FABIO CAN BE BUST MAN - JUST LIKE SIR ALF
AS Bobby Moore led the rest of the Boys of '66 on their dance around Wembley, a jubilant manager Alf Ramsey discreetly disappeared.
Ramsey had been unmoved by English football's finest hour.
No time for laps of honour. Certainly no show of emotion. Why crease the immaculate tracksuit for goodness sake, old chap?
As Ramsey walked towards the dressing room and his celebratory cup of tea, the England manager was confronted by an excited soccer scribe leading the charge from the press box.
I am assured by veterans of that glorious day that what follows is true.
"Alf, Alf we've won it, we've won it," screeched the distinguished and rather posh - but by now gibbering - correspondent.
Ramsey, who had long ditched an east London accent for clipped middle England annunciation, suddenly dropped the stiff upper lip.
He looked our man in the eye and retorted: "What do you mean, we've won? I'VE won... now f*** orrff."
Then he walked into the dressing room and slammed the door shut.
It's 10 years since Sir Alf's passing but on Friday he was back in the Wembley tunnel, albeit the glitzy new one, in the form of a striking bronze bust placed high on a plinth.
Fabio Capello unveiled the sculpture and it will eventually be placed just outside the England dressing room in the middle of the tunnel with Ramsey's stony eyes staring out onto the pitch.
A fitting memorial to the great man. It is to be hoped that in the coming months Ramsey's gaze will be a reminder and motivation to England players of what it's really all about this season as they play their Wembley warm-up games - winning the World Cup in South Africa. Capello seemed suitably impressed and inspired by the bust. Not surprising really. As this column has long argued, Capello - despite his roots - has many of Ramey's old school attributes.
The granite like Italian has re-anglicised the national team with a continental twist. A formidable formula.
And for all the talent at England's disposal, next summer, Capello could well prove to be England's greatest asset, just as Ramsey was.
It was a fact reiterated by Sir Bobby Charlton on Friday.
Like Ramsey, Capello demands total respect and obedience. Like Ramsey, Capello is not fazed by star names or reputations. He sees only the big picture. The team. And how best it can win. Over the past two years the signs have been looking increasingly good.
Scrupulous
Things will become a little clearer in Doha next Saturday when, as Capello admits, England can gauge how far they have come.
A friendly against Brazil, even mid-season in the desert, can never be dismissed as meaningless.
Like Ramsey, Capello's attention to detail is scrupulous and he will be probing the attitude of the players for a game some many may feel is an imposition.
The World Cup countdown starts on Saturday and Capello is on a mission to emulate Ramsey.
As Capello agreed on Friday: "For me to unveil this sculpture is a very big thing. I have big respect for Alf Ramsey. It is a dream for all the England managers to win another World Cup."
If Capello does lead England to glory next summer then surely he would command a bust at Wembley himself.
And I'm sure Sir Alf wouldn't object to being joined by a World Cup-winning manager in the Wembley tunnel.
This article has 2 comments
No way England will win the World cup, I hope they prove me wrong, England is not the sort of team that can anticipates to unforeseen circumtances and the english way is too methodical....England has been beaten by Spain and Brazil so far....two good teams. Now there are Germany, Italy, Holland, France and others of the same calibre like Brazil and Spain.
England have some good players but still will not win the world cup UNLESS ALL THE PLAYERS HAVE SAME ATTITUDE AND QUALITIES OF ROONEY. Honestly we don't have a good goalkeeper...a great goalkeeper will save the team when the opponent has beaten the defenders....and we don't have that....BUT ONE THING I AM SURE WE WILL GET FROM THE ENGLAND TEAM IS DRAMA....
By Dhanjay Taukoor. Posted November 15 2009 at 8:57 PM.
Shep,
Sir Alf, Honorary Sir Fab.....Why stop there....?
After all, with Rio and JT both having knacked backs... come June they will look like statues as well.
If we take Owen (Michael or Haregreaves - take your pick), he will probably get injured singing the national anthem.... We need someone to emerge second half of the season like a Lineker (86) or Rooney (04).
We're playing for pens after the group games.... remember. If we get phenomonally lucky, they should make a statue of the penalty spot.
By Damien. Posted November 15 2009 at 11:04 AM.