BBC - 606 - - A30112804 - Absolutely Fabio

163 comments

Absolutely Fabio

England

by Robbo Robson (U5722413) 13 December 2007

So Fabio it is. It's a bit of a blow personally cos I thought I had a real chance once His Specialness turned it down. He's not an idiot, is he, that fella?

Them that desperately wanted an English manager are going to be disappointed. With those European specs he couldn't be more continental.

I've been to Specsavers meself but them fancy dan goggles always make me look like a German businessman who's trying too hard.

You can't argue with the appointment. Everything that's being said about him fills with me with a sense of security.

He's a brute in training? Good. Some of our lads need it straight between the eyes. McClaren was so blinking pally-pally it was embarrassing. Sometimes when he spoke dreamily of Stevie G or JT you got the impression he couldn't believe his luck either.

Del Piero thought he was a tyrant. Yeah and there's a lad who looks like he likes a sun-lounger and a singapore sling.

He lacks a human side? Fine by me. Probably means he won't need a brolly.

His track record is brilliant. We have cast-iron proof that the bloke KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING! Not such god news for the England boys. Cos this time we're not going to be looking a the manager if things go T.U.

He can hardly speak a word of English. Good. He'll fit in perfectly with the rest of the squad. I never have a clue what Rio Ferdinand's on about either.

He'll play effective, unexciting football. Fantastic. I dunno about you but England 2 Croatia 3 is about as exciting as I can stand.

He wants the job. Yeah, I know, what kind of fool is he? It's about as beautiful a challenge as the one Stephen Ireland commited last weekend (After Nicky Hunt's effort the previous week I'm beginning to wonder if Irish internationals need a lesson in the perfect slidey - or have they been busy reading the Keano autobiography?)

Clarence Seedorf said: "He would rather have less quality but committed players rather than quality players who are not committed." Well that just fits the bill perfectly.

Me, I'm happy. The bloke's about the best available. If Wenger and Fergie think so, then who are we to argue?

The only problem is that the FA have run scared on the contract. We need the same bloke for four years. We need some long-term thought.

My sense is that with some new blood in the team, the English fans would give this bloke a bit of time to bed in. I'm not expecting 2010 miracles, but by 2012 lads like Young, Agbonlahor, Lennon Ashton and co might be ready to launch a bid
for glory if we stick with 'em!

As for the patriotic brigade who'd like the FA to dig up another underqualified, over-excited British national to do the job - well, to be blunt, NO! It'd just be bleeding stubborn to give �4m a year to some trophyless optimist when Capello's already put his hand up. Redknapp's the best bet and he's won nowt.

Then there's the 'why so soon?' brigade. Ok, we've got a brilliant candidate but let's keep him dangling for a while so the press can spend time sitting outside his house and taking pictures of his pets shall we? Nah.

It may be a tad hasty but the bloke will have a good three months to watch all that is good about the English professional footballer, realise what a bloody massive job he has to do, and hit the ground running for the Swiss friendly.

It's a new start. There'll be no hiding place. If the cream can't rise to the occasion, then Fabio will go for a semi-skimmed alternative (which is better for you any road, so they tell me).

Gerrard will have to wear the three lions like it's a Liver Bird. Rooney will have to wind his angry neck in and knuckle down to business. Or they'll be out.

I've managed to get meself over-excited about the prospect, dammit. And of course Fabio still needs an English number two with potential...

I've been working on me Italian.... so here's a few key phrases.

Corpulento Frank e Stevie G non giocare accordo.
Giammai optare Robinson o Pippo Neville.
Michael Owen e ferito.

Do I get the job, Fabio?

comment on this article | send to a friend

Latest 10 comments

view all 163 comments

Read members' comments or add your own

comment by RafaRafalutionLFC (U3464324)

posted Dec 15, 2007

Also Cloughie had a sense of humour, a social conscience (a life long socialist like Shankley and Paisley) and was liked by everybody. Ever heard of an ex-player speaking badly about Clough?

Take off those rose tinted specs chief, Brian Clough was great, no denying, but you don't achieve that level of success without creating emnity and jealousy.

Anyway, this is about Capello, him and Clough are as different as Chianti and Brown Ale!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by DoctorBoroLove (U8303026)

posted Dec 15, 2007

My comparison was based on the fact that they both disciplinarians but somehow that was lost on our plastic Spaniard who brought politics into the equation.

Quite how being a "lifelong socialist" makes you a better football manager is beyond me. I've heard it all now.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by panchopuskas (U3770444)

posted Dec 15, 2007

"Ever heard of an ex-player speaking badly about Clough?"

Oh yes! Johnny Giles, Norman Hunter and Billy Bremner. And when "Bighead" left Boro for the mackems he pretty much despised by his fellow players.

________________

The Leeds players were never Cloughie's players. They were spoilt kids who were used to being pampered by daddy Revie. Clough got out as soon as he saw it and went on to win 2 CLs with a 2nd div club.

Clough was never manager at Leeds. It didn't even start. Leeds' loss not his.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by panchopuskas (U3770444)

posted Dec 15, 2007

lost on our plastic Spaniard who brought politics into the equation.

__________________

Plastic Spaniards have a totally spastic SPANISH set up and don't have to go grovelling to foreigners to sort them out.
Oh, BTW I don't suppose we'll be seeing in the Euro finals, then?

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by DoctorBoroLove (U8303026)

posted Dec 15, 2007

Plastic Spaniards have a totally spastic SPANISH set up and don't have to go grovelling to foreigners to sort them out.
______________________________________________

That probably explains why Spain has won even less than England.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by cloudwarrior (U1295440)

posted Dec 17, 2007

Hi Robbo
I have just seen a quote from Capello saying that the England job will be his last.
I wonder if �6m a year for 4 years has any bearing on this?
Nearly �30m and I'd doubt if I would want to go and look for another job.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by DoctorBoroLove (U8303026)

posted Dec 18, 2007

He's probably thinking of McClaren - it's certainly his last.

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by Liltodger (U6190872)

posted Dec 20, 2007

That probably explains why Spain has won even less than England.
----------------------------------------------
England have won one World Cup over 40 years ago and yet somehow think it is their divine right to have the best manager and that because they have the best manager should win everything or at least be installed as one of teh favourites. Not the case - thay have thrown money at a manager who they believe should steer them in the right direction because he has done it with other clubs....smells far too much like the Eriksson appointment to me. True, he is a completely different manager but they both are successful club managers - look at what Sven ha done at City. English egos will always exist in a squad and they will implode like they always do.

Come on Ireland!!!

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by _Viva_Giggs' Curliest Chest Hair (U10656928)

posted Jan 26, 2008

if i was fab i would play beckham in the upcoming game for his 100th cap then at half time tell him he's getting the sack lol i would make a seat for gerrard/lampard on the bench so when gerrard plays G.barry can fill in when lampard plays gerrard will be on the bench and give eitther carrick or hargreaves a go. g.neville should retire because micah richards would take the place because his partnership with wright-phillips is the best. And i would hand david james or green the goalkeeper role. And ferdinand would have the captain's armband.

----------------------GREEN---------------------

-----FERDINAND(C)-----TERRY-----
RICHARDS- -COLE--

--HARGREAVES
----LAMPARD-- ----
- -
W.PHILLIPS- --COLE

----------------OWEN--
----
---ROONEY------------

add comment | complain about this comment

comment by _Viva_Giggs' Curliest Chest Hair (U10656928)

posted Jan 26, 2008

my formation above did not go to plan lol!

well it's a simple 4-4-2

- green in goal
- richards and cole on full back wings
- rio (c) and terry in centre defence
- on the right wing would be SWP
- lampard in centre next to hargreaves who play a slight defensive role
- j.cole on the left
- owen and rooney upfront

add comment | complain about this comment

view all 163 comments | back to the top

Comment on this article

Sorry, you can only contribute to 606 during opening hours. These are 0900-2300 UK time, seven days a week, but may vary to accommodate sporting events and UK public holidays.

My 606

Browse 606...

More...

Absolutely Fabio

Latest 10 comments

Comment on this article

RATE THIS ARTICLE

Rate Breakdown

RELATED BBC LINKS