Culture Problems in Football

This was inevitable.

Saw it coming a zillion miles away. You can be the best mastermind in the world, but cultural boundaries can get in the way, football is no exception. I was as surprised as the next person when Paul Le Guen, the guru behind Lyon's rise to the top (OK, with alot of help from Jean Michel Aulas and Joel Bats), decided to join Rangers. He could have gone to Real Madrid, Inter Milan or any national side. He followed the money, and just after Christmas it was all over... Anyway, this has happened to more than just a few ex-pats in all types of businesses. But honestly Paul, you can't really be surprised in Scotland if your players turn up for training still pissed from the night before! The BBC reports...

 

Paul le Guen's surprise exit as Rangers manager has left those close to the club in shock, as the Ibrox side seek to rescue something from what has proved to be a miserable season.

The Frenchman decided to leave after talks with executive chairman Sir David Murray, following a controversial decision to drop Barry Ferguson and strip him of the club captaincy.

Rangers are now in a significant state of flux.

They have to find a way forward to improve both their dismal form, and to recruit a new manager with a reputation that will satisfy the fans.

Rangers lie second in the SPL, 17 points adrift of Old Firm rivals Celtic - who have also progressed to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

With this background, the task of managing the Light Blues was always going to be a tough one, even for the highly-rated Le Guen.

Rumours of dressing room unrest this season have bedevilled Alex McLeish's successor during his time in Scotland.

The former Lyon coach leaves Glasgow following a mixed record after 31 games in charge.

While the highlights have clearly been in the European arena with progress to the last 32 of the Uefa Cup, domestically Rangers have unravelled.

Defeats against Inverness Caledonian Thistle twice, and Falkirk characterised Le Guen's fitful spell.

Rangers lost six games in the SPL and were knocked out of the CIS Insurance Cup at home to St Johnstone - the first time the Ibrox club had lost at home to a lower division side in a cup competition.

The setback prompted Murray to publicly back his manager after just five months in the job.

Graham Roberts, who played for Rangers in 1987/88 says Le Guen has been planning his departure.

"He never really got to grips with Scottish football, " he said.

"I feel that he decided to leave now while his reputation was still relatively intact, before Rangers' season began to perhaps worsen.

"Maybe David Murray has been thinking that Le Guen wasn't up to the job," added the former Tottenham Hotspur defender.

Le Guen and Ferguson's rows prompted the manager's exit

"The new manager of Rangers has to be someone who is steeped in the club's traditions, someone who is known for their passion and commitment.

"It would be great for the club if someone like Walter Smith and maybe Ally McCoist were to return, back where they belong."

Barry Ferguson's brother, Derek, who was a Rangers player in the 1980s, admitted he was surprised at Le Guen's departure.

"Barry and I are disappointed to see Paul le Guen leave, as it's not nice to see anyone lose their job," he said.

"Both Barry and Paul are professionals, but the situation affecting Barry wasn't good with the way things were between them.

Please don't put people in the washing machine

Nothing to do with translation, but it's in English and it's funny, so it must be Comedy English. It's finally happened. Things have go so bad in the States that this washing machine company has been obliged to warn customers not to put friends or family members inside the machines. Thanks to the BBC website for bringing this one to us...

 

 

 

'Wacky warnings' rewarded in US

The warning appears on coin-operated washing machines

A washing machine complete with a warning not to put anybody inside has been given an award for the "wackiest warning" by a US lobby group.

The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch says the tendency of Americans to sue companies has gone too far, encouraging absurd warning labels on products.

But others say warning labels can play a role in protecting the public.

An engine manufacturer which warned "Never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level" won second prize.

Excessive litigation

Warnings not to dry wet mobile phones in microwave ovens and not to iron lottery tickets tied for third place.

Honourable mentions went to a phonebook which advised: "Please do not use this directory while operating a moving vehicle".

The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-Law) is campaigning to cut down on what it considers the harmful effects of excessive litigation in the United States.

The winning labels were selected by listeners of a Detroit radio station from a list compiled by M-Law.

The group began the Wacky Warning Labels contest 10 years ago as part of its campaign to have "common sense warnings on products", M-Law says on its website.

But a spokesperson from the washing machine maker whose label bagged top prize, said its warning is valid.

"A front loader (washing machine) is just at the right height - speaking now as a mother and not a corporate spokeswoman - for a four-year-old," said Patti Andresen Shew of Alliance Laundry Systems.

She said other companies had been sued after small children had climbed into washing machines which had then been started.

Sepllnig Mttaers

Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae.

The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe.