Major League Soccer

Gascoigne welcomed to United training, decision on signing expected early next week.

By Robert Wagman
SoccerTimes

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, July 26, 2002) -- A trim, fit, enthusiastic Paul Gascoigne trained with D.C. United today, the beginning of a whirlwind courtship that both the club and players hope will blossom into a beautiful romance.

Gascoigne will work with the team, probably through Monday or Tuesday, when United and Major League Soccer will decide if the controversial "Gazza" is sincere about his willingness and ability to adhere to their strict terms. If the midfielder does sign, it would probably be for the remainder of this year -- he could be in a Black-and-Red" uniform in about two weeks -- and for 2003, his agent Ian Elliott said.

Reuters reported Gascoigne would be offered a $260,000 annual salary, a pittance to what he once commanded as the biggest name in English soccer. No transfer fee would be required.

On the other hand, Gazza repeatedly expressed the joy he felt walking unnoticed around the Mall in Washington after years of being hounded by the British press.

"I want to enjoy my final years playing," Gascoigne said. "With all that's gone on, I don't think that can be in England. I like the idea of being a little anonymous, being able to walk around and lead a life."

Gascoigne, 35, was among the very best international players a decade ago. A memorable performance helped lead England into the 1990 World Cup semifinals. He was also exceptional in the 1996 European championships and logged a solid professional career at at Newcastle United (1984-88) and Tottenham Hotspur (1988-92) in England's Premier League before moving to Italy's Serie A with SS Lazio (1992-95) and Scotland's top division with Glasgow Rangers (1995-98).

He returned to the EPL with Middlesbrough (1998-2000) and Everton (2000-02) before joining the First Division's Burnley earlier this year. All told, he produced 108 goals in 414 club matches.

However, Gascoigne's often outrageous behavior earned him a deserved reputation as the bad boy of English football in a career marred by on- and off-field incidents, including excessive drinking and spousal abuse.

"Paul gives us the promise of magic," Hudson said. "He has always had his finger on the self-destruct button and he's pushed it a few times. I think we can give him the kind of support he needs. I really hope we can make this work."

After working with a personal trainer for 12 days in Cyprus, Gascoigne seemed in admirable condition though he had not touched a soccer ball in five weeks. After watching him work with his potential new teammates, there was little doubt Gascoigne would excel in MLS, but Hudson will use the next few days to convince himself that the player would become a model citizen while leaving his notiorious past behind.

"This is a huge leap of faith for me," said Hudson who, like Gascoigne, comes from the Newcastle area of England and played for Newcastle United. "There are a number of questions that must be categorically and unequivocally answered before we go forward with this. It may be that after we have had a few days together, we'll say we don't think it will work, or Paul will say the situation is not right for him. Then, remember, even if we believe it will work, the league must decide. The final decision is not D.C. United's."

Since Gascoigne committed to a week in Washington, it would seem the financial aspects of the deal are in place. United would also have to make a move to open a roster spot.

"This is not about money, I assure you," said Elliott who accompanied the tempestuous star to Washington. "He could have made a million pounds ($1.565 million) net in Saudi Arabia, but I know a week after getting there, he would have been on the phone wanting to come home. This is about finding an environment in which he can enjoy playing again. We now must talk with the D.C. people to see if we can make it work."

Elliott says that if things do not work out in D.C., Gascoigne has offers from teams in Mexico and Dubai, and a number of other inquiries, but personally he thought Washington offered the best situation.

Given all the publicity that preceded Gascoigne's arrival, Hudson and other United officials did not quite know what to expect, but were pleased by a man who seemed subdued and sincere, not to mention capable of making a contribution to a struggling franchise. After advancing to MLS's first four championship games, winning three, United is ninth overall at 6-10-2 with 20 points, four points below the final playoff spot and in danger of missing the postseason for a third straight year.

Gascoigne "is in the best condition he has been in a decade," Elliott said. "This morning, at the hotel, he was up and in the fitness center on the treadmill at 7 a.m. He could not wait to get out here."

Hudson said he did not see a conflict between Gascoigne and resident playmaker Marco Etcheverry in the central midfield, envisioning the Brit supporting Etcheverry in the middle.

"I think they will work very well together," Hudson said. "They both will appreciate the greatness in the other."

There was a moment during a scrimmage today when Etcheverry controlled the ball at the top of the box and moved to his left, drawing two defenders before sending blind heel pass to a trailing Gascoigne who knocked it into the net without hesitation. This obviously caught the attention of Hudson, the coach of a team which is last in the league in scoring with 19 goals in 18 games and has been shut out three times and found net only twice in its last five outings.

Hudson is not expecting the same player who electrified fans a decade ago, but one who could elevate his club's play and have a positive influence on the younger players, including United's three teenagers -- Bobby Convey, Santino Quaranta and Justin Mapp.

"I don't expect him to take on and beat four or five players," Hudson said. "He has changed the way he affects a match. I see him making us better. I don't expect him to be dazzling every moment. I don't need him to be. I need him to improve my team.

"He was nervous out there. That's great because it shows me how much he wants to play."

Gascoigne said he came to Washington "for a week to see how things are and see if this can work." Given that the MLS season is in its latter stages -- D.C. has 10 games left -- Hudson noted, "If this is to happen, it has to happen in the next four days."

With the MLS All-Star game August 3 here at RFK Stadium, that timetable could have Gascoigne in the United lineup for the August 10 home match against the Kansas City Wizards.

Senior correspondent Robert Wagman's "It Seems To Me . . . " appears regularly on SoccerTimes. He can be e-mailed at bobwagman@soccertimes.com..