Tales from the mixed zone
‘Did he say yes?’, asked the slightly frazzled Manchester United press lady. Alex Ferguson was in the television mixed zone after the Champions League quarter-final victory over Porto.
His team had made history by becoming the first English side to win at the Dragao and make it through to the semi-finals against Arsenal. Ferguson was doing the round of television stations' post-match interviews but when we approached the media lady about an interview she said that he was only going to do two and that unfortunately both of those would be for Sky, their British and Italian operations.
‘Do you mind if I ask him to do one for RTÉ, for Ireland?’, I asked rather hopefully. She replied that I could if I liked, but her look suggested that I would be wasting my time.
So following on from a bizarre interview where the presenter went on for ages and ages in Italian and then asked Alex a 
question in English (which he replied to in his familiar Scottish drawl), the Italian then translated that answer and went on for another two minutes while Fergie looked on in bewilderment. At this point we spotted our opportunity and asked for our post-match chat.
He said ‘yes’.
He was pleased clearly with the victory but he also appeared relieved to have gotten over yet another hurdle in a season that has more than a passing resemblance to the Grand National about it. The Red Devils have clipped a few fences, but they’re still standing and despite the recent wobbles they are being expertly stewarded by a man who certainly knows his way round this course.
The World and League Cups are already in the Old Trafford trophy cabinet and the Premier League and FA Cup campaigns could still be glorious. The Champions League trophy is also in that room, of course, and could yet be staying there for another year if Ferguson continues to outwit his opposite numbers and Ronaldo continues to come up with the inspiration on the biggest stages.
He mentioned yet again the word ‘watershed’ and you could tell that he was wishing for the watershed to happen anytime in the last few weeks when the wheel appeared to come of the United bandwagon.
That’s why a clean sheet must have been pleasing to him and it’s to his defence that he showered most praise, and in particular the renewed partnership of Vidic and Ferdinand at the heart of things at the back.
However, the performance of John O’Shea is worth noting again, and in probably his best season for club and country the 
Waterford man has shown a tenacity and maturity that has surprised many, but not his manager who recently added O’Shea’s name to a list of United’s potential Players of the Season.
Getting a John O’Shea interview was a lot easier than nabbing Fergie. The genial gentleman has made himself available to RTÉ regularly during the Champions League campaign and his assessment of Ronaldo’s wondergoal was good value. ‘He’s a good boy,’ said O’Shea of the Portuguese superstar.
Ronaldo was the man most wanted in the mixed zone, of course, not only for his match-winner but for his iconic status not only in his homeland but also all over the world.
To hear him do interviews in several languages was a fascinating glimpse into the world of the global brand.
Wayne Rooney too was subjected to our Italian friend blathering on and on as the blocky striker - with huge headphones round his neck - looked on nervously in what seemed a state of terror.
‘In our studio Vialli says you are the complete modern footballer,’ said the interviewer to the Scouser. ‘Tell him thanks very much,’ said a sheepish Rooney.
The night before, Chelsea caretaker Guus Hiddink was also extremely helpful in the post-match mixed zone.
His first interview was for NOS which he conducted in Dutch, 
obviously, but that wasn’t too difficult for him being from Holland and all. He then did German TV in German, Italian TV in Italian and then Spanish TV in their native tongue. His RTÉ interview was the first in English, but I got the feeling if we had asked him to do it as Gaeilge he would have obliged.
Fógra: Buíochas le Rafa.
By the way, the Liverpool manager also obliged us with an interview in the Stamford Bridge mixed zone, and that after his team had bravely gone out of the competition.
The Spaniard has been most obliging to RTÉ over the years and to do so in defeat is a measure of the man’s character. He did say that he realises how important the Irish fans and audience are to the history and traditions of Liverpool and that intuitive feel for the club and the way he has handled himself during the Hillsborough commemorations makes him go even higher in my estimation. Gracias, Rafa.
Tony O’Donoghue is RTÉ soccer correspondent.
