Even George Steinbrenner in his heydays could never match Ramon Calderon in his contemptuous disregard of managers. Exhibit A is Fabio Capello who actually won them the Liga in 2007 after Fiorentina Perez’s expensive set of superstars went three seasons without a title. The Italian with his unimaginative style but effective style of soccer was fired even as Juande Ramos, the present coach emulates his approach.
Bernd Schuster became Capello’s replacement largely because of his heroics in getting Getafe, a perpetually under rated team to the 2007- 2008 UEFA Cup after humiliating Barcelona, 4-0 in the second leg of the Copa Del Rey semi-final. He joined Calderon’s Real paying out of pocket to break his contract. Under him Real got back on track playing attractive and attacking soccer after Capello’s defensive dourness and they won the 2007 Liga. This set up the off season conflagration with Man Utd over Cristiano Ronaldo. The 2008 season began with Robinho, a prime mover in the Liga success making his dramatic move to the Premiership.
In the end, for all his Kaa like efforts, Calderon was unable to beguile Ronaldo to Real. The one track mission proved dear as the club did not land any other notable players like Villa, Fabregas, or Cazorla. Schuster in essence was shafted. A bad loss to Valencia at the Bernabeu had the media chattering. Then came his fifth column moment when he went public stating in essence Real would never beat Barcelona in the Clasico. That was the end. He was terminated last December. He left the club quietly until now.
He calls Ramon Calderon “Gomina” which is hair gel in Spanish. I think he means a slick shyster. He defends his so called traitorous moment by saying that he wanted to motivate his players against Barcelona. He was never given the players he was promised because of Calderon’s all consuming pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is easy to see why Schuster became a favourite of Maradona. They are larger than life personalities who never hold their tongue when going up against authority. Real might be running a steadier ship under Juande Ramos last seen struggling with self esteem issues under Daniel Levy at Tottenham but with Barca running away with the Liga title and Real crashing out of the CL, there is talk that his days are numbered. Now we have Senna imploring Wenger not to join Real.
Ramon Calderon should be exiled in the Island of Elba.