Yesterday: Suarez isn’t a cheat

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If there is anyone out there who doesn't understand that Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest of all modern football managers -- sorry, Special One -- then all you need to do is read his defense of Wayne Rooney's World Cup flop.

Ferguson puts it down to the weight of "expectations" and makes it sound as if Rooney were a neophyte venturing into the big bad world of high stakes football for the first time. Rooney, we thought, had been there before: at Euros, at a World Cup, in Champions League finals, chasing Premiership titles.

Fact is Rooney was a big-time bust in South Africa. He looked so bad that we honestly believed he was injured. He was a major reason -- by doing virtually nothing -- why England folded, although by no means is he the only goat in a barnyard full of candidates.

What you love about SAF is how he defends his player. That's what a great boss does. Fergie knows that he needs a top-class Rooney if Manchester United is to continue to be among the best in Europe. He has already begun the ego rebuild, diverted the headlines to himself. Call that artful man, and media, management.

Ferguson even managed to praise the German team for displaying the same characteristics that he ripped a certain Bayern Munich team for in a Champions League loss this season. More fodder for headlines about Sir Alex and less space for criticism of his star forward.

Ferguson handles the big egos, the high pressure and the crazy ownership issues around Manchester United with an ease that understates his brilliance. This is just the latest sign of how hard he will be to replace when that sad day comes.

 

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Glad to see that Sepp Blatter has just declared the South African World Cup a success.

Gee, what a surprise.

You thought that the FIFA boss -- so prescient on most issues, especially goal-line technology -- would declare the African World Cup he trumpeted a failure?

If it's all right with you, I'm going to withhold judgment until I get the chance to chat with some folks outside the range of the vuvuzelas.

 

DAILY READS

Australian Football Fed launches defamation suit against Age newspaper over bid claims

Nigerian president said to back off suspension of team…

…after appeals on facebook (Not a joke.)

Daily Mail reports Bob Bradley is “outsider” short list candidate to replace Hodgson, Sven Goran-Eriksson favorite 

“Outraged” Blanc takes over Les Bleus

“Psychic Octopus” picks Spanish win. Next up: Fresh calamari on tonight’s menu.

 

SEMIFINALS 

A complete preview, with picks is right here.