Saturday, September 06, 2008

East vs West:You Cant Have Billic

A new battle is brewing between the East and the West. Forget the South Ossetia -Russia imbroglio . This one here has wider dimensions.I kid you not. It all has to do with West Ham United`s quest for a replacement for dismissed coach Alan Curbishley. Such a genial character,why he left Charlton a couple of seasons ago is still a mystery. Anyhow, there has been talk that Slaven Billic,a former West Ham player and present national coach of Croatia is one of the names being considered for the post. A brilliant and charismatic coach i must add. So no surprises why fans want him for the job.

This has drawn a serious response from high up in the echelon of power in Zagreb. No other than the President himself has taken up arms against such a move. President Vlatko Markovic said `Billic can`t go because there will be a big political problem with Croatia.`

Big political problem with Croatia ? Like diplomats being summoned to explain London`s position on the issue? Embassies shut down? Un Security Council motions tabled ?

He went on to say `It will be mission impossible. They might have money,but so do we and the Croatian FA has enough money to buy West Ham.`

Such an angry President indeed. Wonder if our Prime Minister would ever get involved in such matters. Most probably not and definitely not in those terms. I see,however ,President Markovic`s popularity rating going into stratosphere among footbal crazy Croats and nationalists alike. Not to talk of putting paid to any underhand moves by West Ham to tempt Billic to Upton Park.