By Tony Alvarez
In recent weeks Arsenal play maker and Welsh national team captain Aaron Ramsey has spoke out against the Welsh FA for not consulting any of the senior members of the squad whilst deciding on the appointment of their new manager following the tragic loss of former manager Gary Speed.
The young Midfielder who has already overcame adversity in his career when he battled back from a horrific leg break to become a regular starter in the Arsenal side tweeted “We have just lost our manager and leader through a tragedy and not footballing reasons.
“For that reason I would have thought they would have contacted the players to hear what we thought.”
Ramsey took some criticism for his comments especially form the Welsh public he responded to these criticisms with the following statement ““We have been building for the World Cup qualifiers for the last 11 months with a clear view.
“With regards to being badly advised in my comments, I am a grown man and captain of my country….I care deeply about the future of Welsh football. I wasn’t advised by anyone and nor would I need to be.”
“I gave an honest answer to a specific question and everything I said was done with my best intentions….Hence the fact I am willing to stand behind my beliefs.”
But it is not also fans who have criticized Ramsey’s comments Stoke Manager Tony Pulis who has thought to be in the running for the vacant position until he ruled himself out earlier in the month commented that players are paid to play he said “I know Aaron’s come out and had one or two things to say – that always worries me I think players are paid to play. His time in management will come further down the line.”
It is unclear what Ramsey’s views are on Pulis comments although it is thought that Arsenal’s PR office will make him hold his tongue on this occasion, however I can give my opinion. I find it highly patronising of Pulis this could be purely down to the fact that I don’t like Pulis but it seems like he is undermining someone who was in the camp and a major part of a rebuilt squad that was really starting to come together.
I don’t think Pulis needed to say anything about Ramsey’s comments why comment on statements from players from different clubs, I am aware that every other manager does this too to be fair.
To be honest I essentially agree with what Pulis was saying I don’t think the captain and the senior players should be involved with the selection however I also can see what Ramsey is saying he along with other players in the squad know what worked for them and they would like the opportunity to tell the Welsh FA what worked so well.
Even Ramsey’s manager at club level Arsene Wenger has spoke on the situation saying “I feel the responsibility to choose a new manager is down to the Welsh football federation…But he has a sense of responsibility and can take pressure. He will grow very quickly in this role and will be a big captain forWales.”
As I said above I can see both sides of the coin I don’t think a player should be directly involved with the selection of a new manager however I think the nucleus of a squad should get the chance to meet with the board in charge of selected a new man and put across the things that went well and the traits that worked well with the particular group of players.
What are your thoughts? Should players be involved at all in the selection process? Was Pulis overly harsh on Ramsey? Who would be your choice for next Wales manager?
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