RON ATKINSON IS “fed up” of apologising for the racial slur he directed towards Marcel Desailly in 2004 that effectively ended the former Manchester United manager’s career as a respected football pundit.
Following Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat to Monaco in the first leg of a Champions League semi-final, Atkinson said of the French World Cup winner, “he’s what is known in some schools as a f****** lazy, thick n*****”.
The remarks were picked up by microphones that should have been switched off once the UK broadcast of the match concluded and aired in several countries across the Middle East.
Atkinson recently released his autobiography “The Manager”, where he addresses the incident and he told Omnisport he felt there was little more he could do in terms of saying sorry.
He said: “I am fed up of apologising – [former England manager] Terry Venables rang me up once and he said, ‘when are you going to stop apologising?’ And I thought, ‘ah, you’re right’.”
Atkinson’s fall from grace was particularly marked given he oversaw a revered West Brom side during the late 1970s, with Cyril Regis, Laurie Cunningham and Brendon Batson playing starring roles at a time when racist abuse from the terraces remained shamefully rife in the English game.
“When other clubs wouldn’t use black players, I used plenty of them,” he said.
“Not because they were black but because they were good lads who could play.”
In the modern era, with the lack of black managers viewed as a pressing issue in the fight for equality in British football, Atkinson believes the game is a meritocracy and opportunities are out there.
“I’ve always thought it’s ability that gets you anywhere,” he said. “Those black lads [at West Brom] didn’t get in because they were black.
“They got in because they were good enough. There’s a lot of talk about managers, there’s not enough English managers, let alone black managers.
“You know, there’s been any number of black managers, people forget.
“[Brighton manager] Chris Hughton keeps getting jobs. He does a good job wherever he goes.
“Funnily enough, I mentioned [former Fulham boss Jean] Tigana earlier, he was a good manager.
“It’s just dawned on me that Tigana was black. I never thought of that; I thought of him as a manager.”
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I suppose a natural development since Kilkenny’s physicality in the air has evolved the game into more of a physical battle. Hope there’s still a place for a Joe Deane or eoin Kelly type player in the modern game, hurling would be much poorer otherwise
There are not enough hardy lads in Tipp for the kind of game Ryan wants to impose .
I’d like to think you still need to be able to hurl to succeed tho. It’ll be interesting to see how Clare do with their pace and skill based game. I think it would be good for hurling to see them in croke park again. Hopefully Tipp can get the balance of brain and brawn right tho
Just because lads are after getting big and strong it does not mean that we after loosing a type of player.I think lads like TJ,Richie Hogan,JJ Delaney,Joe Canning and Callanan are just as skillful and class as Deane and Kelly.Just look at the player of the year nominees this year…….all three are like Houdini when they have a sliotar in their hands.Its the way the game is being played is changing.I think Kilkenny just brought more intensity rather than physicality,as the game was much more physical just as far back as 20 years ago.And more again 40 and 50yrs ago
For too long now ,Tipp have thrown away Munsters and all-Irelands due to their non physicality….
As Tommy Docherty once said when describing a Ladies team ” their lovely to look at,, but they wont hurt you ”
Maybe its time to bring back Hells Kitchen !!
I’m still scratching my head trying to figure out why maher was centre forward last year. I think right half back is his best position , in midfield he goes in and out of games. He’s more solid than Barrett.
Just as long as he doesn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. EOS was on the cusp of cracking it but his team lacked a bit of edge, not helped by injuries to the like if Mahony, Cahill, Stapleton etc. who add a bit of bite to the team. I would nearly prefer lose than sacrifice EOS’s hurling philosophy in favour of that sweeper system/ Donegal tactic that other teams are employing. Also if Michael Quinlivan can hurl he would be well worth a try.
That’s the worry Johnny, but I hope with the likes of bubbles, Callanan and Noel McGrath you have the bones of a hurling front 6 as opposed to a blunt battering ram. Galway even uppe’d the physicality stakes this year as well. Where’s it all going to end.. in puke football territory maybe? I like you still want to retain our nice brand of hurling identity if possible
Tipp need to find a few more players. No Denis Maher? The question you need to ask as a fan is how many of this squad would start on a Kilkenny first 15? 4-5 at a push, this is the bench mark for Tipp unfortunately.