January 19th, 2011
The Big Grapple: Cantona Hits NYC
Image via newyorkcosmos.com
Oh, there will be barbed comments, flying karate kicks, illegal ball handling and an unhealthy interest in seabirds in New York City soon, people. No, the Kickette staff are not heading to NY for another ‘brainstorming while drunk’ session, although the above descriptors can and do apply.
In fact, Manchester United legend and poet/philosopher type Eric Cantona has been announced as the new Director of Soccer for the New York Cosmos, placing him in close proximity to similarly mercurial and magnificent Thierry Henry (left), who signed for the New York Red Bulls last year. (Image via mlssoccer.com)
While we would usually greet news like this by gorging ourselves on champagne and choccies, we recall that Eric had a few things to say regarding Thierry’s controversial handball incident while playing for France last year. In fact, Eric said he would have hit Thierry if he had been playing for the Republic of Ireland. Hmm.
Considering the two are now representing city rivals, are both known for their er… challenging temperaments and come from a nation where football players are able to start fights in empty rooms, we find ourselves wondering whether the city will be big enough for these two to co-exist peacefully?
Our intrepid New York correspondent (the one who frequently leaves her shoes/phone/handbag in bars while trying to get interviews with handsome ‘ballers) will keep us posted.
OMG! He was my #1 for the Sizzle Query/One and Only Baller Boy, and now he's going to be on MY continent! *faints*
I am not a man, I am Cantona!
Just keep him away from Wall Street.
Hats off to a LEGEND!!
With all that gold he's sporting, he looks like some bad*ss from Brighton Beach. Welcome to New York, Cantona!
he looks like the head of the mafia
Eric I'd have hit Henry too but what can I say, I'm Irish =D
The song 'Empire State of Mind' Just sprinhs to mind. 'I can trip a referee, tell by my attitude, I'm most definitely from…France.'
Ahaha, i think he was the inspiration behind that song!
the MLS just got more interesting…bet anything in 2 years times United will be playing a pre-season friendly with the Cosmos…loves it
**besides any team that has the same name as that delicious cocktail deserves all our support…
King Eric will soon be on the same continent as me. Yipppeee! With the US/France friction, I canNOT wait to hear what Eric has to say about American politics–esp. Sarah Palin. (I'm still giggling about the Palin/Sarkozy prank call.)
OoooOOOO this is gonna be fun!
Bienvenue aux Etats-Unis Monsieur Cantona!
i don't like Cantona's expressions. In photos, he seems always angry or something like that
Everyone's coming to New York! I love it!
This makes me feel like *this* (pinches fingers together) much better about not being in Europe.
ooohhh Cantona….*dribble dribble*
Well, RBNY actually play in New Jersey, and the Cosmos offices are currently in downtown NYC. So at least the Hudson is separating them for the time being.
Would be awesome if they can actually get the Cosmos off the ground, though. I know that MLS wants its next team to be in NY. I just don't know where they'd actually play, unless they too traveled across the river (like every other NY sports team that requires a big field) to NJ.
Words cannot describe the awesomeness of this event so I must sing. *clears throat* "Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh, we'll drink a drink a drink, to Eric the King the King the King, he's the leader of our football team! He's the greatest centre forward that the world has ever seen!!!!!"
Regardless of all the controversy this man has caused during his days as a player (and afterwards), I will forever adore Cantona for having the most perfectly groomed beard in the greater realms football.
Now please excuse me while I embark on a personal jihad on Gillette to free Xabi Alonso from their claws, so he can grow that magnificent ginger beard of his again and become the legitimate successor of Cantona in the beard department, which he's clearly destined to be…