‘David James let his one big chance slip by’ - Joe Corrigan
Oct 10 2008
JOE CORRIGAN spent a decade at Anfield working as a goalkeeping and reserve team coach. The ex- Manchester City keeper has now written his memoirs in which he details his days working alongside Liverpool managers Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier. In this exclusive interview, Corrigan tells Liverpool writer Tony Barrett why England number one David James should have become the best keeper this country has produced - and why he will always treasure his time with the Reds.
TOMORROW evening, England will take on Kazakhstan at Wembley with David James between the sticks.
Few in football know Portsmouth’s former Liverpool goalkeeper better than Joe Corrigan who coached him during his seven year spell at Anfield and big Joe’s verdict on England’s current number one is far from glowing.
As far as Corrigan is concerned, James has never achieved the enormous potential his raw talent demanded simply because he lacks concentration.
And every time Corrigan sees his former protege play he is hit by an overwhelming sense of what might have been for he still firmly believes that James should have become “the best goalkeeper this country has ever produced”.
“No-one can take away the career that David has forged for himself and in many ways he has a lot to be proud of,” said Corrigan who is now West Brom’s goalkeeping coach.
“But I have this nagging frustration that it could have been even better because, like everyone else who ever worked with him, I know just how great his ability is and I don’t think he has made the absolute most of it.
“When I joined Liverpool, David was in the reserves and I could see straight away what huge potential he had but he just seemed to lose concentration at vital times and that problem has stopped him from achieving his full potential.
“When you are a keeper at a club like Liverpool you will not always have a lot to do and the secret is to make sure you are ready when you are called into action.
“Ray Clemence was an absolute master at that and that’s why he went through an entire season once only conceding 16 goals, an absolutely incredible record.
“Unfortunately, David did not seem to have that same knack and even though he is now England’s number one, I’ve always had a nagging feeling that he should have made that position his own several years ago and he would have done had he just been able to concentrate better.”
Corrigan, 59, believes firmly believes Liverpool are in good hands at present with triple golden gloves winner Pepe Reina to call on when necessary.
“I don’t think anyone doubts how good Pepe is,” said Corrigan.
“He is getting better with experience and for me he is one of the best around.
“He is a big asset to Liverpool and it looks like he has made the goalkeeper’s shirt his own for years to come.
“That’s what makes it so difficult for the other keepers at the club and it’s easy for them to become frustrated because they can’t see a way past him.
“I think that’s what happened with Scott Carson but that was good news for West Brom, where I work now, because we were able to sign him from Liverpool and he’s done a really good job for us.”
Corrigan was once famously hit in the face by a meat pie thrown from the Kop when he was a player with Man City but despite this he insists he only has good memories of Anfield.
“Liverpool are a very, very special club and I felt privileged to work there,” he said.
“I enjoyed every single minute of my time at Anfield even though it was a time of change and the club changed manager a few times in the spell I was there.
“It wouldn’t be easy to pick a highlight because we were lucky enough to win a few trophies in my time there, including five in one year when Gerard Houllier was in charge, but if I was pressed I would have to say that from a personal point of view being in charge of the reserve team that won the league for the first time in several years would be my pick.
“But from the moment I first played at Anfield in 1969 I loved everything about the place, especially the fans who were always fantastic.
“West Brom play Liverpool on November 8 so I’m really looking forward to going back up to Anfield and seeing a few familiar faces.”
Corrigan on the white suits & Houllier's heart problem >>>
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