Mihir Bose's Blog, page 32
May 20, 2015
Can British managers ever hope to manage a big club?
www.insideworldfootball.com
Talk of West Ham turning to Rafa Benitez in place of Sam Allardyce raises the question: what about British managers? If even a club like West Ham thinks foreign what hope is there for Britons who dream of managing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal or Manchester City? And that this is a question being asked in a season where British managers have made quite a mark shows the problem for the native born.
I doubt if since the rise of the cult of the foreign manager in this country we have had so much spotlight on British managers. Think Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, who has done the seemingly impossible by taking the club into the Premiership. Or Alex Neil, the Scot, who could do the same with Norwich. Garry Monk, at Swansea, has done so well that he can express regret for missing out on Europe and this after playing fluent, attractive, football. And then there is Alan Pardew, who took over Crystal Palace when it looked doomed and saved them with more than something to spare.
Talk of West Ham turning to Rafa Benitez in place of Sam Allardyce raises the question: what about British managers? If even a club like West Ham thinks foreign what hope is there for Britons who dream of managing the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal or Manchester City? And that this is a question being asked in a season where British managers have made quite a mark shows the problem for the native born.
I doubt if since the rise of the cult of the foreign manager in this country we have had so much spotlight on British managers. Think Eddie Howe at Bournemouth, who has done the seemingly impossible by taking the club into the Premiership. Or Alex Neil, the Scot, who could do the same with Norwich. Garry Monk, at Swansea, has done so well that he can express regret for missing out on Europe and this after playing fluent, attractive, football. And then there is Alan Pardew, who took over Crystal Palace when it looked doomed and saved them with more than something to spare.
May 14, 2015
Amitav Ghosh concludes his Ibis Trilogy by examining the run-up to the Opium wars
Flood of Fire by Amitav Ghosh - book review
The Independent
'Flood of Fire' brings Amitav Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy to a close and deals with events between 1839 and 1841 that led to the Opium wars, the British acquisition of Hong Kong and what the Chinese call the hundred years of humiliation. Fiction set against such a huge sweep of history can often be in danger of recreating the standard school lessons where, as the teacher drones on about how this happened and then this happened in a long recital of forgotten facts, most of the pupils are sent to sleep. It is a testimony to Ghosh's great skills that he can both teach us history and create believable fictional characters.
As the narrative moves from India to China, Ghosh vividly brings to life men and women who cope with the immense impact of the European empires of the 19th century: the undreamt-of opportunities to make money, the challenge to the customs and rituals of ancient societies and the creation of almost unbearable conflicts of loyalties.
Kesri, the farmer's son, who defied his father's wish that he should join the decaying Mughal army to enlist with the army of the new power in India, the British, helps his British masters defeat the Chinese, then realises that he is really a mercenary who can never experience the passion the Chinese feel as they defend their lands. Shireen Modi, the Parsi wife, makes a slow and unexpected realisation – that news her dead husband has sired an illegitimate half-Chinese child does not confine her to a living hell but can be a means of new, more liberating, life. And Zachary, born to a slave and her white master, who passes for white, soon learns that by echoing the arguments of his boss, Burnham, selling opium to the Chinese means bringing them the inestimable values of free trade and liberating them from their tyrannical rulers, he has an opportunity to make the sort of money the penniless American could never have dreamt about.
The Independent
'Flood of Fire' brings Amitav Ghosh's Ibis Trilogy to a close and deals with events between 1839 and 1841 that led to the Opium wars, the British acquisition of Hong Kong and what the Chinese call the hundred years of humiliation. Fiction set against such a huge sweep of history can often be in danger of recreating the standard school lessons where, as the teacher drones on about how this happened and then this happened in a long recital of forgotten facts, most of the pupils are sent to sleep. It is a testimony to Ghosh's great skills that he can both teach us history and create believable fictional characters.
As the narrative moves from India to China, Ghosh vividly brings to life men and women who cope with the immense impact of the European empires of the 19th century: the undreamt-of opportunities to make money, the challenge to the customs and rituals of ancient societies and the creation of almost unbearable conflicts of loyalties.
Kesri, the farmer's son, who defied his father's wish that he should join the decaying Mughal army to enlist with the army of the new power in India, the British, helps his British masters defeat the Chinese, then realises that he is really a mercenary who can never experience the passion the Chinese feel as they defend their lands. Shireen Modi, the Parsi wife, makes a slow and unexpected realisation – that news her dead husband has sired an illegitimate half-Chinese child does not confine her to a living hell but can be a means of new, more liberating, life. And Zachary, born to a slave and her white master, who passes for white, soon learns that by echoing the arguments of his boss, Burnham, selling opium to the Chinese means bringing them the inestimable values of free trade and liberating them from their tyrannical rulers, he has an opportunity to make the sort of money the penniless American could never have dreamt about.
May 12, 2015
Hashim Amla: Conditions will allow England to cause Australia problems in the Ashes
London Evening Standard
Given the chaos surrounding English cricket, there are few people who believe Australia will be handing over the Ashes at the end of this summer.
Peter Moores was sacked last week after England could only draw 1-1 against a West Indies side labelled “mediocre” by incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves before the three-match series. Clearly, the task for whoever is head coach come the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8 is huge.
However, South Africa captain Hashim Amla does not think the tourists will get an easy ride.
“I can see England doing well against Australia,” says the man leading the world’s top Test team. “With a lot more bowler-friendly conditions in England, hopefully, it will be a good series. At the top of cricket it is us and Australia but England at home are quite a good team. To win they will have to bat well and do well in all the disciplines. Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are still very good bowlers and both have troubled me at different times.
“Anderson has done better over a longer period of time. The conditions in England certainly suit him and his style of swinging the ball. A wonderful swing bowler, in the last few years, he has certainly been one of the top seam bowlers in the world along with Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson, Vernon Philander. Broad is a little different. He has pace and produces great spells.”
Given the chaos surrounding English cricket, there are few people who believe Australia will be handing over the Ashes at the end of this summer.
Peter Moores was sacked last week after England could only draw 1-1 against a West Indies side labelled “mediocre” by incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves before the three-match series. Clearly, the task for whoever is head coach come the first Ashes Test in Cardiff on July 8 is huge.
However, South Africa captain Hashim Amla does not think the tourists will get an easy ride.
“I can see England doing well against Australia,” says the man leading the world’s top Test team. “With a lot more bowler-friendly conditions in England, hopefully, it will be a good series. At the top of cricket it is us and Australia but England at home are quite a good team. To win they will have to bat well and do well in all the disciplines. Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad are still very good bowlers and both have troubled me at different times.
“Anderson has done better over a longer period of time. The conditions in England certainly suit him and his style of swinging the ball. A wonderful swing bowler, in the last few years, he has certainly been one of the top seam bowlers in the world along with Dale Steyn, Mitchell Johnson, Vernon Philander. Broad is a little different. He has pace and produces great spells.”
May 11, 2015
‘Pakistan May Be A Lead Player In Chandra’s Venture’ Question and Answer session with Outlook India Magazine
Outlook India
Cricket historian and MCC member Mihir Bose on cricket governing bodies.
Nabanita Sircar Interviews Mihir Bose
While the latest revelations about the possibility of the Essel group forming a rival cricket governing body has already created ripples in the cricketing world, Nabanita Sircar spoke to cricket historian and MCC member Mihir Bose. Excerpts:
How is Essel’s registration of cricketing bodies with names similar to existing ones being seen in England?
It has attracted the attention of the ECB because it didn’t like what Lalit Modi did by launching the IPL, and let me tell you Modi does not get along with ECB president Giles Clarke. The Big Three, that is, India, England and Australia, are seen as some cricketing club and other countries are being left out. The Essel group’s interest is seen as a revenge attack.
Is England county cricket more vulnerable to such an offer?
They could be. English cricket has not recovered from the launch of the IPL. Lalit Modi always exaggerates, but this time, not without merit. If a rival cricketing organisation can provide a lot of money, then there will be a lot of attraction. However, the problem will be whether they will be completely marginalised by the ICC. What happens if anyone who plays for the rival becomes an outcast? This is a big danger.
Do you think there’s scope for a global cricketing establishment parallel to the ICC?
I don’t think so. At the moment, the ICC’s financing is done though India, which has all the lucrative TV contracts. A rival group will have to rely on other cricketing bodies like Pakistan, West Indies. Do they have the money? In the past, we have had sporting circuses, but the problem is they will miss out on the biggest country, India. The BCCI is so powerful they will stop their players from participating. And if Indian players don’t take part, will TV companies pay top dollar?
After what happened with the ICL, do you think the Essel group can succeed this time?
Cricket historian and MCC member Mihir Bose on cricket governing bodies.
Nabanita Sircar Interviews Mihir Bose
While the latest revelations about the possibility of the Essel group forming a rival cricket governing body has already created ripples in the cricketing world, Nabanita Sircar spoke to cricket historian and MCC member Mihir Bose. Excerpts:
How is Essel’s registration of cricketing bodies with names similar to existing ones being seen in England?
It has attracted the attention of the ECB because it didn’t like what Lalit Modi did by launching the IPL, and let me tell you Modi does not get along with ECB president Giles Clarke. The Big Three, that is, India, England and Australia, are seen as some cricketing club and other countries are being left out. The Essel group’s interest is seen as a revenge attack.
Is England county cricket more vulnerable to such an offer?
They could be. English cricket has not recovered from the launch of the IPL. Lalit Modi always exaggerates, but this time, not without merit. If a rival cricketing organisation can provide a lot of money, then there will be a lot of attraction. However, the problem will be whether they will be completely marginalised by the ICC. What happens if anyone who plays for the rival becomes an outcast? This is a big danger.
Do you think there’s scope for a global cricketing establishment parallel to the ICC?
I don’t think so. At the moment, the ICC’s financing is done though India, which has all the lucrative TV contracts. A rival group will have to rely on other cricketing bodies like Pakistan, West Indies. Do they have the money? In the past, we have had sporting circuses, but the problem is they will miss out on the biggest country, India. The BCCI is so powerful they will stop their players from participating. And if Indian players don’t take part, will TV companies pay top dollar?
After what happened with the ICL, do you think the Essel group can succeed this time?
May 7, 2015
Exploring the seedy side of the football federation
The Ugly Game by Heidi Blake & Jonathan Calvert
The Independent
Football has never been so popular or so dominant. So much so that, in this election, David Cameron's slip-up about which team he supports – he confused West Ham with Aston Villa – raised questions about his suitability to lead the country. Yet the people who run the game have never been in such bad odour with the stench from Fifa, the game's world body, almost overpowering.
Allegations of shady dealings have long swirled round Fifa but what has made the present crisis the worst in Fifa's history, is that never before has bribe-giving been documented in such graphic detail. All this has emerged following the extraordinary decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
This was done despite Fifa's own evaluation commission report that holding it in such a small country represented an "operational and logistical challenge" and the summer heat, that can reach 50C, is "a potential health risk". In the five years since the decision was taken, there has been endless speculation that the Qataris bought the World Cup. The Qataris vehemently deny this but allegations of vote-buying keep surfacing.
The Independent
Football has never been so popular or so dominant. So much so that, in this election, David Cameron's slip-up about which team he supports – he confused West Ham with Aston Villa – raised questions about his suitability to lead the country. Yet the people who run the game have never been in such bad odour with the stench from Fifa, the game's world body, almost overpowering.
Allegations of shady dealings have long swirled round Fifa but what has made the present crisis the worst in Fifa's history, is that never before has bribe-giving been documented in such graphic detail. All this has emerged following the extraordinary decision to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
This was done despite Fifa's own evaluation commission report that holding it in such a small country represented an "operational and logistical challenge" and the summer heat, that can reach 50C, is "a potential health risk". In the five years since the decision was taken, there has been endless speculation that the Qataris bought the World Cup. The Qataris vehemently deny this but allegations of vote-buying keep surfacing.
May 6, 2015
BT Sport’s John Petter: We want to do justice to the Champions League
As the rivalry between the TV companies slugging it out for sports rights hotted up, BT’s John Petter described Sky as “a rottweiler running away from a new-born puppy”.
A year on, I am meeting Petter and with BT Sport having lost its puppy fat, Sky has more reason to be wary.
In February, BT Sport retained its slice of the Premier League and forced Sky to pay even more to remain the main rightsholder for the three-year deal which kicks off with the 2016-17 season.
Petter, chief executive of BT’s consumer division, oversaw the £960million deal for 42 matches a season with more than half in the attractive Saturday tea-time slot. BT will pay 17 per cent more than now but Sky’s bill has risen by 70 per cent, to £4.18billion, so it can show 126 matches a campaign.
And in a coup for BT Sport, next season sees the start of its exclusive coverage of the Champions League, having wrested it from Sky and ITV.
A year on, I am meeting Petter and with BT Sport having lost its puppy fat, Sky has more reason to be wary.
In February, BT Sport retained its slice of the Premier League and forced Sky to pay even more to remain the main rightsholder for the three-year deal which kicks off with the 2016-17 season.
Petter, chief executive of BT’s consumer division, oversaw the £960million deal for 42 matches a season with more than half in the attractive Saturday tea-time slot. BT will pay 17 per cent more than now but Sky’s bill has risen by 70 per cent, to £4.18billion, so it can show 126 matches a campaign.
And in a coup for BT Sport, next season sees the start of its exclusive coverage of the Champions League, having wrested it from Sky and ITV.
May 1, 2015
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace: I hope Mourinho’s men don’t win the Premier League title against us, says Pardew
Jose Mourinho has always held out his hand to Alan Pardew, inviting him to watch Chelsea train after Pardew was sacked by West Ham.
But, on Sunday, as Pardew takes Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge, he is not sure how Mourinho will receive him.
“Last time we met I was at Newcastle,” says Pardew. “Jose was pretty upset. We beat them 2-0. He didn’t come for a drink after that one. I hope he’s cheered up a little bit.”
That defeat in December, the first of only two Premier League losses for the Blues this season, must seem a world away to Mourinho. All he needs is one win to secure the title and that may not be too difficult with Palace arriving on the back of defeats against West Brom and Hull.
But, on Sunday, as Pardew takes Crystal Palace to Stamford Bridge, he is not sure how Mourinho will receive him.
“Last time we met I was at Newcastle,” says Pardew. “Jose was pretty upset. We beat them 2-0. He didn’t come for a drink after that one. I hope he’s cheered up a little bit.”
That defeat in December, the first of only two Premier League losses for the Blues this season, must seem a world away to Mourinho. All he needs is one win to secure the title and that may not be too difficult with Palace arriving on the back of defeats against West Brom and Hull.
April 30, 2015
Football’s Janus face
Has there ever been a time when football has been so much in demand, even likely to affect a British general election, yet the people who run the sport are considered so incompetent, if not downright dishonest?
Just consider this. David Cameron, who as a thirteen year old was taken to Aston Villa by his uncle who was then the club chairman, has always claimed to be a fan of the club. But then during this election campaign he confuses the Midland's team with East London's pride West Ham and all hell breaks loose. The Prime Minister is mocked, doubts are cast as to whether he knows anything about football. When he claims a brain fade he is seen as no better than Natalie Bennett, the leader of the Green party, who also claimed a brain fade when she forgot what the policies of the Greens were. It gets so bad that Cameron has to give an interview to the Birmingham Mail where, if anything, he make matters worse by explaining that he was thinking of cricket when he confused Villa with the Hammers.
Just consider this. David Cameron, who as a thirteen year old was taken to Aston Villa by his uncle who was then the club chairman, has always claimed to be a fan of the club. But then during this election campaign he confuses the Midland's team with East London's pride West Ham and all hell breaks loose. The Prime Minister is mocked, doubts are cast as to whether he knows anything about football. When he claims a brain fade he is seen as no better than Natalie Bennett, the leader of the Green party, who also claimed a brain fade when she forgot what the policies of the Greens were. It gets so bad that Cameron has to give an interview to the Birmingham Mail where, if anything, he make matters worse by explaining that he was thinking of cricket when he confused Villa with the Hammers.
April 16, 2015
Elections and Immigration – The Elephant in the Room: Why non-UK citizens from 72 countries or territories are allowed to vote in UK elections
Last night I was called a racist during an election debate organised by Eastern Eye where BBC’s D.J. Nihal was quizzing a panel representing the three main parties, Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats. It came about because I asked a question about who was entitled to vote. The charge was that I was being racist to Asians and it was hurled at me by an Indian lady. Since I am also of Indian origin it was somewhat curious.
The three panellists Nihal was grilling were Michael Gove for the Tories, Ivan Lewis for Labour and Baroness Kramer for the LibDems. Nihal, who did an excellent job, much better than some of the better known political journalists, started by talking about immigration. This was understandable for, as he put it, most of the people in the room were either immigrants or children of immigrants. On the way there I was again made aware of the feelings on immigration when my taxi driver, who was white, said he would vote UKIP and then reassured me “It has nothing to do with race”. In response to Nihal all three panellists made the point that they wanted immigration fairly regulated.
The three panellists Nihal was grilling were Michael Gove for the Tories, Ivan Lewis for Labour and Baroness Kramer for the LibDems. Nihal, who did an excellent job, much better than some of the better known political journalists, started by talking about immigration. This was understandable for, as he put it, most of the people in the room were either immigrants or children of immigrants. On the way there I was again made aware of the feelings on immigration when my taxi driver, who was white, said he would vote UKIP and then reassured me “It has nothing to do with race”. In response to Nihal all three panellists made the point that they wanted immigration fairly regulated.
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