Lady Boss

Men, beware! Women are entering our territory. They rule little by little. The football world which has been monopolized by men all the entire human history, will be penetrated by women. And those women don't just join for the sake of slotting in, they want to take control.

In France, a little known Portuguese woman named Helena Costa made history by becoming the first ever female manager to manage a professional football club in the top two divisions of major European leagues. Helena was appointed as the manager of Clermont Foot 63 in May 2014. In the women's football scene, Helena was a no stranger. She has an impressive record in football management. People even nicknamed her as 'Mourinho in the petticoat'.

However Helena only lasts for 49 days at the helm before she decided to walk away from the post amidst speculations that she was not allowed to make big decisions within the football club. Helena didn't manage to get a single game for the club before she resigned. If the readers think that Helena's appointment was such a big surprise, just wait a second. The bigger surprise came from the fact that Clermont Foot 63 then decided to replace Helena with another female manager! Corinne Diacre, a french former footballer, was appointed to be the new manager of Clermont Foot 63 later in June 2014. Most of football experts thought that this move by Clermont Foot 63 is just a gimmick to attract cheap publicity. Whatever it is, if Corinne manages to be a success at the club later this season, more clubs will start to take notice of the suitability of a female manager to manage their clubs. Helena and Corinne could be a revolution in football history. 

The presence of women in men's football is not new. Several seasons ago, a small population of female professionals have began their career adventure in this men dominated sport. Most football followers will be familiar with the sight of a female physiotherapist at Chelsea named Eva Carneiro and a female assistant referee in English football name Sian Massey. Both of them showed that they can also do the men's job.

The Writer thinks that this wave of women's influx into football is a positive note that will only bring a healthier competition. However, The Writer has a little doubt on the suitability of female managers to be a success in men's football management. Great football managers have a special characteristic and aura that enable them to gain control of the dressing room. These kind of managers get the players play in the way that they want them to play. And it is rather painful to say that female manager will have a very very difficult task to gain control of a dressing room containing stubborn and egoistic male football players. There is no way that those male will feel that their supposed female manager to have a better decision making than themselves. They are all too big for that...

Nazmi Faiz & Wan Zack: What Really Hapenned?

Not so long ago, all Malaysian football followers were in cloud nine to see two local players got the chance to play overseas. Nazmi Faiz (left) managed to become the first ever Malaysian to sign a contract with a club in the top division of major European leagues. He signed for Beira Mar, a Portugese club in the same league with European giants, FC Porto and Sporting Lisbon. Meanwhile, Wan Zack (right) got the chance to join FC Ryukyu, a third division Japanese club. All of a sudden, Malaysians were all brimming with hope that both players can be the catalyst of Malaysian national team development and all locals had already been dreaming of Malaysia to one day qualified for the World Cup.

However, all those hope and dreams were short lifted by the heart breaking news of both players returning to Malaysia to continue their career with the local teams. Nazmi joined PKNS and then Selangor with quick succession. Meanwhile Wan Zack decided to join football-obsessed Kelantan as his next destination. So what really happened to them? Why so soon? Below are their stories...

What happened to Nazmi Faiz?

According to reliable sources, Beira Mar was having a problem with their own financial. Unfortunately, Nazmi was among several Beira Mar players who didn't received any salary payment for three months in a row. That really hit Nazmi as he was kicked out from his rented house as the result of unpaid rent and had to stay at one of his teammate's house. His agent also began to neglect him and then finally Nazmi decided enough was enough. The contract with Beira Mar was canceled and the next thing he knew, he was on the plane back to Malaysia.

What happened to Wan Zack?

Wan Zack's case was different. At Japan, he was one of the star performers during the early stage. However, a persistent injury sidelined him for majority of his time there. Soon, he was behind the pecking order. Frequent traveling for treatment really took its toll. Wan Zack also finally decided to end his stay at Japan to come back to Malaysia to get uninterrupted full recovery. Then came the calling from Kelantan and the rest was history.

What The Writer thinks?

In the case of Nazmi, the FAM (Football Association of Malaysia) should take every action required to help him solved the financial problem. That was a small problem. It was incomparable with the harder situations that other poorer footballers from African region were facing. The African did all by themselves and they managed to succeed to become legends of the game. Just ask Didier Drogba and Nwankwo Kanu. The FAM should prepared and supplied Nazmi for everything during his stint at overseas, because he is a true star in the making. Nazmi should really be given every chance to succeed.

On the other hand, Wan Zack had an unfortunate experience. No one can really blame him. Malaysian footballers should be prepared with a complete rigorous training regime to better equipped them with the demand of overseas' football. Injuries are normal but a high fitness level can avoid persistent injury problems and expedite players' recovery process. The Writer is hopeful to see other Malaysian footballers given the chance to shine at overseas in the future and also praying for longer and more fruitful career for them...

Howard Webb Retires

One of the most common face in the English Premier League for the last 11 years will not be on show again as Howard Webb announced his retirement from refereeing. At least not on the pitch anymore. Webb has decided to become the technical director of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, which means a career outside the pitch. One thing for sure, we will miss him. Although he received a lot of criticism during his career, The Writer still feel he was one of the best referees around.

One thing that most readers do not know about Howard Webb is, he was a former policeman before he focused his career on refereeing. No wonder he got the look of a tough and strong looking physique. He was rewarded with the Member of the British Empire (MBE) medal by Prince Charles of England for his outstanding achievement in football and was the only referee that was chosen to officiate the World Cup Final and the UEFA Champions League Final in the same year.

Howard Webb will forever be remembered with the jokes of how biased he was for Manchester United during his career and how he missed to sent off Nigel de Jong for kung-fu kicking Xabi Alonso during the 2010 World Cup Final. But still, his legacy of refereeing will also be missed forever...

Wednesday’s Special: Meet Gerard Pique

How well the readers know about Gerard Pique? Apart from his relationship with Shakira and his achievement with both Barcelona and Spain national team..?!

In this first ever episode of Wednesday’s Special, The Writer will bring the readers into the life and story of a weekly selected footballer. Today, readers will have the chance to meet Gerard Pique, albeit in words only.

Pique was born in Barcelona. He is already 27 years old this year. He started his football career as a youth team player at Barcelona’s famous academy La Masia. He left for Manchester United at the age of 17 for no transfer fee as he was yet to sign any professional contract at that time. His move from La Masia to the English Premier League was not as successful as Cesc Fabregas. Fabregas managed to be a first team player and even appointed as Arsenal’s captain while Pique’s stint at ManUtd was a forgettable one. Both Fabregas and Pique were in the same Barcelona youth team with a certain player named Lionel Messi.

A loan stint with Real Zaragoza still cannot propel Pique into the ManUtd first team before a transfer back worth of 5 million euro to Barcelona in 2008 changed his life 360 degree. Being a favorite of Pep Guardiola, the Barcelona coach at that moment, Pique managed to win everything on offer with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Among his highest achievements were winning the UEFA Champions League, EURO 2008 & 2012, and World Cup 2010. At a mighty 1.92m height, Pique is now regarded among the best central defender in the world. Ironically, Pique even managed to re-unite with both Fabregas and Messi at Barcelona.  

The cherry on the top of Pique’s cake was the well-documented love relationship with the world’s famous celebrity, Shakira. They met during Shakira’s video recording of ‘Waka Waka’ song for 2010 FIFA World Cup in which Pique was one of the footballers involved. Their love romance ended up with both having their first son born on 2013 named Milan Pique.

  

Did you know?

-After the relationship was beginning to blossom, Pique didn’t allow Shakira to sing or make video recordings with any men in it. Until today!

-When Pique was in the Barcelona youth team, the first team manager at that time, Louis van Gaal, said to him that he was not 'tough enough' to be a good defender.

-Pique and Shakira share the same birthday. But Shakira is 10 years older than Pique!

The View from White Hart Lane

The Writer managed to contact his other close friend to ask him about the club he loves, Tottenham Hotspur. Below are what Mr. LFS (real name is confidential) has to say about the past, the current, and the future of the London-based club.

1)      How’s the summer transfer activity for Spurs (Tottenham Hotspur)?

This summer, Spurs has got what they need most in the last 2,3 transfer windows - a left back. With Spurs has to rely on the inconsistent BAE (Benoit Assou-Ekotto) and the 'incompetent' Danny Rose, the capture of Ben Davies could be the perfect solution to our left back problem. Davies' Swan-mate, Michel Vorm, could offer adequate cover and competition for Hugo Lloris (or as a replacement in case Hugo decides to move to a 'bigger' club). Our third summer signing, the up-and-coming Eric Dier from Sporting Lisbon. 'The new John Terry (or I would prefer Ledley King)' would seem a fit for Poch’s (Mauricio Pochettino) approach of nurturing young talent. Personally, I think we already have a strong side for this coming season but Poch may wants to add one more star signing in defence and his fellow Argentine, Mateo Musacchio could be on his way. 

2)      Do you support the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino? How well do you like his game?

Frankly, Mauricio Pochettino is not the first name that cross my mind. Personally I would prefer De Boer but I know it's not easy to lure him to the WHL. However, it doesn't mean Poch is not the right man for the job. He had done a wonderful job at Southampton. His fast-paced pressing game, regime training and youth-focussed approach prove to be his plus points. If given correct time and space by Levy to work his approach, he could drives Spurs forward in becoming one of regular title challengers. 

3)      How do you feel about Tim Sherwood’s stewardship last season?

I feel sorry for him. He could not offer much during his time at the WHL where he claimed that he felt like a 'substitute teacher' when everybody in the club knew he will not be with the club next season. Nonetheless, his record did not said so. He recorded the highest 59% winning ratio for Spurs in top flight compared to other Spurs manager during his 6-month 'substitute' at the WHL. Levy's ego and preference of big name saw his ability as a manager was not fully exploited. 

 4)      Who is the Spurs player to watch for this upcoming season?

Hugo Lloris and Super Jan (Jan Vertonghen) might be our star players, but our signing of the season for last term, Christian Eriksen is the player to watch and could be one of our best players we have ever produced. His set piece delivery, his magic touch, work rate and lack of ego prove that he is one of our best assets. 

5)      Who is  the young Spurs talent to shine this upcoming season?

All eyes will be on our record signing, Erik Lamela. He is set to bounce back after disastrous debut season at the Lane. He already scored 3 goals from 4 pre season friendlies and will be more than ready to start our season. The other young talent to watch is our new signing, Ben Davies. Pochettino has a good track record in flourishing youth player and Davies will become a perfect example. 

6)      Lastly, where will Spurs finish in the league this upcoming season?

Poch already stated that this coming season will see Spurs focus on improving their style of play. Therefore, he needs more than 1 season to build Spurs to become a title challenger. For the upcoming season, with the bunch of players we have and Pochettino's tactical approach, a top 5 finish would be a good target. 

#COYS

Fight for GAZA...in Football

It was an ugly scene. Yes. But this was some evidence to show that football have reacted to Israel's cruel assault of Palestine. Above here, supporters of pro-Palestinians were seen to have been involved in an ugly brawl with players of Maccabi Haifa (an Israeli club) during a friendly match in Austria. Meanwhile on the other side of the world, football fans have also shown their supports for Palestine as pictured below.

  

Footballers also fulfill their responsibility of being the public role model in supporting against the Israel's heartless homicide. The messages although powerless, still raise public awareness on this issues...

Then, there was the story of how Cristiano Ronaldo refused to swap his jersey with an Israeli player after a match and was quoted as saying "I don't exchange my jersey with assassins". Besides, he also gave his support in term of financial aid to Palestinians. In November 2012 he donated his award-winning Golden Boot worth 1.5 Million Euro to the Palestine Nation.

In the meantime, The Writer wanted to congratulate Palestine national football team for their historic achievement in getting qualified for the Asian Cup 2015 to be hosted in Australia. It was a shame to see Malaysia who have better football infrastructure, better football program, and far more peaceful than the Palestinians, cannot qualify themselves into the Asian's most prestigious football tournament...