Absence makes the heart grow fonder, we are told, and never has that been more true than in the case of Pep Guardiola. It has been just eight months since the Spaniard took his leave from Barcelona, commencing a period in which clubs have seemingly clambered over each other to flutter eyelashes at the coach, desperate to attract a man of such calibre to their particular hotseat.

How can they call themselves supporters? They should be embarrassed by their behavior. 

It is an almost irrevocable fact that off-field issues at a football club will affect the performance of the team. Blackburn Rovers have been on a rapid decline since the Venky’s circus came to Lancashire, but the perfect example of this is Leeds United. In 2002/3, after a fifth-placed finish the season before, the club sold Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Keane during the summer as the full extent of the financial crisis became apparent. The club still retained players such as Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Ian Harte and Alan Smith amongst other internationals, but proficiency dropped alarmingly as the club slipped towards the economic abyss.

For the last couple of years, there has been rampant speculation as to when Sir Alex Ferguson would end his tenure as head of Manchester United.  Many feel that this could indeed be his last season with the team.  About the only person that is speculating otherwise is Sir Alex himself.

This past week, the Manchester United chief clearly confirmed his intent to stay on with the club during an interview with the Abu Dhabi sports channel.  He stated that he was “hoping to stay on for a bit of time.”  Severalnames have been brought up as potential replacements for Sir Alex, including Pep Guardiola.  Guardiola is currently on a one-year sabbatical from the game and has been reportedly meeting with Sir Alex regarding taking over the squad. 

It is a sad reality of football that players get released from their contracts. This happens on a regular basis and for a variety of reasons. The vast majority of these names pass way under the radar, usually consigned to nothing more than a line or two on the club website, before hopefully finding a new club.

Last week, news broke about a player who had been released by a Premier League side. In fact, he’d been released in December, but the club had kept it quiet. The reason why this player’s release is notable is that could well mean the end of a career that had promised a lot when it began.