AFP
October 26, 2006
SYDNEY (AFP) - Former England captain Terry Butcher says the turmoil over his coaching future at Sydney FC is one of the most difficult periods of his professional life.
Butcher's position at the troubled Australian A-League champions is shaky after reports this week that multi-millionaire actor Anthony LaPaglia, who owns a share of the club, is behind moves to sack him as coach.
Sydney FC lies fourth in the eight-team league after only three wins, three draws and three defeats from nine matches.
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Club officials have given Butcher no guarantee that he will still have the job after Sunday's home match against Perth Glory.
"There is no doubt that results have not been good enough and, therefore, I take on board the criticism. But what I cannot accept are the unnecessary lies that accompany the condemnation from the so-called experts," Butcher wrote in his column in Thursday's Sydney Morning Herald.
"Another emotion that fades in and out is helplessness. Through this column, I have tried to put forward my feelings succinctly, but it has been one of the most difficult periods of my professional life.
"The storm may be raging around me, and may intensify come the weekend, but I have every confidence that there will be sunshine at the end of it."
Butcher says the drama brings back painful memories of his dismissal as the manager at Sunderland in England's second-tier league when he learnt of his fate on the radio while driving to training.
"Luckily, no one recognises me in Sydney, which is a blessing at the moment, although my head does go down whenever a stranger approaches," he wrote.
"It is like being in the eye of the storm, particularly when I return home to my family, as the tranquillity and peacefulness of our apartment is a haven that is disturbed only when I have forgotten to turn my phone to silent mode."