If only all the news in the world today was as entertaining as watching Pep Guardiola in a post-match interview. And this in no way dismisses the importance and sadness of what was the real news today which I get to later. It's again just the reality of what is in front of me and easier to comprehend.
We may mock footballer managers and their many cliche responses but I have forever had lots of sympathy for them and the number of questions they have to face. And because of their obligations to the league and media they have to answer these questions over and over again.
After today's 1-1 draw with Burnley, I saw at least three post match interviews with Pep and that was then followed by the official press conference. The first reporter started off with a real gem:
"So, Pep, in the end how would you see this result?"
Pep: "1-1". (Smile.....irritated laugh...now ask me something else look)
Later, different interview (I paraphrase):
"Your goal came from a corner where the players passed the ball outside the penalty area, rather than crossing it in. Why?"
Pep: "Because there are more of their players in the penalty box than outside....and they are taller than our players."
"So is this something you worked on for a long time on the training ground?"
Pep: (Smile) "Not really."
I used to want to play football like Gary Shaw. Now I just want to be like Pep. Not a football manager, just cool like Pep.
That was happening at the same time as reports came in about a Russian fighter jet downed in Syria. And later there was more news about seven Turkish army members being killed in the operation in Syria to drive Kurdish militias out of northern Syria, not far from where the Russian pilot was killed.
It's a messy, messy situation over there, with the complex web of rebels, some US backed, others with links to Al Qaeda, fighting the Russian-backed Syrian government. It's so complicated that my mind wanders to the simplicity of the political background this provides for the World Cup. Russia, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, all involved here and in Russia 2018.
Football is easier, but the life of one Russian pilot with a family left behind is more significant.
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