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Weah walks away Liberian striker looking for new home
Kenny Rogers used to sing: "You've got to know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run." I'm not sure if George Weah is familiar with Rogers' work, but he showed on Monday that he knows when to walk away. The Liberian striker and Manchester City mutually agreed to rescind his two-year contract. The former World Footballer of the Year is now free to sign with any other club. Naturally, portions of the British tabloid press had a field day: to them, it was just one more spoiled foreign mercenary taking an English club for a ride. They could not be further from the truth. Weah is a proud, dignified man, a guy who has nothing left to prove. The mercenary thing to do would have been staying at Manchester City and cashing his paychecks. He joined City over the summer after being released by AC Milan. Previously, he had been on loan to Chelsea. Expectations were high and, perhaps, the move was ill-advised: a guy of his stature does not belong on a newly promoted team fighting to avoid relegation. Manchester City boss Joe Royle dropped him a few times, but, Weah insists, that was not the catalyst. "I did not leave because I did not get playing time," Weah said. "I left because of the lack of respect and communication shown to me by Mr. Royle. I will not stay for somebody to insult me, insult my integrity, to make me look small in front of younger players." Weah's case underscores the difficulties stars encounter towards the end of their career and especially the gulf which still separates some English clubs from teams elsewhere. There is a fundamental difference in mentality, in organization, in basic player-coach relationships. Royle hit back: "No player at this club has ever been helped more, given more assistance or more respect. It even went down to the kitman who made his tea every morning and cleaned every one of his thirty-six pairs of boots." Royle obviously thinks he's justified. In his mind, the fact that Weah is a bigger name and makes more money than his other players does not mean he should be treated differently. City officials probably think they've bent over backwards to accommodate him. And, whether you believe Weah or not, they certainly did not see anything wrong with the way he was treated. There really is no right or wrong here. Just a difference of mentality. Too many English clubs are steeped in the old mentality where the manager micromanages everything and is God, father figure and nanny rolled into one. His authority must never be questioned, his word is final and he can talk to the players any way he wants. Reality is quite different. George Weah is not just any old player. He is used to a certain way of doing things. Perhaps to Royle the fact that the club cleaned his boots is a big concession. To Weah, a guy who used to play for AC Milan (where players are waited on hand and foot) it was par for the course. Royle probably thought that reading Weah the riot act in front of his teammates was a good way to motivate him. To Weah, it was merely insulting. You don't treat a man with Weah's track record like a child, his professionalism is motivation enough, yelling serves no purpose. Ultimately, it boiled down to culture shock, which is not all that surprising. Weah's experience should serve as a warning to all those who think that a hefty salary is all they need to provide foreign players. It doesn't work that way. You need to give them the tools to succeed, you need to make them comfortable, make them feel wanted. This isn't a moral issue, it's an issue of what makes sense for the club. If you're not prepared to do that, don't bother signing them. Personally, I'm glad Weah is gone. He just turned 34, he doesn't have much time left, but he can still get the job done for a one or two more years. Those who have seen him play, those who remember goals like the one he scored for Milan against Verona three years ago, know that he is special. He doesn't need City, he doesn't need a Joe Royle to treat him like a child. He needs a club where he can play regularly, where he can end his career with a flourish. There is talk of a return to Serie A, possibly at Bologna. It could be a good fit. A guy like George, a guy who has given so much to this sport, must not go out with a whimper. Extra time
Based in London, Gabriele Marcotti writes a weekly column on international soccer for CNNSI.com.
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