That’s Why They Call It Work Hossam

By: Daryl | August 4th, 2007

Hossam Ghaly loves to run You ever started a new job and then instantly realized it’s not for you? I once worked in a giant warehouse freezer, in temperatures well below zero, wearing a big thermal suit that made you sweat on the inside while your extremities froze on the outside. And that inside sweat also froze against your body if you stood still. I lasted two and half days.

Spur’s Egyptian midfielder Hossam Ghaly had a similar experience recently when he nearly joined Birmingham City in a £3 million deal, only to find that Blues boss Steve Bruce expected him to – gasp! – run around a bit.

Ghaly apparently arrived at St. Andrews a little out of shape. No crime after the summer holidays, as long as you’re prepared to work off the excess flab. Steve Bruce explains that “When he [Ghaly] had his one-to-one session with (fitness coach) Dan (Harris), he was moaning we ‘don’t do this, don’t do that’ at Tottenham, it ‘wasn’t right’ and ‘ridiculous’. He had a right petted lip on. Yes, strong words were said and he was told in no uncertain terms that if he didn’t like it, he should clear off.”

Ghaly was also unhappy with the standard of players at Blues, his agent leaving a message on Bruce’s answering machine to that effect. And that was the end of that.

It’s not the first time Ghaly has been a bit of a prima dona. He threw his Spurs shirt to the ground after being subbed off last season. So maybe Steve Bruce has had a lucky escape. Blues will likely be battling relegation this season, and the last thing he needs is a player quite literally refusing to pull his weight.