Good points from the Early Doors crew:
They are Middlesbrough in disguiseAnd who can forget Massimo Maccarone's heroics in turning those games?
Seriously. What exactly is the difference between Fulham and Middlesbrough, whose run to the 2006 UEFA Cup final inspired little but indifference? Boro's voyage through the knock-out stages was no less remarkable than Fulham's, as they beat Stuttgart and Roma before securing not one but two miracle comebacks - coming from 3-0 down to beat Basel 4-3 and, er, coming from 3-0 down to beat Steaua Bucharest 4-3. Both teams were managed by an Englishman, both teams had a core of British players and both had Mark Schwarzer in goal. Both teams even play by a river, although Boro's Teesside location wedged between industrial estates is arguably less salubrious.
Hats off to Atletico Madrid, by the way. Like a pre-wonga Manchester City, they have had to exist in the shadow of their city rivals, given little choice but to revel in their reputation for chaos and heroic failure. They deserve a chance to lord it over Real just this once.Ouch, baby. Very ouch.
And ED can't help but wonder what hometown hero Fernando Torres, who left the Calderon for a chance to win trophies with Liverpool, made of last night's goings-on.
I've actually been saying that to a few people.
ReplyDeleteSteve McClaren was the assistant manager with Manchester United in their treble season. He then became manager of Middlesbrough and consistently had them competing for European spots in the table. He got them a league cup and into a UEFA Cup final.
He was coach and assistant manager of England during his time as Middlesbrough and then was promoted to manager of the England national team. While his time as England manager was disapointing he wasn't the sole reason they failed to qualify for EURO 2008.
He then took over as Twente manager and lead them to a 2nd place league spot in his first season as well as runners in the Dutch cup final. In his second season he took Twente to their first Eredivisie title, qualified for the group stages of the Champions league and is now the manager of Wolfsburg.
However it seems that Steve McClaren still struggles for respect and managers that have achieved far less are rated more highly than he is.
Basel, Steaua Bucharest and Stuttgart compared with Juventus, Shaktar Donesk, Wolfsburg and Hamburg, yea...
ReplyDeleteConsidering Fulham were extremely close to relegation 2 seasons ago...
Ridiculous article.