Sven is great. Despite not really liking football, I do like Sven. He represents charm and sophistication at the top of a game for which those things are hardly buzz words.
With him at top of English football, I knew that I could rest easy, because we were in good hands. Secretly, although I would never admit to this, as an “older” man, his appeal to the ladies is also a great comfort and inspiration to me.
I certainly don't mind if he has a string of sordid love affairs with beautiful ladies. It's really none of my business, and it's plain that his partner, such as she is, is not remotely concerned, or she would have unceremoniously dumped him many years ago.
We took on Sven, and we knew the deal. He said from the start that he would not talk about his private life to the media, and that he expected only to have to deal with football. Of course, the famous British press had other ideas, and I guess this was more like a red rag to a bull than a simple clarifying statement.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that we have just got rid of the most successful ever England manager, for no better reason than a piece of constructionist journalism. Well done the News of the World. By consistent hounding and pressure Sven has become unhappy in the job - despite the excellent results we have achieved. Then, by entrapment, he mentions some personal things whilst believing that someone is offering him a safe and lucrative way onwards after the World Cup.
I'm still failing to see a crime here. The crime seems to be that we are hearing what Sven might say over the tea table, but pasted on the front page of a red-top. In our eagerness to condemn, maybe we should think about what we say when relaxed and out of public view.
I mean, I recently offered to kill all the people in Northumberland so Jason could be the best person in the county. If that were reported in the News of the World, imagining that I was somehow famous, there might be quite a reaction.
Perhaps, in our obsession with the building up and the tearing down of celebrities, we should just remember that people are people. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Perhaps, also, we should let them get on with their jobs - particularly if they happen to be very good indeed at them.
• Sven pictured above with the new England training shirts: “I am normally happy to accept the decisions of the clothing advisors, but these shirts are patently too small for the England team to wear. The size is an issue which I feel I must deal with. Yes, indeed.”
I think you'll find that the most successful ever England manager was Sir Alf Ramsey. Why?...because he actually managed a team that WON the World Cup, something that Sven has yet to do. Check back in late July for an update on this fact!
I agree about the newspaper guff, but there is something slightly indecent about a man getting £4 million a year for managing an average football team, and then receiving £5 million for leaving that role.
I'd love to see a daily breakdown of the Engalnd managers diary and work schedule. I mean how hard can it be to occasionally get players from diverse clubs together for a bit of a kick around, and then occasionally to visit their clubs to see if they can still play.
Posted by: Tim the Enchanter | January 24, 2006 at 12:36 PM
I think that's the point though Tim. If he were going because the England team are mediocre, then so be it. Get Someone else in - great!. But, he's going because the press just cannot leave people with any celebrity alone. The only crime Sven has committed is that he has a social life - and he's England manager. His affairs have been a lttle sordid, but he's not the Archbishop of Canterbury so who cares.
It also begs the question of what effect is this going to have on finding a replacement. I know a lot of people would like his replacement to be British, but there are a few really good foreign managers who may be tempted to take the job - but would they having seen the treatment that Sven has had?
Posted by: John Cooper | January 24, 2006 at 03:48 PM
I think this is a job for anyone who wants to grab some headlines (front and back page), where a nice sports jacket, nod a few times, and then be spat out.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 24, 2006 at 07:22 PM
Oh THAT's why you offered to kill all of the people who live in Northumberland today. Thanks Andy - it was a lovely thought.
Posted by: Jason | January 24, 2006 at 09:56 PM
it seems our friendship must have hit an all time low if you now need to murder me to make Jason HAPPY!
Posted by: christine | January 25, 2006 at 10:50 PM
Nothing personal, Christine.
Posted by: Andy Curtis | January 25, 2006 at 11:21 PM
You'll still do it for me though, won't you Andy?
Posted by: Jason | January 26, 2006 at 08:40 PM
Oh yes - I've already started.
I've begun with the old and sick.
Posted by: Andy Curtis | January 26, 2006 at 10:38 PM
Wrong....I'm still here!
Posted by: Tim the Enchanter | January 26, 2006 at 11:13 PM