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Marco Van Basten, Milan's swan punished by the Gods of football

Marco Van Basten, Milan's swan punished by the Gods of football

A looked like a slim guy with a gentle face, but he was one of the most ruthless strikers in the history of football. As strong on the pitch as unlucky: he had to retire at his 30

by Mohamed Ezzat

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“San Marco “ is not the Christian saint who’s church lies in the heart of Venice, our “San Marco” is the player who was so prolific in front of the goal that the fans gave him this name. Our football saint is the Dutch player Marco (Marcel) Van Basten. Marco was born on the 31st October, 1964 in the city of Utrecht, where he started his football career at the age of 6 at a local team, EDO.

At the age of seven he moved to UVV, where he spent 9 years. After which he moved to another club in Utrecht named Elinkwijk. His professional career began in 1981, at the tender age of 17 Marco was spotted by Ajax's scouts. He was aware of the great prospects this opportunity could provide and hence agreed to join the famous football club in Amsterdam.

The coaches at Ajax immediately recognized Marco’s great potential. He demonstrated what a great striker he could become already in his debut (April 3, 1982), in which Van Basten immediately scored a goal. What's more, in that match he was substituted on for the famous Dutch footballer, Johan Cruyff. In the following season Marco scored 9 goals. However, his most important achievement arrived in 1983 when he earned a call up to the Dutch national team, on the 7th of September, in a match against Iceland. Van Basten scored his first goal for the Oranje only two weeks later, in a very prestigious match against Belgium.

Marco was unrivalled in the Dutch Eredivisie; he was top scorer four times. He also won the Golden Boot Award in 1986 with 37 goals in only 26 matches! During his rip-roaring stay in Ajax, Marco scored 151 goals, appearing in 172 games and his outstanding performances for the Dutch club was topped off with a victory in the Cup Winner's Cup. As befits a champion, he found the back of the net in the final.

On the international stage, the Dutch striker scored some memorable goals like the one in the final against the USSR ending the game and the European championship in his country’s favor, as well as giving him the title of top goal scorer with 5 goals. He also gave his contribution in the 1990 World Cup and earned the third place in Euro 1992. His score with the Oranje is impressive as well: 58 caps, 24 goals.

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Should Tottenham sack Sherwood for Van Gaal?

Tim Sherwood will not go down without a challenge although it seems he will be replaced if he does not achieve the club's targets.

Van Gaal has a huge honours list inlcuding the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, La Liga, Bundesliga, Eredivisie, Copa del Rey and plenty more.

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Related Articles: Tottenham Hotspur, Tim Sherwood, Louis Van Gaal, Andre Villas-Boas

The possible arrival of Dutch coach Louis Van Gaal at White Hart Lane seems to be throwing up plenty of excitement for the North Londeners.

Despite Tim Sherwood's relatively consistent start to his Tottenham managerial career with seven wins in his first ten league games, criticism over the tactics left some fans are on the fence, suggesting that Sherwood's inexperience is beginning to peep through. There are questions over his timing of substitutes which see it left too late for Spurs to salvage anything from a losing position.

An impressive turnaround in the second leg against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the Europa League saw Christian Eriksen's class shine through whilst Emmanuel Adebayor's fortunes in front of goal battered their opponent’s defensive line to set up a tasty double encounter against Portuguese side Benfica in the round of sixteen. A win over Cardiff City at home got Spurs back on track but Tottenham capitulated in the second half against Chelsea on Saturday, losing 4-0 following a positive first forty-five minutes. Sherwood announced in his post match interview that his side lacked character and didn't deserve to finish in the top four performing as they did. A North London derby with Arsenal will be yet another true test of Sherwood's ability as Spurs look to close gap on the top four.

Van Gaal has previously met with with Chairman Daniel Levy to discuss his appointment after the 2014 World Cup which sees the Dutch take on Spain, Chile and Australia in Group B of the first round.

The Dutch press believes Van Gaal's style and managerial experience would see him become the club's most spectacular appointment in years. However, Norwich City manager and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Chris Hughton has given Tim Sherwood his back whilst heavily criticising Van Gaal for mentioning his potential move to White Hart Lane in the media of late. Hughton has suggested Van Gaal is in no place to reveal a possible contract signing whilst Sherwood still leads the club. The Canaries boss believes Tottenham should stick with Sherwood even if they fail to reach the UEFA Champions League next season.Sherwood has been ruthless during his time at White Hart Lane so far but for some he hasn't done enough, but did AVB leave him too much to do?

Van Gaal was initially linked to the vacant role alongside Tim Sherwood following Andre Villas-Boas dismissal in December. Nevertheless, Van Gaal politely turned down the role due to his commitment to the Netherlands national team but has hinted at how he may be interested after the international tournament has taken place in Brazil this summer. The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich chief will be resigning from his position as the Orange Army's national coach and therefore will be fully open to big offers in his next role.

Sherwood's focus will not be taken away amidst talk of being forced out by Van Gaal's high credentials. He has fully acknowledged how he expects to lose his job should the club fail to finish in the top four and has expressed his disappointment at falling behind in the league of late to reach the world's biggest club competition. However, Sherwood has given his Spurs troops the opportunity to express themselves to reduce the deficit. The manager's passion and taste for victory has been clearly demonstrated on the touchline which sees huge grins and animated fist pumps when his team performs to their highest standards.

Tottenham fans know the script, they either experience huge disappointment or jubilation but have ultimately failed when it comes to winning trophies or finding the consistency that has seen the club massively underachieve. Regardless of who comes in or if Sherwood remains in his post the stakes will still prove to be demanding, with a repeat of Harry Redknapp's era becoming more and more desperate.

How will the Chairman decide?

The controversy would effortlessly role in if Sherwood is replaced should he secure a top four finish. Although this would seem like a bizarre decision, Daniel Levy is not afraid to demonstrate his power and substance to make changes. In favour of the current manager, his feisty stance and his ruthless attitude is being fully supported by the majority at the Lane. Levy needs to be clever and pledge his need to consider a manager for a period of longevity but does he truly believe Sherwood has the class he is looking for or is Louis Van Gaal's Curriculum Vitae just too strong to turn down?

Ajax Coach Frank de Boer has rejected recent approaches from Premier League pair Liverpool and

Ajax Coach Frank de Boer has rejected recent approaches from Premier League pair Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, the Daily Telegraph has reported his twin brother Ronald de Boer as claiming.

Tottenham’s approach was said to have come in January, when Spurs were searching for a replacement for Andre Villas-Boas, while Liverpool made the offer last year, Ronald de Boer told talkSport.

“Frank has already denied Liverpool and Tottenham. Tottenham wanted to take him in January, but Frank said no,” Ronald said. “He also said no to Liverpool last year. He thought he was still not ready and wanted to learn more.”

Ronald de Boer added however that his brother would eventually make the move to the Premier League and a partnership with current Netherlands Coach Louis van Gaal at Spurs has been mooted, as has the possibility of Frank de Boer replacing David Moyes at Manchester United.

“Now he's ready, though,” Ronald de Boer continued. “We'll have to wait and see (what offers he gets). It's important for Frank to get the right club otherwise he won't leave Ajax. He's very happy there.”

Frank de Boer has been Ajax Coach since 2010 and was previously an assistant coach with the Netherlands. He has won the Eredivisie three times since stepping into the dugout after claiming five Dutch titles as a player, and a La Liga title with Barcelona in 1999.

He made almost 700 appearances in his playing career, with Ajax, Barcelona, Galatasaray, Rangers and two Qatari teams, while Ronald also played for Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers, as well as Twente.

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The Buccaneers were held to a 0-0 draw by Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night in what was the third match

The Buccaneers were held to a 0-0 draw by Ajax Cape Town on Tuesday night in what was the third match in succession that they haven't scored, having previously gone goalless in defeats to Sundowns and Polokwane City.

Despite boasting what is said to be one of the best attacks in the league, Pirates have scored just 18 goals in 15 Premier Soccer League matches.

The likes of Bafana Bafana international Kermit Erasmus, Lennox Bacela, Ndumiso Mabena, Thamsanqa Gabuza and recent signing Helder Pelembe are all battling for a berth in the starting line-up, but none seem to be able to grab a goal, with midfielder Oupa Manyisa the club's top goalscorer with four to his name.

Palacios admits that the club's lack of goals is a concern, but believes that the problem is one that is present throughout the league.

"I think it is unfair to ask me to comment about Pirates because I work for the club. But in answering your question, yes, it is a bit of a concern when a club of Pirates' magnitude fails to score a goal in three outings, but I'm sure the coaches are working on it," he told Football411.

"In South Africa, scoring goals is a common problem. It is not only Pirates who are struggling, but Sundowns are struggling, Swallow, Arrows and a lot of other teams.

"Even Bafana Bafana are struggling.

"How many goals did Khama Billiat miss in the match against Pirates? I think about three in the first half and two in the second half, and I'm not talking about half-chances but open chances."

The Peruvian coach believes that the Sea Robbers have yet to find able replacements for Benni McCarthy, who has retired, and Tokelo Rantie, who now plies his trade for Bournemouth in the English Championship, and that the current crop simply need to apply themselves better.

"I know the coaches (at Pirates) are working a lot on combinations. After Benni McCarthy and Rantie left we've struggled to find a solid combination," he explained.

"Roger (De Sa) tried a few and Eric (Tinkler) is still also trying. But we can't blame the coaches if a player misses an open chance.

"Players need to take it upon themselves to try and rectify the mistakes they make in the game and its only takes practice, and more practice.

"Because this (missing of chances) builds in the player's reputation and this affect some of the players as time goes by."

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