When Saturday Comes | The half decent football magazine

Decline and fall

Monaco were Champions League regulars a decade ago but now they are trying to avoid consecutive relegations, writes James Eastham

Eight years ago Monaco reached the Champions League final. They are now battling against relegation to France’s semi-professional third tier. It is a familiar story of decline. Since Didier Deschamps quit as coach 16 months after that European summit against Porto, a succession of managers, directors and presidents have been turfed out or walked away. Each has taken with him a blueprint for success that either failed or was dropped before coming to fruition.

Thursday, March 1st, 2012 - The Archive

Awards in absentia

John Duerden looks ahead to the Asian Player of the Year award ceremony and the controversial selection process involved to determine the winner

The annual Asian Player of the Year award ceremony held every November should be one of the highlights of the continental football calendar. While even close followers of football in the East would struggle to name the past five recipients, all know the controversial criteria that determine who can, or rather who cannot, win.

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012 - The Archive

Taking initiative

James Eastham on Joe Cole’s encouraging start at Lille

As first impressions go, Joe Cole’s at Lille was about as good as it gets. Just 21 minutes into his debut as a substitute in a league game against St Etienne, Cole recalled his youth. Picking up the ball in the inside-right position, he spun through 360 degrees, set off on a run towards the byline, evaded four challenges and had the presence of mind to pull the ball back for team-mate Ludovic Obraniak to score the third in a 3-1 win.

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011 - Book reviews

Talent spotting

Adam Bate explores the unwanted attention that success in Europe’s lesser leagues has brought from the big fish in England and Spain

“Before we declare that Wolverhampton are invincible, let them go to Moscow and Budapest. And there are other internationally renowned clubs: AC Milan and Real Madrid to name but two. A club world championship, or at least a European one – larger, more meaningful and more prestigious than the Mitropa Cup and more original than a competition for national teams – should be launched.”

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 - The Archive

Little by Lille

The traditional big clubs of Ligue 1 are being challenged by an astutely assembled teams of upstarts. James Eastham explains

The only way you can tell it’s matchday in Lille is by looking at the buses. If there’s a game on, the slogan “Allez Le LOSC” runs where the name of the destination normally is (LOSC being the acronym for Lille Olympique Sporting Club). But wander into any of the city centre bars showing football and you’re likely to find the majority of the locals sampling the beers the region is famous for barely glance up at the screens.

Thursday, April 21st, 2011 - The Archive

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Stories

Decline and fall

Monaco were Champions League regulars a decade ago but now they are trying to avoid consecutive relegations, writes James Eastham

Awards in absentia

John Duerden looks ahead to the Asian Player of the Year award ceremony and the controversial selection process involved to determine the winner

Taking initiative

James Eastham on Joe Cole’s encouraging start at Lille

Talent spotting

Adam Bate explores the unwanted attention that success in Europe’s lesser leagues has brought from the big fish in England and Spain

Little by Lille

The traditional big clubs of Ligue 1 are being challenged by an astutely assembled teams of upstarts. James Eastham explains