Fantalk

Neil M · Joined: 16 Aug 2008 Posts: 2479 Location: Aberdeen

Might be a "Silky" type of scenario, where he had the choice to stop playing or pay a hefty price for the rest of his days. Reading between the lines, I think Berra himself thought that his recent performances were not adequate for this club at this level.

If I'm right Berra was player / coach. Maybe the management team saw the need for a fit defender on the pitch as more pressing than a coach only and it was agreed to free up a place.

He may well get a coaching post elsewhere, but if he can no longer play, that's okay. Good luck Chris!

Northern_Rover · Joined: 15 Jul 2008 Posts: 2673 Location: Granite City

Berra could and should have stayed until things were in place for his departure. Obviously Mcglynns man.

Having taken a wage for pretty much a third of last season without kicking a ball he could have helped us out.

I get it he's over the hill but its Cove Rangers we are playing on Saturday not Glasgow Rangers.

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3214 Location: North Texas, USA

wellyboot · Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 2292 Location: Aberdeenshire

When you think of some of the “experienced” or “well known” players we have signed in the latter part of there careers over the years then Berra has to be considered a success. Skacel, Daly, Creaney, Andy Walker to name a few came and stole a wage. Good luck to Berra in whatever he does next.

Glen Mhor · Joined: 02 Feb 2022 Posts: 10 Location: Up North

Wish him all the best, but as everyone notes the timing couldn't be worse and very little time to integrate any new signings.

Gary Parker · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 11:17 am Post subject:

Good interview with Berra
https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/christophe-berra-opens-up-on-career-stendel-threat-and-bizarre-coaching-hearts-and-neilson-aberdeen-abuse-regrets-and-good-times-3813220

Only thing that isn't explained and hasn't been as far as I can see is why, if he felt this way before the start of the season was he offered a coaching role and then left that role too when he retired?

Castle · Joined: 24 Jul 2010 Posts: 4776

Wouldn't it just be a case that as an highly experienced player on a decent wage (for the Rovers anyway) he was asked if he would like to take on some coaching duties during training sessions. If he wasn't going to be a player though his wage would have to be considerably less if he was only coaching and Berra maybe felt it just wouldn't be worthwhile?
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Gary Parker · Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 2:10 pm Post subject:

TxRover · Joined: 02 Jun 2018 Posts: 3214 Location: North Texas, USA

Good article. The impression I got was that Berra needed a little time away from the game before he threw himself into coaching full time. He offered to help IM develop the defenders he had so as to not leave the Rovers in the lurch, and IM apparently also considered Dick and Brown at CB as sufficient to allow Berra to retire.

We all noticed Berra looked a wee bit off, and speculated he was injured, after the first couple of matches. He had simply lost the necessary hunger for the game, and good on him for recognizing that and offering to hang in as long as necessary…and, remember, IM made the call when he could leave, not Berra.

I’d love to see Berra back around to help develop Nolan and O’Riordan, but I suspect that’s not in the cards, as Berra would likely command a salary more like Agnew and we’re, according to Sim, still skirt.