Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Eleven

1- Pele and João Saldanha, 1970

The Journalist João Saldanha, was already a controversial and outspoken figure, within Brazil Football circles when he was appointed as Brazil Manager in 1969.

It was no secret that he did not get on well with Pele (among others).

He was fired after contemplating to drop Pele in a match vs Chile in March 1970.

Photo From: World Soccer, August 1992

(Pele)

Photo From: Placar, Issue 1370, September 2012

(João Saldanha)

2- Wolfram Wuttke and Schalke, 1982

In the spring of 1982, Wolfram Wuttke (then of Borussia Moenchengladbach) sued his former club Schalke.

As a 17 year he had signed and he was promised additional wages after improved performances that were not paid. 

The court ruled his suit was valid and was entitled to extra £5,500‎.

Photo From: Fussball Magazin, Issue 11, November 1989

(Wolfram Wuttke)

3- Carlos Manuel and Benfica, 1987/88

Benfica star Carlos Manuel had a falling out with his employers during the 1987/88 season and missed practice sessions in anger.

He transfered to Swiss club Sion midway through the season.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 70, December 1985

(Carlos Manuel)

4- Louis van Gaal and Bryan Roy 1992

In the first few months of the 1992/93 season, Ajax Amsterdam Manager Louis van Gaal dropped International winger Bryan Roy after a falling out.

He remarked that hopefully there is a manager who can get the best out of him.

Roy joined Italian club Foggia shortly thereafter.

Photo From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 29, June 1991

(Bryan Roy at Ajax Amsterdam)

Photo From: World Soccer, June 1995

(Louis van Gaal)

5- Paulo Roberto Falcao and Dino Viola, 1985

AS Roma’s Brazilian star Paulo Roberto Falcao was injured during the 1984/85 season and had to go to USA for surgery.

AS Roma summoned him back to Italy for medical check but he refused.

Therefore AS Roma President Dino Viola asked the Federation to cancel Falcao’s contract. The Federation sided with Viola and AS Roma signed Poland’s  Zbigniew Boniek as a replacement.

Photo From: Calcio 2000, Issue 27, February 2000

(AS Roma President Dino Viola)

Photo From: France Football, Issue 2021, January 1, 1985

(Paulo Roberto Falcao after his operation)

Photo From: EL GRAFICO Nº 3319 (1983)

(Paulo Roberto Falcao with AS Roma teammate Bruno Conti)

Football’s Quarrels and Feuds, Part Eight

1- Junior and Gigi Radice, 1986/87

During the 1986/87, Torino’s Brazilian star Junior had a feud with Manager Gigi Radice. He was fined by management after he insulted Radice in Newspapers by suggesting he needed to see a psychiatrist.

Photo From: Guerin Sportivo, December 15, 1984-January 8, 1985

(Junior at Torino, 1984/85)

Photo From: World Soccer, October 1993

(Luigi Radice)

2- George Weah and Artur Jorge, 1992/94

It was common knowledge that Paris St. Germain’s Liberian striker did not get along with Portuguese Manager Arthur Jorge.

Jorge would publically accuse Weah of being inconsistent. Weah for his part, took offense that he was being humiliated in public.

Photo From: World Soccer, January 1993

(George Weah at Paris St. Germain)

Photo From: Mondial, new series, Issue 90, September 1987

(Artur Jorge)

3- Jesus Gil and Jose Maria Caneda, 1996

Controversial Atletico Madrid President Jesus Gil punched his counterpart of Compostela in a meeting of Club Presidents in early 1996. Caneda had stated that the citizens of Marbella were stupid to have elected Gil as their mayor.

Photo From: Goal, May 1996

(Jesus Gil punching)

Gil Punch-up

4- Bebeto and Paulo Roberto Falcao, 1991

On July 3, 1991, Brazil striker Bebeto angrily walked out of Brazil’s Copa America squad since he would not be a guaranteed starter.

He declared he would not play for Brazil with Falcao as coach.

Photo From: Onze, Issue 146, February 1988

(Bebeto)

Photo From: World Soccer, July 1991

(Paulo Roberto Falcao)

5- Phil Neal and Liverpool FC, 1986

Almost a year after he was transferred out of Liverpool, former long serving defender Phil Neal published an autobiography in which he attacked Liverpool.

He accused them of having promised him a job in Management that they did not deliver. He went on to accuse them of signing players just so that rival clubs would not. He also attacked former players such as Emlyn Hughes.

Photo From: Mondial, new series, issue 62, May 1985

(Phil Neal)