ISSUE
#4
FINAL WHISTLE www.finalwhistle.co.in
endofofan anera era TheTheend AdiosPep PepGuardiola Guardiola ADIOS
The Anfield Dilemma
Spotlight: Leeds United
Transfer Central PLUS !"Talent"Scout"-"Ander"Herrera !"Legends"Feature"-"Johan"Cruyff !"Statistics"feature !"Humor"Section !"All"the"off-field"Gossip"
CONTENTS The Anfield Dilemma The rot has set in at Liverpool, is it time for a change at the top? Here’s a list of the failures of Kenny Dalglish and why it’s time for him to go.
Pep Guardiola Special The great Catalan manager has decided to call it a day and has stepped down from his throne. Our editorial pays tribute to the man who brought back the concept of ‘Total Football’
Having a tough week? Struggling to find reasons to laugh? Final Whistle is here to save your day! Put your worries aside and get prepared to have your funny bone tickled in our Humor Section.
SPOTLIGHT: Leeds United One of the most wellsupported clubs in England has seen and done it all from European glory to hitting rock bottom. Relive all the past glory and agony of the Peacocks in our Club Spotlight feature. We scout Basque playmaker Ander Herrera in this edition’s
Talent Scout. Like to play with numbers? Then you’ll love our Statistics section, with the nitty gritty of the Premier League and European action covered comprehensively. The club season is nearing it’s end and Fixtures gives you all the dates of the upcoming final cup games. Mark your calendars! The mind-boggling Quiz returns! Final Whistle Issue #4
a round-up of all the gossip from the english papers!
Editorial
The end of another pulsating season, the end of another era.. I am yet to introduce myself to you, so finally in this fourth issue, I will let you into my small humble abode. I’m a huge football enthusiast as you might have gathered from all the previous issues. I have been a follower of the beautiful game since eleven years - it has become my bread and butter, my window into another world, a world where anything can happen, you can experience the highs and lows of life in a matter of a few nerve wracking moments. I’m sure most of you hard core fans can relate to the feeling. Final Whistle is my portal to that world. It is my way of spreading my knowledge and love for the game to the world. I hope all you readers like what you read and I am always open to suggestions and advice. In this issue I have tried to put together all the richness of history (Club Spotlight - Leeds United), a bit of the new (Talent Scout Ander Herrera) and of course appreciating what Pep Guardiola gave us in these four wonderful years. Enjoy the issue guys! Pranav Dar Final Whistle Owner
“Veni, vidi, vici.” I came, I saw, I conquered. Words that could not be truer in the case of Pep Guardiola. To say that he has changed the face of modern football would be an understatement of gigantic proportions. The Dutch invented the concept of “Total Football”, Guardiola perfected it. Johann Cryuff’s dream was to see Barcelona become the best team in the world through their cantera policy and while he didn’t quite achieve it, he has seen his pupil complete his life’s work. Guardiola was the Barcelona ‘B’ team coach when he was called up to take the manager’s hot seat after Frank Rijkaard was let go. There was a rot setting in the team - the desire, the energy, the passion was lacking, Rijkaard had to go. Guardiola is a Catalan through and through and he was well loved as a player. He had won promotion with the Barcelona ‘B’ team in his first season in charge. But could he inspire the senior squad to do the same? Did he have it in him to pull Barcelona from the brink and turn them into European powerhouses again? There was no doubt among the Barcelona board of directors as to the credibility of their appointment, but the rest of the world looked on with indifference, expecting Guardiola to strike out and soon be on his way. It all seems like a laughable matter now, but the pressure was on Pep to turn on the afterburners and get the wagon wheel rolling from the off.
MANAGERIAL HONORS La Liga: 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 UEFA Champions League 2008-09, 2010-11 Copa Del Rey: 2008-09 UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011 FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011 Supercopa de Espana: 2009, 2010, 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or Best Coach: 2011 La Liga Coach of the Year: 2009, 2010, 2011 UEFA Team of the Year Best Coach: 2008-09, 2010-11 Final Whistle Issue #4
And how he has thrived under that pressure. An incredible haul of 13 trophies in just under four years in charge of Barcelona, with another Copa Del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on the horizon is a record you will be hard pressed to find anywhere. He might not be the best tactician in the world of football, but there is a certain aura about him which makes him a special manager. But the biggest quality which Guardiola possesses as a manager is that he got his players to play for him. Every time the likes of Messi, Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol took to the field, you could sense there was a will to win and stick to their La Masia principles “Pass and move”. Not only has Guardiola managed to instill faith in his extremely talented squad, he has made the most complete footballing side the world has ever seen. Such aesthetically pleasing football has never been seen and might never be seen again. Let us all come together to appreciate the beautiful four years Josep Guardiola has given to the footballing community. We bow down to him and salute a true football man. Gracias, Pep.
CLUB SPOTLIGHT
Final Whistle documents the remarkable journey of Leeds United from European heavyweights to sinking rock bottom into League One and their current plight in the nPower Championship Founded in 1919, Leeds United embarked on a roller coaster journey that has taken them to within touching distance of the European Cup, enjoy domestic dominance during the Don Revie era and eventually endure a fall from grace as they entered administration and were sent tumbling down to League One. Following the disbanding of local club Leeds City, Leeds United have competed with English football’s elite members for the majority of their existence. The club enjoyed it’s most successful period under Don Revie during the 1960s and 1970s, winning two First Division titles, the FA Cup, the League Cup and the Inter-Cities Fair Cup twice (now branded as the Europa League).
OVERVIEW
Name: Leeds United A.F.C. Founded: 1919 Nickname: The Whites, United, The Peacocks Stadium: Elland Road Capacity: 39,460 Division: nPower Championship STAFF
Chairman: Ken Bates Manager: Neil Warnock ACHIEVEMENTS
After Revie departed to manage the England national team, Leeds were relegated to the old Second Division and only managed to come back in 1990. Howard Wilkinson led them to the league crown just two years later in 1992 but that was to be the last jewel in the silverware collection. Leeds competed for places in Europe during the 1990s and early 2000s but then they were hit by severe financial difficulties which saw a mass exodus of players and their subsequent drop into the lower divisions of English football. Final Whistle Issue #4
FA Cup: 1972 League Cup: 1968 UEFA Cup: 1968, 1971 Record Goal-Scorer: Peter Lorimer (219) Most Appearances: Jack Charlton (772)
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EARLY YEARS Leeds United were formed in 1919 after predecessor club Leeds City FC were disbanded by The Football League after they were found guilty of illegal payments to players during World War 1. Leeds United were voted into the Midland League and tok the place vacated by Leeds City Reserves. The club were loaned £35,000 from Huddersfield Town chairman, Mr. Hilton Crowther, which was to be paid back when Leeds won promotion to the old Division One. Crowther also brought Barnsley’s manager Arthur Fairclough to the club relegating the then Leeds manager, Dick Ray, to the post of assistant. Leeds United were elected into The Football League on 31 May, 1920. They enjoyed a solid start to life in the Second Division and won promotion to DIvision One for the first time in their short history in 1924. However, the squad struggled to impose themselves at the highest level and lost their top flight status as they were relegated in 1926-27. This prompted Fairclough to resign and pave the way for Ray to return as manager. In the years leading up to World War II, Leeds suffered relegation twice, both times winning promotion the following season.
Leeds were relegated again in the 1946-47 season and stayed in the Second Division until 1955-56 when they were promoted back to the top flight, inspired by Welsh legend John Charles. But the club failed to convince Charles about their ambitions and he left for Juventus for a then world record fee of £65,000. The loss of such an integral member of the squad hit the club hard and this led to Leeds being relegated again in 1959-60.
Don Revie - The Glory Years Don Revie was appointed manager in March 1961 but his reign began in adverse circumstances, the club was on the verge of bankruptcy and only a win on the final day of the 1961-62 season saved them from going down to Division Three. Revie turned the club’s fortunes around, winning promotion back to the First Division in 1963-64. He built one of the greatest English club sides during his time at the helm. Leeds never finished outside the top four between 1965-1974. They won two league championships, one FA Cup, one League Cup and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups during this period. During the same period, Leeds finished runners-up in the league five times, losing finalists in the FA Cup thrice and lost the European Cup Winners Cup final 1-0 to AC Milan. It was also during this time that Leeds United picked up the tag of “Dirty Leeds” due to their style of play. Revie had instilled a never-say-die attitude among
his players which was perceived as crossing the line at times. But there can be no doubt about the latter years of Revie’s reign, the football they produced was on a different level to the rest of the English top flight clubs.
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Brian Clough, Failure, Revival
Brian Clough, Failure, Revival Revie left Elland Road in 1974 to manage the English national team and was replaced by Brian Clough. This was a surprise appointment as Clough had been an outspoken critic of Revie and his tactics. Clough’s managerial reign was short-lived (only 44 days) and it was riddled with controversy and poor performances as the players refused to play under him. He was replaced by former England captain Jimmy Armfield who took them to the European Cup final in 1974-75 where they were defeated under controversial circumstances by Bayern Munich. But he struggled to replicated Revie’s form in the domestic league in the subsequent seasons and was eventually sacked and replaced by Jock Stein who also lasted just 44 days before leaving to manage his beloved Scotland.
After several more managerial changes, the Leeds board appointed Howard Wilkinson who was to lead the club into their second golden era. He oversaw promotion back to the First Division in 1989-90 and won the title just 2 years later. But the following year was a poor one for Leeds they suffered an early exit in the Champions League and narrowly avoided relegation. Leeds struggled to perform to their high standards and another poor performance in the 1996 League Cup final did not help Wilkinson’s position. After a heavy defeat to Manchester United in the 1996-67 season, Wilkinson’s contract was terminated. But he will always be fondly remembered for setting up the famous Leeds youth academy during his time in charge.
European Action, financial implosion, relegation George Graham replaced Wilkinson but soon moved on to manage Tottenham Hotspur. Leeds decided to promote assistant manager David O’Leary and it proved to be a successful move. O’Leary introduced promising youngsters into the squad while signing Mark Viduka to replace Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Leeds finished 3rd in the league and during that season, they reached the UEFA Cup semi-final where they lost to Galatasaray. The following season, O’Leary signed Rio Ferdinand from West Ham for a record fee of £18 million. Leeds reached the semifinal of the Champions League that term but were knocked out by Valencia. That Leeds team is still regarded as one of the best English sides in Europe. But trouble was on the horizon for Leeds. Peter Ridsdale, the chairman, had taken out loans for the club in anticipation of TV rights and sponsorship revenues that comes with Champions League qualification. However, Leeds narrowly failed to finish 4th and this had severe ramifications on the club’s finances. The first sign of trouble was when they had to sell Ferdinand for 30 million. This led to a spat between O’Leary and Ridsdale and O’Leary was let go. His replacement, Terry Venables, could not fare Final Whistle Issue #4
any better as all the star players were being let go to balance the books. Players like Jonathan Woodgate, Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Harry Kewell, Lee Bowyer and Robbie Keane departed and Leeds failed to find adequate replacements for them. Leeds were relegated in 2003-04 after 14 years in the top flight. They were forced to sell their training ground and their stadium in 2004. The board finally sold the club to Ken Bates for £10 million. The club had some solid seasons in the Championship before suffering relegation again and they reached rock bottom as they were relegated into League One. But the club bounced back into the Championship thanks to a brilliant return of goals from Jermaine Beckford. They are currently looking to win back promotion to the Barclays Premier League.
The summer transfer window is just around the corner and we all know what that means, don’t we? The rumors are already in full swing as the major players are linked to all the big clubs. Here is a pick of all the transfers that are likely to happen. Name: Eden Hazard Current Club: Lille OSC Linked to: Manchester United, Manchester City French football’s worst kept secret, Hazard has revealed he will be leaving Lille at the end of the season and there will no shortage of suitors for this brilliant playmaker. This transfer saga already looks like it will drag on through the summer. Name: Shinji Kagawa Current Club: Borussia Dortmund Linked to: Manchester United The Japanese star has been in outstanding form for Dortmund this season and has been touted as the perfect replacement for Paul Scholes. Ferguson was seen scouting him in the DFB Pokal final so expect this deal to happen.
Name: Radamel Falcao Current Club: Atletico Madrid Linked to: Chelsea The scorer in 2 consecutive Europa League finals, Falcao is one of the hottest strikers in Europe. Chelsea have long been his admirers but his future is in the hands of the Atletico hierarchy. A swap deal involving Torres has been doing the rounds.
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Name: Dimitar Berbatov Current Club: Manchester United
Linked to: Lazio, Bayern Leverkusen Berbatov is set to leave United this summer and Lazio or Bayer Leverkusen look like his most likely destination. Name: Gonzalo Higuain Current Club: Real Madrid Linked to: Chelsea, PSG Higuain is reportedly unhappy at Real Madrid with his lack of playing time. Mourinho wants to keep hold of the Argentine but Higuain is keen to move on and Carlo Ancelotti has already expressed an interest in him. A bid around 20 million could do the magic.
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Name: Clint Dempsey Current Club: Fulham Linked to: Liverpool, Juventus Dempsey has been in red hot form this season for Fulham and it would be surprising if he stays at Craven Cottage next season. Liverpool may miss out on him given their current state so Juventus are the frontrunners to snap up the USA international. He is in the prime of his career so he will be an astute signing for the Bianconeri. Name: Gregory Van der Wiel Current Club: Ajax Amsterdam Linked to: AS Roma, Chelsea
Name: Hulk Current Club: FC Porto Linked to: Anzhi Makhachkala
Van der Wiel has only one year remaining on his contract and is likely to part ways with Ajax this summer. Chelsea are in desperate need of a right-back with the bidding expected to start around 5 million Euros.
This deal has been in the pipeline for a while and looks set to be completed this summer. The only stumbling block is the 80 million price tag the Porto directors have slapped on Hulk, but given the cash Anzhi possess, it should be overcome.
Name: Robin van Persie Current Club: Arsenal Linked to: Juventus, Barcelona Will he, won’t he? It all depends on van Persie’s desire to sign a new contract with Arsenal. He has just one year remaining and if he doesn’t extend his current deal, the whole of Europe will line up to get his services. Let’s hope he decides on his future before the European Championship and puts us out of our misery.
Name: Jan Vertonghen Current Club: Ajax Amsterdam Linked to: Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur Another Ajax player who looks sure to depart the club in the summer transfer window. He looked Spurs bound until Arsenal stepped in and declared their interest in him. Vermaelen might influence him to join the Gunners but whoever wins the bidding war will earn themselves a top-notch center half.
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Name: Milos Krasic Current Club: Juventus Linked to: Tottenham Hotspur Krasic’s career has come to a stand still at Juventus as he has fallen out of favor with manager Antonio Conte. It is inevitable that he will be on his way out this summer with Harry Redknapp’s Spurs looking the most likely destination.
THE ANFIELD DILEMMA
The air was rife with optimism when John Henry took over at Liverpool and his first move, to appoint Kenny Dalglish as manager, was met with an overwhelmingly positive reaction from the fans. 2 years on, Liverpool seem to be in a worse position than they were at the time of the take over. ÂŁ110 million spent and Liverpool have just one Carling Cup to show for their efforts. Not quite what Henry had in mind, with a Champions League spot being touted as an acceptable target at the start of the season. It's been a topsy-turvy ride for the club and there in only one man who has to shoulder the majority of the blame - Kenny Dalglish. Just 6 wins at home in the league are not acceptable for a club of Liverpool's standard yet it is no more than they deserve, turning in lethargic performances week after week. Only Luis Suarez has held his own in a season of mediocrity for the Anfield outfit. His conversion rate is one of the poorest in the league but that is not down to a lack of effort, rather lady luck has seemed to desert him. He has hit the post more than any other player in the league, the woodwork denying him seemingly on a weekly basis. Final Whistle Issue #4
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Summer Acquisitions What about Dalglish's summer signings? Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson arrived for a combined total of £46 million and have proceeded to become the laughing stock of the Premier League. Adam has looked a far shot from the player he was at Blackpool, his performances deteriorating week after week. Blackpool built their team around him, Liverpool have failed to make him a part of their system. His corners, described by Sir Alex Ferguson as being worth £10 million alone, have been truly woeful. Jordan Henderson is a young player, but his confidence must have taken a battering this season. Being shoved to the right-wing, an unfamiliar position did not help Henderson's development. He might have racked up a number of appearances in his debut season, but it feels like a step backward rather than one in a positive direction. £16 million looked like a steal when Dalglish signed him, but it's turned into a red nightmare for Liverpool. However, he still has time on his side and if played in his favored central midfield position, one hopes that he'll revive his fading potential. What of Stewart Downing? Statistics speak a lot more than anyone ever could. Zero goals and zero assists in the Premier League all season, an unenviable and unwanted record. He has played a starring role in their Cup runs but in a way, Downing has characterized Liverpool's impotency in front of goal this season. He has struggled to impose himself on the left wing and the player who used to terrorize right-backs at Middlesbrough and Aston Villa looks like a shadow of his former self.
Andy Carroll has endured a terrible season, spending most of the season warming the bench. Air shots, poor passing and no link-up play have been a feature of his play all season, his repertoire of tricks for all to see every week. But he seems to have found his form of late, scoring a few crucial goals just when everyone had written him off. There is a lot of raw talent hidden somewhere in that six foot frame, but the question remains, is Liverpool the club to unearth it? Final Whistle Issue #4
Only Craig Bellamy can emerge with any credit as far as Dalglish’s summer acquisitions go. He has worked hard and has given his all to the Liverpool cause, a player who the fans have taken to on his second stint at the club. He stepped up to the plate when Carroll was misfiring and Suarez had suffered a dip in form, lifting the team by the scruff of their necks. 33 years old now, he might have another big season left and Liverpool should make the most of it. The irony? He was signed as a free transfer.
The ‘King’ Kenny Conundrum Lucas Leiva has been the player Liverpool have missed the most. Ever since his terrible injury, the Reds have lacked steel and bite in the center of midfield and have been overrun in most games. Steven Gerrard's injury worries have not helped their plight and it is in the center of the park that Liverpool have often lost their nerve. Kenny Dalglish has not covered himself in glory this season. A failure to produce results, an alarmingly poor home form and terrible handling of the Luis Suarez racist row have cast a dark shadow on his managerial reign. It was a PR lesson on how not to handle a situation, a terrible decision by one who is held in such high regard in the world of football. He has not been able to inspire his troops to play to his system, a failure that now sees them look up at their Merseyside rivals in the table. An eighth place finish has to be regarded as one of the most shocking and poorest seasons in Liverpool’s rich history and given the amount of money spent, it is an aberration. Liverpool have a major summer transfer window coming up, with a mass exodus looking likely. Luis Suarez has been linked with a move away to Paris St. Germain, Martin Skrtel has handed in a transfer request and there are question marks over Dalglish's future as well. Will Henry persist with him and trust him to improve the squad he has built or will he seek a new manager, a fresh face at Anfield? Wigan manager Roberto Martinez has been linked with the manager's hot seat already after pulling off another dramatic escape from the brink of relegation. Change might well be the order of the day since there is a general feeling among the supporters that Dalglish has run his course. Cup runs aside, he has failed to improve the league performances - in fact, they seemed to have gotten worse. Statistics reveal that Roy Hodgson had a better record during his short tenure at Anfield than Dalglish, and was sacked within three months. It sure promises to be a very busy, and perhaps crucial, summer ahead for Liverpool. Final Whistle Issue #4
Cover
Cover #2
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Stat Attack
Talent Scout
Contact Us
Promo
Contents Fixtures
Gracias Pep Humor Section
Spotlight
Player Profile
Gossip Column
Quiz
A look at football through the numbers. 499!"!Manchester!United!have!won!499!games!in!Premier!League!history. 603!"!The!four!managers!with!the!best!win!%!in!Premier!League!history!(50+!games)!are!Mourinho!(71%),! Ferguson!(65%),!Ancelotti!(63%)!and!Mancini!(62%). 5!"!On!May!19,!Blackpool!can!become!the!first!team!to!win!promotion!from!the!Football!League!playoffs! five!times. 4!"!Jermaine!Pennant!has!provided!more!assists!as!a!substitute!than!any!other!Premier!League!player!this! season. 0!"!The!only!two!teams!not!to!come!from!behind!to!win!a!game!in!the!Premier!League!this!season!are! Manchester!United!and!Newcastle!United. 2("!Atletico!Madrid!are!the!third!side!to!win!the!UEFA!Cup!twice!in!three!years,!after!Sevilla!and!Real! Madrid. 3!"!Stewart!Downing!is!the!first!player!to!miss!three!penalties!in!a!row!in!the!Premier!League!since!Juan! Pablo!Angel!in!February!2005. 0!"!Norwich!City!have!never!won!a!Premier!League!game!on!a!Sunday. 4!"!Liverpool!have!scored!4+!goals!in!a!league!game!in!every!season!since!returning!to!the!top!flight!in!1962. 2!"!Number!of!teams!to!have!won!a!Premier!League!game!having!been!down!by!3!goals!at!half"time!(Man! United!v!Spurs!2001!and!Wolves!v!Leicester!in!2003).
4!"!Liverpool!are!only!the!third!team!to!win!4!consecutive!Premier!League!games!against!Chelsea. 0("!Newcastle!United!are!the!only!team!not!to!have!scored!an!own!goal!in!the!Premier!League!this!season. 16!"!Only!one!player!(Andy!Johnson!04/05)!has!ever!scored!more!goals!for!a!relegated!side!than!Yakubu!this! season. 15!"!Blackburn!have!conceded!the!most!goals!from!corners!in!the!Premier!League!this!season. 15!"!!Aston!Villa!have!dropped!more!points!than!any!other!team!from!winning!positions!on!home!turf. 5!"!All!5!penalties!Tottenham!have!won!this!season!have!been!away!from!home. 11!"!Arsenal!have!scored!more!goals!than!any!other!team!in!the!opening!15!minutes!of!matches!this!season. 12!"!Demba!Ba!has!failed!to!score!in!all!12!league!games!where!he!and!Papiss!Demba!Cisse!have!started! together. 50!"!Messi!has!scored!50!goals!in!La!Liga!this!season,!an!all"time!record!in!Spain’s!top"flight. 112!"!Guardiola’s!Barcelona!have!set!a!new!record!for!most!goals!scored!in!a!single!league!season. 88!"!Antonio!Di!Natale!has!been!caught!offside!88!times!this!term,!a!record!amongst!the!top"5!European! leagues. 29!"!Falcao!has!scored!29!goals!in!29!Europa!League!games. 20!"!Edinson!Cavani!is!the!player!that!has!scored!more!without!penalties!in!Serie!A. 28!"!Juventus!have!won!the!Scudetto!28!times. 58!"!AC!Milan!were!unbeaten!for!58!consecutive!league!games!from!May!1991!to!March!1993,!the!longest! run!in!Serie!A!history. 48!"!Klaas"Jan!Huntelaar!scored!48!goals!in!48!competitive!games!this!season!"!the!first!Schalke!player!to! reach!this!number. 81!"!Marc"Andre!ter!Stegen!has!saved!81%!of!all!shots!saved,!!the!best!rate!in!Bundesliga!2011/12. 27!"!Borussia!Dortmund’s!Sebastian!Kehl!has!played!27!Bundesliga!games!this!season!without!having!lose!a! single!one. 2000!"!Yann!M’Vila!is!the!first!Ligue!1!player!to!complete!over!2000!passes!in!a!single!campaign!since! 2006/07. 2!"!Lionel!Messi!and!Eden!Hazard!are!the!only!players!to!have!scored!15+!goals!and!assisted!15+!goals!this! season!in!the!top!5!European!leagues. 6!"!Eden!Hazard!has!won!more!penalties!than!any!other!Ligue!1!player!this!season. 7!"!In!seven!Premier!League!games!this!season,!Djibril!Cisse!has!either!scored!(five!times)!or!been!sent!off! (twice). 108!"!Messi!has!scored!108!more!league!goals!than!any!other!Barcelona!player!under!Pep!Guardiola. **Figures!accurate!till!11th!May,!2012.
Johan Cruyff A look at the legend who introduced the world to the concept of ‘Total Football’ “We showed the world you could enjoy being a footballer, you could laugh and have a fantastic time. I represent the era which proved that attractive football was enjoyable and successful.” Words that give you goose bumps, words that give the beautiful sport of football meaning, words spoken by one of the greatest players the world has ever seen – Johan Cruyff. Johan Cruyff enjoys a reputation like no one else in the history of sport. He’s controversial, and yet not like Maradona, just as brilliant as Pele and a fantastic role model for youngsters. Cruyff was one of the game’s most unbelievable talents. He was a player like no other, he was a playmaker, ammunition provider and marksman all rolled into one. His ability to find a pass out of no-where, the ability to produce that moment of magic to turn a game on its head at will, is unmatched even today. Born in the shadows of Ajax’s stadium, where his mother worked, Cruyff always wanted to be a footballer. He gave up school, much to the horror of his mother aged only 12 to concentrate on the sport alone. Having a frail physique, coach Rinus Michels designed an exercise routine aimed at developing his body to withstand the robustness of a career in professional football. Cruyff first made his Ajax debut aged only 17. Within two years of that, Cruyff picked up his first league winners medal.
The Total Footballer One of Cruyff’s most legendary achievements was how he created a new style of football, never ever seen before by the world. Total football was a revolution and the football world shall forever be indebted to Johan for it. At the World Cup in1974, the dutch came in with very few expectations as they had only just managed to qualify to the event. A new coach in Rinus Michels meant more uncertainty, but with nothing to lose the Netherlands produced one of the finest teams the world had ever seen. The Dutch dazzled with their total football, a style of play epitomized by Cruyff himself. Although he was fielded as centre-forward, he wandered all over the pitch, popping up wherever he could do most damage to opponents. His team-mates adapted themselves flexibly around his movements, regularly switching positions so that the tactical roles in the team were always filled but not always by the same person. This was a revolutionary concept, and it took the world by storm.
The Dutch – inspired by Cruyff, were rampant. They destroyed Argentina 4-0, followed that up with a casual 2-0 win against East Germany and then in the semifinals they overcame Brazil in a spectacular fashion. After a rough-and-tumble contest, Michels' side walked off 2-0 winners. Cruyff struck his team's second goal, a spectacular volley in the 65th minute. Meeting a centre from Ruud Krol, he wrong footed goalkeeper Emerson Leao with his flying effort inside the near post.
So Close Yet So Far The Netherlands continued to be magnificent in the final and produced one of the finest moves that a World Cup final has ever seen as the Orange had scored before a German could touch the ball. Orange shirt to orange shirt to orange shirt, and then the ball came to Cruyff who started a run, slipped past Berti Vogts, and was mowed down by Uli Hoeness inside the box. As the Oranje failed to kill the game off, the consistent machine that a German side is, scored two before the break to make it 2-1. In the second half the Oranje failed to overcome the barrier that was keeper Sepp Maier and the title was lost. Cruyff's player of the tournament award was scant consolation.
Controversial Cruyff For one of the sport's greatest names, Cruyff's international career was relatively short. He made his debut for the Dutch national side against Hungary in September 1966 and went on to make 48 appearances for the Oranje before quitting in October 1977 aged 30. His last act on the international stage was to help the Netherlands qualify for the 1978 FIFA World Cup™ in Argentina, though by that stage he was only called up for the key fixtures. The afternoon of 7 July 1974 would be Cruyff's final appearance on the world stage. At club level Cruyff enjoyed greater longevity. Between 1971 and 1973, he won the European Cup three times in a row with Ajax. In 1973 he moved to Spain with Barcelona, collecting the league title in his first season. After announcing his retirement in 1978, he resurfaced in May 1979 in the United States where he spent a couple of seasons before a short-lived spell with Spanish second division side Levante. Ironically enough, in his mid 30s, Cruyff played some of the best football of his life. After being snubbed by his club – Ajax for a new contract, he moved to archrivals Feyenoord where he inspired the Rotterdam club to win a league and cup double. He was awarded the Footballer of the year award in successive years before the one of the most extra-ordinary football players that the world has ever seen hung up his boots in 1984 and brought down the curtain on an illustrious career.
Ander Herrera - The Diminutive Basque Magician
TALENT SCOUT
Athletic Bilbao’s Basque playmaker Ander Herrera takes center stage in this edition’s Talent Scout Athletic Club De Bilbao have always been known as a club who stick to their principles their Basque-only transfer policy has restricted their growth as compared to their La Liga counterparts over the years. Their academy has produced some world class players only to see them leave for bigger and better clubs eventually. So how proud they must have felt when they saw a young Basque star flowering before them at Real Zaragoza, a player who has the potential to be at the heart of the Spanish football team. Athletic splashed €8.5 million for Ander Herrera in February 2011 to help their push towards the luxurious, profitable and elite world of the UEFA Champions League.
Herrera is a potential Spanish national team star
Herrera began his football career at Real Zaragoza where his father worked as the club director and he made his senior debut in the Spanish Second Division in 2008-09. He made 19 appearances in his first season as Zaragoza won promotion back to La Liga. Herrera was instrumental in his first season in La Liga as he featured on a regular basis for Zaragoza, netting his first top division goal in a 4-1 defeat by Mallorca. He enjoyed another successful season in 2010-11 under both Jose Aurelio Gay and Javier Aguirre. Athletic Bilbao had been keeping an eye on him since December 2010 and after being convinced of his ever blossoming potential, swooped in for him in February 2011 on a five-year contract, effective as of July 1. It was fitting that Herrera signed for Athletic Bilbao, where he would play alongside the likes of Fernando Llorente, Javi Martinez, Oscar De Marcos and the ‘Spanish Messi’ Iker Muniain. Athletic manager Marcelo Bielsa has transformed this Basque outfit into a brilliant attacking team - he has instilled a sense of confidence and swagger in his young squad. And Herrera is at the heart of it. He is technically gifted and he possesses a feel for the ball that is reminiscent of Andres Iniesta. There have been comparisons drawn between the two Spaniards with Herrera tipped to succeed Iniesta in the national team. He played a starring role at the European Under-21 Championships for the Spanish as he scored the opening goal in the 2-0 win against Switzerland in the final. Herrera is the vital cog in Bielsa’s Athletic machine, he loves being at the heart of the action and brings his team mates into the game. With Muniain coming in from the wing and Llorente and Toquero always willing runners up front, Ander Herrera seems to have found the platform to develop his massive potential. Final Whistle Issue #4
Final May 19, 2012 12.15am Bayern Munich v Chelsea
Final May 19, 2012 7.30pm Blackpool v West Ham United
Final May 19, 2012 7.30pm Hibernian v Heart of Midlothian
*Timings are in IST and are subject to change.
Final Whistle Issue #4
Final May 20, 2012 12.15am Juventus v Napoli
Final May 25, 2012 12.30am Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona
Friendlies May 26, 2012 7.00pm Brazil v Denmark 7.30pm Norway v England 7.30pm Spain v Serbia 8.30pm Switzerland v Germany
HUMOR SECTION Had a long day at work? Struggling to find a reason to smile? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect dose for you. Take a look at these gems and laugh your worries away! Some pictures speak a thousand words, don’t they.. ⁂ Q: What's the difference between Liverpool and an albatross?
A: An albatross has got two decent wings.
⁂ Q: What is the difference between Blackburn Rovers and the bermuda triangle?
A: The bermuda triangle has three points.
⁂ Tottenham Hotspur have placed hundreds of sheets of A4 on the pitch at White Hart Lane. They heard that Spurs are only good on paper.
⁂ Roberto Mancini has stated yet
again his intention to bring in at least one new face during the summer transfer window. Carlos Tevez and Joleon Lescott are already fighting over it.
⁂ Manchester City fans are
expected to sign a one year contract extension if their side manage to clinch the Premier League title this season.
⁂ Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish has now matched Steve Kean's outstanding record of 6 home wins this season.
Hilarious Quotes “I’d like to play for an Italian club, like Barcelona.” - Mark Draper “It’s one of the greatest goals ever, but I’m surprised that people are talking about it being the goal of the season.” - Andy Gray “Chile have three options - they could win or they could lose.” - Kevin Keegan
Final Whistle Issue #4
GOSSIP COLUMN
ULTIMATE CRIME
CHICKEN ROOST
THE JOY OF WOY
The man in the picture committed the ultimate crime. Being an Arsenal supporter, he donned the Spurs jersey in front of the Emirates Stadium in order to win back his girlfriend, Sarah. Cheating on your girl, c’est la vie. Cheating on your club, unthinkable.
Some Blackburn Rovers fans managed to sneak a chicken onto the Ewood Park pitch before their final home game of the season with the message ‘Out’ directed at the Venky’s. Rovers got relegated, Venky’s stayed on and Steve Kean is still the manager. Cuck-a-doodle-doo.
The Sun came up with this amazing headline the day after Roy Hodgson was appointed as the new England manager. The FA condemned it but there was a bit of hilarity all around the world regarding the appointment, given that Harry Redknapp appeared a shoo-in for the job.
GOODBYE MILAN - THE HEROES DEPART
Final Whistle Issue #4
IT’S QUIZ TIME! 1.Which is the last team to win the Champions League/European Cup on their home ground? A. Real Madrid B. AS Roma C. Internazionale D. Benfica
10. Which African national team are called the Chipolopolo? A. Ivory Coast B. Ghana C. Zambia D. Senegal
2. In which year were Manchester United formed? A. 1892 B. 1878 C. 1888 D. 1890
11. Which was the only FIFA World Cup Finals Tournament that failed to produce a single hattrick? A. 1994 B. 2006 C. 1930 D. 1970
3. What is the name of Bolton Wanderers stadium? A. The Reebok Stadium B. Stadium of Light C. The Nike Arena D. Goodison Park 4. At which club did Alan Shearer start his career? A. Blackburn Rovers B. Southampton C. Newcastle United D. Portsmouth 5. Where was the first FA Cup final held? A. Goodison Park B. Anfield C. Old Trafford D. The Oval 6. West Bromwich Albion’s record purchase was bought for 3.5 million - but who was it? A. Peter Odemwingie B. Ben Foster C. Robert Earnshaw D. Chris Brunt 7. Who was the last player affiliated to Leeds United at the time to score a goal for England's national team? A. Alan Smith B. Lee Bowyer C. Jonathan Woodgate D. Rio Ferdinand 8. Which Nation has participated in the most men's Olympic Games Football Tournaments? A. Brazil B. Argentina C. Italy D. Spain 9. Which was the only team to wear numbers 1 to 11 since the introduction of Premier League squad numbers in 1993-94? A. Queens Park Rangers B. Sheffield United C. Coventry City D. Ipswich Town Final Whistle Issue #4
12. Which player has scored the most Premier League goals with his left foot? A. Ryan Giggs B. Harry Kewell C. Cristiano Ronaldo D. Robbie Fowler 13. Who is the only player to have amassed over 100 yellow cards during the Premier League Era? A. Lee Bowyer B. Roy Keane C. Patrick Vieira D. Thomas Gravesen 14. How many times was Brazil's Pelé the highest goalscorer in the South American Championships / Copa America? A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4 15. Which was the only club to concede 100 or more goals during a Premier League season? A. Sheffield Wednesday B. Leicester City C. Derby County D. Swindon Town 16. Which was the only FIFA World Cup tournament not to have a Final match? A. 1930 B. 1934 C. 1950 D. 1954 17. Which country won the first European Football Championships in 1960? A. USSR B. West Germany C. Italy D. Netherlands
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