Soccer’s leadership own goal
By Andy Pearson
As understatements go, yesterday’s BBC Sport headline was up there with the best: England captain John Terry admits to splitting opinion.
And unfortunately for Terry, he appeared at a press conference with sweat across his face – although it’d be wrong to read too much into this as he may have just come off the training ground.
It’s been a tricky PR situation for England as they prepare to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium this Saturday.
Questions
And, although Terry handled reporters’ questions well yesterday, the debate over his reclaiming of the skipper’s armband will go on.
Radio stations such as BBC Five Live and TalkSport enjoy an incessant chatter relationship with soccer and it was in full fling last night.
A national newspaper sports writer wanted the England skipper to be the perfect gent on and off the pitch – Gary Lineker had been his ideal captain.
Barricades
Footballers interviewed said the role needed something possibly at odds with the Lineker charm – a dogged, sleeves-rolled-up man motivator who could man the barricades. I don’t think the Alamo was mentioned but it could have been.
Terry said that he’d tried to keep his head down off the pitch since his manager stripped him of the title a year or so ago.
He said his return would cause no difficulties within the squad. And I suspect it won’t.
Hungry
But the debate is a distraction the image builders at the FA could do without. They have a big derby game coming up and the controversy-hungry media has been handed something on a plate.
It’d be nice to think Wales could capitalise and turn the situation into a real positive for themselves.
But who would you put your money on: John Terry of James Collins?
Tags: Cardiff, England, FA, John Terry, PR, PR agency, Wales
