BANGALORE: Sir Bobby Robson, who lost his battle with lungs cancer on Friday, was a big name in soccer not just in England but in various parts of the world. He managed many top clubs apart from guiding the English national team to a semifinal place in the 1990 World Cup in Italy. But soon after that memorable performance where England lost to archrivals Germany on penalties, Robson signed for Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. With that development, Robson visited India for the first-time ever. He brought the best-ever team to India in the 1991-92 season.
It was a galaxy of stars like the towering Holland goalkeeper Hans Van Breukelen, defenders Ronald Koeman and Erwin Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg, Arthur Numan, Belgium captain in the 1990 World Cup Eric Gerets, Luc Nilis and a host of explosive youngsters. Romario opted out of the tour for the Super Soccer Series.
Robson’s first stop was Bangalore. After the official press conference, he had an exclusive chat with the Express. After our introduction, Robson said: “I can’t give you more than 20 minutes. Is that okay?’’ But after 20 minutes, when all questions were over, he put across some of his own to know about the game in India.
Soon we were joined by other scribes and the man spent close to an hour and half regaling everyone with anecdotes, experiences, wit and humour. Most of his jibes were directed at the English press which had been berating him for the national team’s non-too-impressive performances.
Robson once dug his finger into his nose and said: “If I do that, they will shoot and write something nasty.’’ At that point photographer Gopinath lifted his camera. Robson thrust his hand out and screamed: “No, don’t do what they do, I am just showing you.’’ A representative of All India Radio had thrust his mike to record his talk. Robson asked: “Is he with you?’’ When told he wasn’t, Robson blurted out: “Ask him to take it off.’’ But later he allowed it to be recorded.
Robson never gave the impression that he was a big name in soccer coaching. Nor did he take the India team lightly. “You have to work hard. There’s no other way out,’’ was his profound thought.
At the end of it all, he thanked everyone and said: “I had a truly great time with you guys. Especially after what I have been through with people out there in England for their only agenda is to bang me hard.’’