Paul Gascoigne, one of the best English players of the last three decades, has been appointed the coach of Garforth Town. Garforth Town are a non-league club but have appointed Gascoigne, affectionately known as Gazza, as manager in the hope that he can lead them, eventually, to league football. Gascoigne was formerly the manager of Kettering Town, another non-league English side, but he was sacked after only six weeks. This time the former England international will be hoping to make a better impression, perhaps aided by some better fortune.
Since ending his professional playing career Paul Gascoigne has suffered from alcohol problems in the full glare of the media limelight. His problems and troubles have often made front page news in the tabloid newspapers in Britain. Consequently his recovery from his personal problems has always proven to be a little more difficult than the environment in which most people make a recovery from alcohol abuse. With his every move documented by the press and him consistently being under pressure, and therefore suffocating because of the demands, he has often relapsed. Now however, it appears that his troubles are behind him and this will be welcome news to his army of adoring fans.
As a player Paul Gascoigne was recognised as one of the most gifted English football players of all time. He was wonderfully capable on the ball, often displaying incredible dribbling talent and a penchant for the magical in the most delicate of situations. He enjoyed a succesfull career in England, primarily with Tottenham Hotspur, in Italy, with Lazio, and then in Scotland, with Rangers. At the end of his career he had a sucesfull swansong with Everton. For England Gazza was a fans favourite. His best moments arrived at the 1990 World Cup in Italy where he lead England to a fourth place finish. He was famously booked in the semi final, meaning he would have missed the World Cup final if England progressed, and he broke into tears mid match. During Euro 1996, played in England, he also had some wonderful moments for the national team, again leading his country to the semi finals. During qualification for the 1998 World Cup in France it had appeared that the then England manager Glenn Hoddle would call on Gazza for the tournament but on the eve of the squad announcement he told Gazza he would not be taking him to the tournament, famously leading to a tense situation in the England camp. England didn’t altogether impress at the 1998 World Cup where France won the tournament on home soil.
