The Finktank

If any country needs its spirits lifted, it's Rwanda, which made the third round of World Cup qualifying in Africa but had the misfortune of being lumped in a group with Egypt, Algeria and Zambia. In its five games so far it has returned the princely amount of one point but is hoping to qualify for the African Cup of Nations by beating Zambia in Kigali.

It has to not only win but by two goals to save the job of the incumbent coach, ex-Dinamo Zagreb player Branko Tucak.

So we can only wish the Wasps and their coach well. Qualifying for big football tournaments is one of those things in life that can galvanise and unite a nation like few other things.

But there is one person who will be wishing they fall flat on their face: John Barnes.

The ex-Liverpool and England star has applied for Tucak's job after failing to set the world on fire with his three previous managerial positions: Celtic, Jamaica and Tranmere Rovers.

In his last post, with League One club Tranmere, he just won two from 11 league matches before he was pushed by the club's board. Around the same time he was also declared bankrupt, which was later rescinded.

Despite his string of failures, Barnes believes he can "spur Rwandan football to greater heights", which wouldn't be hard seeing they're starting from the bottom. But a change of scene might just do him a world of good and see his managerial skills develop (they have to start coming together at some point).

That's the great thing about football – if you can't make it in one place, there are plenty of places around the world where even an average CV can get you a decent job.

Take India, where a bloke called Philippe de Ridder has been appointed coach of I-League side East Bengal.

Who is Philippe de Ridder? I have no idea, other than the fact he's Belgian, holds a UEFA-B coaching licence, once played for the Belgium men's under-20s and describes himself on his own blog as a "Pro Football coach. Artistic background, Foundator [sic] of the 360 CFT (Creative Football Training) method, Sport journalist, Cartoon creator, Art Director, Saxophone player, song writer." Just what your regular professional club football is looking for in a coach.

So long as he wins games, who cares? In his first match as coach, against Shillong Lajong, De Ridder had no problems delivering on his promises to the club. 3-0 to East Bengal. Not bad for a saxophone player.

The press in England has been hounding Barnes for wanting to go to Rwanda, the Mirror declaring his "adventure will end in disaster" and you can even bet on when he'll get the axe should he get the job, but he deserves another go.

As the Liverpool Echo said more charitably: "There is an old saying: when you fall off your bike, the best thing to do is get straight back on."

I agree. Good luck to him should he end up in Kigali. And good luck to Philippe in Kolkata.

Every man deserves a break. It just sometimes you have to go a long way to get it.


:: For more Fink musings on the big issues in football, check out Half-time Orange on The World Game.