If it seemed like Ryan Giggs had a tough reception when he was appointed Wales manager, it was nothing compared to the grief his Class of ’92 colleague Phil Neville has just experienced.
Having come like a bolt out of the blue as the shock hot tip for the vacant England women’s manager job in early January, Neville was unveiled by the FA on January 23 – and both were instantly under the cosh.
“Phil has never been a number one anywhere else before,” spluttered Danny Mills on Radio 5 Live. “He’s now going into a team that’s third in the world. How can he just jump above everybody else?” Mills’ was not a lone voice: fans, football writers and some sports charities also wanted to know how the 41-year-old could take on the top-ranked team in Europe without having ever worked in the women’s game and with barely a trace of managerial experience. “This feels like a kick in the teeth to the team,” the charity Women in Sport said in a statement.
This story is from the March 2018 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2018 edition of When Saturday Comes.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Pirate Transmission
Broadcasters around the world are paying huge sums to screen football, but they will not be willing to invest if they cannot be protected.
Scandi Drama
Years before it was screened live in the UK, England’s Football League was building a cult following abroad thanks to a visionary broadcaster.
Pot Of Gold
A rare meeting between two local rivals brought FA Cup fever – and a useful financial boost – to one corner of Hertfordshire
Digital Divide
From earnest post-match punditry to being used in actual players’ matchday preparations, the virtual game is becoming increasingly blurred with reality.
Haringey Ladder
The decision to walk off in the face of abuse has shone a national spotlight on a community club with a progressive approach
Bournemouth 0 Norwich City 0
Dean Court may have received a Premier League facelift but against today’s visitors the home team fail to live up to their status, although the low-quality draw they play out is still somehow reassuring.
Room With A View
Hampden Park
Not In The Script
ARSENAL FILM
Out Of Place...
After another unsuccessful qualifying attempt Martin O’Neill is under pressure, while a poor Republic of Ireland squad is only getting weaker
Uncomfortable Truth
At the end of April Sheffield United surprised many people by re-signing Ched Evans, who, following a retrial, has now been found not guilty of the rape charge for which he spent two-and-a-half years in prison.
