Gabriele Marcotti's daily diary: you're the one for me, Fatih

3. Fatih Terim is known as "The Emperor" and you can see why. The Turkey boss has "the look", the charisma which suggests power and authority.  He may also be the most underrated manager at Euro 2008. In fact, he's been underappreciated throughout his career.  His brand of football is aggressive and direct, he's the classic motivator who can get ordinary players to do extraordinary things (hands up anyone who could name more than two Turkish players not named Emre or Tuncay before this tournament) ilke the stunning 3-2 comeback win against the Czech Republic.  At fifty-four, he's ready for a move back into big-time league football (he won the Coppa Italia and gained universal acclaim in his one season at Fiorentina and then had a turbulent five-month spell at Milan before leaving the club in a huff). In fact, he has said he will consider his future after the tournament. The question is, will anyone in La Liga or the Premier League have the courage to put their faith in a Turkish manager?  If the answer is no, they don't know what they're missing. He's the real deal.

2. I first saw Petr Cech back in 2001, when he was playing for Sparta Prague. Still just a teenager, he moved like he was made of rubber and dominated play like Tiger Woods. From there, we watched him rise to the top of the world, joining Gigi Buffon and Iker Casillas among the game's elite goalkeepers. But let's not kid ourselves.  Cech hasn't been Cech for the past two seasons. Some blame the collision with Steven Hunt, but, in fact, he was hardly impressive at the 2006 World Cup either. And, against Turkey, it was his mistake which cost the Czechs a place in the quarter-finals. That said, it's worth remembering that he is still just twenty-six years old.  And that he has already achieved more in his brief career than most of his colleagues will achieve in a lifetime. Cech has the athletic ability, technical skills and intelligence to go back to being one of the world's greatest. He just needs a little time. So, for now, let's lay off this "world's best" business. And just let him get on with football.

1. After each game at Euro 2008, selected members of the media have the opportunity to speak to players in something called the 'Mixed Zone'. The press waits on one side of a fence as the players leave the dressing room and make their way to the team bus. If they want to stop and chat, they can. If they don't, they can walk by pretending not to see you or hear you (usually while having imaginary mobile phone conversations).  Last night, I was in the 'Mixed Zone' myself, listening to Gokhan Inler calmly chatting away in German, when I heard a massive commotion:  Cristiano Ronaldo was walking through.  Of course, he hadn't played in the match so he didn't really feel like talking (and answering - for the umpteenth time - questions about whether he's staying put or moving to Madrid). As he wandered through, he waved, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, indicating that he wasn't going to stop. Nevertheless, a herd of my colleagues followed his every move. Right until the very end of the 'Mixed Zone' when he stopped to talk to, of all people, a Times colleague, generating the kind of media scrum which would have made Paris Hilton proud. He didn't say much - what's he supposed to say anyway? - but, just by stopping to talk he created more excitement than Hakan Yakin would have if he'd levitated to the ceiling and Aramaic-speaking doves had flown out of his mouth. I don't know if the scene said more about him or more about us in the media.

Comments

[Alex]

He was never the best keeper in the world.

Buffon and Casillas have always been better than him.

Now he isn't even the best keeper in the Premiership.

I find it so strange that the keeper who wins the Golden Glove in the Premier League 3 years in a row gets so little recognition.

[Dan]

Is it Fatih Terim or is it Parker from Thunderbirds?

[CHARON]

Gab, you must have known that this was coming......where do you rate Artur Boruc in the grand scheme of things......????

[Marko]

artur boruc is undoubtedly one of the top keepers in the world. just watch his performances. i would say that only casillas and buffon are in the same bracket as boruc just now. juan pablo carrizo of river plate, despite not currently argentina's number one, looks very promising as well. if he ever decides to go to one of the 3 biggest leagues he might get some recognition...the same could be said for the underrated boruc

[Emmet]

Peter Cech was never the worlds best goalkeeper. Gigi Buffon is and always has been the worlds best goalkeeper since about 2000. Cech had afew good seasons, but you would never see Buffon make a mistake like Cech did. Buffon is still the man when it comes to keepers, like we saw against Romania last Friday.

[Jay]

Cech hasn't been good since Makelele started going downhill, and Terry gaining injuries. If he has Alex, Boularhouz, or Ben Haim in front of him, he becomes a good goalkeeper but not the world's best. I would say top 10, probably top 5, but he isn't better than Buffon or Casillas.

[Josh Dickson]

Sir Bobby Robson reccomended Faith Terim for the Newcastle job a few months back actually; totally agree he's top class.

[Moez]

Gab,

Your blogs for the Euro's have been such a good read. I agree with you, let Cech focus on his football and regain the form that made him number one. Its true, there is a new 'worlds best' every so often, however I think it'll be bitter sweet for Cech to lose that tag. As for the Ronaldo media circus, its typical. The media love to speculate and the public love to draw conclusions from speculation. It's a shame the media's focus isn't on Turkey's amazing comeback, a cold hard fact. Then again, how many people want to hear facts?

[sabri]

there was a big error,but cech is still one of the biggest goalkeeper on the world..everbody makes a mistake and it was his turn last night..i want to celebrate fatih terim and his knights,they were perfect in second half..what a team spirit,what a coach,what a game..thanks a lot,im proud on me being a turkish..

[clayton]

Gab,

Considering Cristiano Ronaldo seems as bland in conversation as the vast majority of footballers, and clearly was not just going to blurt out "I'm going to Madrid" by accident, it's definitely a reflection on the media.

And i agree with you on Cech. Amongst outfield players, every couple of months there is a new "best in the world", but in goalkeepers, the tag is simply issued and then reapeated ad nauseum regardless of form. Let Cech go back to being Chelsea's goalkeeper and let him work on his form in peace.

[Pierre]

"I don't know if the scene said more about him or more about us in the media."
Poser la question, c'est y répondre...

[Richard, Nottingham]

"I don't know if the scene said more about him or more about us in the media."

With the exception of your good self Gab, it says more about the poor state of the footballing media. After last nights humdinger of a match the focus should have been on the very useful, spirited, never-say-die Turkey. In years gone by they'd have folded at 2-0 down. but Fatih Terim has given them real spirit. Is anyone writing them off now ? Oh, I forgot, they're writing about C Ronaldo.

[fikret]

I LOVE TERIM, HE IS A GREAT MANAGER WITH PLENTY OF PASSION.

[dallia]

gabriele, i've been enjoying your articles on the SI site and on The Times for a few years now, and your daily 'blogs' from the Euros are simply the icing on the cake.
the blogs regarding the euros have made the tournament more alive than the previous styles of match reports and i actually dont want the tournament to end!!