New Addition: Events and Consequences, Part one

Another new feature that I will be starting on this blog is about discussing events that had profound effects

1- Event:

Michel Platini’s injury and absence from the French national team in the spring of 1981.

Consequence:

Platini was France’s playmaker in the midfield. His absence allowed France manager Michel Hidalgo to include Bordeaux’s Alain Giresse whose National team prospects seemed to have passed him by.

After Platini’s return instead of excluding Giresse, Hidalgo decided to include them both and was able to create one of the best midfields in Europe of the 1980s that led to a European Championship title (1984) and two World Cup Semifinals (1982 and 1986).

Photo from: Onze, Hors Serie 13, 1982

(France’s first match after Platini’s injury that featured both him and Giresse in the lineup, September 9, 1981, World Cup Qualifier, Belgium 2-France, Standing, left to right: Gerard Janvion, Phillipe Mahut, Maxime Bossis, Pierrick Hiard, Alain Moizan, Christian Lopez, Bottom, left to right: Jean-Francois Larios, Alain Giresse, Michel Platini, Jacques Zimako, Didier Six)

2- Event:

Ajax manager Leo Beenhakker accepting to rejoin and manage Real Madrid midway through the 1991/92 season.

Consequence:

His assistant, a then unknown Louis van Gaal was promoted as new coach.

Van Gaal ,who had never been head coach anywhere, started to implement his own ideas and slowly built a young team that would triumph in the 1995 Champions League that included many young stars such as Patrick Kluivert.

His success with Ajax led to future positions at Barcelona, Bayern Munich as well as two stints (Including now) as Holland’s National team manager.

Photo from: World Soccer, November 1990

(Leo Beenhakker)

Photo from: World Soccer, June 1995

(Louis Van Gaal)

3- Event:

Argentina goalkeeper Nery Pumpido being injured after a collision with teammate Julio Olarticoechea during the World Cup match vs. USSR on June 13, 1990.

Consequence:

Usual goalkeeper back-up Luis Islas was dropped from the squad prior to Final selections as he did not want to be understudy.

Sergio Goycoechea was promoted to understudy and in the 11^th minute of the USSR match replaced Pumpido.

Goycoechea, who had expected to see no action during the World Cup, went on to become one of the stars and revelations of the tournament.

He was the hero on penalty kick shoot-out wins vs. Yugoslavia and Italy by saving penalties in both matches and helping Argentina to get all the way to the Final.

Photo from: El Grafico No. 3688, 1990

(Carlos Bilardo and Nery Pumpido, June 8, 1990, World Cup, Argentina 0-Cameroon 1)

Photo from: World Soccer, July 1990

(Sergio Goycoechea making a save in his debut, June 13, 1990, World Cup, Argentina 2-USSR 0)

 4- Event:

Eric Cantona’s disciplinary panel hearing while a player with Nimes in fall of 1991.

Consequence:

On December 11, 1991, Eric Cantona’s domestic suspension was increased from 4 matches to 2 months after he insulted the disciplinary panel.

The next day, he announced his retirement from the game in anger.

As a result, he went on trial to play in the English First Division.

He had a trial with Sheffield Wednesday , but he finally signed with Leeds United.

He triumphed in the League with Leeds that season and midway in the following season joined Manchester United and the rest is EPL history.

Photo from: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1992

(Eric Cantona with Nimes, 1991/92 season)

Photo from: Le Livre d’Or du Football, 1992

(Eric Cantona with Leeds United, 1991/92 season)

5- Event:

Welshman John Toshack’s dismissal as Real Madrid Manager in November 17, 1999.

Consequence:

Following Toshack’s dismissal in-house Real Madrid man Vicente del Bosque was appointed as caretaker Real Madrid manager.

He had similarly stepped in when Benito Floro was sacked in 1994.

His caretaker position soon became a full time position as he led Real Madrid to Champions League triumph that season.

He held on to the position until 2003 and won another Champions League title and two League titles.

Because of his Real Madrid successes he was eventually appointed as Spain manager in 2008.

He went on to lead the Spain national team to a World Cup (2010) and European Championship (2012) triumphs.

Photo from: World Soccer, April 1994

(John Toshack)

Photo from: World Soccer, June 2001

(Vicente del Bosque)

New Addition: Transfers that did not happen, Part one

A new feature that I will be starting on this blog is about discussing player transfers that could have occurred but for various reasons fell through

1-Following the 1990 World Cup, newly promoted Serie A club Parma were very keen in acquiring West Germany’s Guido Buchwald.

The player himself was willing, however, his club Stuttgart categorically refused as he was irreplaceable in their eyes.

As a result Parma acquired Anderlecht and Belgium defender Georges Grun.

Photo from: Onze, July 1986

(Georges Grun over Sergei Aleinikov with Stephane Demol looking on, June 15, 1986, World Cup, Belgium 4-USSR 3)

Photo from: Soccer International, August 1990

(Guido Buchwald, June 19, 1990, World Cup, West Germany 1-Colombia 1)

2- Prior to signing for Olympique Marseille in the summer of 1986, French striker Jean-Pierre Papin was on the verge of joining AS Monaco from Club Brugge.

However, OM President Bernard Tapie persuaded Papin to come to Marseille.

Photo from: World Soccer, June 1994

(Bernard Tapie)

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, January 1990

(Jean-Pierre Papin with OM)

3- German striker Jurgen Klinnsman almost joined Real Madrid in the summer of 1992.

Klinnsman was to leave Italian club Internazionale Milano and had agreed with Real Madrid’s Dutch Manager Leo Beenhakker to join Real.

However, after Beenhakker was dismissed following Real’s defeat in the League title race and Copa del Rey Final, the deal was cancelled.

Real instead signed Chilean Ivan Zamorano from Sevilla and Klinnsman joined France’s AS Monaco.

Photo from: Guerin Sportivo, October 14-20, 1992

(Jurgen Klinnsman with AS Monaco, 1992/93 season)

4-Brazilian midfielder signed for Paris St Germain from Sao Paulo in the middle of 1992/93 season. He had the option to be loaned until the end of the season to Benfica, however, Rai refused and waited until the conclusion of the season to join PSG.

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, June 1994

(PSG’s Rai and AS Monaco’s Claude Puel, 1993/94 season)

5-During the 1987/88 season, Internazionale Milano acquired, from Porto, Algeria’s Rabah Madjer for the following season.

However, Inter pulled out of the agreement due to the fear that Madjer was injury prone.

They signed Argentinean striker Ramon Diaz instead from Fiorentina.

Photo from: Onze, February 1988

(Rabah Madjer during his half-season loan at Valencia, January 10, 1988, Atletico Madrid 2-Valencia 1)

Eric Batty, Brian Glanville and other World Soccer Columns- Part Two

I.  Eric Batty

WS Magazine Issue: June 1977     

Article Title(s): ‘Greenwood-For England’

-A personal view advocating West Ham United’s Ron Greenwood to become the new England Manager

WS Magazine Issue: August 1968                    

Article Title(s): ‘Professionalism will not answer Czech Problems’

-Eric Batty’s Analysis of Czechoslovakian Football

WS Magazine Issue: October 1961 and November 1962  

Article Title(s): ‘The Eleven Best Men?’

-The World XI selections for the years 1961 and 1962.

Eric Batty Columns-Part 2

II.   Brian Glanville

WS Magazine Issue: April 1967

Article Title(s): ‘Are reserves at all Necessary’

-Discussing the necessity of substitutions

WS Magazine Issue: April 1976

Article Title(s): ‘Pettigrew pays lip service to ‘work-rate’ conception’ plus ‘Tactics?Who needs them says Dave Mackay

-One article about the concept of ‘Work-rate’ so often used in soccer circles and another on Derby County Manager, Dave Mackay’s tactics

WS Magazine Issue: February 1972

Article Title(s): ‘Notable Captures for Monaco and Paris St . Germain

- Under Pseudonym of Andre Duclos, his column on the French soccer scene

Brian Glanville Columns -Part 2

III.  Other Writers:

a) Roger Mc Donald

WS Magazine Issue: June 1963

Article Title(s): ‘Nucleus from Club Teams

-Analysis of National team performance based on number of players from the same club

b) Keir Radnedge

WS Magazine Issue: November 1978

Article Title(s): ‘Tarantini…What is the truth benhind his transfer

-About Argentinean defender Alberto Tarantini’s transfer to Birmingham City from Boca Juniors

b) Leslie Vernon

WS Magazine Issue: June 1969

Article Title(s): ‘Dislike of the Press’

-About Alf Ransey’s mistrust of the Press


Other Writers’ Columns-Part 2

Soccer Books, Part Two-German National team

The best books about the History of the German National Team.

These are the books I have chosen is:

Book I

‘Chronik des deutschen fussballs’

Published in 2005.

Written Language: German

This book has every National team lineup with the relevant dates and information from 1908 to the Confederations Cup of 2005.

The information includes both West and East Germany and unified.

There is brief description of many of the matches, though not every match.

There are many archival photographs in black and white and color.

At the end there’s an index of all German National team players (East and West)

‘Chronik des deutschen fussballs’ Cover



‘Chronik des deutschen fussballs’example page



Book II

‘Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989’

Published in 1989.

Written Language: German

This book has in depth descriptions of every match played by West Germany from 1908 to May 31, 1989.

Full statistical information is given about each match, with dates, team’s lineups, players club information, etc.

The archival photographs are in black and white.

At the end there’s an index of all German (West) National team players

‘Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989’ Example Page

‘Deutschlands Fussball Landerspiele, Eine Dokumentation von 1908-1989’ Cover

Book III

‘Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon’

Author Jurgen Bitter

Written Language: German

This is not a statistical book about matches and results.

This book has a brief biography of every German national Team player with some photographs.

‘Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon’ Cover

‘Deutschlands Fussball Nationalspieler, Das Lexicon’ Example Page

Book IV

‘Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft’

Author Dietrich Schulze-Marmeling (Hrsg)

Published in 2004.

Written Language: German

This is also not a statistical book about matches and results.

This is a written history of the German national team with archival Black and White photographs.

‘Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft’ Cover

‘Die Geschichte der Fussball Nationalmanschaft’ Example Page

Book V

‘Fussball in der DDR 1945-1989 Teil 2 Nationalmannschaft’

Author Klaus Querengaesser

Written Language: German

This book contains all East Germany national team lineups.

Full statistical information is given about each match, with dates, team’s lineups, etc, with a brief description of the match.

At the end there’s an index of all East German National team players

‘Fussball in der DDR 1945-1989 Teil 2 Nationalmannschaft’ Cover

‘Fussball in der DDR 1945-1989 Teil 2 Nationalmannschaft’ Example Page

Book VI

‘Kicker, 100 Jahre Deutsche landerspiele’

Written Language: German

Kicker published a special Edition in 2005 about the History of the German National team.

With Write ups , interviews, archival Photographs (Black and White and color) and all the relevant statistical information.

‘Kicker, 100 Jahre Deutsche landerspiele’ Cover

‘Kicker, 100 Jahre Deutsche landerspiele’ Example Page

Book VII

‘The best of enemies, England V Germany’

Author David Downing

Written Language: English

This book deals exclusively with the unique history and the matches between England and Germany National teams with archivals photographs.

If any one knows of other books pertaining to this topic, please do not hesitate to leave a post.

Articles on Teams and Events-Part 23

Two articles about former Leeds and England Manager Don Revie with one article announcing his resignation as England Manager plus an interview

(Magazine / Language : Goal, November 1996 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, August 1977 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : Soccer Monthly, January 1979 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1976 / English) 

Photo From: Goal, Novemebr 1996

(Don Revie as England Manager)

 Don Revie

One article and One Interview about Zico’s transfer and arrival at Udinese in 1983

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, September 1983 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, October 1983 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : Onze, November 1983 / French) 

Photo From: Onze, November 1983

(Zico with Udinese, 1983/84 season)

 Zico and Udinese

Three Articles about Real Sociedad’s successful team of the 1980s and one article about Basque Soccer teams of Athletic Bilbao and Sociedad

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1980 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : Onze, March 1980 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, July 1981 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, November 1984 / French) 

Photo From: Foot Magazine, November 1984

(Basque derby from 1984 that clinched the League for Bilbao, April 29, 1984, Athletic Bilbao 2-Real Sociedad 1)

Photo From: Mondial, July 1981

(Rea Sociedad, Spanish Champions, 1980/81 season)

Real Sociedad/ Basque Soccer

Player Profiles-Part 23

Three profiles on Dutch striker Wim Kieft

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, April 1993 / English) 

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, December 17, 1983/ Dutch) 

(Magazine / Language : Voetbal International, October 26, 1985/ Dutch) 

Photo from: Onze, May 1988

(Wim Kieft with Psv Eindhoven, 1987/88 season)

 Wim Kieft Profiles

Two profiles and one interviews with Yugoslavia’s Midfielder, the Bosnian Safet Susic, plus one double Interview with Susic and fellow Bosnian Vahid Halilhodzic

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, November 1983 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, November 1985 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, October November 1988 / French) 

(Magazine / Language : France Football, November 5, 1985 / French) 

Photo from: France Football, No 1962,  November 15, 1983

(Safet Susic, November 12, 1983, Yugoslavia 0-France 0)

 Safet Susic Profiles/Interviews

Two Profiles on Belgian striker Nico Claesen

(Magazine / Language : Fussball magazin, September October 1984 /German) 

(Magazine / Language : Foot Magazine, October 1984 /French) 

Photo from: Foot Magazine, October 1984

(Nico Claesen with Stuttgart, 1984/85 season)

Nico Claesen Profiles

Interviews-Part 26

Three interviews with Bulgaria and Barcelona star Hristo Stoichkov

(Magazine / Language : World Soccer, March 1995 / English)  

(Magazine / Language : Onze-Mondial, November 1993 / French)  

(Magazine / Language : Don Balon, July 10-16, 1995 / Spanish) 

Photo From: Chronik des deutschen fussballs, 2005

(Hristo Stoichkov, June 7, 1995, EC Qualifier, Bulgaria 3-Germany 2)

Hristo Stoichkov Interviews

Three interviews with Italy national Team manager Enzo Bearzot

(Magazine / Language : Onze, February 1982 / French)  

(Magazine / Language : Onze, June 1986 / French)  

(Magazine / Language : Mondial, June 1986 / French)  

Photo From: Onze , June 1986

(Italy manager Enzo Bearzot with assistant Cesare Maldini in the background)

 Enzo Bearzot Interviews

An interview with Spain and RCD Espanol’s Daniel Solsona

(Magazine / Language : Don Balon, November 17-23, 1977 / Spanish) 

Photo From: Don Balon, November 17-23, 1977

(Daniel Solsona in action for RCD Espanol)

Daniel Solsona Interview