Keeping faith with the veterans an act of folly

PITY the Euro 2004 managers whose loyalty to some tired old warriors was misplaced. How it cost them.

None suffered for his faithfulness more than Italy's Giovanni Trapattoni but there were others. Now, while they attempt to enjoy an extended holiday, what regrets must assail the minds of Sven Goran Ericsson, Rudi Voller, Kobi Kuhn and especially Jacques Santini.

How they must bemoan their lack of initiative, if not lack of courage. For they chose to ignore the evidence of their own eyes, stayed with the tried and tested and found their allegiance went unrewarded.