The Premier League season seems to be the closest in recent times. Who will you put your money on?
If I knew that, I would have made lot of money. But looking how the season has panned, Chelsea have the biggest chance. But this season their focus is more on Champions League than the Premiership. Arsenal and Manchester United are still in contention and Sunday’s clash between them will be a big match. Chelsea can take advantage if it ends in a draw.
Who’s the best player in the world right now?
Cristiano Ronaldo will get my vote. He is the most complete player.
Cristiano was bought for £80 million by Real. Did you ever imagine that football players could fetch such a huge amount?
When I was transferred from PSV Eindhoven to AC Milan in 1987 my price tag was £6 million, which was a huge amount that time. So I also had been in a time when money was huge. Though amount players fetched kept increasing, I never thought players could be transferred for such a huge amount.
LA Galaxy was the last team you coached? Are you exploring any offers to comeback to managing a club?
I’ll wait till I get the right opportunity. I had some offers but I didn’t like them. In the meantime I’m doing a lot of commentary. So I’ve a lot of things to do. But if there is a good opportunity I will go back to managing a club be it anywhere.
Who do you admire most among the managers?
Alex Ferguson. He is the best. Every year he has managed to put out a good team to fight for Premiership title. And he has picked players well. When David Beckham went, Ronaldo became the main player and now that Ronaldo has left and Wayne Rooney has taken over the mantle.
You played in one of the best teams Holland ever produced but it didn’t translate into winning the big titles.
It’s always difficult for the Dutch as we always wanted to play well and it wasn’t easy. Sometimes you have to win in an odd fashion to win, which was difficult as we wanted to make an impression. We are a small country and therefore we are proud of what we have produced and also the fact that we play some good football which people like.
What is your view on FIFA contemplating the use of goal-line technology?
FIFA doesn’t have the goal-line technology right now. But when they have it they will definitely use it. It will be helpful during controversial goal-line decisions. But using the technology throughout the match will slow it down. And I don’t think it should be implemented.
Who are the favourites for the World Cup in South Africa?
Brazil. Then there are usual suspects like Italy, Germany. I hope Holland will do well. And dark horses will be Portugal and Ivory Coast.
—Ruud Gullit spoke to DNA following a survey into great moments of sportsmanship by Barclays Spaces for Sports, a community sports programme which revitalises disadvantaged communities and tackles key social issues around the world.
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