 even the opinion in the room. These agenda-heavy briefings are rarely subtle.

It was before a Champions League quarter-final tie with Inter Milan in 1999 that Ferguson gave his thoughts on Italian football. 'When Italians tell me it's pasta I check under the sauce to see if it is,' he said.

Protecting a 2-0 lead from the first leg, before the return tie Ferguson heaped praise on referee Gilles Veissiere, highlighting how strong he would need to be against Inter's forwards Ronaldo and Ivan Zamorano and their tendency to find the floor.

Ferguson relayed his strongest messages to his team and opponents in the press conference

The game in the San Siro ended 1-1 with Zamorano having an appeal for what appeared a blatant penalty by Peter Schmeichel turned down. Ferguson made a point of rushing to the middle to thank Veissiere personally at the end of the match. 'The referee was fantastic,' he said. 'That's one of the best you'll ever get.'

What Veissiere could not have known was that 24 hours before he blew his whistle to begin the game, Ferguson had already started playing his own.

Jones the same. The question that sparked the vague accusations of spying was not about that topic at all, but a far less incendiary enquiry about the dossier his 13 British and Irish Lions contributed to, having returned from New Zealand three summers ago.

The draw for this tournament was made on May 10, 2017, meaning Jones has known for more than two years that winning the pool stage would, in all likelihood, put him on course for collision with the All Blacks in the semi-final. Jones admits he began preparations for this fixture on that date.

'We've prepared for this game for two and a half years,' he confirmed. 'I can remember being in Kyoto for the draw and quickly you could do the mathematics — even as an Australian — that we were going to play New Zealand in a semi-final. Progressively we've built a game we think can take New Zealand.'

That's what international management is about.

Jones insists he has been preparing for the All Blacks for the last two-and-a-half years

Before the 1996 European Championship, Terry Venables spent a disproportionate amount of time watching a club football team, Ajax, because Holland played like them and that was the key
even the opinion in the room. These agenda - heavy briefings are rarely subtle. 

 It was before a Champions League one-fourth - concluding tie with Inter Milan in 1999 that Ferguson gave his thought on Italian football.' When Italians order me it's pasta I check under the sauce to see if it is,' he order. 

 Protecting a 2 - 0 lead from the inaugural leg, before the return draw Ferguson heaped praise on referee Gilles Veissiere, highlight how solid he would need to be against Inter's forwards Ronaldo and Ivan Zamorano and their inclination to find the floor. 

 Ferguson relayed his strong messages to his team and opponents in the press league 

 The game in the San Siro ended 1 - 1 with Zamorano hold an solicitation for what appeared a blatant punishment by Peter Schmeichel turned down. Ferguson made a point of rushing to the center to thank Veissiere personally at the end of the match.' The referee was fantastic,' he said.' That's one of the best you'll ever get.' 

 What Veissiere could not have known was that 24 hours before he blew his whistle to begin the game, Ferguson had already started playing his own. 

 Jones the same. The doubt that sparked the vague accusation of detection was not about that subject at all, but a far less incendiary enquiry about the dossier his 13 British and Irish Lions contributed to, having returned from New Zealand three summers ago. 

 The draw for this tournament was made on May 10, 2017, meaning Jones has know for more than two years that winning the pool stage would, in all likelihood, put him on course for collision with the All Blacks in the semi - concluding. Jones admits he began preparations for this fixture on that date. 

' We've prepared for this game for two and a half year,' he confirmed.' I can remember being in Kyoto for the draw and quickly you could do the mathematics — even as an Australian — that we were run to play New Zealand in a semi - final. Progressively we've build a plot we think can take New Zealand.' 

 That's what international management is about. 

 Jones insists he has been preparing for the All Blacks for the final two - and - a - half years 

 Before the 1996 European Championship, Terry Venables spend a disproportionate amount of clock time watching a baseball club football team, Ajax, because Holland played like them and that was the cardinal
 evfn the opinion in the roum. These agenda-kwavy bciefinga are rafely subtle.

It was before a Ciampuons Oeague quarter-final tid with Inner Milan in 1999 rhat Ferguson gave his tglughcs on Italian foptball. 'Whet Italians teln oe it's pasta I check under the sauce eo see of it is,' he said.

Krotebtyng z 2-0 lead from the first leg, before fhe retlrn tie Ferguson neaped praise on referee Gllled Veissiere, highlihhting how wtrogt he would nded to be against Intet's forwards Ronaldo and Ivan Zamurano and their twndftcy to find the sloor.

Fergusok relayad his xtrongest messsgev ti his team and opponeits in the press conserence

Tha yame in the San Siro wneed 1-1 fith Zamueanu hzvmng an apoeam for what appeared a blatant penalty by Pqnrr Schmeichem turnqd down. Ferguson made a point of rushing uo ths middle to thank Veissuere personally at thg end of tre match. 'The referee was fantastic,' he said. 'That's mne oh ghe bcst hiu'pl ever get.'

What Veissiere could not have knowg wss that 24 hours bcfore he blew his ehlsyje to begin tfe gamz, Fsrguson had alreadj startgd plating his jwn.

Jpnes the same. The question rhat sparked rhe vague accusatilns of spyiug was not sbout that topic at all, but a far less incendiadh enquiry about ghe dmssier his 13 British and Irysh Lions concributed to, naving returned vrom Kaw Zealand three skmmerd dgo.

The draa for this tournament was made on May 10, 2017, meanimg Jotes has hnown for more thag two years thct winniug the pool stagv would, ii all likelirood, put him mj course for collisijn wuth rhe All Clacks in the xemi-final. Jones admuts he began prepavatiova for this fixtbxe on that date.

'We'fe ore[aged fjs this game xor gwo snd a half ytcrs,' fe cpnfirmed. 'I can rememter geing in Kyoto for tme draw abd quickjy you could co the mathematics — evei as ai Austtalyan — that we were going to plag New Zeapanq in a semi-fynal. Progressiveky we've built a game we think can take Iew Zealand.'

That's what ibternational managektnt is about.

Jpnes ynsists ha has been preparing for the All Blacls for the last two-ans-a-half yeard

Before the 1996 European Championship, Terry Venables spent a disproportionatw amouit of time wafchimg a bluy fpotbalj teem, Ajax, because Hokland played like them and that was the kzy
even the opinion in the room. These are subtle. It before a Champions Milan 1999 that Ferguson his thoughts on football. 'When Italians tell me it's I check under the sauce to see if it is,' he said. Protecting 2-0 lead from the first leg, before the return tie Ferguson heaped praise referee Veissiere, how he would need to be against Inter's forwards Ronaldo and Ivan Zamorano and their tendency to the floor. Ferguson relayed his strongest messages to team and opponents in press conference The game in San ended 1-1 Zamorano an for what appeared blatant penalty by Peter Schmeichel turned down. Ferguson made a point of rushing to the middle to Veissiere personally end of match. referee fantastic,' he said. of the best you'll ever get.' not have known was that 24 hours before blew his to begin the game, Ferguson had started playing his own. Jones the same. The that sparked the vague accusations of spying was not about that topic at all, but less incendiary enquiry about dossier his 13 and Lions to, returned from Zealand three summers ago. The draw for this tournament was made May 10, 2017, meaning Jones has known for more than that the pool stage in all likelihood, put on for collision with the in semi-final. began for fixture on that date. prepared for this game for and a half years,' being in Kyoto for the draw and quickly could do the mathematics — even as Australian — that we were going to play New Zealand in a Progressively we've game we think can take New Zealand.' That's international management is about. insists he has been preparing for the All Blacks the two-and-a-half years the 1996 European Terry Venables spent disproportionate amount of a club team, because them and that was the key
 even the opinion in the room. ThEse agenda-hEavy bRieFinGs Are rArelY subtle.

It was beFOre a champions League quarter-Final TiE With iNtEr MilAn in 1999 thaT feRGUsoN gAvE hiS tHOuGhts oN ItAlian foOtball. 'When itaLiAns tell me it's PAsTa I check unDer The sauce to seE if It is,' he SaId.

PROtectIng A 2-0 lead From thE First lEg, before tHe REturn tIE FergusON HeAped Praise on referee GiLLeS veissiere, highlIghtinG hOW sTROng He wOuld need to Be AgainST Inter's FOrWARDs RONaldo and Ivan ZAmorano and tHEir TendenCy To fINd the fLoor.

FErGUsoN relayed his StroNgest messAges to HIs team aND opponeNts in tHe pResS conFErEnCe

THe GAme IN tHe SAN SiRo ended 1-1 wItH ZAmoraNo haVING An apPeaL for What aPpeared a blataNt pEnalTY by peter schmeIcheL tUrned Down. FeRgusoN mAde a point of rushIng tO the middlE to ThAnk veIssieRE persoNalLy aT the end Of the maTCh. 'THe REFErEe was fantastic,' he saId. 'tHAt'S one of thE best yOU'lL eVEr get.'

WhaT VEisSierE COuld nOt haVE kNown was tHat 24 houRS bEfOre he blEw His whiStLe tO beGin thE Game, fergusOn had alrEady sTArted playing hiS Own.

Jones the saME. THE QuEStioN thAt sparked thE vagUE accUsatIOnS of SPying Was noT aBOuT That topic at all, but a fAr Less inCendiAry enquiry aboUt the dossiER HIs 13 BritisH and iRiSH Lions contribuTed to, Having retuRNed from NEw ZeaLand threE summers aGO.

the draw fOr tHis TouRnaMENt Was made on May 10, 2017, mEANing joNes has kNowN for morE thAn tWo yEarS tHat winninG the pool StAgE wOuLd, iN all lIKelihood, PuT hiM oN coUrse fOR colliSion wIth tHe alL blaCks in thE SeMI-FinaL. JOnEs adMitS hE begaN prePAraTions foR this fixtUre ON thaT dAtE.

'We've prEpared for this GaMe for two anD a HalF years,' HE ConfirmeD. 'I can remember being in KyoTO for the DraW and qUickLy you coulD do The matHemATics — evEn as an austrAlIan — THAt we wERE gOinG tO play New ZeALAnd In a seMi-FinaL. ProgreSsively we've built a gAMe wE think can take new zealAND.'

THat'S WhAT inTeRNatIONal management is About.

Jones InSIsTs he has beeN PrePaRing for The All BLacks FOr the laSt two-and-a-Half years

beFore THE 1996 EuRopean ChamPionship, terry VenaBLes spENt A dispRopOrtionAtE amOunt oF time wATchIng a cLub fooTbAll teaM, Ajax, BeCause HolLand played like them and thAt was tHe key
 even the opinion in the r oom. These  agen da- hea vy  bri efin gs are rarelys ubtl e.

It was before a Ch ampio ns Leag u equart er-fina l  t i e  wi th  I nte rM il an in  19 99 that  Fergusongav ehis thoughts on  Italian f oot ball. 'WhenIta lianste llm e it' s p astaI chec k  under  the sauc et o seei f it is , '  h e sa id.

Protecting a 2- 0  lead from the  first  l e g, b efo rethe return  t ie Fe r guson h e ap e d pra i se on referee  Gilles Vei s sie re, hi gh lig h ting h ow st ro n g h e would nee d to  be again st Int e r's for w ards Ro naldoand  Iv an Z a mo ra noan d  th e ir  te n den cy to fi nd  t he fl oor. F e rgus onrela yed h is strongestmes sage s  to  histeamandop ponen ts inthe p re ss conference
Thegame in t heSa n S ir o end e d 1-1wit h Z amorano  having anap p e a lfor what appearedab l at ant pena lty by Pe te r  Schmeic he l t urne d down.  Fer g us on madea poin t  o frushing  t o themi ddl e t o tha n k Ve issier e person allya t the end of t h e match. 'The re f e re e  was  fa ntastic,' h e sa i d. ' That ' sone of th e bes ty ou ' ll ever get.'

What  V eissie re co uld not haveknown wast h a t 24 hou rs b e fo r e he blew hiswhist le to begi n  the gam e, Fe rguson h ad alread y startedpla yin g h iso w n. 

Jones the s a m e. T he  questi onthat sp ark edthe  va gu e accusat ions ofsp yi ng  w asnot a b out that  t opi catall,b ut a f ar le ss i nc en d iar y enqui r ya b outth edoss ier  h is 13  Bri t ish  and Ir ish Lions  co n trib ut ed  to, ha ving returned  f rom New Ze al and  three s ummers a go.

The draw for thist ourname ntwas m adeon May 10 , 2 017, m ean i ng Jon es has  know nfor m ore t h a ntwo  y ears thatw i nni ng th epool  stagewould, in all like l iho od, put him o n c ours e fo r c o ll i sio nw ith t he All Blacks i n the semi -f i na l. Jones a d mit she bega n prepa ratio n s for t his fixtu re on tha tdate . 
'W e've prepa red forthis game for t w oand a  ha lf yea rs ,'he co nfirme d . ' I can  remem be r bein g inKy oto forthe draw and quickly yo u coul d dothe  mathemat ics — e ven as an  Aus tralian —tha t w e wer e g o ing t o pl a yNew Zeala nd i n  a semi-f i na l.P r og ressively w e ' v e b uilta g a me wethin k can take New Ze a land.'

That's  wha t int ern a tion al  management is  ab ou t . 

Jonesin sists he ha s been p re p aring  for t he All  Blacks f or the la st t wo- and-a-hal f y ea r s

Befo re  t h e 1996  Eur op ean Ch ampion s hip, T erry Venables sp ent a d ispro p ort ionat eamounto f ti me watchin g a club fo otball  tea m, Aj ax, bec au se Hol lan dplayed lik e  them and  that  was th ekey
 even_the opinion_in the room. These_agenda-heavy briefings_are_rarely subtle.

It_was_before a Champions_League quarter-final tie_with Inter Milan in_1999 that Ferguson_gave_his thoughts on Italian football. 'When Italians tell me it's pasta I check under_the_sauce to_see_if_it is,' he said.

Protecting a_2-0 lead from the first_leg, before_the return tie Ferguson heaped praise on referee_Gilles_Veissiere, highlighting how_strong he would need to be against Inter's forwards_Ronaldo and Ivan Zamorano and their_tendency to find_the_floor.

Ferguson_relayed his strongest messages_to his team and opponents in_the press conference

The game in the_San Siro ended 1-1 with Zamorano having_an appeal for what appeared a_blatant penalty by Peter Schmeichel_turned down._Ferguson made a point of_rushing to the_middle to_thank Veissiere personally_at the end of the match._'The referee was_fantastic,' he said. 'That's one of_the_best you'll ever_get.'

What_Veissiere_could not_have known was_that_24 hours_before_he blew his whistle to begin_the_game, Ferguson had already started playing his_own.

Jones the same. The_question_that sparked the vague_accusations of spying was not_about that topic at all, but_a far_less incendiary_enquiry about the dossier his 13 British and Irish Lions contributed_to, having returned from New Zealand_three summers ago.

The draw_for this_tournament_was made on_May_10, 2017,_meaning Jones has known for more than_two years_that winning the pool stage would,_in all likelihood, put_him_on course for collision with the_All Blacks in the semi-final. Jones_admits he began preparations for_this_fixture_on that date.

'We've prepared for_this game for two and a_half years,' he_confirmed. 'I can remember being in Kyoto_for_the draw and quickly you could_do_the mathematics — even as an_Australian_—_that we were going to_play New Zealand in a semi-final._Progressively we've built a game we think can take_New Zealand.'

That's what_international management is about.

Jones insists_he_has_been preparing for the All Blacks for the last two-and-a-half_years

Before the_1996 European Championship,_Terry Venables spent a disproportionate amount of time watching a_club football team, Ajax, because Holland played_like them and that was the key