Culture Football #08
Culture Football #08
Brexit and the raid on Scottish talent
This has been another week largely dominated by discussions over VAR and referees. Essentially the last thing that any talk about football should be about. But here we are. Well, at least I’ve managed to find five articles that have nothing to do with that and are considerably more enjoyable. There’s also a new feature this week; a book of the month where I recommend a book published over the previous four weeks. Let me know what you think.
From the Aguero moment to lifting titles
It is easy to accuse Manchester City of spending their way to success but the reality is that, whilst the money has undoubtedly helped, they have had a long term plan which has been meticulously executed and improved upon. Nowhere is that more visible than in their women’s team in which home-grown Esme Morgan is now one of the main stars.
The greatest fall of all?
Have to admit that I’d never heard of Borussia Neunkirchen before reading this piece. Which is a great pity because theirs is quite a fascinating story of success and subsequent demise.
The architect of Sampdoria’s unforgettable years
Paolo Mantovani was the kind of football club owner who are increasingly becoming a rarity: a rich businessman who doted on his local club and, over a number of years, put together a side capable of winning the Serie A and reaching the final of the European Cup. Those achievements are remarkable not only because of his foresight but as they are unlikely to ever be repeated.
Monaco’s Return
What a wild few years it has been for Monaco, whose exciting side that won the league title in 2017 and impressed so much on the European stage was dismantled within the space of a few months. Now, with Nico Kovac in charge and a blend of experience and youth within the playing ranks, they are back near the top of French football.
Brexit and the raid on Scottish talent
For over twenty years, Premier League sides have used their financial muscle to plunder youth talent from all across Europe. As from 1st of January, that option went away following the Brexit inspired legislation made it impossible to do so. Academies, however, are unlikely to stymie their search for promising players. What is likely is that they’ll start scouring Scottish clubs in search of that special talent. Which is not necessarily great news for Scottish football.
Full disclosure: I am the author of this article.
Last Week’s Most Read
It seems that I’m not the only one who retains a fondness for Sir Bobby Robson because Gary Thacker’s piece on his time at Porto was the most read one last week. Make the time to check it out now, if you missed it.
Book of the Month
Thou Shall Not Pass: The Anatomy of Football’s Centre-Half by Leo Moynihan
As a Liverpool fan, I’m acutely aware more than ever before of the vital importance that central defenders play in a team’s success. So perhaps that’s why the premise of this book by Moynihan (incidentally, also a Liverpool fan) resonated so much with me.
This is from the book publisher blurb:
Complex, overlooked and misunderstood, football's centre-halves rarely take centre-stage. Leo Moynihan's long overdue celebration of this much-maligned position explores the unique mindset and last-ditch, bone-crunching tackles of the traditionally bruising hard man, hell-bent on destroying glory.