Letter: Coaches to blame, not the players
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: In the weeks after Manchester United relied on favourable results elsewhere to progress in Europe, is it not about time that the real culprits stood up to be counted and took the blame for British football's inability to achieve lasting success at European club and international level?
I refer to the coaches and managers in this country who have failed time and time again to do justice to the players and supporters. If Celta Vigo's triumph over Liverpool does nothing else, surely the overwhelming defeat by this relative pauper (most expensive player pounds 1.25m) should at least tell Liverpool it is how they are doing it that is wrong, not who they have. British playing talent is as good as any in the world, it just needs decent coaches. There are a few - Steve Harrison consistently proves his ability - and Aston Villa have outperformed nearly everyone this season with a team of British journeymen. Clough rarely spent big money on players but made silk purses out of the likes of players like McGovern, Burns, O'Hare and Robertson.
When you have David Pleat as a "Director of Football" seemingly acknowledged as a guru, perhaps you should pay some attention to the things he says - he talks of Edgar Davids as a good box-to-box player who gets his foot in and Kluivert as a man with a good engine. I think he is missing the point, or betraying that his focus is narrow, unimaginative and way off- beam - along with too many British colleagues.
NIGEL CUBBAGE
Markyate, Herts
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments