The Euro 2008 Blog
Looking at the Euro 2008 Tournament so far and seeing that even multi-million pound businesses struggle to hold onto their best staff at the most inconvenient of times.
The Euro 2008 tournament has provided some excellent football, but just as many headlines have been created by speculation regarding big-name players and managers this summer. Teams such as Portugal and Spain have had to deal with their managers being linked to club jobs while their teams progressed in the tournament, with Chelsea announcing the news that Portugal boss Phil Scolari would be their new manager ahead of their Quarter Final against Germany. It may well have affected the team, as Portugal put in their worst display of the tournament, losing 3-2 despite a late fightback. Ironically, one of Scolari’s charges next season, Michael Ballack, scored Germany’s winner.
Transfer speculation can also affect players too – it was notable that Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the game was quiet, perhaps his mind was focused on his potential transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid and the constant media scrutiny that has followed him this summer. Indeed, Madrid’s public courtship of another clubs employee would be almost unheard of in normal recruitment terms, but the workplace of star footballers has always had an intense media following as where these people ply their trade means a lot to millions of people around the world.
It has also been notable that the star players of the tournament have been settled at their clubs or recently agreed transfers. Players such as Ballack and Fabregas have shone and know they will be key members of their teams next season, and Luka Modric, another player who has excelled, had his transfer to Tottenham already finalised before the tournament began. Andrei Arshavin, another star of the event, was anonymous in the Semi Final against Spain, when the speculation around his future was at its peak. Stability and security in their everyday job seems to have paid off, whereas those unsure of where they will be working next season have crumbled under the strain.
Fabregas: Settled star performer
Speculation regarding Spain’s manager Luis Aragones moving to Turkish club Fenerbahce hasn’t harmed their chances though, as the Spanish have progressed to the final. Aragones was originally criticised for leaving out Real Madrid legends Raul and Guti, but his decision to omit them from the squad (as he felt those two characters would be detrimental to team morale) has worked wonders. Not only have Spain been successful, they have arguably played the most attractive football, underlining the need for a team ethos which is as true in the workplace as it is on the football pitch.
Here’s looking forward to the final on Sunday and let’s hope that the Monday morning headlines concentrate on the football rather than the transfer merry-go-round.
