Refuting the media

In a recent AFP news, there were many points raised that I like to refute.

The article mentions:

When Gabriel Calderon was axed soon after guiding the Saudis to their fourth consecutive World Cup finals, he became the 15th manager to find himself axed in the past 12 years.

My respone:

I like to take your attention that he was sacked for two reasons: first, he let down the team during the West Asian Games, where Saudi Arabia lost to Iraq 5-1. I mean losing 2-1 is ok but 5-1 needs further looking into. Second, he lacked experience in coaching as before he came into coaching Saudi Arabia he had a failed coaching with a club in Switzerland. Don’t any team in the world want a better coach and most experienced coach. Look what Paqueta has done with the tean – so many friendly games.

It adds;

While Calderon’s successor, Marcos Paqueta, might be safe, just, until the World Cup, the chances of him being given the bullet before the tournament is out are strong if recent history is anything to go by.

My response;

Marcus Paueta has been working closely with various people – president of the Saudi Football Federation, Nasser Al Johar and assistant coaches. Everyone respects Paqueta in Saudi Arabia and really believes that he can make the change to the image of Saudi Arabia.

Also, Saudi Arabia wants to give a good image. So if the team doesn’t win, but performs well, then the coach is not getting fired at all. I mean Nasser Al Johar turned around the team in 2002 against Cameroon, but he didn’t get fired during the World Cup.

It also says;

That al-Johar retained his post, though, probably had something to do with the fact that the Saudis had no-one else left to turn to.

My response:

If you are a manager, you should know that a person who commits a mistake is worth retaining as he will not commit that mistake again!

Nasser Al Johar is a coach with experience and what he learned in Japan/South Korea 2002 is worth gold to the national team.

There are other coaches in Saudi Arabia – lots of them!