TheJamaicanP.M.
09/02/2005, 11:46 AM
I am another anti-Ferguson member of foot.ie. I have no time for the man and believe that he played a large part in the Saipan fiasco.
However, I believe there have been worse club managers as far as Irish interests are concerned. When Ireland played Yugoslavia in November 1998, a host of Premiership managers decided not to obey the 5-day release rule that is obligatory for competitive internationals. The likes of Alan Curbishly at Charlton and Joe Kinnear (yes that idiot who wanted to manage us) kicked up a fuss that the players should play for their clubs on the Saturday prior to the game. Somewhat of a tug-of-war ensued between the international team and the club teams. In the end, UEFA gave in to the clubs. That meant that Kinnear got to keep his right-full, Kenny Cunningham and his bench-warmer, Mark Kennedy. However, one manager rested his Irish players that weekend. From what I remember, Roy Keane and Denis Irwin were either left on the subs bench or substituted early by Ferguson. I seem to recall Keane being substituted early by Ferguson against Middlesboro?? I think United might have even lost the lead and dropped two points??
Anyhow, there have been plenty of club managers that have made it difficult for the international set-up. I even recall that our own David O'Leary was one of the managers who made it very difficult for our top young players to travel to Cyprus for the Euro U-18 Championships in 1998. Stephen McPhail travelled but Alan Maybury did not.
Therefore, I think it is clear that Ferguson is not on his own in terms of neglecting the wishes of international team managers. However, his decisions receive more publicity because of the stature of the club and players involved.
However, I believe there have been worse club managers as far as Irish interests are concerned. When Ireland played Yugoslavia in November 1998, a host of Premiership managers decided not to obey the 5-day release rule that is obligatory for competitive internationals. The likes of Alan Curbishly at Charlton and Joe Kinnear (yes that idiot who wanted to manage us) kicked up a fuss that the players should play for their clubs on the Saturday prior to the game. Somewhat of a tug-of-war ensued between the international team and the club teams. In the end, UEFA gave in to the clubs. That meant that Kinnear got to keep his right-full, Kenny Cunningham and his bench-warmer, Mark Kennedy. However, one manager rested his Irish players that weekend. From what I remember, Roy Keane and Denis Irwin were either left on the subs bench or substituted early by Ferguson. I seem to recall Keane being substituted early by Ferguson against Middlesboro?? I think United might have even lost the lead and dropped two points??
Anyhow, there have been plenty of club managers that have made it difficult for the international set-up. I even recall that our own David O'Leary was one of the managers who made it very difficult for our top young players to travel to Cyprus for the Euro U-18 Championships in 1998. Stephen McPhail travelled but Alan Maybury did not.
Therefore, I think it is clear that Ferguson is not on his own in terms of neglecting the wishes of international team managers. However, his decisions receive more publicity because of the stature of the club and players involved.