Herbie von Smalls

you didn't mention the appalling predilection for injuries

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from wednesday's Financial Times: Arsenal's Robin van Persie is no longer a suspect in a rape case, Rotterdam's public prosecutor announced, with the case dismissed for lack of evidence.

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i wonder if rafa had bolo turn up in his full kit under a full moon at midnight

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i believe you, elisha (this time ). i was commenting on the notion that it would be insane for such a 'possibility'

according to the FT, perez sanctioned some €425m (=£290m) in transfer fees since his tenure began in 2000. and they haven't won a title since 2003. are you watching, roman abramobitch?

... because clearly he would prefer tp ignore all medical advice and jeopardise his contract and career for a few quenches

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regardless of who's gone or who might replace them, real madrid aren't likely to alter their business strategy to the extent that the board has no input over first team policy. the club has regained its financial fortunes by the galactico policy - something that is anathema to rafa, if his comments about signing 'the right players' at the latest LFC agm are to be believed. real madrid is a global 'brand' (f***, do i hate that term in relation to football clubs!) and much of its to-ings and fro-ings are at the behest of sponsors and with a worldwide fanbase in mind. rafa was quick to turn his back on valencia because of board interference - particularly as regards their transfer policy. he is at a world famous club with as much autonomy in his role as a manager/coach could hope for and while he may have an emotional attachment to real, he knows it doesn't get much better in terms of being an architect for the 'rebirth' of success. under any other circumstances, i imagine it would be a tempting offer to return to his former employers, but he would have to compromise a lot of his own ideals and principles and toe the line. while he has achieved a certain degree of success in his shortish stint in top flight management, i'd say he hasn't warranted enough prestige to be able to call the shots at the world's richest club. i wouldn't be surprised to see him return there later in his career, but i firmly believe he enjoys the freedom of moulding LFC to his vision of a great club. to those with doubts, i say 'have some bloody faith, you doom-mongers'

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didn't he say he was contracted to us for another three years and intended to honour that?

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maybe this is a cunning ploy to start the 'who should we sign as rafa's replacement?' debate. so it's: o'neill eriksson curbishley allardyce jewell nigel clough have i missed out any?

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