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Not much of a shock, but Wolves have just appointed Middlesbrough’s Rob Edwards as their new head coach.
Despite captaining an Argentina side that looked more like a Black Sabbath tribute band than an international football team capable of roaring to 1978 World Cup glory, Daniel Passarella – as La Albiceleste‘s manager in the late-1990s – banned his players from having long hair in the buildup to the 1998 World Cup (also banned: homosexuality and earrings). Despite his excellent form for Fiorentina, Gabriel Batistuta was remarkably left out for much of Argentina’s qualifying campaign, only rejoining his teammates when he agreed to a mild trim. Fernando Redondo, fresh from anchoring Real Madrid’s midfield in their victorious Big Cup triumph, and Claudio Caniggia refused to cut their lovely locks and were subsequently omitted from Passarella’s squad at France 98. “He had particular ideas about discipline and wanted me to have my hair cut,” Redondo later explained. “I didn’t see what that had to do with playing football so I said no.”
It’s heartening to know that, despite the Messification of Argentina and the whole Human Rights World Cup success thing, La Albiceleste’s team selection in the run-in to next year’s Geopolitics World Cup seems just as chaotic as 27 years ago. The sole fixture currently scheduled before the defence of Argentina’s title is this Friday’s friendly against Angola, in Angola. The hosts are much improved, soaring into the top 100 Fifa rankings, but still seem an odd choice for Lionel Scaloni to test and hone his squad, particularly as Angola has a problem with yellow fever, a viral infection spread by mosquitoes that typically causes flu-like symptoms but can, in severe cases, lead to jaundice, bleeding and organ failure. And owing to them not having the required vaccine, three leading players – Julián Alvarez, Giuliano Simeone and Nahuel Molina – have pulled out. “The three Atlético Madrid footballers are left out because they have not arrived in time with the health procedures related to the yellow fever vaccine that they must have to enter Angola,” bristled a statement.
