Book of the Month – Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair – Chapter Seven – The Vagabond 3: Marseilles, Again, and Nîmes

    Lessons in the import of secrecy. Back to Marseille – untouchable.

    Der Kaiser takes the reigns; a torn cruciate and the first glimpses of scandal. Something Eric could not stand for, nor could Beckenbauer.

    Goethals, the Belgian Sorcerer; Cantona’s darkest hour.

    Another incident, this a refusal – forced to grovel and apologise; toyed with all the same.

    European Cup Final in Bari versus Red Star Belgrade; Eric 2000 miles away from the loss.

    Another meaningless bauble; then to Nîmes of all places - the lowly Crocodiles.

    Try all he might, he was a man apart for his club, while leading France to a perfect new record.

    Then, a suicide; met with harsh criticisms of a personal nature and a two month ban.