this will run and run (and run): ontd

jazzypom in ontd_football

this will run and run (and run)

Nov 21, 2014 14:07

fake account, don't worry. Translated - these hoes ain't loyal

CLUB AND PLAYERS DON'T MISS HIM: Xabi Alonso, no Real loss

My forever troll. Mourinho taught him well

Xabi Alonso left Real Madrid last summer. He was looking for new challenges, incentives and a closer-knit dressing room.
Arbeloa and some of the youngsters were amongst the few players who shed a tear when he left. They are friends, as their recent trip to Venice with their respective wives shows.
Others, amongst them Ronaldo, clung to a loss of talent on the pitch that they would miss. The striker could not understand him leaving because, according to him, he brought something to the team.
As the days tick by, nobody misses Xabi Alonso. Not the club, not the players.
Many thought he was history, especially after his comments on Neuer and the Ballon d'Or.
The fact that Alonso identified with José Mourinho caused a rift with some hardcore elements within the dressing room which never really healed. Opinions of how the dressing room should get along had nothing to do with it. It was more due to antagonistic behaviour, caused mainly by the Portuguese coach's presence.
Under these circumstances, who would want to maintain any type of relationship beyond that which was strictly necessary? Players ignored each other for the good of the team.
Xabi also had the odd run-in with Ramos. The last one just one week before winning 'la Décima' involved a heated dressing room argument.
Article here. The Spanish version is no better

The original article is in German
The translation of the comments "From his POV, competition for the Ballon d’Or of his Munich colleagues and world champions only comes from the Primera Liga. “The fundamental question is: does only individual, personal achievement count? In that case, it’s tough against Messi and Ronaldo. Or is it success with the team? Then the Germans have the best chance. In any case, I wish my colleagues at Bayern best of luck.”(this is referring to his supposed dis of Ronaldo).

XABI ALONSO MEETS JAMIE CARRAGHER: I was devastated to miss out on emotional Liverpool return... why Bayern Munich can win everything this season (and the FIVE managers who shaped my career)

CARRAGHER: The move to Munich happened very quickly. How did it come about? Had Pep Guardiola wanted you for a long time?
ALONSO: Well, it did happen quick, you are right, two weeks before the transfer window closed. I had been at Madrid for five years. We had won the 10th European Cup, we had been chasing it for a long time and it felt like the business was done. It was either a case of continuing for a few more years in Madrid or trying something different. Having experienced La Liga and the Premier League, it was a great chance to come here. The Bundesliga is getting better and this is one of the top clubs in the world.

the way they were!

CARRAGHER: Did you have any opportunities to return to England?
ALONSO: No. I only had this option. There were times I heard some English clubs said 'what would he think', but my idea was to stay in Madrid. Then when I heard of Munich's interest I said 'Xabi, think what you want and where you will be happy'. I needed a fresh start somewhere. This might be my last experience in football. I came from my hometown team, Real Sociedad, to the best team in England (smiles); to the best team in Spain to the best team in Germany. It is a beautiful career. I wanted a nice football script. I cannot be a one-club man like you! good interview

Grab your tissues and fan your face news

Francesco Acerbi makes emotional Italy debut... less than a year after being diagnosed with testicular cancer

But after being given the all-clear Acerbi returned to football with his club and has been a regular this season, doing enough to convince Conte of calling him up for the national side.
And after an emotional appearance as an 82nd-minute substitute the former AC Milan player revealed his pride, but insists he still has much more to achieve.
'With everything I went through, I am happy and proud, but I have objectives and when I've reached them I will be satisfied. What are they? I won't tell,' Acerbi told Rai Sport after the match. I'm not crying, no you're crying

In WTF News

Malky Mackay: Wigan Athletic confirm new manager
Championship strugglers Wigan Athletic have appointed former Cardiff City boss Malky Mackay as their new manager.
Mackay is still being investigated by the Football Association after claims he sent texts of a homophobic, racist and sexist nature while at Cardiff.
The Scot, 42, replaces Uwe Rosler, who was sacked on 13 November with the Latics third from bottom of the table.

Malky Mackay denies being "racist, sexist, homophobe or anti-Semite"
Wigan MP Lisa Nandy urged chairman Dave Whelan not to interview Mackay when searching for a replacement for Rosler.
"I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject," Whelan told the club website.

"Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face.
"He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did, in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future.
"But I believe that it is now time to move on.

"Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man."oh, his texts were just banter. WTF?

Wigan in crisis: Owner Dave Whelan accused of racism and anti-semitism as Athletic lose shirt sponsor

The crisis engulfing Wigan Athletic over the appointment of Malky Mackay has deepened after owner Dave Whelan gave an interview in which he claimed "Jewish people chase money" and insisted using the word "chinks" is not racist.
Whelan is facing the full force of the Football Association's rules on discrimination barely 24 hours after choosing to give Mackay a job in defiance of its ongoing investigation into racist, sexist and homophobic text messages exchanged by the Scot during his period at Cardiff City.
That decision saw one of Wigan's sponsors tear up its contract with the club on Thursday, a setback Whelan shrugged off and acknowledged may be followed by the loss of other deals.
The news was then followed by a statement from the FA contradicting Whelan's claim that it had briefed him that Mackay would escape punishment because his messages had been deemed private and therefore not actionable. sigh, no wonder Mackay got the nod

Chatter From The Sidelines

Pep Guardiola Is the Tactical King in 3-Dimensional Chess Game for Bayern Munich -article here
Inside the SuperClubs: Pep Guardiola's tactics alter Bayern Munich's identity- interesting article re: tactics, outlook and so forth SI.com
Ched Evans: Sheffield United withdraw offer of training more here
Pepe: "It would be an embarrassment if Ronaldo didn't win the Ballon d'Or"no it wouldn't he already has three
Arsenal chase Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola ‘as patience runs out with Arsene Wenger’ Lads, it's the Metro.
Chelsea close on Marco Reus transfer with £20m plus Andre Schurrle offer- again, the Metro. Riberi let slip that Reus might be coming to Bayern, take with lashings of salt. Again.
Xavi plans career in coaching: he's learning English. Speculation that he might turn his sights to old blighty- or MLS here
Moreno: Liverpool supporters are the best I’ve seen posting this because I love this kid. When he starts speaking English, it's going to be interesting

pic spam
International break is over, so pictures of players in training are out

Bayern Munich players

James got himself a modelling contract. Let us enjoy the fruits of this labour, yes?

I need this on a billboard

last one, promise

A picture of Gerrard and his cousin at training. On tumblr, people are somehow dragging Liverpool and Gerrard into the Alonso/Neuer/Real Madrid/ Casillas kerfuffle. Leave us out of it, please. Gerrard has his own issues to be going on with