Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Seventeen

1- Louis van Gaal and Johann Cruyff

Louis van Gaal and Johann Cruyff had a contentious relationship through the years.

Many believe the root of the problems started in 1989. Cruyff was hosting a Christmas dinner with van Gaal among the guests.

During the dinner, van Gaal received a phone call from his family informing him that his sister had passed away and he was forced to leave abruptly.

Allegedly Cruyff blamed him for not having thanked him for the dinner before leaving.

Cruyff denied this version and called it nonsense. He even said that if van Gaal had said this then he had ‘Alzheimer’s’.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 2, March 1989

(Johann Cruyff)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1995

(Louis van Gaal)

2- Jackie Charlton and Eamon Dunphy, 1990

Republic of Ireland Manager Jackie Charlton and former player and then journalist Eamon Dunphy got into an argument in a press conference on June 20^th, 1990, the day before Ireland’s crucial match vs. Holland in the World Cup.

Charlton refused to respond to Dunphy’s questions by saying  "You're not allowed to ask a question, you are not a proper journalist.” (he was actually accredited)

He furthermore stated "These lads here (the other sport journalists) are interested in football... you're not. I'm not answering your questions.”

Dunphy had been one of the critical voices of Ireland’s style of play. 

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1990

(Jackie Charlton)

 Photo From: Gifted in Green, Author: Adam Ward ,1999

(Eamon Dunphy)

3- Jean-Claude Suaudeau and Marcelo Lippi, 1996

After Nantes’ elimination from the Champions League Semifinals at the hands of Juventus in April 1996, Nantes Manager attacked his Juventus counterpart Marcelo Lippi for the alleged gamesmanship used by Juventus players. 

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 87, April 1996

(Marcelo Lippi)

Photo From: Panini, France 1986/87

(Nantes Manager Jean-Claude Suaudeau)

4- Kevin Keegan and Alex Ferguson, 1996

Newcastle United Manager Kevin Keegan had his famous meltdown on Television responding to criticisms by Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson in the run-up for the 1995/96 English Premier League title.

Photo From: Goal, Issue 18, March 1997

(Kevin Keegan)

Photo From: Goal, Issue 13, October 1996

(Sir Alex Ferguson)

5- Enzo Bearzot and Italo Allodi, 1979

In early 1979, Italy’s head of National Coaching Centre at Coverciano, Italo Allodi recommended that Italian National Team Manager Enzo Bearzot should not be awarded ‘Seminatore d’Oro’ (Golden Sower) for the success of the 1978 World Cup.

According to Allodi, Bearzot had not sown the players at National Team level but reaped from the work of others. He felt he should instead just be given a golden plaque.

An angry Bearzot turned down this offer and said it was impossible to work with ‘a brutus at my back’.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 27, February 2000

(Italo Allodi and Enzo Bearzot)

Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Fourteen

1- Javier Clemente and Cesar Luis Menotti, 1987/88

During the 1987/88 season, RCD Espanol Manager Javier Clemente insulted Atletico Madrid’s Argentinean Manager Cesar Luis Menotti by saying that the only thing he ever won was bought by his President.

He was making a reference about Argentina’s controversial 1978 World Cup win that many saw with suspicion.

Photo From: World Soccer, March 2002

(Javier Clemente)

Photo From: Onze, Issue 143, November 1987

(Cesar Luis Menotti managing Atletico Madrid, 1987/88)

2- Ranko Stojic and Aad De Mos/Adri van Tiggelen, 1990

In the summer of 1990 Yugoslavian goalkeeper Ranko Stojic had joined Charleroi after a disappointing spell at Anderlecht.

In an interview with Journalist Pierre Bilic, he made so many attacks on the Anderlecht’s Dutch pair of Manager Aad De Mos and defender Adri van Tiggelen, that the Journalist tried to censor some of his most offensive insults.

After a Charleroi match, Stojic saw the Journalist and approached him and told him that ‘when I say van Tiggelen is sh..@&, I would like you to print it as such’

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 108, October 1990

(Ranko Stojic)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 30, July 1991

(Anderlecht Manager Aad De Mos after winning the 1990/91 League title)

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1990

(Adri van Tiggelen)

3- Eric Cantona and Jean-Claude Lemoult, 1989/90

After Montpellier’s match vs. Lille (October 21, 1989, Lille 1-Montpellier), Montpellier’s Eric Cantona overheard teammate Jean-Claude Lemoult tell other teammate Michel Der Zakarian that the strikers were not performing (Stephane Paille and Eric Cantona.

In anger, Cantona struck Lemoult in the face with his boots and Lemoult fought back

Cantona was banned from the training ground for 10 days.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 68, September 1994

(Eric Cantona at Manchester United)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 81, December 1986

(Jean-Claude Lemoult)

4- Paul McGrath and Sir Alex Ferguson, 1989

By the end of the 1988/89 season, Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson was fed up with his Republic of Ireland defender Paul Mc Grath’s drinking problems and continuous knee injuries.

Manchester United actually offeref him money and a Testimonial but he refused.

Ferguson placed him on the transfer list and he joined Aston Villa in the summer of 1989.

Photo From: Goal, Issue 17, February 1997

(Paul McGrath at Manchester United)

Photo From: Goal, Issue 13, October 1996

(Sir Alex Ferguson)

5- Juanito and Luis Arconada/Jesus Zamora, 1981

Spanish National Team’s toured South America in the summer of 1981 for a number of Friendly matches.

During the tour it was reported that Real Madrid’s Juanito had a feud with Real Sociedad pair of Luis Arconada and Jesus Zamora.

Photo From: Mondial, old series, Hors-Serie, Issue 5, 1979

(Juanito, June 11, 1978, World Cup, Spain 1-Sweden 0)

Photo From: Foot Magazine, Issue 36, June 1984

(Luis Arconada)

Photo From: Mondial, New Series, Hors Serie 13, 1982

(Jesus Zamora)

Memorable European Confrontations, Part 17-1991 Manchester United vs. Montpellier

Manchester United and Montpellier were paired in the Quarterfinals of the 1990/91 Cup Winners Cup.

The English Club Manchester United, managed by Alex Ferguson, were along with Aston Villa, the first English clubs to play in Europe after the Heysel ban in 1985.

They were led by the injury prone skipper Bryan Robson and contained players such as Irish defender Dennis Irwin, Welshmen Clayton Blackmore and Mark Hughes, Scottish forward Brian McClair and solid reliable defender Steve Bruce.

They had qualified with relative ease from their opening two Rounds. The Hungarians of Pecsi were defeated home and away (2-0 and 1-0 respectively), and Welsh squad Wrexham were also defeated home and away (3-0 and 2-0 respectively).

They were lagging behind in the League and Europe was their only chance for any silverware.

The little known French side of Montpellier was the surprise team of the Tournament.

They were a mid-table team in the League, but still contained many talented players.

The team was managed by the Polish Henryk Kasperczak and was led by skipper and rising star Laurent Blanc.

The foreigners on their books were Colombian star Carlos Valderrama, Dutchman Wilbert Suvrijn and Polish Striker Jacek Ziober.

They had surprised everyone by eliminating in the first two rounds, two recent former European Champions, the Dutch powerhouse PSV Eindhoven (1-0 Home, 0-0 away) and Romania’s Steaua Bucharest (5-0 Home, 3-0 away).

The first leg, on March 6th, was played at Manchester’ Old Trafford Stadium.

Manchester United were missing regulars in defense through injury: Steve Bruce and Dennis Irwin.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Patrick Colleter and Clayton Blackmore) 

In their place Lee Martin and Mal Donaghy started.

International midfielder Neil Webb was also missing through injury.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Mark Hughes between Der Zakarian and Blanc)

Montpellier were missing Carlos Valderrama and naturally adopted a defensive set up for this away match.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Laurent Blanc and Bryan Robson) 

Manchester United scored right at the first minute. Lee Sharpe attacked from the left side, after a give and go with Hughes, he crossed for McClair to score.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Brian McClair and Mark Hughes in front of the Montpellier goal)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Daniel Xuereb’s late chance in front of Les Sealey)

But in the 8^th minute, Ziober crossed from the left and Martin scored an own goal, even though they were no Montpellier players around him.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Mark Hughes and Jacek Ziober)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Pacal Baills walking off after being sent off)

In the 48^th minute, Mark Hughes had an entanglement with Lemoult and as he got up, Pascal Baills pushed him and he was sent off.

Pascal Baills was sent after Mark Hughes.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Michel Der Zakarian heading)

Manchester United did not take advantage fully of their man advantage at home despite having more chances.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2344, March 12, 1991

(Jean-Claude Lemoult and Mark Hughes)

Daniel Xuereb nearly snatched a winner for Montpellier towards the end.

At this point it seemed Montpellier had the upper hand in the tie, with home field advantage coming up.

March 6, 1991

Manchester United Football Club (England) 1- Montpellier-Hérault Sports Club (France) 1

Cup Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, First Leg

Venue: Manchester-Old Trafford

Attendance: 41,950

Referee: Pierluigi Pairetto (Italy)

Goalscorers: (Manchester United): Brian McClair 1’

 (Montpellier): Lee Martin (own goal) 8’

Lineups:

Manchester United:

1-Les Sealey, 3-Lee Martin (12-Danny Wallace 60^th), 4-Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland), 6-Gary Pallister, 2-Clayton Blackmore (Wales), 5-Mike Phelan, 8-Paul Ince, 7-Bryan Robson, 11-Lee Sharpe, 9-Brian McClair (Scotland), 10-Mark Hughes (Wales)

Coach: Alex Ferguson (Scotland)

Booked: Bryan Robson 31st

Team Captain: Bryan Robson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Black Socks

Montpellier:

1-Claude Barrabe, 2-Pascal Baills, 5-Laurent Blanc, 4-Michel Der Zakarian, 3-Franck Lucchesi, 6-Jean-Claude Lemoult, 7-Wilbert Suvrijn (Holland) (12-Regis Brouard 88^th), 10-Patrick Colleter, 8-Vincent Guerin, 9-Clement Garcia (15-Daniel Xuereb 85^th), 11-Jacek Ziober (Poland)

Coach: Henryk Kasperczak (Poland)

Booked: Garcia 58^th, Vincent Guerin 70^th

Sent Off: Pascal Baills 48th

Team Captain: Laurent Blanc

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Air Littoral

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Orange Shorts, Blue Socks

The second leg, on March 19th, was played at Montpellier’s Stade La Mosson.

For Montpellier, Carlos Valderrama was back in the squad.

Defender Michel Der Zakarian was out injured; it turned out he had played most of the first leg carrying an injury. Thetis came in his place.

Brouard took the place of the suspended Baills. Vincent Guerin learned very late from a letter by UEFA that he was suspended from this match.

His booking in the first leg was the second in the competition.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Team captains Laurent Blanc and Bryan Robson)

The suspensions of Baills and Guerin weakened Montpellier’s right side.

In contrast Manchester United were nearly in full strength as Irwin and Bruce were back in.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Jean-Claude Lemoult between Mark Hughes and Paul Ince)

Photo From: World Soccer, April 1991

(Bryan Robson and Clayton Blackmore after the first goal)

The turning point of this match occurred in the injury time of the first half. Clayton Blackmore’s took a free kick that Claude Barrabe let slip through his hands.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Claude Barrabe committing his fatal error on the first goal)

The devastated Barrabe was consoled at halftime by his Manchester counterpart Les Sealey who said ‘I’m Sorry’.

Early in the second half, Colleter fouled Blackmore in the penalty area and Bruce converted the kick.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Clayton Blackmore and Jacek Ziober)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Thetis being sent off)

Montpellier had no way back and in the entire match had two chances.

Thetis also was sent off after an altercation with Hughes.

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2346, March 26, 1991

(Mike Phelan and Patrick Colleter)

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 27, April 1991

(Mike Phelan and Wilbert Suvrijn)

The volatile Montpellier owner Louis Nicollin was absolutely furious with Barrabe after his error and said that he better do his job properly in the League, otherwise he ‘ll return to Reunion (the island that Barrabe hailed from).

Manchester went on to the semifinals and after eliminating Legia Warsaw met Barcelona in the Final.

The triumph over Barcelona paved the way for two decades of unprecedented success under Alex Ferguson.

March 19, 1991

Montpellier-Hérault Sports Club (France) 0-Manchester United Football Club (England) 2

Cup Winners Cup- Quarterfinals, Second Leg

Venue: Montpellier-Stade La Mosson

Attendance: 23,000

Referee: Hubert Forstinger (Austria)

Goalscorers: (Montpellier): None

 (Manchester United): Clayton Blackmore 45’+4’,

    Steve Bruce (Penalty Kick) 51’

Lineups:

Montpellier:

1-Claude Barrabe, 5-Laurent Blanc, 2-Regis Brouard (15-Daniel Xuereb 57^th), 4-Jean-Manuel Thetis, 3-Franck Lucchesi, 6-Jean-Claude Lemoult, 7-Wilbert Suvrijn (Holland), 8-Patrick Colleter, 10-Carlos Valderrama (Colombia), 9-Clement Garcia, 11-Jacek Ziober (Poland) (14-Patrice Garande 69^th)

Coach: Henryk Kasperczak (Poland)

Booked: Wilbert Suvrijn 24^th, Thetis 76^th

Sent Off: Thetis 78^th

Other Subs:

12-Jean-Jacques Nono

13-Franck Rizzetto

16-Phillipe Flucklinger

Team Captain: Laurent Blanc

Official Kit Supplier/Designer:  Adidas

Shirt Sponsor:  Air Littoral

Uniform Colors: White Shirts, Orange Shorts, Blue Socks

Manchester United:

1-Les Sealey, 2-Dennis Irwin (Republic of Ireland), 4-Steve Bruce,  6-Gary Pallister, 3-Clayton Blackmore (Wales), 5-Mike Phelan, 8-Paul Ince (14-Lee Martin 50^th), 7-Bryan Robson, 11-Lee Sharpe, 9-Brian McClair (Scotland), 10-Mark Hughes (Wales)

Coach: Alex Ferguson (Scotland)

Booked: Bryan Robson 34^th

Other subs:

12-Danny Wallace

13-Gary Walsh

15-Mal Donaghy (Northern Ireland)

16-Mark Robins

Team Captain: Bryan Robson

Official Kit Supplier/Designer: Adidas

Shirt Sponsor: Sharp

Uniform Colors: Red Shirts, White Shorts, Black Socks

New Addition: Debate Topic, Part one

One of my aims for this blog is to have more participation from readers, I have therefore started, on a trial basis, a discussion topic section.

Each time, I will present two discussion topics and hopefully have other readers input and ideas on the subject.

Topic 1

Sérgio Bernardino ‘Serginho Chualapa’ of São Paulo Futebol Clube has always been presented as the scapegoat for Brazil not winning the 1982 World Cup.

Despite scoring two goals in the World Cup, historically, he has been perceived to be the weak link in that fine squad.

For all (specially Brazilian readers out there), what are your theories as to why?

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, December 1989

(Serginho and Daniel Passarella, July 2, 1982, World Cup, Brazil 3-Argentina 1)

Topic 2

It  has long been suggested that had Mark Robins not scored for Manchester United, in the FA Cup vs. Nottingham Forest in January 1990, Alex Ferguson would have been fired.

While that may be true for the moment, in retrospect, I believe the 1991 Cup Winners Cup victory vs. Barcelona seems more critical.

Without this victory he may still have been fired in the then near future.

This triumph was the catalyst for Manchester United making a push for the League Title in the following seasons.

What are your theories as to why?  

Photo from: Onze-Mondial, June 1991

(Mark Hughes and Ronald Koeman, May 15, 1991, Cup Winners Cup, Manchester United 2-Barcelona 1)