New Addition: Error in Casting, Part one

They were supposed to be very good transfers or coaching appointments on paper, but somehow fared well below expectations

1- Franz Beckenbauer and Olympique Marseille, 1990

With the French League season well under way and with big spenders Olympique Marseille seemingly running away with the League title, it was a surprise when Club President Bernard Tapie coaxed the recent World Cup winning World Cup manager to replace Double title winning Manager Gerard Gili.

Tapie seemed to think Beckenbauer was the man to guide OM to European glory.

However, with Beckenbauer in charge, OM actually lost its form and started losing matches to such a point that he was nicknamed ‘Mr. 50 Percent’.

Finally, Tapie rectified the problem by moving Beckenbauer upstairs as Technical director and appointing Belgian Veteran Manager Raymond Goethals as Manager.

Photo from: Mondial, new series, issue 57, December 1985

(Franz Beckenbauer)

2- Andreas Brehme at Real Zaragoza, 1992

German defender Andreas Brehme departed Internazionale Milano after four years of good service to pre-retirement in the less pressured atmosphere of Real Zaragoza.

However, this adventure turned sour after he clashed with young Manager Victor Fernandez.

The following season he returned to his first love Kaiserslautern.

Photo from: World Soccer, August 1990

(Andreas Brehme, July 8, 1990, World Cup, West Germany 1-Argentina 0)

3- Steve Hodge and Leeds United, 1991

England National team midfielder Steve Hodge joined ambitious Leeds United in 1991 from Nottingham Forest after he had lost his place.

However, he never managed to hold a regular place and as a result was not called up by England as well.

Photo from: England, Player by Player, Author Graham Betts

(Steve Hodge)

4- Geovani and Bologna, 1989

Brazil’s captian during the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Geovani was being billed as the next Brazilian superstar.

He was transferred to Bologna in 1989, however, before his Serie A career had started, he had lost his place in Brazil’s squad midway through the 1989 Copa America.

His Serie A season was just as unsatisfactory as he lost his place there as well.

Photo from: Soccer International, Issue 4, April 1990

(A Mitre shoes advertisement featuring Geovani at Bologna)

5- Mark Hughes and Barcelona, 1986

There was much excitement when Terry Venables signed the British duo of Welshman Mark Hughes and Englishman Gary Lineker.

While Lineker slowly caught up with the Spanish game and started scoring goals, his partner Hughes struggled to such a point that he was dropped towards the end of the season and replaced in the squad by Scotsman Steve Archibald who had been put on ice.

The follwing season he was loaned to Bayern Munich, before making his way back to his original club Manchester United.

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, Issue 35, December 1991

(Mark Hughes at Barcelona, 1986/87)