1- Dion
Dublin and Coventry City, 1994/1998
English striker Dion Dublin was signed by Alex Ferguson for
Manchester United in the summer of 1992. However, an early season injury ended
his season and despite recovering he was unable to break into the team in the
following seasons. His transfer to Coventry in 1994 gave him a new lease on
life and he rediscovered his scoring touch. The 1997/98 season would be his
most successful. He would become joint top goalscorer in the English Premier
League and would also earn his first caps for England. He would narrowly miss
the Finals cut for the 1998 World Cup.
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Photo
From: Calcio 2000, Issue 14, December 1998
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(Dion
Dublin)
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2- Terry
Venables and England 1994
Terry Venables had been tipped as a future England Manager for
years. When Graham Taylor was appointed England Manager in 1990, it appeared
that the opportunity might have passed him by for good. However, unexpectedly
he got the call in 1994. He was tasked to rebuild an England side that had just
been eliminated from the 1994 World Cup qualifiers, as well as preparing for the
1996 Euros that were to be hosted in England.
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Photo
From: World Soccer, March 1994
(Terry
Venables)
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3- Ivan
Zamorano and Real Madrid, 1994/95
When Jorge Valdano took over as Real Madrid Manager in 1994, he
openly wanted to remove Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano after a poor season. In
the end, Zamorano remained and gained Valdano’s trust. He regained his scoring
form and led Real Madrid to the League title in 1994/95 season by finishing as
the League’s Pichichi.
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Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 54, July 1993
(Ivan
Zamorano)
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4- Ivan
De La Pena and Espanyol Barcelona 2004/05
Barcelona midfielder Ivan De La Pena was once tipped as one of Spain’s brightest future prospects and had shone at youth level. However, he stagnated after a transfer to Lazio in 1998 and his loan to Olympique Marseille the next season did not improve his prospects. He rarely played in the following seasons. In 2002, he was released by Lazio and joined Espanyol. He slowly regained his form as he started to get more first team action. The 2004/05 season would be a very good season for him as he led the club to a fifth place finish. He also finally achieved International recognition and gained all of his 5 caps in that calendar year of 2005.
Barcelona midfielder Ivan De La Pena was once tipped as one of Spain’s brightest future prospects and had shone at youth level. However, he stagnated after a transfer to Lazio in 1998 and his loan to Olympique Marseille the next season did not improve his prospects. He rarely played in the following seasons. In 2002, he was released by Lazio and joined Espanyol. He slowly regained his form as he started to get more first team action. The 2004/05 season would be a very good season for him as he led the club to a fifth place finish. He also finally achieved International recognition and gained all of his 5 caps in that calendar year of 2005.
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Photo From: World Soccer,
November 1995
(Ivan De La Pena)
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5- Alain
Giresse and Olympique Marseille 1986/88
Loyal Bordeaux
Captain Alain Giresse was regarded on his way down in 1986 (aged 34). Bordeaux
prepared to replace him by signing young midfielders Jean-Marc Ferreri and
Phillipe Vercruysse. However, instead of winding his career quietly he was
enticed away by Bernard Tapie’s new project at Olympqiue Marseille. Tapie,
along with former France Manager Michel Hidalgo, were laying down the
foundations to create an excellent team in Marseille and Giresse was seen as a
much-needed experienced player in the project. Giresse would have two good
seasons before retiring in 1988 aged 36.
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Photo
From: Onze, Issue 133, January 1987
(Alain
Giresse)
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