During the first few matches of the World Cup, many pundits were claiming Jose Mourinho may have ruined the World Cup. Then North Korea fought hard against Brasil and Spain lost, and then it was Jose who gave us the blue print for the World Cup. The entire time my mind drifted to the man who really affects the World Cup, and I don’t mean Sepp Blatter.
Alone in a hotel room in Saipan, Roy Keane was ready to walk out on his country. He had to talk to the one man he knew he could trust, the man who had his best interests at heart. On the end of the line Sir Alex Ferguson told Roy to stick it out, though he backed him no matter his decision. The next day the situation had blown up, and Roy Keane was no longer a member of the Irish team. Again he turned to Sir Alex Ferguson to not only help him pick up the pieces, but to get him back home. Captain Fantastic’s World Cup was over. Ireland have never been the same since.
It was nothing more than a petulant kick, but in that moment David Beckham’s England career was in tatters. The mood in England was a violent one. Beckham was burned in effigy and his face turned into a national dart board. With the world crumbling around him who did Beckham turn to? Sir Alex Ferguson told Beckham that England was not the right situation for him, and that he needed to go to America for the Spice Girls Tour until things calmed down. Beckham did. Things calmed down. All these years later, David Beckham is still an English Icon.
A wink. If you thought a kick was bad, a wink? In one instant Wayne Rooney became a villain for England, but also a hero in comparison to his Portuguese Manchester United team mate, while Ronaldo became nothing but villain. Not only did Sir Alex Ferguson need to patch up Wayne Rooney’s pride and reputation, but get him to forgive and forget. He also had to talk Ronaldo into coming back to face the abuse, face Rooney, and lead United to ever more success in a place where he was hated. Two European finals, three EPL titles, a Ballon D’or, and more says it worked. Another win for Sir Alex Ferguson out of a World Cup disaster.
When Patrice Evra sat in front of the press saying there was a “traitor” and “rat” in the French camp, he was talking about loyalty and trust, a way of conducting business. It was rather ironic when you think of Keane’s complaints with the professionalism and loyalty in the Irish camp, and consider it was France that kept the Irish from South Africa. Raymond Domenech, France, the World Cup – none of it mattered because Evra was personally and morally offended, as were Ribery and Malouda according to sources. Patrice Evra has promised the truth will come out, and he is a bomb ready to explode and keep exploding. Who will be there to pick up the pieces? A man who shares his beliefs about what gets handled behind closed doors? A man who will then rein him back in after the explosion? Sir Alex Ferguson perhaps? Evra has proclaimed his love for Ferguson on many occasions. Yet again we could have a World Cup disaster that turns out pretty well for Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fabio Capello hasn’t been able to turn Wayne Rooney into the Rooney Sir Alex Ferguson has. Before the final group match against Slovenia, this fact was being shouted from the rooftops, and will again now.
Bob Bradley went to his hero Sir Alex Ferguson months before the World Cup to ask for advice and watch how he runs things. (He also followed David Moyes of Everton and met with Fabio Capello of England.) The thing he says he took most from Ferguson was to trust his gut. Fergie told him he saw these men train and play. He knows them better than anyone. Trust his instincts. Bob clearly followed this advice. Judge those results for yourself, but I feel Bob’s gut let the entire team down for the Ghana match.
World Cup in and World Cup out, one thing seems to be a consistent theme. If you captain your country or have captained your country, and you play for Manchester United, expect a disaster and a phone call from Fergie. Ask Rio Ferdinand how quickly he got a call from Sir Alex Ferguson just a few weeks ago.
Wales should be grateful they don’t make the World Cup.
Given current events and history, if you are England, France, USA, Wayne Rooney, Fabio Capello, Bob Bradley, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Roy Keane, David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, or Raymond Domenech… Does Sir Alex Ferguson ruin the World Cup?
Until next time, enjoy the glorious football.
Written By Ryan
Rozelle
(12 Posts) |
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
what a load of rubbish.
Yes, the same situation happening over and over again involving the same people in the same positions is complete rubbish. Perhaps next time you would like to be constructive in your ignorant criticism?
Weeks later, ESPN’s Richard Jolly has posted an article on how the World Cup has been great for Sir Alex. Seemingly, I’m such an idiot that the rest of the world caught on 3 weeks after me. Hmmm?