The Roar » Football

O’ so close for John: How JON almost landed the biggest job in sport

Stoffy18 — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 03:26:41 +0000

John O’Neill has been overlooked as Manchester City chief executive, marginally missing out on what would be one of world sports top jobs.

The honours went to former Barcelona general manager Ferran Soriano, who looks set to pocket no less than $3 million a year.

O’Neill can be flattered by the interest but the overwhelming feeling will be that of so close, but yet so far.

Manchester City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak looked to tap into O’Neill’s vast resources that derived from many successful years working as chief executive of Australian Rugby Union and heading Football Federation Australia.

O’Neill played a pivotal role in the rise of football in Australia, being instrumental in the acquisition of Guus Hiddink after parting ways with Frank Farina.

Manchester City opted for the safe commodity, appointing Soriano who can boast a rich history of European success. Soriano was introduced to the Barcelona board in 2003, at the time the club’s income was considered the 13th highest in Europe, he departed having driven Barcelona to 2nd on the list.

Soriano reportedly pipped O’Neill at the line having attracted the support of Spain’s King Juan Carlos.

You feel the persuasion of a King would have a lot more pulling power then if Julia Gilliard was listed as a referee. O’Neill was solely represented by resume and reputation alone, Soriano to invest in the opinion of those of a higher echelon is behaviour indicative with fear. O’Neill was evidently a worrying player in the race, and so he should have been.

O’Neill intends to see out the two remaining years on his ARU contract, but will no doubt be considered for future positions in England and Europe for that matter after leaving a positive impression on Manchester City.

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Article link: O’ so close for John: How JON almost landed the biggest job in sport. Written by Stoffy18, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Purple Shag — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:27:10 +0000

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Article link: Capello ‘walks’ from England’s top job. Written by Purple Shag, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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AFP — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:12:31 +0000

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Article link: Fabio Capello quits as England manager after Terry fallout. Written by AFP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Kewell confident Victory can make charge. Written by Guy Hand, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: FIFA decision a blow to Olyroos. Written by Glenn Cullen, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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M_Campbell23 — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:55:58 +0000

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Article link: Why Manchester United are never really beaten. Written by M_Campbell23, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Die Lowen a chance for a Bundesliga rise?. Written by janek.speight, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Hey, Victory! Give them kids a go. Written by Daniel Quinn, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

A-League coaches are saying but not doing

Davidde Corran — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:33:17 +0000

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Justin Chadwick — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:29:38 +0000

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Article link: Ferguson wants multi-year Glory deal. Written by Justin Chadwick, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Postecoglou says no money for McKay. Written by Wayne Heming, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: A-League’s tough expansion lessons can boost game. Written by Beau Busch, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: The problem with Melbourne Victory’s ‘hole’ season. Written by anthcol, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Julian Guyer — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:05:20 +0000

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Article link: England coach Capello may be in trouble. Written by Julian Guyer, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Adrian Warren — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:59:08 +0000

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Article link: Olyroos facing long road to London. Written by Adrian Warren, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Guy Hand — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:52:30 +0000

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Article link: Victory still believe in finals hopes. Written by Guy Hand, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Justin Chadwick — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:47:57 +0000

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Article link: Glory thump Gold Coast 4-0 in Perth. Written by Justin Chadwick, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Article link: Time for a Sydney FC clean out. Written by John Davidson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Magilton struggling to make a mark

Tony Tannous — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:38 +0000

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Article link: Magilton struggling to make a mark. Written by Tony Tannous, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Perth Glory vs Gold Coast United: A-League live scores, blog

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Article link: Perth Glory vs Gold Coast United: A-League live scores, blog. Written by jcinque, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

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Liam FitzGibbon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:42:40 +0000

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Article link: Coach sees real Roar stand up in A-League. Written by Liam FitzGibbon, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Magilton still has Victory A-League hopes

Guy Hand — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:41:29 +0000

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Article link: Magilton still has Victory A-League hopes. Written by Guy Hand, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Glory aim to extend Gold Coast’s misery

Justin Chadwick — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:40:15 +0000

Friendships will be put on hold on Monday night when Perth Glory host A-League strugglers Gold Coast United. The Glory will field three former Gold Coast players in their starting line-up, with striker Shane Smeltz, defender Bas van den Brink and utility Steve Pantelidis all set to play key roles as Perth attempt to extend [...]

Article link: Glory aim to extend Gold Coast’s misery. Written by Justin Chadwick, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Lavicka embarrassed by Sydney FC

Liam FitzGibbon — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:25:14 +0000

Outgoing Sydney FC coach Vitezslav Lavicka labelled his side’s defensive effort “embarrassing” as a host of former Sky Blues players starred for Newcastle in a painful 5-2 A-League thrashing on Sunday. The Sky Blues dropped out of the top six for the first time this season as the Jets took sixth spot with an impressive [...]

Article link: Lavicka embarrassed by Sydney FC. Written by Liam FitzGibbon, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Olyroos lose 2-0 to Uzbekistan

AAP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:22:09 +0000

Australian hopes of qualifying for this year’s Olympic football tournament nosedived with a 2-0 loss away to group leaders Uzbekistan in freezing Tashkent on Sunday. The loss leaves Australia five points behind Uzbekistan in their Asian qualifying group with just two of the six rounds remaining. While the kickoff was brought forward five hours to [...]

Article link: Olyroos lose 2-0 to Uzbekistan. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Is Lampard or Gerrard the more valuable midfielder?

mohamedmvp — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:32:38 +0000

Millions have debated long and hard who is the superior footballer: Stevie G or Frank Lampard. Never have I seen two iconic footballers so comparable in terms of nationality, duration, position, influence and passion. Hell, they even wear the same number 8 jersey for their respective clubs. Now, the only fair way to settle this [...]

Article link: Is Lampard or Gerrard the more valuable midfielder?. Written by mohamedmvp, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Man Utd draw 3-3 at Chelsea

AAP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:21:10 +0000

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Article link: Man Utd draw 3-3 at Chelsea. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Olyroos need to stand up for our proud Olympic history

Mike Tuckerman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:19:59 +0000

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Article link: Olyroos need to stand up for our proud Olympic history. Written by Mike Tuckerman, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Remembering Bob Marley, the football fan

Cpaaa — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:04:10 +0000

“Football is a whole skill to itself. A whole world. A whole universe to itself. Me love it because you have to be skilful to play it! Freedom! Football is freedom.” (Bob Marley – 1979)” He played, watched and recorded. On every tour Bob Marley and the Wailers carried a football to play against other [...]

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Blatter wants to reinstate Egypt officials

AP — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 18:21:08 +0000

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