US squad was worse.

[Imran Siddiqui]

In other Ami news, Fulham loses its captain as he wants to come back home:

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=540354&cc=5901

Fulham have confirmed captain Brian McBride has decided to leave the club and return to America.

The veteran striker met with Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson at the club's training ground to discuss his future and has decided to move on after four and a half years.

McBride's final season at the club looked likely to be ruined by injury, only for the forward to return to play a crucial role in Fulham's remarkable escape from relegation from the Premier League.

The former USA international forward told the club's official website: 'After much consideration with my family, we have decided to leave Fulham after four and a half fantastic years.

'I have always stated my intention to return to America at some stage and this seems like the right moment in my career to move on.

'I would like to take this opportunity to thank the club, the chairman, the staff and wonderful fans for all their support, on and off the pitch, during my time at Fulham.

'I take great pride in the fact that my last appearance for Fulham saw the club maintain their Premier League status.

'I leave with some wonderful memories from my time at Fulham and the club will always be in my heart.

'I would like to wish the club, Roy Hodgson and my team-mates every success for the future.'

Hodgson hailed the role played by McBride in the club's survival, after they had looked doomed to relegation at one point, and revealed he had hoped the player would stay in west London for another year.

'Brian McBride has been a fine ambassador for Fulham Football Club,' he said. 'As my captain last season Brian was truly respected in the dressing room and led by example on the pitch.

'His attitude is second to none - Brian is a true pro in every sense of the word. On behalf of the club I would like to thank Brian for his valuable contribution over the last four and a half years.

'I would personally like to thank him for his contribution and assistance to me and my staff over the last five months. His performances helped us retain our Premier League status.

'The club would have liked Brian to stay for at least another year but respect the decision he has made with his family, and I wish him every success for the future.'

[Krill]

Someone I was watching the match with commented that the US was giving away so many fouls (that were not given by the ref) that they must have sent their handmelon squad by accident.

[Imran Siddiqui]

I didn't see the game, but the US (along with most of North American squads) tend to be very physical and foul quite a bit (I remember all the yelling by the Italians in the last WC about that). Though at times it tends to go overboard.


I also see that Donovan didn't make the trip... the offense really seems to suffer when he isn't around .

[Krill]

Yeah, it was a physical game, which in itself isn't a bad thing. there weren't any really bad tackles from the US side (although after a couple of stupid fouls that weren't give and one of the funniest dives ever Rooney did slam one of the US players to the floor, after which the fouls slowed down a bit).

[Maquiladora]

Dutch side FC Twente claim they are close to appointing Steve McClaren as their new coach - despite opposition from their own supporters.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/7427342.stm

Good news eh, Locutus?

[Locutus]

Yeah, that's been the big story here for the past week now. I think the Beeb is a bit premature and taking things out of context a little bit (although as they're not exactly deeply embedded in Twente society one might not be able to hold that against them in this case).

McClaren was spotted in Twente earlier in the week which only intensified the rumours that were already floating around. Many considered this as evidence that this was a done deal already, so our chairman put out a statement that there had only been 'exploratory' talks and this was by no means the end of the quest for a new coach (especially as they are also talking to other candidates and McClaren is not their #1 choice at this point). This statement which must be what this article is referring to (as there haven't been any others unless they were put out just in the last few hours and the fan and news sites uncharacteristically haven't picked up on it yet), so it's twisting the facts a little bit.

Reactions here are mixed, though generally mildly positive -- 'scepticism' would be a much better term than 'opposition'. Generally we strongly prefer a Dutch or German trainer as of course locals are always preferred over foreigners, especially at a team like Twente which is built on local talent. And there's some concern about the quality of English trainers and English football in general, but beyond his failure to qualify with England for Euro 2008 (which most of us can look past, especially as the wider problems in English football were a big part of that, one can hardly lay all the blame on McClaren's coaching) McClaren has a pretty decent track record and his modern, professional approach to football could be a good direction for the club and is a close fit with Rutten's previous regime. Current assistent-coach Ten Hag could learn a lot from someone like McClaren to prepare him for eventually taking over the reigns himself and as icing on the cake an established name like McClaren in itself will make it easier for a relatively small club like Twente to make deals with players, which will help us to keep the guys we have and sign new players to replace those that have already moved to bigger clubs.

So he could be a step forwards for Twente in the long run, if you can speak of stepping forward when we've just lost the best trainer in our history and one of the best in Dutch football today. But as our chairman said, McClaren is not only one candidate that they're talking to -- there are several top German coaches that are rumored to be in the running, as well as Morten Olsen and one or two Dutch trainers (I haven't seen any rumors about Ten Cate yet but it can't be long now ) So we'll see, I would be surprised if our new coach inks a deal before Euro 2008 kicks off, whoever it may be...

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by Krill
Someone I was watching the match with commented that the US was giving away so many fouls (that were not given by the ref) that they must have sent their handmelon squad by accident.

I remember when Stefu coined that phrase. But that was ages and ages ago. Surprised to see it still sticks around, even with the "newer" members of the site

[Asmodean]

Originally posted by Locutus
as well as Morten Olsen

I think those are local Dutch rumours. There has been nothing about that in Danish newspapers.

[Locutus]

Well, it took the British press a couple of days to take notice and only after there was photographic evidence, so give it time

BTW, a poll on the largest FC Twente fan site reveals only 5% (of 700 votes) opposes McClaren as the new coach. 25% said "we'll see" and 70% wants him outright (which might just be a record for a non-local coach). So much for 'fan opposition'

[Krill]

Originally posted by Asmodean


I remember when Stefu coined that phrase. But that was ages and ages ago. Surprised to see it still sticks around, even with the "newer" members of the site

Yeah, I was a relatively new member when the phrase was coined

[Maquiladora]

Originally posted by Locutus
Well, it took the British press a couple of days to take notice and only after there was photographic evidence, so give it time

BTW, a poll on the largest FC Twente fan site reveals only 5% (of 700 votes) opposes McClaren as the new coach. 25% said "we'll see" and 70% wants him outright (which might just be a record for a non-local coach). So much for 'fan opposition'

Give it time

[Locutus]

Good thing you Brits know f*ck-all about football Was it you who ridiculed me for thinking Wilkshire was going to be a good acquisition for Twente or was that some other Englishman?