England manager

I HAVE my doubts about the three men being feted as the main contenders for the England job. Of Jose Mourinho, Fabi Capello and Martin O’Neill, I would plum for Jose - but even his appointment would be a gamble. Undoubtedly he is the people’s choice - but look what happened to the national team under the last unanimous man of the people...Kevin Keegan. His reign ended in dismay in the toilets at the old Wembley stadium. Not that Mourinho is naive tactically, no, his undoing would not be down to that - but would he be able to stand the long drawn-out days of doing nothing, the boredom of not having every-day work? Or would he end up like another former England chief...the late Don Revie, who walked out on the country to take the readies on offer in the United Arab Emirates. It is easy to imagine Jose getting bored and walking off to Barca, Madrid or Milan - and leaving us in the lurch. That is the worry - at least in the much-maligned Revie’s defence, he did also shuffle off to help get some much needed cash to help his poorly wife Elsie, who was suffering from Parkinson’s. That is not a known fact; Revie is usually painted as a money-grabbing traitor. As for Capello - he could do a fine job, he is the right age and has the character to make tough decisions and build a mental strength among a group of players lacking in that area. But I worry that he also threw his hat in the ring to be boss of Australia and said he would not mind working in America. It suggests he is just another mercenary - although that would not matter if he could turn the team around by 2010. As far O’Neill, his legendary prevarication is a worry - he just can’t seem to make up his mind and that could prove disastrous...he could be another McDonut, although his spell at Celtic would suggest not. Whichever man is chosen, I would like to see a role found for Steve Coppell who admits he has neared the end of the line at Reading. He is an intelligent Englishman with a good vision and could be groomed for the job full-time when either Jose, Fabio or Martin eventually walk away.

Celtic United

Dear Mr Worrall,According to The Sun, for whom you write regularly, Celtic United gives promotion to the dubious assertion that Manchester United supporters sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' on a sports terrace first.[1]Is this report an accurate reflection of your new book, and if so, did you search for and manage to find corroborating evidence for Jane Hardwick's claim, as originally printed in the Manchester Evening News,[2] or did you take her account at face value?[1] http://tinyurl.com/2bzdev[2] http://tinyurl.com/2holk5





Thanks Anon for your contribution - you are a prolific author, I have seen your name on many many articles on many many sites! Let me explain a little what this is all about... My new book Celtic United is out this week and has made a fair start in terms of sales etc. I believe it is my best book to date providing a full, interesting, entertaining picture of the two biggest clubs in Britain - and how their development, fortunes and history mirror each other in a remarkable way. As the title suggests the book is about Celtic FC and Manchester United FC and the bond between them. Now, in the introduction section I lightheartedly mentioned that United fans need not fear antagonistic about their Hoops counterparts singing You'll Never Walk Alone as it also had Old Trafford connections as well as Anfield. It was a piece of fun - rounded off with an exclamation mark. Naturally, the national press picked up on it (and ignored what the book is really about!) and outraged of Anfield (including our wondrous Anon!) decided it was a knock on Liverpool FC. Which it wasn't - it was a bit of fun.

I have received several indignant emails from Liverpool fans but Anon's was the best in that it summed up the ludicrous nature of the situation. No, I have not been busy digging out 'corroborating evidence' - what do you think I am, bloody Inspector Morse, old bean! This is a bit of footballing fun mate, not a murder hunt! Also I see Anon is keen to knock me by saying the stuff about the anthem was also in the MEN - well, so what? I can tell our Anon is not that much of a detective himself - it was actually also in the Stockport Express Advertiser before the MEN! Not all United and Celtic's huge army of supporters live in Manchester and Stockport, Anon - there is a worldwide base of fans and not all of them get the MEN and Stockport Express Advertiser! This is new to them, as indeed it was to me. Re the corroboration...I do remember my old grandad and his friends telling me about United fans singing the song at a Munich memorial at Old Trafford in 1958 - five years before it was sung at Anfield - so maybe that corroborates it?

I tell you what, Anon, you send me an email with your real name and address and I'll send you a signed copy of the book. Have a read and you'll know what I am saying...and thanks for writing in - good to hear from you, I wish you well.

All the best for now,

Frankie W

Lewis, the other McClaren, Rangers and the Kop

The contoversy over my Lewis Hamilton book continues to rage on amazon. As I explained in the previous blog, the book's publishers inadvertantly sent the 'pitch' I had given them (ie that the book would come out just after Hamilton had hopefully won the title) to amazon - and they published it verbatim. Some followers of Fernando Alonso continue to believe that I was actually predicting the result of the season in the book! (see also the contribution from anonymous on the previous blog) and are still rather bitter. To them I say - get a life! What's the point of getting all het up about the fortunes (or misfortunes) of men who are being paid (certainly in Alonso's case) millions of pounds whether they win or lose? Okay, be a fan of them but don't let it rule your own life as you struggle to meet the rent or the mortgage.
As for Hamilton - well, he blew it, didn't he? Simple as that. Nerves and inexperience cost him in the last two races. Looking back at it, all he needed was one fifth place finish from those two races to clinch the title and he could not manage it. I've no doubt that he will win the title next season or the one after (although I think Alonso will win it for the third time if, as expected, he joins Ferrari in 2009). Lewis blew it as he tried to race Raikkonen in China and Alonso in Brazil - and after poor decisions by his garage over the tyres and a faulty car - when all he needed was to think strategically. But he will learn and come back stronger.
England's footballers and rugby players also failed the same week. The rugby boys went down in the final, but was that failure? Hardly, more like a massive success given the quality of the squad and management, but it was certainly disappointing to see the footballers lose in Russia. I cannot stand Guus Hiddink - he is one of those bloated self-important coaches - like Ancelotti of Milan - who believe they are the greatest, and I would have loved it if McClaren had put another one over on him. Sadly it was not to be - and we then had Hiddink blowing his own trumpet saying how he had masterminded the victory with his superior tactical nous. I would rather have McClaren in charge than this pompous ass - and that is saying something.
Seriously, McClaren's time is surely over? I can honestly see Israel taking a point off Russia which would mean McClaren would be in charge for Euro 2008, if England beat Croatia.What would we not give for Jose Mourinho to take command, hey?
Still on football, I was saddened to hear Rangers fans booing Ronaldinho and Henry when Barca played in the Champions League at Ibrox. You get two works of art on display, as opposed to the many SPL journeymen who usually take on the Gers at Ibrox, and you boo them? What's going on here, guys? I supported Bury FC when I was a boy and I was so grateful when we drew big teams in the cups - certainly I did not boo them, I felt good to have witnessed such talent. I would have thanked my lucky stars to have seen Ronaldinho and Henry in the flesh!
One final talking point: Benitez and Gerrard...how long can this simmering feud continue? It seems to me that old Rafa is envious of the place Stevie G holds in the hearts of those on the Kop - and wasn't it a similar story with Michael Owen? But which of the two do you keep if it comes to a 'this town ain't big enough for the both of us' showdown? My money would be on Gerrard - even though Benitez has taken Liverpool to two European Cup finals...

Cheques and bugs and rock n roll

It's been an 'interesting' start to the week. Today my new book is out - Lewis Hamilton: The Biography. When the publisher (John Blake) decided to go ahead with the book at the end of July he asked me to provide a synopsis. I did, writing it as if Lewis had won the drivers' championship. I guessed that he would more or less have it sewn up by October 1, the day after the GP in Japan. Unbeknown to me, that synopsis went out on amazon! It caused a real storm around the world - honest, if you don't believe me, just type in my name and Lewis Hamilton on google .com. F1 fans were up in arms around the world, knocking me - well , as it turned out, barring a massive shock, I was right, wasn't I! And it gives me great joy to say that. Lewis is a genius; I think that is the best word to describe him, and a genuine great guy, too.
One thing that I think is wrong, but pse tell me if I am incorrect - he will not be the first rookie to win the drivers' title, will he? Surely that accolade inevitably (logically) rests with Giuseppe Farina in 1950, as that was the first time the title was won?
Football...I think the treatment of Avram Grant at Chelsea is disgraceful. No one is saying he is another Mourinho, but surely he deserves a chance and to be afforded a basic human decency? If he messes up, so be it, but lay off the man. Also on the beautiful game...Man Utd need to cut those double standards of expecting season ticket holders to compulsorarily pay out extra for matches they may not want to attend, and then Ferguson puts out a second rate team. If it is a proper match, the crowd deserve proper treatment - it must work both ways. If the Glazers want the guaranteed readies then United must guarantee to take the match seriously, and send out Ronaldo etc. Okay, until next week...frankie w

Welcome to my blog

'This is not brain surgery we are talking about here...'

THAT QUOTATION was from one of my first mentors in journalism – and I still stick by it today. I have been a journalist on national newspapers for the last 20 years and am now the author of five books on key sportsmen of our time, and it still makes me smile when I hear some of the rubbish would-be Martin Amises spout. The people we are dealing with in football, sport generally, music and celebrity are not philosophers or the aforementioned hospital lifesavers – yet some writers, and publishers, would have you believe that they are just that.

I remember when I did my first book on Wayne Rooney and a publisher agreed to look at it. He rang me and I could almost see his lip curling in true aristocratic pompous-style as he told me: “The problem is it does not take me into the socio, psychological world of Rooney. It does not take into account the economic and social factors behind his rise. I would really need that input to take a punt on it.”

Bemused, I promptly sold it a day later to a publisher who knew what we were talking about here: Wayne Rooney, footballer extraordinaire and a young lad who had perhaps had his head turned by some of the excesses money and youth can bring. Nothing more; there was no great philosophical or sociological statement to be gained.

The world of entertainment is a great one in which to be involved and grow up. I was lucky enough to write for what used to be the Melody Maker at a very young age. I was their North of England correspondent and it was the next best thing to being a pop star. A young lad from north Manchester interviewing and staying in the same hotel as the Rolling Stones etc. Of course it went to my head! I paid a price: losing much in a fantasy world of rock 'n roll excess. Even in hindsight, it is a cheque I would gladly issue once again.

I was privileged to break some of the biggest artists to come from the north of England in the 80s. I did the first interviews with Jarvis Cocker, New Order, Morrissey, OMD and was there backstage cheering the likes of the Human League on. I also loved some being part of the more experimental music at the time – Cabaret Voltaire, the Box, Person to Person and Syncopation.

With my books, the focus has been on my joint first love – football. My book on Rooney was the first on the boy and I was privileged to do a follow-up to Roy Keane's magnificent autobiography, and, moving at a slight tangent, the first biog on Lewis Hamilton.

The Hamilton story encapsulates for me exactly what a great sports book should be about. The overcoming of adversity and the advent of a legend.

I intend to post my blog here regularly to expound my views on the latest developments in the world of sport and music – and I look forward to reading your replies.