A couple months before USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann announced his final 23-man roster for the 2014 World Cup, I was at a wedding in California, at the bar with a member of the LA Galaxy technical staff. The conversation turned to Landon Donovan, who’d reestablished himself in the national team after being dropped at the start of the Hex.
A locked-in Donovan had delivered the Gold Cup and the dos a cero that secured qualification, so just how good could the 32-year-old be in Brazil? My drinking partner wasn’t so sure.
It wasn’t a matter of there being 11 players better than Donovan; it wasn’t a matter of there being 23 players better; hell, you could go as deep as you wanted — he thought that Donovan might not even go because Klinsmann didn’t like him.
I couldn't believe that, but that's exactly how it played out. Donovan thought he “was in contention to be starting,” Klinsmann saw “some other players slightly ahead of him.”
The U.S. performed memorably in Brazil, but so did Donovan on his return to the LA Galaxy. His first match back was against the Philadelphia Union at the StubHub Center, and Donovan scored two goals — pushing him into sole possession of the league’s career goalscoring record — provided one assist and left to a standing ovation and chants of “USA! USA!”
“If there are 23 players better than Landon,” said Galaxy coach Bruce Arena at the time, “then we have a chance to win the World Cup.”
This genuine animosity between Donovan and Klinsmann wasn’t so much tactical or technical, it was the raw emotion of loathing with an undercurrent of Machiavellianism.
But the riposte from player to manager — the biting of the hand that feeds — is always a memorable spectacle, although rarely celebrated. Perhaps it’s authority bias that makes us immediately brand the rebel footballer as immature and unmanageable, but then again, where were you when Kepa refused to be substituted? For sporting drama, this moment is still undefeated.
Crazy scenes at Wembley!
Maurizio Sarri tried to bring on Caballero for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who simply refused to leave the field. pic.twitter.com/PI3E7rWqE0— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 24, 2019
What about when David Beckham responded to being booted in the face by Alex Ferguson and dropped against Real Madrid with a brace off the bench and transfer to Los Blancos? When Hope Solo blasted Greg Ryan after being dropped for the disastrous 2007 World Cup semifinal vs. Brazil and then won gold at Beijing 2008?
Or when Clint Mathis scored that ridiculous winner against Schalke, sprinted towards Hannover manager Ewald Lienen and gesticulated at his imaginary watch?
Clint Mathis #BelaLiga pic.twitter.com/YWUaFVHbqw
— Vertragsamateur Belamigović (@hannoderbus) June 10, 2019
We’ve been lucky to be privy to more of this internal drama over the last couple weeks. João Félix went mental after coming off the bench and scoring against Villarreal at the end of February, lacing a half-volley and then aiming a few choice words towards manager Diego Simeone.
Sweetly struck by Joao Felix.pic.twitter.com/q5Fx0BXwTE
— The18 (@the18com) February 28, 2021
Simeone didn’t add to the drama — although he did bench Félix again for the following Madrid Derby — by claiming that he loved it when players rebelled.
“I love it when players show pride,” Simeone said. “How long had it been since João scored? If players are rebellious, give them to me!”
The scene was less cordial in England on Saturday when Newport County striker Kevin Ellison literally came face-to-face with Morecambe manager Derek Adams. Ellison had spent nine seasons at Morecambe, totaling nearly 400 appearances and 100 goals, but Adams’ appointment spelled the end of Ellison’s time there as the manager went as far as making him train by himself.
The striker joined Newport County in the offseason and wouldn’t you know it, the 42-year-old came off the bench on Saturday and scored the third goal in County’s 3-1 win over Morecambe. Ellison celebrated by sprinting directly at Adams and screaming in his face.
After scoring against his former club, Newport's Kevin Ellison ran straight over to his old manager and shouted in his face pic.twitter.com/wlhHK9fsjZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 14, 2021
Ellison’s joy was only made greater by the fact that the win took Newport County above Morecambe in the table as the two sides compete for promotion to League One.
Yes, Mr. Simeone. Give us more rebels.
