Sport
LEICESTER PLAYERS 1 RANIERI 0 – PLAYER POWER WINS, AGAIN
From champions to chumps
In 2015 Chelsea cruised to a Premier League win under Jose Mourinho. As he had rightly said the previous season they were: ‘ A little horse that still needs milk and to learn how to jump. A horse that next season can race‘. The 2014/15 season would be the season of maturity for his talented squad. He wasn’t wrong. They eased to the title. Fast forward to 15/16 and there was an astonishing change of form leading to his second sacking from Abramovic. What became obvious is that player power had reared its ugly head and won – now Ranieri is the latest culprit.
Throughout the history of football, throwing tea cups and applying the hair dryer to players could all be found in the football manager handbook. Importantly, up until the last 10 years or so, most players knew this and accepted it. If they didn’t toe the line, no doubt they would be packing up their stuff and seeking pastures new somewhere. They invariably would toe the line though.
So what has changed? A lot. If you’re clearing 100 grand a week guaranteed, BEFORE any performance related bonuses and you suddenly take exception to something your manager has said or done – why bother trying so hard for him anymore? You’ll still get your money. Sit back and enjoy whilst the pressure piles on your boss and with any luck he’ll be clearing his desk and on his bike in due course. Ranieri is currently on his bike somewhere now.
Mourinho part II – featuring Ranieri
Ranieri won’t be scratching his head at Leicester going 3-0 up against Liverpool in an hour. He knows they had the ability to produce that performance under his management. WE don’t know what caused this turbo like free fall. But it happened and those players were not going to pull up until Ranieri was gone. They won.
What strikes me is that modern day culture and a lack of drive and discipline has filtered into football and had a huge impact. So many players are pampered and nursing huge egos and wallets before they have even seen their first professional contract. The lack of respect for the manager is unforgivable as is the complete rip off these poor loyal supporters are getting. If I were at Leicester on Monday night I’d be seething with those players. How dare they turn up now. The fans have been turning up since August.
Mahrez what is going on here? I feel he wanted to go last summer and has taken the stance of – I’m guaranteed a move in summer 17 so I shan’t risk injury, plus my disappearance this season will make my value plummet – it’s like chess game out there.
Times have changed
The old breed of ‘men’ and leaders in the game are all but extinct I fear. Michael Carrick springs to mind, as does Gareth Barry. But the new ‘young breed’ are leading in a different way now and they want everything for nothing. These toe rags would not stand a chance under the likes of Ferguson and Redknapp. Can you imagine making the decision to stop ‘putting it in’ for Fergie and discussing a player revolt with Keane or alike. You’d be picking the glass out of your hair for quite sometime after Roy had launched you through the nearest window.
The Chairman at Leicester has taken a lot of stick for showing Ranieri the door. But what could he do? Option 1. Keep Ranieri and get relegated with the uncommitted players. 2. Sell the bad apples and replace – bear in mind the window is shut and you’ll be in the Chanpionship once you can do business. Football is a business and the head is always going to rule the heart.
Can we do anything to stop this?
My immediate thought is the players wages should have a large percentage funded based purely on bonuses. I want genuine competition for places. Players fighting to get in the team, here’s your appearance bonus if you start. I want defenders putting their body on the line for me and here’s your bonus for that clean sheet. I want my £30m Belgium international striker desperately trying to find the net because he knows he doubles his pay if he scores.
The reality is that players hold all the cards now. They are the string masters here. It was once a rare thing – Clough at Leeds springs to mind. But player power is as strong as ever now and heading in only one direction. These type of managerial sackings will become common place in this modern football business.
