The financial incentive of the likely severance payout was probably the primary decision maker. If it turned out he was up to the task, then that was a bonus all round. The worst case for him was reputation damage (being totally humiliated during his tenure) . The former did not happen, and he was not there long enough to see the latter (though some of us thought that would have been the case given long enough) . So I contend there are more rational reasons than hubris or delusion for Nuno accepting the job.
It’s hard to remember a player who’s been so disrespected despite doing so much for a club, if there even is another case like it. If a player scored an overhead kick winning goal in the champions league final for my club, I’d probably get their name or a picture of the goal tattooed on me! The thought of booing someone like that genuinely blows my mind. Not forgetting the Copa del rey final one too against Barca, that goal was Maicon-esque with how he murdered the Barca player. Odd bunch those fans to say the least, ridiculously entitled too.
John Bostock rejects a new contract offer from Doncaster Rovers because he wants to play at a higher level.
I saw on twitter that it’s 16 years ago since we signed Giovanni Dos Santos. This reminded me of the pre season game that year at the Lane against Roma, when we stuffed them 5-0 and Dos Santos and David Bentley were absolutely amazing. I remember Bentley doing a crazy celebration along the whole East Stand touch line, and I turned to Mrs OS and said we’re going to win the league this season I also remember Dos Santos coming on as sub at Fratton Park in “that” Sol Campbell chanting game and our entire away end singing his name. As Harry said, pity he couldn’t pass a nightclub like he could a football
We played 8 pre-season games that year, winning 7 and drawing 1 with a GD of +28. Then the real thing kicked off and we famously got 2 points from 8 games! Battered Roma and Dortmund, then lost to Boro and Sunderland. Some things don't change.
Of course, that was the 2 points from 8 games season, I bet Redknapp is still mentioning that wherever he goes.
