Thursday, March 5, 2009

Setanta's Steve McManaman willing Liverpool to title glory

Setanta's Steve McManaman willing Liverpool to title glory

6 March 2009: 9:59am

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Steve McManaman and David Unsworth in Merseyside derby action back in 1996

CHAOS to play in, simple to prepare for. Steve McManaman may be poised to make his derby debut in front of the cameras, but the experience from his playing days will ensure there is no need for him to spend the next few days with his head buried in a script.

Almost 10 years have passed since McManaman last experienced the hurly-burly of this neighbourhood squabble as a player, his final outing being a 3-2 win at Anfield in April 1999 which, perhaps, is best remembered for the way Robbie Fowler ‘celebrated’ a certain goal.

Much, of course, has changed since then. McManaman, for one, had a hugely successful spell with Real Madrid before finishing his career after a stint with Manchester City, while Liverpool and Everton’s fortunes in domestic combat have dramatically improved.

But although the 36-year-old has spent much of the last decade in different parts of the world, his enthusiasm for the fortunes of Merseyside’s two clubs has never waned, which means he will slip into his role as Setanta’s main pundit next week as deftly as he used to skip past defenders.

Never short of an opinion, McManaman’s articulate way of making a point ensures he is a breath of fresh air compared to some analysts who do nothing but state the obvious, and with talking points guaranteed in the imminent double header, it is no wonder he cannot wait to get going.

“When I had finished I just wanted to get away from it all and I had two years of travelling, doing one thing and another and of course, we had our first child,” said McManaman, a midfielder whose talents were beyond question.

“I hadn’t had any real thoughts of getting involved in the media, but I was contacted by Setanta and after a chat with a guy called Andrew Hornett, he outlined his plans. I knew they were a good company as they basically owned every scrap of TV in Ireland.

“Things moved on from there and I’m thoroughly enjoying it now. I work with some really nice people and you can’t ask for more than going to a place of work, where things are enjoyable and you can have a laugh and a joke. It’s like being part of another family.

“That was the case when I was a player – you’d be in a dressing room with 20 lads and the camaraderie would be great – and that is the case now. Again you’re working with a crew of 20 people and you’re working to one aim and that’s to get a great show out.

“Some matches you read piles of notes and pages of statistics but for a derby it comes easy. I’m a local lad, who was lucky enough to play in a few, so it’s all about conveying the emotion and passion involved.

“They should both be cracking occasions. Everton are doing well and have played some of their best football without a centre-forward. If they can stay in the top six again, it would be another great achievement and bring the focus back on Merseyside football again.”

Passion is one thing that certain Liverpool supporters have accused McManaman of lacking for the club and some are still clearly irked by the manner of his departure to Madrid, as he became the first high-profile Bosman departure.

Accused of being avaricious and concerned only about himself, the final few months of his career at Anfield were played under a cloud, but these are issues that the man himself is happy to confront and is eager to set the record straight.


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