http://m.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/8358282/ Toronto FC's Kiwi coach Ryan Nelsen has lost his captain and highest paid player on the eve of his coaching debut in America's Major League Soccer. The former All Whites captain is dealing with the retirement of German midfield general Tortsen Frings, four days out from Toronto's opening MLS game of the season away to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Frings, the former German international, was Toronto's captain and, with a salary of US$2.43 million last year, also their highest paid player. But the 36-year-old - 11 months his new coach's senior - discovered during pre-season that his comeback from hip surgery which cut short his 2012 season would take longer than initially thought, so he has called time on his career. "I always want to do what's best for the team and that is why I have decided to step away," Frings said in a statement. "I really enjoyed my time in Toronto and playing for Toronto FC. I wish the club all the best this season and hopefully they can continue to embrace the winning spirit that I brought to the team."
'....the winning spirit that I brought to the team'... (Frings) Didnt I read somewhere that the last two seasons have been disastrous for Toronto, almost (but not quite) as bad as ours?
Karma? Didn't realise we had a Buddhist contingent on this board. I still can't wish anything bad to Nelsen. Surely Samba should be a more than adequate replacement...
Would they have been as pissed off if he turned out as expected, IE a has-been that never got any game time? Not on your Nelly. They're only having a go at him because he was practically our only player to give his absolute all for the cause. He showed up all the younger lads with his commitment and professionalism yet he's the one that gets in the neck when he leaves? Some of the same people were congratulating Taarabt when he said he was heading off the ACON. They should be directing their fire at the useless layabouts we have in the squad instead of the old war horse who showed them all how its done.
Karma? Get a life, he performed above and beyond anyone's expectations. Would you rather he was ****e but sticked around to pick up a wage like the rest of them? Some people...
I agree. I'm sorry to say that, on the evidence of what I admit is so far only a handful of games, I'd take Nelsen over Samba. Nelsen's reading of the game, his positioning and organisation skills, as well as his ability with the ball at his feet, appear superior to Samba's by some margin. Presumably Samba can only get better (given time and assuming he stays with the Rs), but currently appears little more than a bludgeon.
So the only possibility is to be good and leave or be terrible and stay. Its totally impossible for you that he stays and fulfils his contract and plays all season at the level he played previously?
Don't slate Nelsen, if there had been 11 of him with the same attitude and ethos all season - then we wouldn't be up sh1t creek without a paddle..............
Thats the whole point isnt it? Anyway the OP was just a bit of a laugh, the only way it could have been funnier is if Nelsen was moaning at him for letting him down.
With the greatest of respect COL but there's a number of players currently and recently (Cisse, Ferdinand, Barton etc) at our Club that weren't fulfilling their contracts but you're not laying into them. Ferdinand went off on a personal crusade and dragged the Club through the shi*ter and Cisse was a disgrace such was the lack of effort he put in. As for Barton, well.......! There are a few in our squad right now who quite simply don't give a toss yet people are having a go at the one man who did, even though his legs were barely held in place by steel pins. Honestly, sometimes I do wonder are we living on the same Planet at all.
