Greatest Footballer & Manager combined

Giggsy

comment by Garry Brady (U1734)
posted 6 minutes ago
And Rooney
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul Hartley

If we think in terms of overall impact on the game rather than simply the trophy count, then I think it's hard to look past Cruyff.

Apart from lifting the Netherlands from non-entities into an international footballing power, he created long-lasting legacies at two of the most celebrated clubs in European and world football, both as a footballer and as a manager, not just in terms of success translated into honours, but more importantly as regards a whole approach to how the game is actually played.

That makes him pretty unique amongst the top players in the history of the game.

Not forgetting Bob Paisley.

comment by it'sonlyagame (U6426)
posted 7 hours, 11 minutes ago
If we think in terms of overall impact on the game rather than simply the trophy count, then I think it's hard to look past Cruyff.

Apart from lifting the Netherlands from non-entities into an international footballing power, he created long-lasting legacies at two of the most celebrated clubs in European and world football, both as a footballer and as a manager, not just in terms of success translated into honours, but more importantly as regards a whole approach to how the game is actually played.

That makes him pretty unique amongst the top players in the history of the game.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I reckon that's a pretty strong argument. From the names going around only Beckenbauer, Cruyff and Zidane are all-time great players. As managers did Beckenbauer and Zidane truly elevate their teams beyond what they would otherwise be capable of, or were they in charge of superb groups of players? The Germany 1990 squad, as I recall, was strong all round and played a fairly standard system for German football of that time. Zidane's Real squad was packed with superstars who had played together for years - they didn't dominate their domestic league but had a knack of winning one-off games and benefited from the run of the ball (like any CL winner) on a number of occasions in that phenomenal run. Cruyff is the only one who really left a legacy as a manager (though we have to acknowledge he didn't create those ideas - Rinus Michels has to take a big piece of credit for the revolution that spread from Ajax and the Netherlands to Barcelona).

What about Trappatoni? Can’t remember if that’s the correct spelling but wasn’t he the boss of Juve in the 80s/90s when they were dominating? Pretty sure he won loads as a player with AC Milan. Not sure how his trophies stack up to others mentioned but he was definitely a winner as a player and manager.

Rooney took bottom of the table Derby in the toughest league in the world, and turned them into invincibles, under his management so far.

I think that's a bit better than winning some farmer Spanish or Italian league that my nan could win.

Also Rooney is still going in management unlike these other ones who can't hack the pace of modern management.

Also Rooney is still going in management unlike these other ones who can't hack the pace of modern management.
————-
Cheeky subliminal at Cruyff

depends on the criteria being used but if its trophy haul then it will be Ancelotti and Pep then daylight after them

But if you are looking at the ability as both player and coach then thats another conversation but I still think Pep and Ancelotti will still be up there although can understand why Cruyff and Beckenbauer would be up there to.

No, if u look at trophy haul, it is Beckembauer by a huge margin