Starting Over

‘THE story that engenders more words than even the prolix Hutton Report is that of Sir Alex Ferguson.

‘Can I play on the wing?’

Today, the Times lets it be known that the red-faced manager of Manchester United has been given a £4m-a-year contract.

This sounds good news for fans of the club, who have grown used to success under the manager, but they should be wary of the fine print.

The paper sys that the signing of a new deal is not cause for wild celebration since it is only a 12-month rolling contract. In 12 months, Fergie cold be out on his ear.

Football is very much the funny old game, and reputations, even such as that of Ferguson, need to be constantly boosted by success if they are not to be consigned to history and pub trivia quizzes

For this reason, Juan Pablo Veron is a has-been. Indeed, as far as the Premier League goes, he is more of a never was, and injury means he is now out of the rest of the season.

As such, the Times reports that Chelsea are seeking a replacement for the fading Argentinean in the shape of Charlton’s Scott Parker.

That signing – should it finally occur – will come on top of the Blue’s purchase of Petr Cech, the Czech Republic goalkeeper.

The £7.5m signing will replace Carlo Cudicini in the Chelsea goal next summer.

This is a trifle hard on the Italian, who has performed consistently well for the Blues. But, as we say, reputations are made to be broken, and today’s hero is tomorrow’s fading memory.

There are exceptions, however. And the Guardian brings news that Lawrence Dallaglio has been made England’s rugby union captain once more.

In “Dallaglio’s world turns full circle”, the paper reminds readers how not so long ago the Londoner was his country’s skipper. In fact, he was very good at the job.

But things turned sour when a report in the News of the World alleged that he had taken cocaine. The claim was later dropped but the damage had been done.

Now, unlike so many sports stars, he’s got a chance to do it all over again…’

Posted: 29th, January 2004 | In: Back pages Comment | TrackBack | Permalink