Ready and Abel

So the CV of Abel Xavier lands on your desk. Portuguese, defender, now 36, he's played in eight different leagues but hasn't stayed put anywhere longer than three years.

Had a nine month lay-off for allegedly punching the ref after a handball in the semi-final of Euro 2000, followed by 12 months for failing a drugs test at Middlesbrough.

Once did the dirty on Everton by joining hated rivals Liverpool and publicly lambasted his last boss Ruud Gullit, prompting the Dutchman's resignation.

Would you sign on football's answer to a hot potato? That's the dilemma running through the minds of club chairmen in the UAE.

What brings you to Dubai?

I'm checking out some offers from clubs. Visiting before a potential move is some-thing I didn't have the luxury of doing before going to LA Galaxy. I got a few nasty surprises in the US, so I'll be sure to see how I can integrate to best effect this time.

Why did the American Dream turn sour?

Galaxy was trying to grow something from the top down. It's hard, there's no culture of football or youth development there. It took the English League 120 years to get where it is now and Major League Soccer has only been going 16 years.

After all the excitement of Beckham's arrival, maybe now people will begin to see you must build a house from the foundations and not the roof. It's short-sighted. We covered it with results but long-term there's no satisfaction.

So you and Ruud didn't get on?

Ruud and I are from the same environment, which is why I was surprised he didn't share my frustration. I was the first one to note problems and suggest alternatives but it caused friction and he tried to project some challenges to impose his own authority upon me.

The players saw this was wrong and in the end we both faced the consequences, but I paid the price with my head up high.

What needs to change in the US?

Taking a six or eight hour flight a day before the match was one thing, but to segregate the players between business and economy class based on their importance was quite another. It broke a bond which was already weak, as 80 per cent of the team were on non-guaranteed contracts.

This meant every week the squad would change. It was unsettling. Focus on physical conditioning over tactical awareness was also worrying.

Nothing runs faster than the ball. Football in America is open and wide, it doesn't matter how big and strong you are, you're nothing without good tactics.

You'll face similar frustrations in the UAE.

Great things can be achieved in small environments especially when you have strong foundations like in the UAE. Players have natural talent and skill here. There is passion and football culture, they just lack physical and tactical wherewithal.

Are you just coming here for the money?

I understand that view but it is not my intention. I want to be part of a successful football development programme to give something back to the game and make a difference. It's not a situation of me coming, taking and leaving. It's not about money.

You could still play in lower league Europe.

At this time, going back into a competitive side that is focused on league survival would not give me the same joy as moving to an environment where I can provide assistance in building something.

The drugs ban. Did you or didn't you?

It was a prescription drug given to me by my doctor for over six years. It had never been a problem. I was a big fish in a small tank at the time.

I won the case and went back to Middlesbrough. If I was guilty, do you really think I'd show my face again? The fact that my ban was reduced from 18 months to 12 was a compliment, nobody reduces a ban. It was like admitting I was right.

What did you do during that lay-off?

I started training straight away. Of course I crashed with depression for the first three months. I couldn't return to Portugal as the spotlight was on me. I had to stay in hiding, remaining strict and focused, otherwise I would have killed my career.

How bittersweet was Euro 2000?

That was my most defining moment, I had a great tournament and was wanted by all the big clubs, I kept my spot in the team throughout the tournament. In extra-time during the semi-final against France I forced the save of the tournament from Fabian Barthez.

If that went in I would have been a national hero. But one minute later I handballed David Trezeguet's effort off the line at the other end, which led to a penalty. I had a post-match fracas in the tunnel with the referee and I got a nine-month ban for punching him.

Things could have been so different...

What? You mean if I had been French? I was 28 in the peak of form, enjoying the finest moment of my career. All the clubs wanted me but I couldn't move because of that ban. The ref later admitted I didn't punch him.

Is it still safe for you in Liverpool?

It was very hard emotionally and physically to move from Everton to Liverpool. You really feel it when you cross the park in the same city. I'm the only player to have worn both shirts in one season.

I was a very wanted player, Everton was in a financial crisis and it was a case of take the offer or become a free agent at the end of the season. It was tough but I think common-sense fans respect me for doing things properly, I never asked to leave.

Where were you happiest?

I was most happy in clubs where I was made to feel important. I wanted to stay at Galatasaray because of the passion, culture and collusion. Maybe I wanted to retire there. It surprised me I was due to sign an extension and they got Frank de Boer instead. That's football.

Have you any regrets?

People will say I never stayed put. Was that lack of ability? Did I have a bad character? No, the key element was to feel wanted, as soon as I no longer felt wanted I left. If you win a man, you win more than a player, few people understood that.
Of course, I would have loved to play at Liverpool for 10 years but would that make me experienced? I've learnt more in this cocktail of football than I would have done otherwise. This varied background equips me for the future.

A future in football management?

To be a manager in the wrong structure is not to be free. I'm considering a project. One academy with my vision casting players for the future. Maybe in Mozambique. I want to be a reference to people.

What do you remember of Africa?

I left for Portugal just after the civil war in 1975 aged three. We didn't have food and living conditions were poor, despite this we were raised well. You'll be remembered for the principles and values you were brought up with and I've always stuck by mine.