There are plenty of ways to lose the title of captain of a squad. Michael Ballack lost the German yellow armband this summer the easiest of ways. The former Chelsea man was injured and didn’t play in the World Cup. John Terry, on the other hand, lost the arm band through one of the most humiliating of ways. He was caught sleeping around with a close friend and teammate’s lady friend. And then there is the way that Kolo Toure lost the honor.
Kolo Toure didn’t get injured and certainly didn’t do anything wrong like that dirty dog Terry did. And the older half of the best football brothers duo in the world (his younger brother Yaya plays center midfield for the Blues now) claims that he lost the armband simply because it would motivate the new captain to perform at even higher of a level. Toure said that Argentine forward Carlos Tevez became Manchester City‘s leader this season not because of any mistake made by himself, but because manager Roberto Mancini believed the new found responsibility would motivate Tevez into becoming more involved in the team, thus, making him more of an impact player on the pitch.
And of course Tevez and Mancini have had their differences in the past including last year when the Italian coach was appointed Tevez was critical of his rigorous training tactics. But by allowing Tevez to become the captain, Mancini is hoping that the Argentine sensational goal scorer can channel some of his own legendary countryman’s form as a brilliant leader on the pitch. The man that Mancini hopes that Tevez can embody is who other then Diego Maradona who captained Serie A side Napoli to several league titles.
Toure explains what he and Mancini discussed when the coach explained his decision to go with Tevez rather then the former captain:
The boss came to see me at the start of the season and told me he had a difficult decision to make. He broke the news that he would be making Carlos captain, in order that he would become a lot more involved with the club’s squad. He even quoted the example of Diego Maradona at Napoli, who worked wonders once he had been appointed their captain. I told him it was not a problem and accepted his decision. I’m not more important than the team and the decision was taken for the benefit of Manchester City.
And you have to respect Toure for not throwing a hissy fit regarding the decision much like a certain Three Lions player did last year when he was caught with his pants down. Toure instead supported his coach’s choice knowing that a true leader would lead by example on the pitch anyways and not just because they are sporting a stupid yellow arm band and a fancy title. What Toure did, ironically, shows how much leadership potential he possesses. He could have easily refused to give up the honor and created an awkward scenario in Manchester City’s camp, but instead he unselfishly sacrificed the prop because he knew doing so would be the best thing for the team.
Imagine that. A player putting his team ahead of his own selfish desires. A player giving up a title because he thinks it will help his club’s chances of winning the EPL this season. A player portraying leadership qualities despite losing the title.
I hope John Terry is reading this.
