4 ms·

I think it's much more about the facts that 1) They speak English. Players, expert commentators (former players), managers etc. give interviews, tweet, comment

by flexie 5y ago

I think it's much more about the facts that 1) They speak English. Players, expert commentators (former players), managers etc. give interviews, tweet, comment etc. before, during and after the matches. It's a huge part of the product. You just don't get all that fuzz with Spanish, Italian, German, or French football. Those leagues can only sell the match itself internationally, not everything that surrounds it. Unless you speak Spanish, you don't know what Messi said about his hattrick in the last match or what he thinks about rumors of him changing club. You may not even know what he sounds like. You don't know his agent, his father, his brother, his wife, ex girlfriends etc. With Premier League players, that's part of the package. For better or worse. 2) So much Russian and Arab oil money floated to the clubs the last 20 years, not just as sponsorships but through actual buyouts of the clubs. Several of the best teams in continental clubs cannot be bought because they are owned by the fans.

traceroute66 5y ago
> 1) They speak English That's often a bit of a generous statement. They "speak" English yes, but not with anywhere near the sort of fluency that you would expect from someone on a multi-million salary who can afford to take some intensive English lessons. I don't mind the footballers lack of fluency, since their job is to kick the ball around. But the managers I'm far less forgiving, their job entails communicating with all relevant stakeholders, which involves interviews which they should be able to deliver in a fluent and comprehensible manner. But that's the problem with English I guess. Its too "easy" as a language, you can get away with a severe lack of fluency and the other side will be able to put the pieces together.
- flexie 5y ago
  Does it matter that a manager doesn't speak English well if he wins? Isn't that really what he was hired for?

by flexie 5y ago

traceroute66 5y ago

> 1) They speak English That's often a bit of a generous statement. They "speak" English yes, but not with anywhere near the sort of fluency that you would expect from someone on a multi-million salary who can afford to take some intensive English lessons. I don't mind the footballers lack of fluency, since their job is to kick the ball around. But the managers I'm far less forgiving, their job entails communicating with all relevant stakeholders, which involves interviews which they should be able to deliver in a fluent and comprehensible manner. But that's the problem with English I guess. Its too "easy" as a language, you can get away with a severe lack of fluency and the other side will be able to put the pieces together.

flexie 5y ago
Does it matter that a manager doesn't speak English well if he wins? Isn't that really what he was hired for?