Eric Cantona

The glaring stare that often frightened opponents in the Old Trafford tunnel is still as intimidating as ever.

Sat upright in the chair like an old school headmaster with his broad shoulders, chest out, flat cap, Cantona  may have retired from football 14 years ago but his eccentric personality is still very much shining bright.

It was almost as if he was about to jump to his feet, turn his collar up and don the famous number seven shirt once again.  

Cantona, since retiring at the age of 30 has gone into new avenues. The New York Cosmos is his latest project with Cantona being appointed Director of Soccer. Quite a far cry from a Premiership appearance or teaming up with film director Ken Loach for the film `Looking for Eric’. And Perhaps that is exactly was he has done.

Why New York Cosmos: “It`s a very special club with a great history, a big project. I want to win the Championship with 5-6 academy players in the team.

“I signed the contract in May 2012; I have put people in the right places and have started to work hard, 100% for the past 8 months. I have a very strong urge, it`s a special city. I`m not tired, I can walk all day.”

This desire to win trophies was embedded into him when in five years at Old Trafford; he won four Premiership titles, scoring 66 goals in 144 appearances and being voted the PFA Player of the Year in the 1993-1994 season. A true legend amongst the United fans.  

From what he said it is certain that at five years under the stewardship of Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, playing alongside Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and the Neville brothers, all products of the United academy, has had more of an impact on his philosophies than some might have imagined.

“Ferguson has humility, humanity, passion, a psychologist, I admire him. Big clubs have problems with different generations but he has adapted to all the generations, the different personalities and helped them develop their own, find freedom, the energy to become competitive. A great tactician, a kind of genius.”

Despite Cantona adopting a forward thinking mentality, it does seem as if there is still one topic that angers him and still gets under his skin. The French national team.

In 1997 he was fined for punching Bruno Martini in the face. A year later he was banned from playing for France for a year when he called the national coach `a bag of shit’. 6 players at Montpellier wanted him sacked after he threw boots at a team mate’s face. 1991 saw Cantona throw the ball in the ref`s face and called all members on the committee panel `idiots’.

“I don’t really care about France. I watch teams who I want to watch, who will entertain me. I like to watch Barcelona and United, players who enjoy the game.

This hurting and anger stems from the above incidents and failing to qualify for the 1994 World Cup after defeats to Israel and Bulgaria when they only needed a draw to qualify.

New York Cosmos have certainly got the right man in terms of passion and belief. Temperament may be an issue if things don’t go smoothly but that reflects Cantona, the maverick, the life of a genius so far. Troubled artist or just troubled. We shall see. Long live the king.