we also tried to buy David Trezeguet and Mario Ganz in 1998, and apparently came pretty close. That’s taken from Strachan himself via Rick Gekoski’s book- “Staying Up”
we also tried to buy David Trezeguet and Mario Ganz in 1998, and apparently came pretty close. That’s taken from Strachan himself via Rick Gekoski’s book- “Staying Up”
with Trezeguet if I recall the book correctly, he wasn’t getting a game at Monaco and we made contact and there was a deal to be done, but we decided on Moldovan. Is that ‘close’, I dunno.
its all academic really though as Trezeguet would have been like Moldovan- comes, does well, heart not really in it, gets attention. leaves quickly. Wrong type of profile altogether- can you imagine swapping Monaco and opulence for Ryton in winter being kicked about by Liam Daish in training. Mo Konjic made the transition, but not at Premier League level for sure.
looking back I think that Richardson era was a bit like our version of the Ridsdale era at Leeds- mad stuff going on, no proper vision grounded in reality.
Yes Zenden was mentioned in the papers at the time. Of the others I think Henry, Van Nistelrooy & Trezeguet were mentioned in the 'Staying Up' book, didn't ever know about Melchiot or Ljungberg. In the 90's papers also linked us to signing Nakata, Okocha and Lalas.
This thread also reminds me of when it seemed we were about to make a double signing of Jorge Albertz & Neil McCann from Rangers, which I remember seemed pretty nailed on. Never got to know how or why it fell through.
Yes Zenden was mentioned in the papers at the time. Of the others I think Henry, Van Nistelrooy & Trezeguet were mentioned in the 'Staying Up' book, didn't ever know about Melchiot or Ljungberg. In the 90's papers also linked us to signing Nakata, Okocha and Lalas.
This thread also reminds me of when it seemed we were about to make a double signing of Jorge Albertz & Neil McCann from Rangers, which I remember seemed pretty nailed on. Never got to know how or why it fell through.
Yes Zenden was mentioned in the papers at the time. Of the others I think Henry, Van Nistelrooy & Trezeguet were mentioned in the 'Staying Up' book, didn't ever know about Melchiot or Ljungberg. In the 90's papers also linked us to signing Nakata, Okocha and Lalas.
This thread also reminds me of when it seemed we were about to make a double signing of Jorge Albertz & Neil McCann from Rangers, which I remember seemed pretty nailed on. Never got to know how or why it fell through.
Before this I think I remember the telegraph reported we were going to make a triple signing of Tim Flowers, Franz Carr and Ian Crook. I’m sure it was the back page story with big pictures of all them…like it was a done deal.
Before this I think I remember the telegraph reported we were going to make a triple signing of Tim Flowers, Franz Carr and Ian Crook. I’m sure it was the back page story with big pictures of all them…like it was a done deal.
Didn't know about Flowers, but remember the other 2 being reported as close to signing. Around that time others that we were linked with as being close to signing were Dennis Wise and Ian Dawes, who I was desperate to sign and replace Downs, who I saw as our only real weakness at that time.
Sign all the players you like but the most important signings is the manager and the team below him and keeping them. I’ve grizzled at times re: Robins thought he could have done this or that but he has most the time shoved my grizzling down my throat. He/they have proved not only they are good pairing but they can & do change set-ups and tactics.successfully.
For me the pivotal moment was when Snoz announced that he was going to retire, only to be sacked and the club appoint Terry Butcher as player manager. As a result, he broke up what I believe to be the second tightest defence in the league which was crucial as we did not have too many goals in the side. Terry Butcher was a disaster and instead of continuing on a upward trajectory in the league, we began to struggle. It was the beginning of the end IMO
I remember when the speculation about a left-footed superstar was joining.... at the time i'm sure it was mentioned that it was possibly Rivaldo (possibly in the Telegraph or on CWR).