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Mertesacker: Klinsmann legacy lives on
Posted on 6/20/14 at 9:52 am
Posted on 6/20/14 at 9:52 am
quote:
Klinsmann, now the U.S. coach, took over a dispirited Germany in 2004 and set about revitalising an ageing squad that had failed miserably at the European Championships in Portugal.
quote:
Players such as Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Lukas Podolski and Mertesacker became symbols of Klinsmann's resurgent team as Germany, the tournament hosts, reached the last four of the 2006 World Cup.
quote:
And Mertesacker said: "He was the first to trust a very young generation. Thanks to him, the wind of change was blowing at the DFB. What Jurgen Klinsmann started back then continues to live on. Playing against him will be something special."
This is interesting. Mertesacker speaking highly of Klinsmann's tenure in Germany while others think his time there was overvalued. Let the Klinsmann debate rage on...
LINK
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Posted on 6/20/14 at 9:55 am to PeepleHeppinBidness
I've never understood all of the Klinsi hate. So you didn't win the whole damn tournament on home soil, you only came in 3rd. 
gmafb
gmafb
Posted on 6/20/14 at 10:26 am to PeepleHeppinBidness
quote:
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Posted on 6/20/14 at 10:28 am to PeepleHeppinBidness
quote:
Mertesacker speaking highly of Klinsmann's tenure in Germany while others think his time there was overvalued. Let the Klinsmann debate rage on...
Seems like the debate should be settled that he's a visionary manager who needs help with tactics and details and is not afraid to ruffle feathers if he feels like it's best in the long run.
Instead people will quote old articles where such and such player wasn't happy with him and latch onto the worst possible interpretations of every one of his actions.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 10:40 am to uway
Did anyone else find Alexi arguing with Ballack awkward and arrogant? No surprise from Lalas but damn...
Posted on 6/20/14 at 10:46 am to tsmi136
That's why everyone hates alexi, he's like that with everyone. He acts like he's the GOAT.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 10:50 am to ezride25
I was embarrassed just watching it
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:11 am to uway
The German players who criticized Klinnsman as the German coach.... where they all the old guys being shown the door (that would explain a lot) or was it everyone?
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 11:12 am
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:14 am to ezride25
They liked him after the World Cup. They didn't like him after Bayern Munich.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:15 am to Nimbus2000
Philipp Lahm wrote some pretty nasty stuff about him in his book.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:15 am to hendersonshands
Oh. He was there what 3 weeks?
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:22 am to ezride25
I hate alexi
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:52 am to hendersonshands
tbf he said nasty stuff about every coach he's had, including the almighty Van Gaaaaaaaaaal
Posted on 6/20/14 at 11:55 am to tsmi136
quote:
Did anyone else find Alexi arguing with Ballack awkward and arrogant?
He's the most condescending a-hole I think I've ever come across in this sport.
Just because he was playing soccer in the US before anyone gave a shite doesn't make him anything special as a player (he wasn't) or make him more knowledgeable about the game (he isn't).
Frankly, he is the personification of all the little reasons the rest of the world hates US soccer fans. It's kind of embarrassing to sit here and listen to him argue with Roberto Martinez, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, and Michael Ballack. He couldn't hold any of their jocks as a player and can't come close to their level of understanding of the sport analytically.
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 11:56 am
Posted on 6/20/14 at 12:12 pm to TigerStripes06
quote:
Just because he was playing soccer in the US before anyone gave a shite doesn't make him anything special as a player (he wasn't)
He was the first American to ever play in Serie A, which at the time may have been the strongest league in the world - at a time when many Americans couldn't get a run anywhere.
quote:
or make him more knowledgeable about the game (he isn't).
He worked as an MLS executive for years before working for ESPN, and probably gets paid well by ESPN to provide commentary - so he probably does.
It's perfectly okay to have the shallow opinion of "he annoys the shite out of me, so I won't watch him." People don't want to appear shallow or petty, so they make up other reasons to dismiss someone's opinions.
I can't stand Mark May or Lou Holtz, because they annoy the shite out of me - I'm not willing to say they weren't good at or knowledgeable about college football.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 12:36 pm to Sheep
quote:
Mark May or Lou Holtz
I dont think they are good announcers either but thats a different discussion..
Just because he played in Serie A, for a bad team that almost got relegated and then did get relegated, and worked as an MLS exec doesn't mean he is automatically good as a espn talking head.
Plus he wasn't known for his skill, knowledge of the game, etc. when he was playing but for his work rate which ironically enough is the only thing he talks about when he is commentating. And it is wildly known that he was an awful GM. Like Trading away LD in his prime
He comes off with a chip on his shoulder like he is still the GOAT. He is biased and would belittle current players in the both saying only negative things about anyone and the team. He is argumentative and is arrogant. Plus he is just a talking head that says nothing of substance. Did you hear the commentary about messi and argentina in thier opening game? Think it was posted to this board.
Nothing about that was quality. nothing about it was insightful. nothing about that could not have been done by average joe blow about any sport. And the sad part is that its par for the course.
My argument is not that he annoys the shite out of me which he does greatly. Its that he is not a quality announcer/talking head and ESPN should get better.
Playing/failing as a GM =/= great TV guy
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 12:39 pm
Posted on 6/20/14 at 12:54 pm to petar
I think Alexi could have played in any number of places after leaving Padova, but chose MLS (as many American-Americans like Harkes, Ramos, Balboa, Wynalda did) (apologies for the use of a RandySavage term) to help build the league. Skillwise, was Alexi wildly different from a Jay DeMerit type? Certainly not.
His reviews as an executive were mixed (more negative than positive, admittedly) but again - how many people sitting in that chair HAVE had the exposure to that side of the game that Lalas had?
Yes, he's a condescending a-hole - but to try to dismiss him as "he was a shitty player and doesn't know shite about soccer" is preposterous. I can assure you that someone with his pedigree knows more about soccer than anyone here ever will - even if the way he presents that is annoying.
His reviews as an executive were mixed (more negative than positive, admittedly) but again - how many people sitting in that chair HAVE had the exposure to that side of the game that Lalas had?
Yes, he's a condescending a-hole - but to try to dismiss him as "he was a shitty player and doesn't know shite about soccer" is preposterous. I can assure you that someone with his pedigree knows more about soccer than anyone here ever will - even if the way he presents that is annoying.
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:30 pm to Sheep
quote:
I can assure you that someone with his pedigree knows more about soccer than anyone here ever will
of course for everyone except me
, but don't think he is anywhere near as good as ESPN could get. He does not do a good job as a commentator even if he knows his stuff quote:
how many people sitting in that chair HAVE had the exposure to that side of the game that Lalas had?
Most anyone in that espn chair easily has as much soccer knowledge who cares if they have been a 'mixed-review' GM if they are talking about world cup soccer. There is literally no need of this at the world cup. Plus not really knocking his pedigree but his commentating style as complete shite. i do not think this is a shallow complaint just a complaint that the man is not very competent at his job.
I generally enjoy the others though who have as much or more knowledge than he:
Roberto Martinez, Ruud, Ballack, Gilberto, Solari,
ETA; not hating on him for playing MLS either as you mentioned that was the thing to do.
For the record, i have hated on other announcer/studio types that have done games in other sports. Aikmen and Collinsworth come to mind. yes they might know some football but don't belong in the booth
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 1:33 pm
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:35 pm to TigerStripes06
Roberto Martinez? Roberto Martinez has the weakest soccer playing resume of any one other than the hosts and probably Twellman.
This brings me to a larger point. Martinez is hands down the most intelligent and thoughtful panelist. He also seems to be one of the least arrogant. Without a doubt, he is the first guy I would pick among the current group to be a lead analyst (I'd probably pick van Nistlerooy or Lalas second).
Most professional athletes have an incredible combination of dedication, size, speed, and athleticism. It doesn't always (or even often) mean they have a sophisticated understanding of the game. And I guarantee you that none of the guys, including Lalas, are sitting around watching Iranian League or even Russian or Turkish League games of the players at the Cup. Much like when Kenny and Charles are giving useless analysis in the NCAA games, there are lots of times where you can easily call out the former players.
Look at the guys we have on NFL pregame shows. Dan Marino and Terry Bradshaw have very impressive resumes, and they are absolutely worthless on the shows. Of course both have been known to be genuinely unintelligent people for decades. When it comes to former pros, Marino and Bradshaw are not exceptions to the norm.
With the soccer analysts, plenty are successful players who can't explain the game because they either never needed to understand much of the sophistication themselves due to their natural gifts. Others lack the English proficiency to do it. Some lack both.
TL;DR Lalas makes cogent points. I have no issue with him being dismissive of Ballack.
This brings me to a larger point. Martinez is hands down the most intelligent and thoughtful panelist. He also seems to be one of the least arrogant. Without a doubt, he is the first guy I would pick among the current group to be a lead analyst (I'd probably pick van Nistlerooy or Lalas second).
Most professional athletes have an incredible combination of dedication, size, speed, and athleticism. It doesn't always (or even often) mean they have a sophisticated understanding of the game. And I guarantee you that none of the guys, including Lalas, are sitting around watching Iranian League or even Russian or Turkish League games of the players at the Cup. Much like when Kenny and Charles are giving useless analysis in the NCAA games, there are lots of times where you can easily call out the former players.
Look at the guys we have on NFL pregame shows. Dan Marino and Terry Bradshaw have very impressive resumes, and they are absolutely worthless on the shows. Of course both have been known to be genuinely unintelligent people for decades. When it comes to former pros, Marino and Bradshaw are not exceptions to the norm.
With the soccer analysts, plenty are successful players who can't explain the game because they either never needed to understand much of the sophistication themselves due to their natural gifts. Others lack the English proficiency to do it. Some lack both.
TL;DR Lalas makes cogent points. I have no issue with him being dismissive of Ballack.
This post was edited on 6/20/14 at 1:37 pm
Posted on 6/20/14 at 1:48 pm to Keys Open Doors
quote:
Roberto Martinez has the weakest soccer playing resume
But arguably one of the stronger resume as he is a manager and player (granted not a great one by any means).
Manager is certainly good experience to discuss tactics as well as the day to day preparing and problems.
quote:
Lalas makes cogent points.
at times.
quote:
Let's start this show. This guy is as big as anybody – huge star, huge stage. I look at this almost in terms of a concert. This is the opening number. You go out there and you grab a hold and you give 'em something. You don't have to play your big hit single, but you gotta come out there and grab a hold so people say, 'I wanna watch the rest of this show' – and he has the ability to do that.
[link=(I mean come on )]https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/16/espn-world-cup-coverage-2014-analysis[/link]
Agree with the rest though.
Gary Neville has been good for BBC who actually would have hit all three, ability to explain soccer knowledge, english, and resume. There could have been some other guys they could have found. Soccer players or not.
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