while i would normally agree whole heartedly, the sad truth is that the only alternative to manU winning the cl or pl is chelsea in both cases, which is even worse…either way shame on manU for having so much talent and still lacking the balls to play attacking football even when at home.

but really hope that manu won’t win neither the cl nor the pl.

If you reach the finals in the CL, you can’t claim the team “isn’t worth much”.

I fully understand Rob’s position (although I don’t fully agree with him).

It’s a fact that Barca’s effectiveness is truly disappointing. I find that too. It’s almost frustrating to see all that carousel football without any clear cut chances. They tend to keep at the passing game too long! That is definitely something Rijkaard should address!! Secondly, the balance in the team seems lost and that too is something Rijkaard is responsible for.

But, it’s virtually impossible to judge a manager on his results. You should be around their training session and tactical prep talks to be able to judge someone’s work, right?

The results and the quality of play in the last four years were good. I think they took a gamble with the lack of fresh faces. Sir alex has been criticized for allowing good players to leave Man U too soon (Stam, Ruud, Beckham, etc) but sometimes you can leave it too late. I think Rijkaard is guilty of that now with Barca. There doesn’t seem to be a real hunger anymore (Deco, Eto’o, Ronnie). The signing of Henry was a mistake too. I saw that one coming. Henry is ideal in a team that plays counter-attacking football (4-4-2) with at least 8 guys playing in his service. At Barca, there’s too much chiefs and not enough indians.

I don’t think Rijkaard belongs in the list Gullit, Ronald Koeman. Neither does Wouters and Van Basten will have to prove himself at club level before I will pass judgement on him (in general). As a national team manager, he did ok but certainly not fantastic. But I wouldn’t call him a total failure either.

As for Sar, maybe it’s his age, maybe it’s his groin injury. But in England, kicking the ball in the stands is seen as a heroic act. Defenders and goalies are basically cheered when they kick the ball in the stands. JC wants said that when your team is played out position, it can be killing to keep the ball in play. By kicking it in the stands, at least you can reposition and get your organization in order.

I think it’s too hard to blame Rijkaard for the EC2000 semis. The only mistake he made is bringing Van Vossen. But that’s the same as looking a cow in the arse. (Dutch expression). If Van Vossen would have scored, Rijkaard was the ultimate hero. If you can’t score against ten Eyetalians and you miss two penalty kicks (Dennis missed two big opps as well) then it’s game over! And Rijkaard can’t kick the penalties, his players needed to. And both P Kluivert and F de Boer were specialists, so what can you say… I was very sad when he left after that game, by the way. Would have loved to see him take revenge at the WC2002. But, again, that’s looking a cow in the….? Right!

im not so sure bout Rijkaard as a manager…istnt he just like all the other 88 boys…vBasten, Koeman, Wouters, vant Schip, Witsche…arent they all just people with nothing to do, who just want to stay in touch with football cause they miss the attention?? Ferenc; has Rijkaard made any of the barca players better players??

btw; just read that Kluivert wants to become a manager aswell…great!! he can show his young players all the bars and whorehouses where they can f up their careers

No, it doesnt.

I think Rijkaard is an OK coach. Barca has some players that have to be sacked like Eto’o, this guy doesn’t play for the team and I was really mad when he criticized Ronaldinho last year, this kind of attitude is killing the Barca environment.