15-09-2005, 08:36 AM
Ex-coach: Saboteurs destroying soccer
Carlos Queiroz says he knows what Stuart Baxter can expect
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Senseless saboteurs who have been obsessed with the destruction of a succession of Bafana Bafana coaches are destroying the fragment of South African soccer in the process.
This devastating indictment was delivered by Carlos Queiroz yesterday, with the former Bafana coach and respected Manchester United assistant manager revealing he had warned current coach Stuart Baxter three months ago that attempts would be made to derail his plans for guiding South Africa into next year's World Cup Finals in Germany.
"I knew what Stuart could expect from my own experiences as Bafana coach," said Queiroz in a telephone interview from Manchester before he embarked on a trip to Spain with United for a Uefa Champions League fixture.
"Bafana at the time were heading their World Cup qualifying group," said Queiroz, "but this did not satisfy the fanatics who found the idea abhorrent that he could succeed as the national coach.
"So - just as in my case, when I had successfully managed to guide South Africa into the 2002 World Cup Finals - a whole lot of mischevious stories were fabricated to rock the boat.
"The terms of my contract were brazenly abused," explained Queiroz, "and I had no option but to inform Safa that they either honour my contract or pay me out.
"These very same people have used similar tactics to undermine Baxter, whom I know to be a good coach, a good professional and a good guy."
Queiroz said the real tragedy of the matter was not that the Bafana coaches targeted had been undermined, but South African soccer as a whole was now in disarray.
"Worse than anything," he added, "the confidence and the morale of the players has suffered. They are not oblivious to what is going and been the worst kind of motivation for them.
"Those in charge don't seem to know how to handle the crisis or are too scared to take the necessary steps to eradicate the poison and dead wood," said Queiroz.
"It's become like a stuck gramaphone record that keeps repeating itself over and over again - and no one is doing anything about it."
"The potential for soccer in South Africa is enormous." said Queiroz, "and my heart bleeds to see how it is abused.
The Manchester assistant manager, rated by renowned manager Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best man I have brought to United - and that includes the players", said the point had been reached where many of the friends of South African soccer internationally were now having misgivings about the country's ability to stage the World Cup successfully in 2010 under prersent circumstances.
"And they do so with heavy hearts," said Queiroz, "because these are the people who are friends of South Africa and not enemies.
"As for Bafana," concluded the United assistant manager, "I think the point has been reached when any self-respecting coach will think twice before accepting the position of South African coach."
Publish Date: 14 September 2005
Source: SAPA
Carlos Queiroz says he knows what Stuart Baxter can expect
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senseless saboteurs who have been obsessed with the destruction of a succession of Bafana Bafana coaches are destroying the fragment of South African soccer in the process.
This devastating indictment was delivered by Carlos Queiroz yesterday, with the former Bafana coach and respected Manchester United assistant manager revealing he had warned current coach Stuart Baxter three months ago that attempts would be made to derail his plans for guiding South Africa into next year's World Cup Finals in Germany.
"I knew what Stuart could expect from my own experiences as Bafana coach," said Queiroz in a telephone interview from Manchester before he embarked on a trip to Spain with United for a Uefa Champions League fixture.
"Bafana at the time were heading their World Cup qualifying group," said Queiroz, "but this did not satisfy the fanatics who found the idea abhorrent that he could succeed as the national coach.
"So - just as in my case, when I had successfully managed to guide South Africa into the 2002 World Cup Finals - a whole lot of mischevious stories were fabricated to rock the boat.
"The terms of my contract were brazenly abused," explained Queiroz, "and I had no option but to inform Safa that they either honour my contract or pay me out.
"These very same people have used similar tactics to undermine Baxter, whom I know to be a good coach, a good professional and a good guy."
Queiroz said the real tragedy of the matter was not that the Bafana coaches targeted had been undermined, but South African soccer as a whole was now in disarray.
"Worse than anything," he added, "the confidence and the morale of the players has suffered. They are not oblivious to what is going and been the worst kind of motivation for them.
"Those in charge don't seem to know how to handle the crisis or are too scared to take the necessary steps to eradicate the poison and dead wood," said Queiroz.
"It's become like a stuck gramaphone record that keeps repeating itself over and over again - and no one is doing anything about it."
"The potential for soccer in South Africa is enormous." said Queiroz, "and my heart bleeds to see how it is abused.
The Manchester assistant manager, rated by renowned manager Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best man I have brought to United - and that includes the players", said the point had been reached where many of the friends of South African soccer internationally were now having misgivings about the country's ability to stage the World Cup successfully in 2010 under prersent circumstances.
"And they do so with heavy hearts," said Queiroz, "because these are the people who are friends of South Africa and not enemies.
"As for Bafana," concluded the United assistant manager, "I think the point has been reached when any self-respecting coach will think twice before accepting the position of South African coach."
Publish Date: 14 September 2005
Source: SAPA
Always enjoy life - and remember there is always someone worse off than yourself - treat others as you yourself would want to be treated.