No surprises over Newcastle madness

 Joe Kinnear's now infamous interview on TalkSport was truly a moment of comedic brilliance from the newly appointed director of football at Newcastle United but it is also symptomatic of the crazy bubble that football lives in.

Kinnear certainly didn't cover himself in glory and made himself out to be something of a laughing stock by mispronouncing half of the player's names who play for a club he is now currently director of. Given his track record, though, was this really much of a surprise?

This is the same man, after all, who having been made manager of Newcastle swore around 50 times during his opening press conference to mark his introduction to the Premier League ahead of the 2008-2009.

But the footballing world is a wild place and when I heard Kinnear's interview I considered it to be par for the course. 

The moment when I knew football was truly a mad environment was when AC Millan, having won Serie A, gave away Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer to direct rivals Juventus who subsequently won the last two Scudettos. Madness, eh?

It has desensitized me, though, because I did not bat an eyelid when Arsene Wenger signed a twenty year old unknown French player with dodgy knees. Why not add to that growing pile of exactly the same player at the club? Look, Yaya Sanogo may turn out to be the new Nicolas Anelka and Arsenal's saviour (or something) but at face value the signing seems crazy. Has Wenger not learnt his lesson?

Anyway, like I said, football is insane and quicker we all fully acknowledge this fact the better.

Follow @JerryvanWav

Comments

[Shakabula Gooner]

Amazing!
A posting on Kinnear's bizarre interview somehow has to conclude with a criticism of Wenger's purchase of a 20year old striker who, having broken breaking his leg 1 or 2 seasons ago, have recovered and resumed business in the French league, banging in goals and fully showing his old spark! And despite the player being obviously a recruit for the future.
Will there never be a slack or benefit of doubt given to this great coach who has achieved well beyond the expectations of his critics season after season? Could it be that his name is just an irresistible magnet to blogs like yours, with precious little to say but desperately seeking greater than deserved hits from the unwitting public?

[Jimmy Smith]

I do believe that in terms of management, coaching etcetera, Arsene Wenger is without a shadow of a doubt the best manager in English Football. He has kept Arsenal in contention for the title for years with players that generally Ferguson , Chelski and now Man City would not suffer to have in the squads. Wenger coaches his players to greatness, the rest buy greatness. Arsenal have, as far as we can tell, the best finances of any Premier League club, thanks to a great manager following his boards directives and not having transfer strops like many others in the premier. I could never support Arsenal but give some sort of recognition to a truly great manager.