When former England manager Graham Taylor recalls the tougher days in his management career the obvious ones that will no doubt be at the top of the list and would include failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup – which cost him his job. Amongst them too will be the task of having to decide when, where and how to end the career of living legends.
For Taylor it happened during England's EURO 1992 campaign when in the last throw of the dice against Sweden - in a vital quarter-final match in Solna - Taylor brought on Alan Smith in the 62nd minute for Gary Lineker. An iconic moment forever captured on Lineker‘s face as he came off the pitch in what was to prove the end of a lengthy international career - and falling one short of Sir Bobby Charlton's 48 goal record.
During Taylor's time at Wolverhampton Wanderers he also found similar pressure when the club’s prolific goal scorer, Steve Bull, was going through a very slow patch. So much so that a potential move arranged by Taylor to Coventry City was shelved after much outcry from the Wolves faithful. Something not dissimilar for Jose Mourinho when he joined Real Madrid in 2006 and ended Raul Gonzalez's long association with the club which saw the Spanish international move to Schalke04 in Germany.
A talismanic figure at the Santiago Bernabeu for sixteen years, Raul had become somewhat of an immovable object at the club, in a career that had spanned 550 games and saw him contribute 228 goals to Real Madrid's cause. By that point Raul had been awarded a "contract for life" in 2008 – which would be renewed annually for as long as he played 30 games and given he also equalled in 2009 Manolo Sanchís' league appearance record for the club, made him even more venerated.
However during his time he had seen numerous managers come and go, gathering seniority in the dressing room with the passing of each year. And in the view of some becoming too powerful in the process. For Mourinho, always fearless about making teams conform to his regime, Raul suddenly found himself surplus to requirements.
Although it was uncertain how well he would adapt to rainy, industrial Gelsenkirchen, where Schalke have an almost cult-like following, Raul excelled during his two seasons and in hindsight the move probably revived his career.
In 1996 world cup winner Jack Charlton faced a task too with the Republic of Ireland, undoubtedly not burdened with much expectation of further qualification for major tournaments following Germany 88, Italia 90 and USA 94. Which looking back now seems bizarre given how long it took to qualify for for EURO 2012.
But for the no-nonsense Charlton success could come through simplifying the game down to basics – keeping the opposition under pressure - and in their third of the pitch by playing everything out of the box with a hefty boot. In that kind of mix the deft ball skills of the gifted Arsenal midfielder Liam Brady were out of kilter, despite Brady being a regular during the 1988 Euro qualifying campaign.
Regardless, had he not been injured the Dubliner would have made the squad that went to Germany 1998, but was foiled by an untimely cruciate ligament injury playing for West Ham ending Brady's hopes of gracing a major tournament., And if proof was need that football holds little sentiment, a chance of tagging along to Italia 90 was shattered when Brady was substituted in the first half of a pre-tournament friendly against West Germany at Lansdowne Road. Which at the age of 34 and with 72 caps was to prove Brady’s international retirement from the Republic of Ireland.
Afterwards Charlton admitted he only started Brady to prove the player was past his best – and opted for the younger up and coming Andy Townsend who was to be included in the world cup squad. It was a tough moment for Irish fans reared on the magic and talent of Brady during those great Highbury years in the late seventies.
But the end had to come at some point and it happened on Big Jack’s watch
A similar moment had to come for Ryan Giggs and Wales too, as John Toshack took over during the 2004 EURO qualifying campaign, and was keen to build on the youth developed by Brian Flynn at the under age levels. Burdened somewhat by public expectation from the achievements of predecessor Mark Hughes - who came close to qualifying for Euro 2004 in Portugal after being narrowly defeated by Russia in the play-offs. Indeed, that Wales campaign also included a win over Italy, raising the cult status of the former Manchester United and Wales striker making major change more complex for Big Tosh.
However it was Sir Alex Ferguson's United that posed a challenge for the experienced Toshack, who was trying to get a midfield of Jason Koumas, Craig Bellamy, Simon Davies to function – having lost Gary Speed to retirement – and struggling to manage the ever opinionated Robbie Savage into a system along side Ryan Giggs. Which became a challenge building a style around Giggs - who at United could play in a deeper role - ably supported by the energy of the likes of Scholes, Michael Carrick, Darren Fletcher and Wayne Rooney.
However with Wales that depth of talent was not in over supply and the system could not work in the same way.
Going into the EURO 2008 campaign the Wales production line started to come good with the emergence of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, David Vaughan and Joe Ledley - all offering more options. As the years crept up further on Giggs and the success at Old Trafford continued, the Wales winger finally chose to prolong his Premier League career rather than expend energy at international level. So in May 2007 Giggs announced his retirement from at a press conference at The Vale of Glamorgan Hotel, ending a 16-year international career.
In his final game for Wales, and as the captain, in the Euro 2008 qualifier against the Czech Republic in Cardiff, Giggs earned his 64th cap and won the Man of the Match award. A fitting end to a loyal servant.
In Brazil the same problems arise with greater frequency, whether it's to bring down the curtain on Romario’s career, Ronaldo’s or Ronaldinho's. In the case of Pele it was somewhat different given he came of retirement following 1966 World Cup to play for Brazil in Mexico 1970. – where they claimed the Stanley Rous trophy for keeps.
Although he played for another year, his retirement in 197 was less controversial than perhaps Romario - who at 36 years of age in 2002 - was still seeking a place in the world cup squad for France. Only to be banned in the very end by Brazil boss Luis Felipe Scolari for indiscipline.
In the case of Ronaldinho it was more laboured after being initially named in the 30-man provisional squad for the finals in South Africa. However he was not in Coach Dunga's final 23 when the time came. when Brazil failed to capture the trophy critics happily claimed that the exclusion of Ronaldinho was the reason and a disastrous move away from the classic Brazilian style.
Therefore in September 2011 Ronaldinho made a return to the national team under the new coach Mano Menezes in a friendly against Ghana, - playing the full 90 minutes in a 1-0 win for Brazil. He then had solid performances in back to back friendlies against Argentina in the same month.
Not surprisingly that in the following October Ronaldinho made an appearance against Mexico in a friendly scoring a spectacular free kick to equalise as Brazil won the match. It was to be his last game.
But not as fitting perhaps as the farewell to Ronaldo who was offered an international testimonial, almost five years after his last match for his country, albeit he only played for 15 minutes. Yet the sentiment of the greatest football nation was clear to see on the day for those few minutes.
The same issue is now arising now with Iker Casillas the goalkeeper at Real Madrid, despite a poor season and booing from fans, the former Spanish captain shows no signs of moving on.
In fact amidst the increased rumours that David DeGea is to leave Manchester United, the 2010 World Cup winner will not step aside easily should United release the former Atletico Madrid keeper. Seemingly Casillas is not yet ready to step aside.
“Florentino once asked me if it were up to me, which keeper would I sign. I prefer Spanish keepers – Sergio Rico, Sergio Asenjo and De Gea. Right now, De Gea is the expert out of the three.
“If he comes we’ll have to compete for a place like we do with Spain. De Gea is a great kid and a goalkeeper for the present and the future.
“Competition is healthy. There is no clause in my contract which states that I have to be first choice.
“If De Gea does come here, he’ll be welcomed. He can handle pressure and the experience he has had at Manchester United will have served him well.”
The veteran goalkeeper was an ever-present for the Spanish giants this season, but was unhappy with Ancelotti when he chose Diego Lopez as the club's No 1 ahead of him for the 2013-14 season.
When the Italian's two-year tenure at the Bernabeu came to an end despite delivering four trophies during that time.
'It is a demanding club and the president and the board have made the best decision.
'But I thank Carlo for what he has done for me, even though last year I was angry because he did not play me much.
'He is a noble person and I wish him well. Madrid will always be his home.'
But for how long will it be Casillas home? Former club stalwarts Fernando Hierro and Raul Gonzalez had to be pushed in the end. Iker will be no different.
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