Comments on: For better or worse? http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/10/12/for-better-or-worse/ We're fans. It's our game, so we write about it. Fri, 27 Apr 2012 04:37:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Steve Atkinson http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/10/12/for-better-or-worse/#comment-272 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:26:25 +0000 http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/?p=608#comment-272 Geoff, I think that ultimately football has to concede to social conscience, and as such Germany is probably ahead of the game and maybe better equipped to compete when a shift occurs. Everything is well organized over there, and as another article has pointed out they are starting to produce quality young players again.

I see no reason why a Bundesliga club could not keep a team of 5 or 6 younger domestic players together and forge a team competitive in the Champions League – a la Man U in the late 90s. Certainly Werder Bremen have a good mix at the moment, perhaps if they can keep hold of their talent, and bring a few more in they can challenge in Europe.

Maybe I’m a romantic but I don’t think money breeds good football, you need talented players and a good coach. They are working on generating their own talent, and they have always had good coaches – I love watching Magath’s teams play for instance. It would be great for football if their teams went far and knocked a few of the ludicrously financed clubs out on the way.

]]> By: Geoff Edwards http://worldfootballcolumns.com/2009/10/12/for-better-or-worse/#comment-271 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:19:02 +0000 http://www.worldfootballcolumns.com/?p=608#comment-271 Steve,

Interesting article. Coincidentally, I’m working on a column giving examples of where players/clubs have taken on some kind of social responsibility so this article will be the ideal background.

I agree with what you say about Germany. In terms of their domestic game they are very healthy, they also have their 50+1 rule which stops the likes of Abramovich coming in. But do you think they have sacrificed their chances to compete in the Champions League with this model?

]]>