Is this man the most disliked manager in the Premier League?

The club versus country argument has been one of those cloudy spectres in recent years, as many people argue the case of national prestige versus employer responsibilities and others get splintered rear-ends on that proverbial fence, me included.

Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson have often clashed with several different international top-dogs over the last decade and more over the inclusion of players, in particular, who may not be ready for international action after an injury.

But at the moment there is one international manager who is particulary peeving some of the managers in the Premier League, with a little bit of help from his friends in the French Football Federation (F.F.F), Didier Deschamps.

The former Chelsea player is a well-respected ex-professional who of course lead France to World Cup glory in 1998 as captain and has since managed prestigious clubs such as AS Monaco, Juventus, Marseille and as of this summer he has held the title of ‘Directeur des Les Bleus’ after Laurent Blanc succumbed to the nightmare that appears worse than managing the England team.

But in North-London Didier has been making a few enemies with his recent decisions. First came his proclamation that Hugo Lloris was unhappy at comments made by Andre Villas Boas regarding the keeper’s first choice position at White Hart Lane being far from assured.

While you can understand the French manager’s concern for his captain’s fitness and form while sitting on the bench he showed a lack of tact and respect in announcing the grievances in a very public press conference, days after Lloris had become a Tottenham employee.

Now he and his Federation have come under scorn from countryman Arsene Wenger after it came to light the Arsenal manager had informed the F.F.F that Abou Diaby should not be considered for international selection; an advisory note that was ignored and Diaby succumbed to injury against Finland.

With Diaby now out of action for the game with Spain and Deschamps comments on Lloris doing little to alter the mind-set of AVB the reasoning behind such actions comes into doubt, as very little good has come of his interference with North London’s affairs.

On the other hand Manchester City and Newcastle fan’s will likely be pleased with Deschamps, not only is he seemingly disappointing rivals in their respective league battles this season but has not recalled Samir Nasri or Hatem Ben Arfa after their recent bans for misbehaviour.

I guess you can’t please everyone can you?

What do you make of Didier Deschamps and the club v country debate?

image: © korobukkuru