GREECE LIGHTNIN’

This time last week, Football Daily romanticised a continental renaissance of sorts. The arrival of Jürgen Klopp, Zinedine Zidane and Xavi Hernández on the international management scene piqued our interest. We were also impressed by the clanging brass stones of Roberto Mancini, who returned to the Italy ejector-seat three years after abruptly pulling the lever and abandoning his country in order to take the Saudi riyal. Two games in and it’s time to appraise the respective early efforts of this glitzy A-list quartet of trophy-hoarding aristocrats, one of whom has had a somewhat chastening introduction to life in the international lane. Oh Jürgen!

Having begun his reign as Germany head coach by warning the national press not to intrude on his family’s privacy, Klopp was forced instead to contend with their coverage of him picking a 44-man squad in order to speed up “the process of opening the door for many new faces” as part of his plan to revolutionise the German squad. “There’s still plenty of room for improvement,” he honked after his side drew his first match in charge against Xavi’s Netherlands, before failing to show any in a historic first-ever defeat by Greece. “The lineup, the formation, the many changes – that is all 100% down to me,” he sighed. “Football, that’s how it is. I don’t think we deserved that, but here we are.” Here we are, being in third place in their Nations League group and already facing a must(ish)-win match against Serbia to avoid possible relegation.

Xavi, meanwhile, chalked up his first Netherlands win in Belgrade against Serbia. The Barcelona legend had late callup Mexx Meerdink to thank at the final whistle after the AZ striker scored both goals in a 2-1 win. Next comes Thursday’s match against the group-leading Greeks. Responding to suggestions that there were many moments when the Dutch needed to attack the spaces but didn’t do it, a contrite Xavi confessed, “there were many moments when we needed to attack the spaces, but we didn’t do it”. In danger of losing their global status as dark horses to Greece, Turkey rolled over to give Mancini the first win of his second spell in charge of Italy, who lost to Belgium last week. After being reappointed, the Italian apologised for doing the dirty on the Azzurri first time around in order to take up a lucrative contract with Saudi Arabia. He has since had to face down questions about another of his former nation state paymasters. After referring to claims he had a “double contract” during his time at Manchester City, Mancini described the current scandal surrounding his former club as “not a problem that concerns me”.

On a night when Michael Kayode marked the occasion of becoming the first Brentford player in history to represent Italy by scoring a goal, Mancini said the 22-year-old “will improve even more after another year in the Premier League”. Given his lack of popularity among many Italy fans, whether he’ll still be around to see Kayode blossom remains to be seen. Their next appointment is in Paris on Friday against France, whose manager Zidane is the only one of our four heroes to get off to a perfect start in his new gig. After back-to-back 1-0 wins in Turkey and Belgium, the latter won by a sensational Michael Olise solo effort late-doors, Zidane was asked about his meme-worthy touchline celebration that involved a sprint, a little dance and leathering a spare ball off a cone. “I saw the ball,” he giggled. “I was forced to shoot it, be a bit ridiculous but it doesn’t matter.” Never mind the tactical revolutions of Jürgen, Xavi and Roberto, when the chips are down just go full Zizou and get it launched.

LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE

Join Rob Smyth at 7.45pm BST for Czechia 1-3 England, while Taha Hashim will bring you goal updates on the rest of the night’s action with his Nations League clockwatch at the same time.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“I was just a kid and no one was there for me. I’m angry with Everton for not looking after me. Listen, I’m no angel. I’ve played my part, but there are other people who played their part in the demise of Billy Kenny. So I’m still bitter and frustrated today, at the age of 53. It was an absolute waste of talent” – Billy Kenny explains the drinking culture that enveloped him as a teenager, his time in jail, struggles with depression and how he got clean, in this must-read interview with Donald McRae.

It’s your man David Squires on … the Manchester City verdict and Nations League tensions.

FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS

It’s December 2009 and, after my morning shower, I go up the M6 from my home in Nuneaton to Eastlands to watch Manchester City beat Sunderland 4-3. With light snow falling, Mark Hughes comes on the pitch at the end to acknowledge the crowd. I haven’t a clue who Roberto Mancini or Manuel Pellegrini are, I’m vaguely aware of Pep Guardiola. I go back down the M6 in the snow and think about the big sign over one of the stands in Salford saying ‘34 years’. Good job I took that shower! Otherwise everyone in the ground, except Hughes, would have known that he’d already been sacked and we were about to enter a 17-year dream. Until I took that shower in December 2009. Yours, sadly” – Paul Cashian.

Reading Rob Draper’s excellent article on Arsène Wenger’s 30-year anniversary (yesterday’s Still Want More, full email edition) and I spotted Gunnersaurus in the accompanying picture – the only member of Arsenal’s Invincibles who is still there. He really is evergreen (sorry)” – Paul Farey.

If you have any, please send letters to [email protected]. Today’s prizeless letter o’ the day goes to … Paul Cashian. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, are here. 

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