Paul Gardner‘s SoccerTalk columns relating to the 1990 World Cup hosted by Italy.
Paul Gardner
Posted inStory
Another new World Cup ball means more ballderdash
Here they come, just what we’ve all been waiting for … the astounding, amazing, unprecedented, truly wondrous details of the new astounding, amazing etc Al Rihla, the new WORLD CUP BALL. The brand new version that adidas has come up with for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Well, for a start, that’s highly dismissive of […]
Posted inStory
Pochettino to Atlanta? Or has Bob Bradley proved the new coach doesn't have to be Latino?
A year and a half ago, when Atlanta announced, with much self-congratulation, that it had signed Frank De Boer as the coach to replace Tata Martino, I calledthe appointment a “betrayal.” I also found it impossible to swallow the words of Atlanta’s English president Darren Eales as he so ecstatically sang the praises ofDe Boer […]
Posted inStory
Today's coaches could learn a lot from Ron Newman (1934-2018)
Ron Newman, dead at 84. He’d been out of soccer for a while — since 1999 when he ceased to be coach of the Kansas City Wizards — as I wrote at the time: “‘resigned’ if youread the press releases, ‘fired’ if you’re not a halfwit.” That was it for Newman. He didn’t fancy an […]
Posted inStory
Is it the ball? Or is it simply bull?
The German soccer legend Uwe Seeler once told us: “The secret of soccer is the ball.” It’s pretty clear what he meant — even though I think he got the wrong word. I’m not a believer in a soccer “secret” — just one? — that, once discovered, will presumably allow everyone to understand everything about […]
Posted inStory
Carlos Alberto: One of Soccer's Greatest (1944-2016)
By Paul Gardner Carlos Alberto, one of the sport’s true greats, dead at 72. Unexpected, almost unbelievable. For me, a personal loss, for I learned so much from Carlos, talking with him, watching him play during his years with the Cosmos. The first I ever heard of him was in 1970, when that marvelous Brazil […]
Posted inStory
Johan Cruyff (1947-2016): R.I.P. No. 14
Johan Cruyff, dead at the far too early age of 68, will surely not be forgotten. He leaves the most wonderful memories of sublime soccer skill, of course. But not just memories — Cruyff becomes one of the first of the soccer greats to leave a career-long record — on film and tape and discs […]
Posted inStory
Lincoln Phillips provides perspective on black soccer in 1970s USA
By Paul Gardner As a goalkeeper, Lincoln Phillips should not feature among my most cherished soccer memories. I have little time for goalkeeping escapades. But there heis, the begetter of a wonderful moment that is as clear — and every bit as delightful — as it was when it happened 40 years ago. Actually, this […]
Posted inStory
The Latest Fashion News from FIFA — or, A Look at the 2012 Rule Book
Reading the soccer rule book — or any rule book — is not really anyone’s idea of having a good time. But someone has to do it once in a while, so I’ll save you the trouble with aquick skim through the latest version of FIFA’s “Laws of the Game.” I shall call them rules, […]
Posted inStory
Toughest World Cup job: opening game ref
By Paul Gardner A week to go for World Cup kickoff. A time of mounting excitement — and a time of mounting anxiety and nervousness. Nowhere can those last twoqualities be more pronounced than among the World Cup referees, the 30 officials selected to take charge of the 64 games. For the moment, 63 of […]