“The hug,” a.k.a. “Don’t be touchin’ your daddy, Samu!”

By: Kevin | September 25th, 2008

Would you hug this man? Now, many have told me that I’m rather an elegant dresser. I take care of my clothing, and expect it to last a long time, a span commensurate with its cost and quality.

It must be said that, therefore, I avoid the giddy embraces of all big, sweaty men. Pep Guardiola must feel the same way that I do about his vetements, as evidenced by the hilarious moment in the aftermath of Gudjohnsen’s game winner.

We didn’t see it at first, then GolTV picked it up. Eto’o came charging off the bench in a wild-eyed, celebratory mood. He comes charging up to Guardiola, who looks at him, startled a bit from the looks of things, before Eto’o wraps him in a big ol’ hug. Guardiola returns the hug as if embracing a porcupine. “Yeah, there ya go. Now get outta here.” And the look after the hug was equally interesting, a combo platter (some would suggest) of “Ick,” and “How dare you?”

So what’s up with that?

It was a very, very funny moment I thought. Is Guardiola such a coach’s coach that he doesn’t really fraternize with the players in that way? In thinking back over the season to date and the goals scored, we’ve seen him smile, punch the air, do that arm sweep thing that he does whilst kicking his leg out, but have we ever seen him celebrate with the lads?

Frank Rijkaard was quite different, it must be said, both in coaching and personal style. He was quite the hugger, but given the….erm….unique tastes he had in sportcoats, he might well have been hoping that a hulking, sweat-soaked lad would put one of those jackets out of its sartorial misery. And after goals, particularly big ones, Rijkaard was a hugging fool.

But Guardiola? Interesting.

Eto’o is clearly feeling the residual love from not only last season, but from being saved by staying in Barcelona. He said he loves Guardiola, and even dedicated a goal to him. How ’bout that?

But back to that hug situation. What’s the story? There isn’t a lot of speculation as regards sentiment, but it did get a lot of attention. Does Guardiola want to reserve the reserve between coaching staff and players? Does he think that wins aren’t a big deal and really shouldn’t be celebrated? Is his attitude “Why go nuts over a goal? There are lots more where that came from.” Or was he wearing a borrowed suit, and didn’t want to return it all funky and sweat-stained.

Everyone’s Favorite Cameroonian said “I surprised him. When your team scores you do not think about what you will do to celebrate. Guddy scored and I jumped up and pushed and hugged him. He just said ‘What was that?’ ”

Guardiola’s comments were “I saw someone push me from behind and I looked at that person with total surprise. I didn’t feel the need to hug him. It surprised me because I didn’t expect it. I was just thinking about the ten minutes we still had to play”

What thinkest everyone?