WHEN ONE JOB JUST ISN’T ENOUGH
Across a playing career that lasted a quite astonishing 29 years, the Brazilian footballer Marcelinho Paraíba represented enough clubs to fill two different golf bags, including spells of varying length and distinction at well known European outfits such as Marseille, Wolfsburg, Hertha Berlin and Trabzonspor. Capped five times for his country and nicknamed after the state in which he was born to distinguish him from the plethora of other Marcelinhos who seem to roll off the jogo bonito assembly line with monotonous regularity, the 49-year-old midfielder represented 26 different teams as a player but crucially never attempted to line up for two separate clubs at the same time. Marcelinho the manager, however, is a far more ambitious man and in the space of 24 hours over the weekend was unveiled as the new Mister of two different teams, from two different divisions in two different Brazilian states.
Boasting a work ethic that would put the combined forces of self-professed workaholics Marcelo Bielsa, Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe combined to shame, Marcelhino was announced as the new manager of Brazilian sides Americano-RJ and Nacional de Patos over the weekend, prompting no end of confusion among fans of both clubs, not least because according to Football Daily’s old friend Google Maps, their respective “estádios”, the Godofredo Cruz and José Cavalcanti, are separated by 1,331 miles, a journey that would take Marcelinho 32 hours to drive, Brazil’s famously busy and often unpaved roads and motorways permitting.
Despite speculation that Marcelinho’s job-combo was an error, the explanation was reasonably innocent and there will be no need for a professional lookalike to take his place in the technical area of one of his clubs in scenes vaguely reminiscent of the mildly amusing 1993 Hollywood romcom Dave, starring Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver. Marcelinho, famed for his colourful hair and even more arresting taste in footwear, will only take charge of struggling Nacional for the handful of remaining games of the regional championship of his home state in Paraíba, before directing his focus to Americano-RJ’s pre-season preparations for their assault on the second division of the Rio state championship.
“I am here to tell you how happy I am to be in charge of Americano in the Carioca Second Division in 2025,” he parped. “We’re going in search of our goal to access the elite of Carioca football.” At the time of writing, his ambitions for his short spell in charge of Nacional are not known but one presumes this enthusiastic servant of two masters hopes to help them avoid the drop.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Rob Smyth from 8pm GMT for hot MBM coverage of Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid in their Bigger Cup playoff first leg. And Michael Butler will be on clockwatch duty for the rest of the night’s action.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
I don’t think it was wrong. We thought that Viní was the winner that year. It doesn’t mean we don’t respect Rodri because he is a fantastic player” – Carlo Ancelotti insists it was completely normal behaviour for Real Madrid to collectively throw their toys out of the pram and boycott the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Thanks to Alexandra Topping for her emotional article about Goodison Park (yesterday’s Still Want More, full email edition). It moved me to tears. As a 63-year-old Falkirk fan, I can still remember being lifted over the turnstile as a child by my dad at our former ground, Brockville Park. Indeed, when he passed away a couple of years ago at the age of 90, I began my eulogy at his funeral by recounting those days and then reassuring those present that, as lifelong Falkirk fans, they could relax as I was used to crying in public, which I then duly did” – Gary McGregor.
We see your FA Cup and Scottish Cup giant-killings (yesterday’s Football Daily) and raise you the Canadian equivalent. Cavalry FC play at an equestrian arena in Calgary, Alberta, and didn’t exist as recently as 2018. We were drawn to face Mexican giants Pumas Unam in the Concacaf Cup this past Thursday. The first leg had to take place 700km away from said arena in slightly warmer Langford, British Columbia, as current temperatures in Calgary hover around -20C. Most Cavalry fans couldn’t make the journey. We won” – Jonathan Alphonsus.
Having started supporting home-city club Newcastle United in 1953, I abandoned them after the last takeover. All I’ve got left are Berwick Rangers, once the only English team in the Scottish League and currently not far off the bottom of the Lowland League. A framed certificate of my loyalty-proving 25 £1 shares in the Borderers hangs on my toilet wall” – Nigel Robson.
Hoping to be the first of 1,057 pedants to tell David Fryer (yesterday’s Football Daily letters) that Grantham Town’s most likely destination is the United Counties League Premier Division North, known for sponsorship reasons as the GCE Hire Fleet Limited United Counties Football League Premier Division North. With 11 points to safety and an extra game played, you might need to get used to it” – Alan Terlep (and no others).
The size of the goals on Hackney Marshes (yesterday’s Memory Lane, full email edition) were as much of a lottery as the number of players you’d have at kick-off or what time the ref might turn up. It all depended how much rubbish was in the metal holes and how far down you could push the goalposts. The more rubbish, the higher (and more precarious) the crossbar. And the better the excuse when you got beaten from distance” – Dan Ashley.
Send letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our letter o’ the day is … Gary McGregor, who gets a copy of David Squires’s brilliant new book: Chaos in the Box. We have more copies to give away this week but if you’re not lucky enough to win one you can order your own in the Guardian Bookshop. There are loads of other great tomes waiting to be added to your basket, too, so get shopping! Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.
RECOMMENDED LOOKING
It’s David Squires on … Liverpool’s sacrificial offerings meeting their end in Plymouth, and other FA Cup storylines.
THE PLACE WE LONG TO BE
It was all going on in Kingston, where Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago played their second friendly in four days on Monday. Jamaica won the first 1-0 but the second will forever be known as the Josiah Josha Trimmingham Match: " target="_blank" class="link"> the T&T defender put his side ahead on 29 minutes then, in the fourth minute of injury time, equalised for the hosts by way of " target="_blank" class="link"> classically inept own goal. But the real interest – at least for indolent tea-timely emails seeking cheap gags, easy targets and parochial subjects – is in the managers. Jamaica, of course, are under the tutelage of legendary Dutch speaker, Steve McClaren, while the T&T players are inspired by Dwight Yorke and his feel-good vibes.
NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
A jury at Kingston Crown Court has found Chelsea’s Sam Kerr not guilty of the racially aggravated harassment of Metropolitan police officer Stephen Lovell.
Former Spanish federation boss Luis Rubiales has told a court that he asked Jenni Hermoso if he could kiss her before doing so after the Women’s World Cup victory in 2023. “In that moment it was something completely spontaneous,” he said.
Newcastle’s Joe Willock has called on those in charge of social media companies to clamp down on the “lowlifes” who recently subjected him to racist abuse online. “You could endanger someone if you have that hatred,” he said. “I had to [report them].”
Espanyol have expressed their “complete discontent and condemnation” of an “unacceptable” incident in which Barcelona’s Mapi León appeared to gesture towards the crotch area of Daniela Caracas during the Liga F match between the sides on Sunday and said the behaviour “should not be overlooked”.
New Saints have warned clubs against selling players to the Saudi Pro League after claiming they have yet to receive a penny after selling their star striker Brad Young to the Saudi club Al-Orobah last summer. “Twice we have been promised money that we haven’t received despite numerous requests to do so,” said TNS chief suit Mike Harris.
Plymouth Argyle are plotting a new FA Cup upset, baby, after being handed a trip to Manchester City in the fifth round. The full draw: Preston v Burnley, Aston Villa v Cardiff City, Crystal Palace v Millwall, Manchester United v Fulham, Newcastle United v Brighton, Bournemouth v Wolves, Manchester City v Plymouth Argyle, Exeter or Nottingham Forest v Ipswich.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot is expecting a reaction from his players in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby at Everton. “To lose against Plymouth is not acceptable,” he warbled. “Now we have to show a different side of us.”
Sixth-placed Blackburn have “reluctantly granted” permission for manager – and former Derby midfielder – John Eustace to speak with Championship rivals County (22nd) over their vacancy. “The club is extremely disappointed by John’s request to hold discussions with another club at such a crucial stage of the season,” sniffed Rovers.
Feyenoord have stepped up preparations for this week’s Bigger Cup playoff against Milan … by sacking Brian Priske. “The club cites the inconsistent results and a lack of chemistry as the main reasons,” trilled a statement. “We see too little structural progress.” Former player Pascal Bosschaart is in as interim boss.
And in bob news that’s a day or two old but still bears reporting, disgraced former Lazio falconer Juan Bernabe turned up at Folgore Caratese for their Serie D game against Breno. He did his thing – with eagle Olimpia, not all that far-right stuff or showing off his recently upgraded appendage – before the hosts ran out 4-2 winners.
STILL WANT MORE?
Real Madrid have a defensive-knack crisis going into their Bigger Cup playoff first leg at the Etihad, explains Sid Lowe.
Talking of Bigger Cup, Philippe Auclair highlights how the new format is only likely to further entrench inequalities, pointing out that Manchester City have already earned more from this year’s competition than Aston Villa, who’ve outperformed them in it.
Reading’s perma-crisis shows why a regulator is needed, despite the increasingly hysterical opposition, writes Jonathan Liew.
A rather better-helmed League One club, fan-run Exeter, are relishing their FA Cup night in the spotlight against Forest, reports Billy Munday.
And John Brewin chats to Jed Griffiths, the lifelong Plymouth fan who was also present at Argyle’s previous win over Liverpool, 69 years ago.
MEMORY LANE
Lots to like here with this trip back to a snow-covered Gay Meadow in January 1986 as Chelsea take on Shrewsbury, orange ball and all. David Speedie grabbed the only goal of the game, but his team would succumb to eventual winners Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in the next round.
