Footballing directors (Glen Hoddle's admission last night)

[Jennings]

During the pundits preamble before the Marseillles debacle, conversation between Hoddle, Souey and J. Redknap turned to the role of Footballing Directors. Specifically their interference with team affairs. Glen Hoddle admitted that his Footballing Director (David pleat I think) scuppered the chance for Spurs to sign Morientes and Eto'o. :jaw:

Pleat must have been seething watching that (not that I have much time for him).

We have only got Hoddle's word for it (I am sure there are two sides to the story), but it was an amazing revelation.

[Shaggy]

I remember when Spurs “nearly signed” Morientes. How I laughed.

Didn't know about Eto'o though. Must've been when he left Mallorca (Malaga?)...

[Pablo1981]

I wouldnt believe a word that comes out of Hoddle's mouth to be honest, he is a dodgy character.

Pleat always comes across as completely cluess though whenever I heave him on the radio or as co-commentator.

Also this Football Director malarky that is common on the continent seems crazy to me, surely the manager cant be expected to bring success if he doesnt even have a say which players he is allowed to bring in.

[ronan]

did pleat use the funds to pay for his hookers?

[andyinswinton]

There are plenty of stories about players that weren't signed by clubs for one reason and another.

There is one that I kind of remember about a young Luis Figo almost signing for Manchester City before somebody throwing a spanner in the works.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Im sure Pleat was on ITV commentating and didnt see it but im sure he has heard it.

Most probably true why would hoddle have any need to say it...??

[Neil Young]

Im sure Pleat was on ITV commentating and didnt see it but im sure he has heard it.

Most probably true why would hoddle have any need to say it...??
Off the top of my head I can think of three possible reasons:

Maybe he doesn't like Pleat.
Maybe he's angling for the Spurs job and wants to win over the fans by blaming Pleat for things going wrong.
Maybe he's just a tw*t.

[smither]

Off the top of my head I can think of three possible reasons:

Maybe he doesn't like Pleat.
Maybe he's angling for the Spurs job and wants to win over the fans by blaming Pleat for things going wrong.
Maybe he's just a tw*t.


1. Probably true
2.Probably true
3. Hit the nail on the head, whatever the answer

[Imy]

Didn't Evans want Thuram, Desailly and Sheringham

Board says no

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41371000/jpg/_41371396_britaincomputer203.jpg

[fah-q]

Sheffield United nearly signed a young Diego Maradona.

I always wished the stories of us signing Michael Laudraup came true.

[Joe King]

Didn't we want to sign a young El Haj Diouf?

[Imy]

Didn't we want to sign a young El Haj Diouf?

we did :confused:

[Joe King]

we did :confused:

Ahh forget it, poor joke by myself :grr:

[h7k]

Sheffield United nearly signed a young Diego Maradona.

I always wished the stories of us signing Michael Laudraup came true.


Laudrup. what happened there?

[fah-q]

He said in the late eighties he wanted to play for Liverpool. I got very excited as he was one of my fav players at the time, but it never happened.

[fah-q]

Oh and we nearly signed Paul Gascoigne according to his autobiography.

[Matt]

...and Kenny wanted Paul McGrath, according to McGrath's book

[Jennings]

We have swerved slightly from the point which is that a person between the board and the manager vetoed a transfer.

In some of the cases cited in this thread the board would not sanction a move. That is a different issue. Albeit a slightly more interesting one than i decided to post on. :haha:

[nbryan1764]

I remember Eto being interviewed after one match for cameroon talking about moving to spurs, it was definitely on at one stage. I have a feeling he scored against seaman and also said something like "that was for all spurs fans"

[Parm]

I remember when Spurs “nearly signed” Morientes. How I laughed.

Didn't know about Eto'o though. Must've been when he left Mallorca (Malaga?)...

there was a time when Spurs nearly signed everyone! Even Rivaldo, who turned them down at the last minute-