ImagesPA; Getty ImagesAmong the reasons why George Graham
got the Arsenal job in 1986 was because
Alex Ferguson – the Gunners’ second choice
after Terry Venables – wanted to coach
Scotland at the World Cup in Mexico.
What the Scot eventually created at
Arsenal transcended Highbury’s hallowed
marble halls and made him a byword in
football circles for no-nonsense,
demanding management.
At the core of his vision was a back four
that came to be regarded as a single entity.
When Graham arrived, the Gunners were in a
15-year malaise, led in defence by the
steadfast David O’Leary and 20-year-old
Tony Adams – a raw defender who wore his
shorts back to front on debut. Graham set
about “building a wall”, as he put it. He
would ask his secretary to collect regional
newspapers from around the country, then
scour match reports to identify targets like
Lee Dixon and Steve Bould. This, after all,
was a time before video analysis and
studying the opposition – in the UK, at least.
Gradually, Graham drilled his defence in the
art of offside until actions became instinct.
“That back four doesn’t happen by luck,”
said Adams. “We worked on organisation,
morning and afternoon. We hated him for
it, but were on top of our game and reaped
the benefits.”
Fans conjured images of Graham striking
fear into his players, but he was shrewd
enough to employ leaders in key areas to
do his bidding. Even at Arsenal’s bitter
rivals Tottenham – with whom he won the
1999 League Cup final – the Scot leaned
heavily on defender Sol Campbell to marshal
his backline.
Graham won the league title twice. The
first was dramatic, with that famous final
kick of the 1988-89 campaign at Anfield;
the second emphatic, as Arsenal conceded
just 18 goals in 1990-91 and lost once.
He managed teams that embodied such
chaos and calm, but all of his best sides had
heart and fight in common; grit and
determination.
In many ways, Graham is the
quintessential British boss; one who didn’t
demand ultimate ability, but for whom graft
was a prerequisite. He spent the late-80s
fighting the red tide of Liverpool, then a
wave of change from Fergie at Manchester
United. And he still succeeded.
A sorry ending to his Highbury career – the
sack in 1995, after being found guilty of
taking money in a transfer deal – soured his
legacy somewhat, while Arsene Wenger’s
feats took Arsenal to new heights.
Gunners of a certain vintage, however, will
never forget when things were up for grabs.49
AIMÉ JACQUET
France had triumphed at Euro 84 and
finished third in Mexico two years
later, then qualified for only one of the
following four major tournaments. By 1998
hopes were fairly minimal, yet Jacquet’s
rainbow warriors went all the way to unite a
country divided by race, hammering
favourites Brazil 3-0. “Days before the final,
Jacquet emphasised corners,” said two-goal
set-piece hero, Zinedine Zidane. “He said, ‘I
guarantee if you go in with conviction, you
can do something’.” Good pep talk, gaffer.48
LUIS ARAGONES
Detractors argue Aragones
took on Spain at a perfect
time, just as a golden generation
was beginning to shine. In truth, there was
no one better to lead such a group; talented,
but unpolished. With Aragones’ charisma,
Spain added steel – committing more fouls
than any team at Euro 2008 – yet their boss
also united a fractured dressing room. “He
was the most influential person in my
career,” revealed Xavi. “He gave me
impossible levels of confidence.”47
OTTO REHHAGEL
The underdog spirit hasn’t
been lost on Rehhagel. He
took lowly Kaiserslautern back up
to the Bundesliga in 1996-97 before winning
it a season later, and topped that
achievement by coaching a plucky Greek side
to Euro 2004 glory – twice beating hosts
Portugal en route. He had previously hoisted
the DFB-Pokal with Fortuna Dusseldorf, and
the Bundesliga trophy twice at Werder
Bremen either side of victory in the 1992
European Cup Winners’ Cup Final.50 GEORGE GRAHAM
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