Italian Serie A Scandal

[thetank]

Another thread tainted by scouse-ness

[mikkyT]

Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly are two of the greatest managers ever to grace the terraces around the UK, yet they go without knighthoods whilst the likes of Busby, Charlton and Ferguson get them for naff all (Ok, Fergie DOES deserve his knighthood. And I think things are different in the modern era. You couldn't get away with not giving fergie one even if he is scottish)

[The Baron]

Whilst this is obviously the correct solution, I can't help but feel the gloss will be taken off  the Champions League for a season or two. 

Bit like when the English were banned for 5 years. One of the best teams the European game has ever seen was not able to compete in the elite competition. And still only two teams have managed to beat them in the number of champions cups won. And lets not forget that Manchester "never done anything ever" Utd get knighthoods for doing far less.....

Spot on.

How Furguson was Knighted but Paisley wasn't I'll never know.

3 European Cups to 1!

Also well said about the late eighties Liverpool team. They could well have challenged that great Milan side. Beat them? Probably not, but we'll never know....

[Nem]

(Ok, Fergie DOES deserve his knighthood. And I think things are different in the modern era. You couldn't get away with not giving fergie one even if he is scottish)

He is the luckiest manager alive.

How could he not succeed at MonopolyManchester United? Unrivalled transfer funds + best crop of young players to come through any football club ranks, EVER!

I mean, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, and Gary Neville would arguably walk into any team (at their peak), and then you have players like Butt and Phil Neville; established internationals, all for free.

Then, when a better manager enters the frame (Arsene Wenger) and defeats the mighty Monopoly United, he (Ferguson) just goes out and spends his rivals (Arsenal) 5 year transfer budget on 3 players!!!

[Jim-D]

(Ok, Fergie DOES deserve his knighthood. And I think things are different in the modern era. You couldn't get away with not giving fergie one even if he is scottish)

He is the luckiest manager alive.

How could he not succeed atMonopolyManchester United? Unrivalled transfer funds + best crop of young players to come through any clubs ranks, EVER!

I mean, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, and Gary Neville would arguably walk into any team (at their peak), and then you have players like Butt and Phil Neville; established internationals, all for free.

Then, when a better manager enters the frame (Arsene Wenger) and defeats the mighty Monopoly United, he (Ferguson) just goes out and spends his rivals 5 year transfer budget on 3 players!!!

You dont think his great coaching/managerial attributes made these players/team into the GREAT thing that they were?

[Nem]

(Ok, Fergie DOES deserve his knighthood. And I think things are different in the modern era. You couldn't get away with not giving fergie one even if he is scottish)

He is the luckiest manager alive.

How could he not succeed atMonopolyManchester United? Unrivalled transfer funds + best crop of young players to come through any clubs ranks, EVER!

I mean, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, and Gary Neville would arguably walk into any team (at their peak), and then you have players like Butt and Phil Neville; established internationals, all for free.

Then, when a better manager enters the frame (Arsene Wenger) and defeats the mighty Monopoly United, he (Ferguson) just goes out and spends his rivals 5 year transfer budget on 3 players!!!

You dont think his great coaching/managerial attributes made these players/team into the GREAT thing that they were?

err, no.

[Royal Flush]

So my question is....

Who will win Serie A next year?

and

Will enough people care? Surely this will hurt all the Italian clubs, even the innocent ones.

It's a toss up between Inter and Roma I feel. Probably Inter as they have the squad already.

Inter will do better than Roma given that Cassano may be moving to Real.

I actually think Milan will still win Serie A, as long as they can find a replacememnt for Shevchenko. They beat Inter last year by 12 points. The only problem being that the chance to make ground is harder given there are more 'whipping boys' in serie a now.

Milan may even still qualify for the UEFA cup, there is a problem with Empoli apparently and despite the huge points reduction they are just 1 off the UEFA spot now.

[Jim-D]

Is there any prices up yet for the serie A?

Be interesting to see what price Milan are

[The Baron]

So my question is....

Who will win Serie A next year?

and

Will enough people care? Surely this will hurt all the Italian clubs, even the innocent ones.

It's a toss up between Inter and Roma I feel. Probably Inter as they have the squad already.

Inter will do better than Roma given that Cassano may be moving to Real.

I actually think Milan will still win Serie A, as long as they can find a replacememnt for Shevchenko. They beat Inter last year by 12 points. The only problem being that the chance to make ground is harder given there are more 'whipping boys' in serie a now.

Milan may even still qualify for the UEFA cup, there is a problem with Empoli apparently and despite the huge points reduction they are just 1 off the UEFA spot now.

Cassano has been at Madrid since Christmas hasn't he? I've definately seen him play in the white shirt. Was it a loan deal then?

I agree Milan still have a shot. Depends if any big names leave them though.

[The Baron]

(Ok, Fergie DOES deserve his knighthood. And I think things are different in the modern era. You couldn't get away with not giving fergie one even if he is scottish)

He is the luckiest manager alive.

How could he not succeed at MonopolyManchester United? Unrivalled transfer funds + best crop of young players to come through any football club ranks, EVER!

I mean, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes, and Gary Neville would arguably walk into any team (at their peak), and then you have players like Butt and Phil Neville; established internationals, all for free.

Then, when a better manager enters the frame (Arsene Wenger) and defeats the mighty Monopoly United, he (Ferguson) just goes out and spends his rivals (Arsenal) 5 year transfer budget on 3 players!!!

I think Ferguson is excellent but Nemesis has a point. Since that youth team got old/sold Man Yoo haven't won much have they?

Ferguson's transfer record isn't exactly as shrewd as Wenger's either.

Finally, do not forget the drink culture, bad diets habits etc of English football were rife under Fergie's Man Utd. It was Arsene Wenger who changed the way footballers look after themselves in this country. Ferguson just followed suit.

[Royal Flush]

Cassano has been at Madrid since Christmas hasn't he? I've definately seen him play in the white shirt. Was it a loan deal then?

I agree Milan still have a shot. Depends if any big names leave them though.

You may be right, i didnt follow too much last year. If he was on loan then certainly he will stay given Capello's now in charge.

I can't see the big guns leave Milan, why would they? They might not win the league this year but for the next 2/3 they are nailed on.

[NoflopsHomer]

If Milan find a decent striker, I wonder what the odds are of them winnning the title...

[Royal Flush]

If Milan find a decent striker, I wonder what the odds are of them winnning the title...

Trez is a likely target, as is Toni.

[The Baron]

If Milan find a decent striker, I wonder what the odds are of them winnning the title...

Trez is a likely target, as is Toni.

The man said decent! Trezuguet is the most overrated striker on Earth!

I think with Gilardino, Inzaghi, Tomasson and Kaka behind, they're not far off anyway!

[The Baron]

Cassano has been at Madrid since Christmas hasn't he? I've definately seen him play in the white shirt. Was it a loan deal then?

I agree Milan still have a shot. Depends if any big names leave them though.

You may be right, i didnt follow too much last year. If he was on loan then certainly he will stay given Capello's now in charge.

I can't see the big guns leave Milan, why would they? They might not win the league this year but for the next 2/3 they are nailed on.

Some players at 28+ wont want a year without Champions League football.

Although to be fair Gatuso, Kaka and Gilardino are staying already.