Comments on: Euro 2008 Coach Rankings, One to Sixteen

By: diana

diana — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:25:13 +0000

Karl, this reminds me on what I read from Reuters. How Reuters view the two coaches ahead of the final. Their way of approaching situations, and…what they always wear (you will see why in the headline below).

http://football.uk.reuters.com/euro2008/news/L27265350.php (Blunt Aragones meets suave Loew in style clash)

By: Karl

Karl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:01:57 +0000

Some good thoughts, I agree with most of them.
“… but I hope he learns from his experience in his first major tournament as well.”
I hope so too, compared to Luis he’s still at the beginning of his career and coaching a national team is sure different from coaching a club team.

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:37:06 +0000

Well, Löw has made a few mistakes, which alone don’t warrant a really high ranking.
- Questionable squad selection, which must frustrate benched players, because they don’t really fit into the team or don’t get a chance over out of form players.
- He didn’t manage to properly motivate and mentally prepare his team for both the game against Croatia and Turkey and the “completely different” German team he promised for the Austria game looked nervous and insecure as well. Germany seems to have lost the edge they had with Klinsmann there.
- Shy of making bold decisions. Probably already reflected in his squad selection, but also evident in his substitutions during the games that didn’t go in Germany’s favour.
- The team looks a bit like being under construction throughout the whole tournament.

Which doesn’t mean I don’t like him and I don’t know a better coach to develop this team, but I hope he learns from his experience in his first major tournament as well.

By: Daryl

Daryl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:12:40 +0000

Hey! I actually think Löw’s a good guy.

The reason he’s at number five is that Germany were expected to do well. The four managers above him have all over-performed in one way or another.

Yes, Löw has got Germany to the final, but the team haven’t always looked very impressive. Also, for easily their best performance (the 3-2 win over Portugal) Hansi Flick was technically in charge.

By: Horst

Horst — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:28:08 +0000

“Also, if Germany wins it all, why should Low be only #5?”
.. because Daryl doesn’t like him.

By: tito

tito — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:06:27 +0000

Good list, though I’d rank a bit differently:

1. Fatih Terim
2. Guus Hiddink
3. Slaven Bilic
4. Luis Aragones
5. Victor Piturca
6. Marco van Basten
7. Jogi Low
8. Phil Scolari
9. Josef Hickersberger
10. Kobi Kuhn
11. Karel Bruckner
12. Lars Lagerback
13. Leo Beenhakker
14. Otto Rehhagel
15. Roberto Donadoni
16. Raymond Domenech

By: Doumé

Doumé — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:59:21 +0000

I figured I didn’t have to scroll down to know that RD was at spot 16. It was a given.

We don’t really know to which extent “!*$#ing Astrology!?!” plays a role in the process; when the “crazy old man and a bit of a racist” doesn’t want to wear yellow he is still a genius.
IMHO, a few bad shots and really bad luck made the difference. A penalty here, a penalty there, Ribery’s injury could have changed the course of things.

Also, let’s remember that what makes the difference between #3 and #15 was a penalty kick session. Also, if Germany wins it all, why should Low be only #5?