This is the fourth installation of a six-part series on Olympique de Marseille. You can read “Part 1: L’homme d’affairs,” here, and  “Part 2: La Nuit Les Projecteurs Se Sont Éteints,” here. You can read “Part 3: Nuits Blanches Et Thés Frelatés,” here. You can read “Part 5: Les Retombées,” here. You can read “Part…

This is the third installation of a six-part series on Olympique de Marseille. You can read “Part 1: L’homme d’affairs,” here, and  “Part 2: La Nuit Les Projecteurs Se Sont Éteints,” here. You can read “Part 4: La Balance,” here. You can read “Part 5: Les Retombées,” here. You can read “Part 6: Le Mec…

This is the second installation of a six-part series on Olympique de Marseille. You can read “Part 1: L’homme d’affairs,” here. You can read “Part 3: Nuits Blanches Et Thés Frelatés,” here. You can read “Part 4: La Balance,” here. You can read “Part 5: Les Retombées,” here. You can read “Part 6: Le Mec de…

This is the first installation of a six-part series on Olympique de Marseille. You can read “Part 2: La Nuit Les Projecteurs Se Sont Éteints,” here. You can read “Part 3: Nuits Blanches Et Thés Frelatés,” here. You can read “Part 4: La Balance,” here. You can read “Part 5: Les Retombées,” here. You can read…

In Part One of this series, I went over Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona’s success leading up to the 2011/12 season, in addition to the disappointing transfer window and injury problems, which led to tactical and structural alterations. Although this gave Barcelona an element of unpredictability, it led to a lack of consistency in performances and results…

Portugal’s preparations for the 1986 World Cup had so far been a shambles. An incorrect doping test, poor training facilities, unpaid bonuses and inadequate warm up opposition in the form of hotel and bar workers. Such amateur preparations led to growing frustration among the players and it all came to a head on the 25th…

Playing in a World Cup is the pinnacle of a player or coach’s career. To test yourself in the world’s premier tournament is the ultimate challenge and a dream come true for many footballers. However, there are times when the dream of participating in a World Cup can turn into a nightmare. No country would…

Since their historic treble in the 1998/99 season, Manchester United had fared with varying success in European competition. Despite Ruud van Nistelrooy’s prolific scoring, and adapting a 4-5-1 formation to compete tactically, United were typically knocked out by more ‘complete’ sides such as AC Milan and Real Madrid. In 2005/06, United didn’t even progress out…

With the aid of his prominent assistant coach Carlos Queiroz, Sir Alex Ferguson had revitalised Manchester United by revamping their style of play by simultaneously using innovative methods and drawing inspiration from other top sides.   In the past, Ferguson had implemented a lone single striker, a 4-5-1 formation and man-marking ploys by drawing inspiration…

Imagine the scene: It’s the business end of the 2005/06 Premier League season, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy comes off the bench to score a 79th minute winner at Bolton to keep Manchester United in the title race. United fans erupt in triumph as their Dutch striker scores his 150th goal for United.   The Red…