absolutelyBangkok archive · Politics
Originally published April 29, 2008
As if we wouldn’t know it: Money makes the world go round. Or so thought the great puppet master Thaksin Shinawatra, owner of honorable Manchester City Football Club. After having behaved like the owner of the Kingdom of Thailand but being kicked out, he at least could afford to be the owner of a faraway football club.
But how quickly sweet can turn sour and dreams crash down. There’s all poison between Thaksin and his star coach Sven-Göran Eriksson. The quiet Swede, known for his tranquility, even had a bust-up with Thaksin.
No surprise for us in Thailand. If Thaksin could drive us here crazy, he can easily drive Eriksson up the pole. But even more worrisome: “Shinawatra has become power-crazy at City,” writes The Sun. Brits, you who welcomed Thaksin with cheers and applause, didn’t we in Thailand tell you so? There’s a reason for him being kicked out of our kingdom in disgrace.
Thaksin, you may have kicked a football once or twice in his life, but “wants the final word on everyone who comes in or out — and even wants to pick the team”, says The Sun.
And that’s not all. More importantly and encouraging:
The kind people of City love Eriksson for the life he brought back to eternal bridesmaid in Manchester football. This very Eriksson, ”in an amazing show of fury, the normally mild-mannered former England boss tore into Shinawatra for publicly criticizing the team’s performance and his own abilities.”
Wow. Talk about Thaksin’s loss of face.
Not well done Thaksin, not well done. You should have known better. Still try to master everybody and everyone, even the ones superior to you.
We warned you Sven.
Facing the prospect of being taught the art of football by Thaksin, the Swede reportedly said: “Shinawatra expects the manager to do what he says no questions asked and if he decides a player should be in the team the boss should accept it.”
“But Sven won’t agree with that. How many top managers would?”
Still didn’t learn, Thaksin, that you can’t buy everything with money?
If Man City’s players would have the choice between Eriksson and Thaksin, the choice seems clear. The Sun: “Eriksson told his shocked City stars that he is going to be sacked in the summer.”
He revealed he will be chopped after their last two league games.
Maybe it was all old well-known Thaksin-style pressure tactics trying to squeeze more profits and successes out of Eriksson. Will he really get the boot/sack?
A number of senior players however stood up to pledge their support for Eriksson.
One eyewitness: “Everyone was totally shocked. The players have all taken to Sven and enjoy his methods.”
“It seems ridiculous after what has been an excellent season.”
We in Thailand, seen that before, heard that before, went through that before.
The good flee the scene, the ugly triumph.
Me figures the fans won’t welcome Thaksin anymore with cheers and applause.
As many Thai noodles, spring rolls and whatever Thai goodies and smiles he serves them.
Thaksin, you may boss around your own people.
Please start showing some respect.
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