mr. montagliani

[hodgkiss]

i'm not sure if it's just me or not but i have seen some things that our president has said that i find silly and frankly i don't think are at a level of what a president should voice.

here is what mr. montagliai had to say about the defeat in honduras: "As I told my board [of directors], it's something that I don't think I ever want to experience again. Nobody does. But I think it's something we need to learn from.

he DOESN'T THINK he ever wants to experience that again. and he THINKS it's something we need to learn from???

i'm sorry but that is unacceptable. he should call a spade a spade and say: "This is unacceptable. Our team has worked hard, we prepared for this well but we failed. It's obvious we need help at every level and I will make a vow to our country and our supporters that this result will never happen again. We have learned a tough lesson. We can not give away points in any game in qualifying - especially at home."

what he said has zero confidence behind it and is not what a president should be spewing out. much like his comment about the lack of marketing on the csa's part. i was hesitant to see him get into power and these things are making me believe that we have the wrong guy at the helm of the csa.

[Keegan]

I actually just read this article and I was going to post this.. pretty ridiculous but I've heard him comment on it enough (and not just through a written quote) to know that he is taking this seriously. Listen to the soccer show podcast shortly after the debacle, he goes off a little bit.

[Grizzly]

I think this is really nitpicking, there is not much he could say in this situation that would make it better. I don't really care what he says anyway, what is important is what he does. He could say all the right things and then screw up the coach selection or say all the wrong ones and make a good choice. And I can't really fault him here for what he is saying. Not sure whether he is the right guy or not for the job but I think that should be a lot more clear when we find out who the next head coach is and that is what we should judge him on.

[VPjr]

You started a thread because he used the word "think"? so, if he leaves the word "think" out of that sentence, you have full confidence?

He has been on the record numerous times about his feelings after the 8-1 debacle. I'd suggest digesting a few more of his comments before making sweeping judgements about his ability to do the job.

This is truly silly season

[jpg75]

I suggest listening to the podcast of the Soccer Show with Nigel Reed and Bob Iarasci a few days after the 8-1 fiasco. Mont Vic phoned in for an interview with them and sounded like his towrads were in a twist so I get the feeling he is very much pissed about what happened and will do everything he can to ensure the MNT have a good coach and adequate prep. for the next WCQ cycle.

[CanadasBest]

Speaking of 'nitpicking'

When I read that 'quote' I was more concerned with the words 'As I told MY board...' Was he talking to his 2x4?

[Robert]

What kind of fools do the CSA take us for? A posting on their website

http://www.canadasoccer.com/2012-year-in-review-the-fifa-tournaments-p152930

dated December 26, 2012, and entitled: “2012 Year in Review,” with the sub-title: “The FIFA tournaments,” strategically and conveniently allows the CSA to avoid any mention of the semi-final World Cup qualifying matches played by the senior Men’s national team, especially the “San Pedro Sula Massacre.” This is in stark contrast to last year’s posting

http://www.canadasoccer.com/2011-year-in-review-canada-s-men-s-national-team-p148733

dated December 30, 2011, and entitled: “2011 Year in Review” with multiple sub-titles, which literally gloats with the accomplishments of the Men’s national team in the previous round of World Cup qualifying matches against the minnows of CONCACAF. The CSA devoted two-thirds of this year’s review to the accomplishments of the Canadian Women’s national team at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, which is described as “the most successful major competition in history of Canadian soccer.” This suggests that a 2012 Olympic bronze medal is worth more than a 2000 Gold Cup championship.

Instead of striking a prolonged note of felicitations and praise of everything, the Canadian Soccer Association might offer some very proper criticism and sound advice as to the best way of mending certain faults in its year-end summary. The acknowledgement of shortcomings is the first condition to improvements. Of course, every soccer supporter in this country has been convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that ever since the San Pedro Sula embarrassment in October that we clearly have some serious faults, which need to be rectified before any improvement is possible. Unfortunately, Victor Montagliani’s fear to find fault, as is blatantly evident in his carefully constructed “Year in Review” summary, prevents him from providing the remedies that are so badly needed. His ongoing indifference and sluggish response to matters of urgency have already been noticeable in the length of time it took him to arrange the friendly World Cup warm-up match against Trinidad and Tobago, and the 69 days that the position of head coach for the Men’s national team has now been vacant. The 8-1 World Cup exit only added insult to injury. As the evidence continues to mount that Mr. Montagliani has obviously been the wrong choice for Canada’s top soccer position, Canadians supporters and stakeholders must now decide how long they will tolerate the CSA’s Board of Directors and all of the provincial soccer associations to remain in denial about this fact.

The Canadian Soccer Association’s neglect of soccer in this country and its inability to accept responsibility for the current state of affairs bears a striking resemblance to the predicament that the Canadian Pacific Railway company found itself in at the beginning of 2012. Bogged down with a similarly inept and unproductive duo, Messrs. John Cleghorn and Fred Green, the shares of CPR dropped to an all-time low. Whereas, the railway company’s deadwood was replaced with the wealth and genius of Mr. Bill Ackman and the strong and productive leadership of Mr. Hunter Harrison, whose creative vision is already starting to pay dividends for its shareholders, the CSA is still stuck with the apathetic and deceiving duo of Mounts Vic and Pete, who continue to try and pull the wool over the world’s eyes.

[Scottie]

The CSA devoted two-thirds of this year’s review to the accomplishments of the Canadian Women’s national team at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, which is described as “the most successful major competition in history of Canadian soccer.” This suggests that a 2012 Olympic bronze medal is worth more than a 2000 Gold Cup championship.

Are you suggesting it wasn't??? Yes the gold cup is our continental championship but we all know damn well it's not the euro. The olympics on the other hand, well that is the world stage, and everyone was watching. I don't know about you Robert but I've lost count of the amount of times I've explained to people what the gold cup is. I can't say I've ever had to explain to anyone the concept of the olympics.

The 2000 gold cup was a great accomplishment for our men's team, sure, but it was still a mickey mouse tournament through and through. Empty stadiums, invited teams, a coin toss, a COIN TOSS, and no one outside of the most hardcore canadian soccer supporters even know that it happened. On the other hand, people who don't even watch soccer were getting into the women's games at the olympics. Sinclair has won the Lou Marsh award as well as the canadian press female athlete of the year, and the team has just been named the canadian press team of the year. In terms of public perception, this is much, much, MUCH bigger than that gold cup win. It's not even comparable.

[Redcoatsforever]

Robert has made it clear in his posts that he believes that the women's game is a waste of time and that the men are being persecuted by the CSA so the women can get more money.

[hodgkiss]

You started a thread because he used the word "think"? so, if he leaves the word "think" out of that sentence, you have full confidence?

He has been on the record numerous times about his feelings after the 8-1 debacle. I'd suggest digesting a few more of his comments before making sweeping judgements about his ability to do the job.

This is truly silly season

hi dino, i know you are a big supporter of montagliani's and i like his effort. to me, he just doesn't appear to be very polished. and in his position that is what he should be - or he needs an advisor as to what he shoudl say or he needs a pr person to answer for him.

and a podcast after an 8-1 loss? come on... anyone would say some very strongly opinionated things about the team and its players. he is a new hire - trying to show he is the man for the job. he had to explain the loss to "his board" because he needed to defend his position. and as anyone would in that position he deflected (by saying this was not the best shot ever) and said that the next 4 years would be the best shot - the time he will be in power. he is scared of his job. he is showing little confidence already and frankly i am more than just a little concerned.

i hate to make such a bad analogy but this is feeling a bit like rob ford - a person for the people but has very limited speaking skills and poise for what is good for confidence in the public. i am worried to say the least.

[madmonte]

I don't think we should be Mr. Montagliani anything...supporters OR detractors until we give it a little more time. We don't have a lot of information to go on, so we should all really still be on the fence. We are starting to get clues, of course. Clue 1 is that he still hasn't hired a head coach, and a lot of people are suspicious that this is too much like the "old ways". Given the new thread about Occean's comments though, it would be safe to assume that just hiring anyone would be a potentially foul move in the eyes of the players, or at least certain players. I'm gonna guess Occean was just bitter though.

Clue 2 is that we have two friendlies in January. I've said this before...when was the last time THAT happened? Big round of applause there, in my opinion.

But seriously, this all will still require a little more time, at least in my view. I'm going to say we should all reserve judgement until closer to the Gold Cup.

[Ivanovski94]

Robert has a point though, in the rest of the world womens football isn't important. A thir place in the Olympics shouldnn't be as important as winning a continental title. I doubt the Netherlands would give a crap if their womens team won a medal in the Olympics. The truth is that the majority of womens sports are fringe sports. Why is it we pay to watch men play but don't give it a second thought for women. Basketball or hockey we hear very little about them in female terms. Why? because there is no money in female sports, at least not in the rest of the world.

[Lord Bob]

Robert has a point though, in the rest of the world womens football isn't important. A thir place in the Olympics shouldnn't be as important as winning a continental title. I doubt the Netherlands would give a crap if their womens team won a medal in the Olympics.

Why should we care what they think? Are we whinging Euro-snobs who lick the boots of our continental betters, or are we Canadians?

[Robert]

Robert has made it clear in his posts that he believes that the women's game is a waste of time and that the men are being persecuted by the CSA so the women can get more money.

Ahh, so that's why the CSA hasn't hired a coach yet.

[Ivanovski94]

Why should we care what they think? Are we whinging Euro-snobs who lick the boots of our continental betters, or are we Canadians?

No im just stating what is our reality. But we have to put things in perspective. In the eyes of the world football our gold cup win is more important than a womens bronze medal at the olympics. In the CSA's its the opposite. Now what do people here think. what about just qualifying for the most prestigious tourney back in 1986? Does that not compete with a bronze at olympics or our gold cup win. Football @ the olympics will never be as important as in the World Cup for both men and women. So i ask you what do you believe is more important?

[The Ref]

For me it is more important the Bronze medal won at the Olympics by our National Women Team. This is a world event with the best of the best competing. The Gold Cup on the other hand is only a continental tournament with some extra guests that always (so far) is played in the U.S. At the time winning the Gold Cup was important, but that was then.

[Ivanovski94]

^ Unfortunately if we want mens football to grow the women will have to be successful. Canada is always about soccer for girls hockey for guys. just think about how the women have helped our sport get more exposure. The men win gold cup in 2000 but back then no casual person gave two ****s about football. Just remeber those old cbc videos from when we qualied to the WC no body cared. What is a strong factor in all of this?....... The media...... TSN/CTV. these guys make common sportig events into the most important event. they can make an event or they can destroy it. I dont think many ppl realize how much influence the media has on society. Its stronger than our governments in those respects.

[nolbertos]

Why should we care what they think? Are we whinging Euro-snobs who lick the boots of our continental betters, or are we Canadians?

I care what others think, because on the futbol stage, the Men's team always gets more top billing and media coverage all over the planet, except in Canada. We'll never get accolades for the Men, until we start getting better results. Nobody in Europe or the Americas (expect USA and Canada) care about the women's team to be honest. Being a No.1 power in Women's Soccer, won't guarantee more futbol supporters, because that's not where the marketing and revenue dollars are at, it's in the Men's club and national team competitions.

Edit: I consider the Gold Cup win bigger than the Women's Olympic medal, even though the Gold Cup is a fringe tournament. We beat the Mexicans in a meaningful game and beat a South American team (albeit a Colombia B-team) in the finals with fringe Canadian players that plied there trade in Scandinavian lower divisions. That Gold Cup was won with grit and heart. The Gold Cup win made headlines around the world, even in South America, compared to the Women's Soccer teams winning Bronze

[VPjr]

hi dino, i know you are a big supporter of montagliani's and i like his effort. to me, he just doesn't appear to be very polished. and in his position that is what he should be - or he needs an advisor as to what he shoudl say or he needs a pr person to answer for him.

and a podcast after an 8-1 loss? come on... anyone would say some very strongly opinionated things about the team and its players. he is a new hire - trying to show he is the man for the job. he had to explain the loss to "his board" because he needed to defend his position. and as anyone would in that position he deflected (by saying this was not the best shot ever) and said that the next 4 years would be the best shot - the time he will be in power. he is scared of his job. he is showing little confidence already and frankly i am more than just a little concerned.

i hate to make such a bad analogy but this is feeling a bit like rob ford - a person for the people but has very limited speaking skills and poise for what is good for confidence in the public. i am worried to say the least.

If Victor was ANYTHING like Rob Ford, there would be ZERO chance i'd be supportive of his presidency.

I can assure you that the man is very polished, his speaking skills are far from limited (and extend to 3 languages with fluency and a 4th which isn't quite perfectly fluent but quite solid) and absolutely doesn't lack for confidence.

IMHO, you are reading far too much into a single interview. You are entitled to your opinions and I won't go on and on trying to convince you otherwise. Suffice to say, I don't share your concerns....not even in the slightest.

[squizz1402635577]

Here's an experiment anyone can try. Carry a tape recorder in your pocket for a few hours, then listen back to see how many times filler words (e.g. "I think") just unconsciously find their way into your everyday speech. Then you'll know how supremely silly it is to be investing so much meaning in a few of Montagliani's words during a live radio interview.

[VPjr]

Here's an experiment anyone can try. Carry a tape recorder in your pocket for a few hours, then listen back to see how many times filler words (e.g. "I think") just unconsciously find their way into your everyday speech. Then you'll know how supremely silly it is to be investing so much meaning in a few of Montagliani's words during a live radio interview.

+1....i know I have said alot of things during interviews or radio hits that i desperately wish i could be given a do-over on. Hell, the President of the United States had a bad night a few months ago in Colorado, but i heard that was due to the altitude ;-)

[RS]

Carry a tape recorder

I'm sorry... a what??

[Grizzly]

I'm sorry... a what??

squizz smoked a lot of pot during the 90s and is still living in them!

[Redcoatsforever]

Ahh, so that's why the CSA hasn't hired a coach yet.

You need to work on your reading comprehension skills.

[hodgkiss]

Here's an experiment anyone can try. Carry a tape recorder in your pocket for a few hours, then listen back to see how many times filler words (e.g. "I think") just unconsciously find their way into your everyday speech. Then you'll know how supremely silly it is to be investing so much meaning in a few of Montagliani's words during a live radio interview.

squizz you are correct about this and i can see what you are saying. however, as the president of the csa, we are not just talking about "anyone". this is not silly as he has made comments about other things like the failure of drawing fans to games as to not being related to marketing - when clearly it has something to do with marketing. letting umbro (your performance fabric supplier) market the canada brand is never going to be successful.

same can be said for "journalists" who cover this sport. not everyone is cut out for it. and some "bloggers" are not as polished as others - this is why they will never get work with brands such as sportsnet, tsn, the score or media companies like bell media etc.

i am not saying i am right here. this is simply an observation. i am getting a bit worried and i can see a pattern of things to come. i hope this is not the case as i have mentioned before that i like montagliani's effort. i'm just weary of the execution and the perception he may be putting forward.