Soccer (aka football)

I saw this and I am shocked. His influence on the game can't be understated - I grew up in the 70's / 80's, and knew of him, but not with the same understanding that I know of him now.

The soccer teams I coach are molded in the style of Barcelona, a style that Cruyff played a huge role in shaping and developing.

Best wishes for his recovery, hoping it wasn't diagnosed too late.

 

Topscorer who was working in a factory to make ends meet just a few years ago, new coach who was shunned as an outcast and picked to be the first coach fired in the league this season, relative unknown who rises to win player of the year honors, goalkeeper living in the shadow of his 5-time Champion father, newly promoted team who faced relegation a mere 12 months ago. A rag-tag group facing 5000-1 odds to win it all ... wins it all.

Sounds like a made-for-TV Bad News Bears movie. And yet it all just happened.

 

Stunning stuff! From almost relegated to the big win. I'm no Leicester fan, but even I have to doff my cap at this achievement.

I'm out of touch; does anyone know how their current payroll compares to the likes of Spurs & Man U etc?

In other words, are they "spending their way to the top?" - My limited knowledge these days suggests not, which makes it an even bigger achievement. Congrats!

At least my guys (Spurs) get to play in the big boys leagues next season!

Cheers,
Ian

 

They did it with minimal payroll, making it that much sweeter!

 

I temember seeing one pre-game stat which showed each individual of the Man U starting 11 made more than the entire Leicester starting 11 combined. It was something like The total money on the field was "Hundreds of millions" vs "21 million" pounds.

 

Wow! Thanks.

Makes it even more impressive.

FWIW, & contrary to some comments above, I still believe the EPL remains the strongest league overall. Sure, the Spanish & Italian leagues are strong, but overall I believe the EPL is the top of the pile.

But then maybe I'm just a little biased.

Cheers,
Ian

 

Tottenham played into Chelsea's hands. Ugly and not befitting of their persona...not surprised they didn't win the title - not an insult, more a mental thing.

All I can say is WOW. Ranieri wasn't considered the savior, and in the aftermath of Nigel Pearson, LC seemed doomed to relegation.

Instead, Ranieri played it cool - a MASTERFUL job to say the least. Vardy was out of nowhere, and many of these guys were (as some are saying) "misfits". I don't like that term, because clearly there is talent, but they were certainly cast-offs.

I had tears in my eyes. The analogy to my older girls' soccer team is incredible - a group of unwanted, cast-offs that many didn't even give a chance, and we won our league's premier flight last season in DOMINATING fashion.

Great job by Leicester City - fans, workers, players, coaches, and management!

 

I don't think that's true actually. The EPL tv right deals makes sure every PL club has a healthy budget.

Leicester currently has an annual payroll of £35M which in European terms is still a sig. sum. It's no wonder that almost all of the PL clubs are in the top 30 list of clubs with the highest annual budget.



But we all know the Brits, the media especially, love their drama.

Spanish leaque IMO, they've been leading the UEFA ranking for years, are winning everything (not just Barca and Real), Europa League as well.

And watching the Spanish football regularly, the tech.ability, even among smaller clubs is great. Both technically and tactically the Spanish leaque is superior IMO.

 

About a quarter of what the top 4 teams paid out. Premier League Club's*Wage Bills In 2016 (Revealed)

Great season. So cool to see them put it all together when everybody was predicting their stumble.

 

Yes, I was mistaken. I looked it up, and the graphic I remember appears to be transfer fees LC vs Man City. Still, a very inexpensively assembled starting 11.
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Wow! That's borderline insane! They spent less than 10% of Man City in xfer fees and comprehensively beat them.

I certainly don't claim to know, but I'd almost be willing to bet LC's payroll is in the same 10% of MC's range. At least for now.

Throw in the Champs league next season (big money!) and an argument could be made LC had the most effective EPL season ever. Guys will sign for a 'discount' to play in the champs league. Very interested to see what they do moving forward.

Cheers,
Ian

 

The fact that anyone on MC makes more than Aguero is insane. Did you see his goal last weekend?

 

Similar story is Rooney, although a good player, never near as good as his wage suggested.

But he probably sells a lot of shirts....

 

Good to see the Tottenham Snotrockets completely choke and tank the end of the season finishing behind Arsenal for 21 straight years.

 

2 points in their final 4 games. Lots of late concessions in that span. 3 short-handed ones today in the last 15 minutes - wow, that was really, really bad.

 

Rather than start a new thread, figured I would add my thoughts on the USA situation...

Tonight we play Paraguay in a must tie or win scenario to advance at the Copa America. I want the team to lose big and here is why. I don't like Klinsmann as manager. He is not helping USA futbol. He is condescending, like the rest of the world is to USA talent. He has elected to stay with his veteran group of players, many not even American really. C'mon, find and develop the young talented players, and train them in your system to perform. Oh, guess what, Klinsmann has no system. He takes the best players in his opinion and finds a way to get them on the field together and hopes for the best, many are out of position every time they start for the US team. He runs the hell out of everyone in camps to prepare for any game with the hope that better fitness and athleticism will usurp talent and tactical smarts, doesn't work. I would hate to play for him personally. My wish is for him to be fired and we hire an American coach, like Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley, or Steve Sampson...all AMERICANS who understood the underdog role, but most importantly someone who knows tactics/systems of play. If we lose tonite, I could see him get the axe. Sorry, pulling for defeat this go around.

...and if we lose and they don't fire him, yikes! I'm torn, only way to get him out is to lose, and I hate to wish that upon the lads. :/

If we prevail, it's more of going nowhere under his tenure imho. And expect all the older veteran players to keep us in mediocrity for another 2 years of qualifications.

 

Eatin my words, :/
Instead of losing the job, Klinsmann and company have us in semifinals now. I'll humbly wish the boys well. It's Argentina's tourney to lose, but watch out Mexico and USA now, lol.

 

IT was USA's game to lose today, given the venue and momentum they carried in to it. And they hung tough - not a pretty win, but who cares, so long as you win. Acknowledging that several teams are coasting at this tournament, it's still great to see the US bounce back from a lackluster opening-day loss, and win 3 (very different) games in a row.

And the US now finally has a decent back four, which will keep us in games a little bit longer.

That said, I'd wish for more from Michael Bradley, whose star seems to be fading all to quickly.

 

Enjoyed the ecuador usa match despite not being a soccer fan. Too bad usa will probably have to face Argentina next round. Will be fun to watch

 

For some reason I called this final to be penalties with messi missing the shot for the loss. Know next to nothing about soccer but feel messi is cursed for Argentina

is there another great athlete that has these kind of finals? Used to be A rod but he finally came thru. Maybe thhe russian hockey player on capitals?

 

Horribly officiated game.

 

Couldnt tell how refs did but a lot of aggressive complaining.

alex ovechkin is other cursed great player like messi