Frank Lampard will ‘get at least the start of next season’ to impress if he manages to keep Everton in the Premier League, journalist Pete O’Rourke told Give Me Sport.
The lowdown
Lampard took charge of Everton on the last day of January with The Toffees 16th in the table and four points above the drop zone.
Fast forward just over two months, and their situation hasn’t improved. In fact, they’re now one place and one point closer to the bottom three.
Lampard has overseen two victories and six defeats in his first eight matches in charge.
And according to insider Dean Jones, Everton possess a unilateral option to terminate the contract and part ways with Lampard at the end of the campaign.
The latest
Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke said he expects Lampard to remain in the Goodison Park dugout into 2022/23 if they avoid relegation.
“I think if he manages to keep them up, I’m sure he’ll get at least the start of next season to see what impact it can have at Goodison Park,” he said.
The verdict
If Everton do go down, both parties will surely decide it’s best to move on. Indeed, Lampard was managing Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League as recently as the winter of 2020 and may not be particularly interested in taking on the Championship, while the club will feel let down by his lack of impact.
If they survive, though, he may feel that he can take Everton up the table with better luck on the injury front.
Yes, the performances have been poor, but the squad are dealing with a whopping ten absentees at this crucial stage of the campaign, though two of those are self-inflicted (suspensions for Allan and Michael Keane).
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
And Lampard might also be of the opinion that this simply isn’t his squad, and only when he gets a full transfer window can he truly implement his vision.
The early signs on that front aren’t particularly promising, however. Lampard reportedly sanctioned the January signing of Dele Alli from Tottenham Hotspur, but he’s yet to start a single game.
In other news, two of Everton’s January signings could leave in the summer.
Everton have completed the signing of the former Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford on a four-year deal.
The 26-year-old moves to Goodison Park after being released from his contract with the West Yorkshire side last week.
Beckford scored 31 goals for Simon Grayson's side last season as Leeds secured promotion from League One.
He scored the crucial second goal on the last day of the campaign against Bristol Rovers as ten-man Leeds won 2-1 to seal second spot behind Norwich City.
Beckford also scored the only goal of the game at Old Trafford in January as Leeds knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
The prolific forward was at Chelsea as a youngster but drifted into non-league football with Wealdstone before reviving his career at Elland Road, that included loan spells at Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Beckford was linked with a move to Everton in January when it was widely reported that he had signed a pre-contract agreement with David Moyes' side while agreeing to stay at Leeds until the end of the season.Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
Jamie Carragher would not be surprised if Fabio Capello kept faith with Robert Green for England's second Group C game against Algeria on Friday.
The West Ham United goalkeeper has been slated for his dreadful error that handed the USA their equalising goal in the 1-1 draw against Capello's men.
However, Carragher, who came on as a half-time substitute for the injured Ledley King, has praised Green and backed him to turn in a solid display against Algeria, who lost their first game 1-0 to Slovenia on Sunday.
"Before the game, if you'd asked me, I'd have said Rob Green is playing," said the Liverpool stalwart."I think he's played nearly every international coming into the tournament.
"For me I always thought Robert Green was going to start because he was always the first-choice pick.
"I'm not sure what he'll do in the next game but I was always sure, if I was going to play in the game, that Rob Green would be behind me.
"I've seen him this morning and he looks fine.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"I'm sure Fabio Capello will be fine as well. He's been manager of Real Madrid and AC Milan.
"I know we talk about the pressure of managing England but speaking to some of the Spanish players I think Real Madrid is another topic altogether."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
When Tottenham signed Jonathan Woodgate in 2008 it looked like a gamble that would pay off. Having resurrected his career with two relatively injury-free seasons at his boyhood club Middlesborough, the £8m Spurs paid for him seemed like money well spent. His first season at White Hart Lane saw him secure a pivotal role in the Spurs’ defence, carrying on where he left off at Boro, with assured performances, but more importantly, plenty of them. A goal in the Carling Cup Final against Chelsea capped off a man-of-the-match performance and an impressive start to his Spurs career, and it appeared that the previous injury problems that had crippled his career were behind him. However, the last twelve months have been an ugly reminder of what Woodgate is up against.
Since breaking into the Leeds team with Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer et al, Woodgate’s quality has been there for all to see. A centre half who managed to balance strong tackling and good aerial ability, with a more graceful art to passing and bringing the ball out of defence, he was constantly tipped to go onto success, not only with his club, but also with England.
In the eleven years since he made his England debut, he has managed just 8 caps. A frightening statistic when you consider the ability that he has. Still, it’s only one less than the 9 appearances he managed in his two and a half year stint at Real Madrid.
The £13m that Real Madrid paid Newcastle for him raised eyebrows. Woodgate hadn’t been able to play regularly for Newcastle due to a cocktail of injuries, but his style of play suited the Spanish giants and a fully fit Woodgate may well have been exactly what they needed at the time – some added steel, but with some flair thrown in. So few English players play abroad and when he completed the move there was a genuine sense of fans wishing him well, and hoping he could succeed at such a big club. Real would have taken his history with injuries into account but even they would have hoped for more than the nine games that he managed.
For Tottenham, this is becoming all too repetitive. As well as Bassong and Dawson have played, Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate would be one of the classiest centre-back pairings the Premiership has ever seen, and yet they have had such little opportunity to form a relationship because of the injuries that they have suffered. Even with his chronic knee problems, King managed 21 games last season; the total lack of training in between appearances meant that his quality performances were bordering on the freakish. For Woodgate however, he managed just the three games. For someone on £50k per week, Spurs can only wait for so long.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Watching England’s backline getting torn apart in South Africa only highlighted a lack of complete defenders produced by this country. John Terry isn’t as bad as some have you believe, yet his lack of pace was horribly exposed. Matthew Upson is solid without being spectacular, but maybe out of depth at international level. Maybe if Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate had had two seasons of playing week in, week out, alongside each other, who’s to say that wouldn’t have been Fabio Capello’s preferred pairing.
In a position that lacks depth in this country, Woodgate is a classic example of ‘what might have been’. Harry Redknapp can’t envisage registering him for the upcoming season unless there is a drastic improvement in the player’s recovery. That would mean he would be out until January at the earliest, and with King’s fitness a constant issue, Redknapp may well have to bring in another centre-half. The fact that so many managers have taken a chance on him simply shows the quality he has, but now on the wrong side of 30, the stifled career of a highly gifted player hangs in the balance.
When Pepe Reina placed a Barcelona jersey on his Spanish World Cup winning team-mate, Cesc Fabregas, it conjured up an unwanted image for Arsenal fans. It may have been a practical joke amidst the joyous Spanish celebrations but it showed their captain in Barcelona’s colours, a sight they had been dreading all summer. Barcelona’s pursuit of their former youth team player has carried on where it left off last summer. It is now a transfer saga destined to rival at least the longevity of Cristiano Ronaldo’s switch to Real Madrid. Fabregas, however, remains an Arsenal player and Arsene Wenger is unyielding. “I always said Cesc Fabregas will be our captain next year and that we want to keep him.” With the Spaniard set to resume training this week, will he commit to the Gunners the only way he knows how? Will he inspire Arsenal once more, grow in authority and break the club’s cycle of trophy-less seasons?
Barcelona who provided seven of Spain’s World Cup winning squad would desperately like to add another to their ranks. The Catalan midfielder unquestionably has the inimitable Barca/Spain style of play. As a central midfielder Fabregas is creative, technically superb and a gifted ball player. Despite the ringing endorsements of current Barcelona players such as, Andres Iniesta it is difficult, as with the Spanish national side, to see where Fabregas would fit into their star studded team. Moreover with Barcelona’s reported financial problems sparked by a rapidly increasing wage bill it is questionable as to whether the side which describes itself as ‘more than a club’ has the resources to recruit Fabregas.
Questions over Fabregas’ position in a squad simply do not arise in north London where he remains critical to the Gunners’ plans. They reportedly dismissed Barcelona’s initial bid and have signalled their reluctance to enter into any negotiations. For a transfer which seemed inevitable it now appears increasingly unlikely that a move will occur this summer. Wenger has accordingly challenged the player to reaffirm his commitment to Arsenal by leading them to major honours. “The biggest achievement for him now is to help us win the championship.” It is a prospect that would eclipse any potential honours secured at the Camp Nou. Does this talismanic midfielder not owe the Arsenal faithful and the club which has nurtured his talents a fervent commitment to challenge for honours once more?
William Gallas’ antics may have propelled Fabrgeas into the role of captain sooner than anticipated but it was always probable for a player whose influence and authority has grown year on year. If some fans and pundits had questioned Wenger’s reliance and belief in youth, the progression of this man alone has done something to justify that policy. He has become the complete midfielder for Arsenal, the creative heartbeat of the team, assisting goals, scoring many himself whilst combining defensive qualities too. Like all good captains he has the ability through his performances to inspire the fans and his team-mates. It was against his potential suitors in the Champions League that brought his most memorable performance of last season. Having been demonstrably outplayed during the first half, Fabregas’ presence was crucial as Arsenal fought back to secure a draw in which he converted a late spot kick and bravely persevered with a broken leg. It came as little shock that in his absence their hopes of continuing in that competition and maintaining their title push evaporated.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Fabregas indisputably owes plenty to Wenger and Arsenal. He is acutely aware of this and duly dedicated Spain’s World Cup triumph to his club side and its manager. Whilst speculation surrounding the player will continue Fabregas will know the most effective way of eradicating that conjecture is through his performances starting at Anfield on the league’s opening weekend. Arsenal fans will just hope that when he said, “I am really proud to have been an Arsenal player,” it was a minor slip of the tongue.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is known to be fiercely loyal to his players but even by his standards, the loyalty he has shown to his two goalkeepers Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski is impressive.
Like his Fawlty Towers namesake, Manuel Almunia’s time at Arsenal has been characterised by confusion and uncertainty. He lacks the basic positional awareness to be a top quality goalkeeper as seen by the failure to cover his near post for David N’Gog’s opening goal for Liverpool on Sunday. Despite being made captain by Arsene Wenger for Sunday’s game, Almunia didn’t show an ounce of leadership qualities and failed to communicate with his defenders. What is probably most frustrating about Almunia for Arsenal fans is that he does have the ability to produce some world-class saves. For example, his first half display against Barcelona in last season’s Champions League tie at the Emirates shows the kind of goalkeeper that Almunia can be on his day. But his evening was spoilt by characteristic poor decision-making when he rushed out of his goal, leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic the opportunity to lift the ball over him for Barcelona to take the lead.
Poor decision-making is another characteristic of Almunia’s understudy, Polish international goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The Pole has been routinely criticised for his inability to deal with crosses, leading to the unfortunately nickname of “Flappyhandski” from disgruntled Arsenal fans and opposition fans alike. Fabianski’s uncertainty under the high ball was seen most clearly in Arsenal’s incredible 6-5 preseason victory against Fabianski’s former club Legia Warsaw. For Legia’s second goal, Fabianski tried to come and claim a Legia Warsaw corner from the left, only to trip over his own defender Thomas Vermaelen. The ball fell kindly to Artur Jedrzejczyk who put Legia 2-0 up.
Fabianski was hopeless in the first half against Legia, eventually conceding three goals before being hauled off by Arsene Wenger for fellow Pole Wojciech Szczesny who produced a slightly more accomplished display between the sticks.
The reason for Arsene Wenger’s loyalty to his two under-fire goalkeepers is the recognition that confidence is key to a ‘keeper’s performance. In the face of huge media criticism, it is essential that the manager be seen to publicly back his goalkeepers in spite of their performances or risk destroying any confidence that either of them already have.
In the light of all the negative criticism, Fabianski has responded well. He told Arsenal TV Online that he is determined to prove himself to the Arsenal fans and get them singing his name:
“As a player you have to prove you deserve a chance.”
“I can understand every single shout against me and it can only motivate me to play better and work harder.”
“But of course I am going to do everything in my power to show that I deserve to be respected, then maybe they [the Arsenal fans] will start singing my name – that would be wonderful.”
However, Wenger’s faith in Almunia and Fabianski could be coming to an end as reports are linking the Arsenal boss with a move for Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and Manchester City’s Shay Given. If that proves to be the case, Wenger will have gone some way to alleviating some of the fears of Arsenal fans over their desperate goalkeeping situation.
Follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my RSS feed.
Click on image below to see the gallery of Mario Balotelli’s stunning girlfriend
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Birmingham boss Alex McLeish must have felt like a jilted man as deadline day approached having being on the verge of a deal for Wigan’s French star Charles N’Zogbia, only to see it break down at the last minute – but the deals he completed with only hours of the window remaining may be a vindication that the club should not have bowed to N’Zogbia’s demands.
Tireless work from the St Andrews boss and the board which up until now had only fashioned frustration finally paid dividends as Blues bolstered their squad with Czech defender Martin Jiranek, Chilean star Jean Beausejour and one major coup in Barcelona’s Alexander Hleb on a season long loan.
The latter of which is particularly pleasing, and the Belarusian’s claims he rejected Liverpooland Tottenham to sign for them will only help endear himself to the supporters following the N’Zogbia debacle. Hleb said: “I had a few options – Liverpool, Tottenham and Benfica, but Birmingham clearly wanted to do the deal more than the others, which is why I made my choice” – Such refreshing comments from the former Arsenal man go a long way to nullify the greed that was laid bare by Birmingham’s refusal to submit to N’Zogbia’s wage demands.
It is also feasible that they are getting a better deal and a better player in Hleb who made 89 appearances during his time at the Emirates before his £14million to the Nou Camp and his arrival will help alleviate the anxious faces worn by fans’ after the latest dose of last gasp transfer heartache at St Andrews. He may well lavish quality upon Blues’ midfield and the fact he simply wants to get on and play for love of the game will fit perfectly into the ethos with which McLeish has orchestrated their recent successes.
The Scot seems to have conducted some shrewd late business which may aid his unenviable attempts to emulate Blues’ record-breaking season last term and he was naturally delighted with all three of his signings. He described Hleb as “a top quality player – one who at one stage we’d only actually dreamed about” whilst lauding Jiranek’s “tremendous experience on club, European and international fronts.”
Late deals are often agreed with naïve haste in a frantic attempt to strengthen the squad, with managers knowing unless they do so they may struggle until January when the opportunity again arises to buy players but I believe one of the busiest transfer destinations in a compelling deadline day has seen some astute arrivals and Birmingham’s second season in the Premier League will no doubt benefit from this.
*
A welcome addition the Premier League’s Wag arena – Click on image below to view gallery
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
New Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier is intent on making changes at Villa Park, but accepts that it will take time to implement his plans.
Houllier takes charge of Villa for the first time when they take on Blackburn Rovers in the third round of the Carling Cup on Wednesday evening, having signed a three-year deal as Martin O'Neill's successor.
The Frenchman told reporters:"In the short term I need to know the players more and they need to get used to the different types of training – more continental in terms of tactics and a variety of drills.
"It will take time to implement and be accepted. You come with philosophies and beliefs and need to convince the players to do them.
"Will we be playing in a different way? Obviously it won't be done overnight. You can't change habits in the middle of a competition, it has got to be gradual.
"The first mission is to get results, the second is to be entertaining. At the top level you need entertainment for TV and the fans. That will take some time.
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
"But the players are eager to improve and everyone can progress provided the right environment and motivation is there.
"We have to improve in a few areas and the players know that."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email
In his Sun column today, Harry Redknapp has stated that “Manager’s don’t have any power” and that “all the power in football these days lies with the top players”. But in the current football world, is this a situation that can ever been altered, and if so, is it something modern football clubs would want to change?
Although the Wayne Rooney saga has seemingly abated, with the 24 year-old signing a new 5 year deal with Manchester United, this does not mean the debate surrounding ‘player power’ will subside.
Many have pointed to the Bosman and Webster rulings by FIFA as enhancing ‘player power’, but these rulings are more a consequence of modern football rather than a cause of increased individual power within the game. It is perhaps too early to examine the ramifications of the Webster ruling, having only come into effect in 2006, but the Bosman ruling has mainly concerned lesser players, like its namesake, Jean-Marc Bosman, and has prevented clubs exploiting these individuals, with only a handful of high-profile Bosman transfers in its 15 year existence.
It is perhaps in the genesis of the Webster ruling however, that we can begin to ascertain not only the modern origins of ‘player power’, but also the relationship modern football players have with their respective clubs.
Ever since the Bosman ruling of 1995, the European Commission had been closely following FIFA’s transfer policy, lobbying the world footballing body to bring their transfer system, specifically, but not exclusively, their guidelines on the freedom of movement of players, into line with other industries. It is here, in the terminology of ‘other industries’ that we can gauge some players’ seemingly unapologetic self-importance.
This essentially meant that the EC saw football as an industry, the football clubs as businesses and the players as employees, and although the supporters still attached the highest level of emotion to the game, this is precisely the perception modern football clubs wanted to present to the world; that football was a business.
The corporate circuses that are modern football competitions, clubs and even stadia can be presented in stark contrast to the footballing landscape 20 years ago. But in the creation of the Premier League, England set the precedent for football to become the financial colossus that it is today, threatening to destroy itself with its own enormity. Now I am not saying the creation of the Premier League has been detrimental to the standard of football or the quality of the game, but with vast media revenues and endorsements up to their eyeballs, the modern footballer is a commodity to a football club without even mentioning success or silverware. So is it any wonder that some players are treating their clubs with such disrespect and disloyalty?
Players like Wayne Rooney are of a post-formation of Premier League and post-Bosman era, they are also post the, what Harry Redknapp calls, “I’m going to stick Joe Bloggs in the reserves and let him rot” era. All they have known is football as a global financial industry, and football clubs as businesses, they were signed as fiscal commodities, and they treat their clubs as employers. If the clubs are not fulfilling their respective end of the bargain, the players up sticks and leave, as in any other industry, and the managers fall somewhere in the middle of this debacle, trying to balance, juggle and please everyone, all of the time.
As Chris Coleman recently noted, football bosses have to manage up, as well as down, referring to the fact in football management you have to think as much about your relationship with the board as you do with the players. This is nothing new, but reemphasises that many managers are stuck between a rock and a hard place, trying to create a sense of loyalty around a club whilst proving themselves to be financially viable in their own role.
If we see the board-manager-player relationship in a warped hierarchy, with those on the ground and at the top having more power than the man in the middle, we can view how it is quite often the manager that is more expendable than anyone else. This isn’t necessarily the case with every manager and many, like Sir Alex Ferguson, have built a reputation for themselves at a club and are very often on an equal footing with both board and players, as has been shown in Sir Alex’s handling of the Wayne Rooney affair. But having seen Rooney throw his weight around, it is clear that even the likes of Ferguson can be shaken.
Top players will always be in command and control of their own futures, but with a new breed of financially conscious football players coming through, it won’t be long before more mediocre players are pulling a stunt like Rooney. As for whether this ‘player power’ situation can be altered or reversed; this is highly unlikely unless the self-sufficient financial snowball that is modern football crashes and burns. However, as for whether modern football clubs would want the situation changed, well, with the exception of clubs with less monetary or global clout, I can’t see why these businesses would want anything but what essentially equates to a footballing free market economy, where the trading of goods has as limited restraint on it as possible. While this is the case ‘player power’ will continue and grow, unchecked and unabated.
If you liked this and want to read more, why not check out my blogs, or follow me on Twitter
Fancy playing your mates every week in a Premium Fantasy Football game?
FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Rafa Benitez talked to CNN’s Pedro Pinto about the challenge of succeeding Jose Mourinho as manager of Inter Milan and his style of coaching, as well as looking back upon his time at Liverpool in the Premier League. Regarding his time at Anfield, Benitez defends his record there, claiming that he made the club big in Europe again.
PP: I wanted to go back in time a little to your first day when you faced the players for the first time. What was going through your mind and how well did you prepare that first speech taking in to account how much success they had the previous season?
RB: I think it is the same in all the teams no? When you have a new squad and you have to know them and in this case to congratulate them for everything else they have achieved. I knew 5 or 6 players, so more or less knew how they were thinking about the future or what they were doing in the past or more or less I had an idea and it was easier because they knew me too.
PP: You may have had that contact, but when you come to a new group and they are used to doing things one way, and that was successful, how difficult is it for you to come in and say ‘well yeah that was successful but I want to do it this other way’?
RB: From the beginning I wanted to keep the things they were doing well, the style of play and things on a daily basis they were doing every day, and after a while you try and do things your way, but to arrive at a point of being successful, you can do things one way or the other way so there are different ways to arrive at the success. It is important to know if this is a good option we will try to follow this option.
PP: You and Jose Mourinho were rivals in England, and you succeeded him here. Did you feel people were still talking about him here when you came, and did that make it difficult for you?
RB: No I think it is always the same when you go to a club that has won something. When I arrived at Valencia they were playing in 2 Champions League finals so people were talking about how the team is strong, and a new manager will change things. Liverpool was the same, they were talking about the past and how they were winning trophies so it was a question of time. Here it was more difficult at the beginning, they had won the three titles, the three also that they had. Again we have to watch the future. This team has won the Italian Super Cup, and this is a minor trophy you won, but it is still a trophy, so hopefully now we can win the Intercontinental Cup, and everything will be easier.
PP: Different managers have different styles. Some are more enthusiastic, some are more controlled, how would you describe your own style? Some say you are very detached, when you are on the bench you don’t have a lot of feelings. How would you describe yourself?
RB: That is not true, so obviously if you can see any of our games you can see it is not true. I have passion, I have control, two things it is sometimes not easy to put together, but I like my job, I like to teach and I like to be involved and to show something to the players at the same time I have to think. So I need control, I need to know what is going on and to find a solution at the same time. I think we are in the big brother society so if you do more you are better, but you have to do what you have to do.
PP: What impressed you the most when you got to Inter?
RB: I would say to you that this is a big club. You can see that this is a big club. The mentality of the fans is similar to the mentality of the Liverpool fans, they are behind the team and they try to be behind the team and push them. The mentality of the players, the majority of them, they are very good professionals with a good approach, and this is very important if you want to keep winning games.
PP: You mentioned Liverpool, and I want to ask you a couple of questions about Liverpool. It’s not been a very long time since you left, but so many things have changed. When you look back upon your time there, what do you feel?
RB: Well I am really proud that I was the manager, the feeling, the relationship with the fans and the city. I was really comfortable there, and still I have my house there so always the same, if I finish here in ten years time, I will go back there so it was really good for me and my family.
PP: You’ve been asked a couple of times in press conferences about Liverpool and the new manager. I’ll be honest, I was entertained by the philosophical remarks you made, the priest and the sugar, the milk. How do you see the club how it is now?
RB: I still have a lot of respect for Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club, so I don’t really want to talk about them. But sometimes when someone says something I have to respond with what is in this case what I know. But again I would prefer not to say anything because I wish them all the best, I wish to stay in a really good position and do really well because for me it is what I feel too.
PP: But how difficult was the last year for you? Were you treated unfairly by the club?
RB: Again I would prefer to not talk too much about that so the people that were there are really proud now again. We have the opportunity to give them back the possibility to say I am a Liverpool Football Club fan and I support this big club. We gave to them this back by working very hard and winning. It wasn’t just Istanbul, it was more trophies, more finals, semi-finals quarter finals. The team was again very important in Europe and the fans, they know.
Interview transcript provided by CNN International.