Hi.

Hope you’re doing well.

Football is full of emotions and it is probably quite cutthroat in a lot of ways, so I am very lenient and patient with football and players like I am in general in real life, but there is a certain threshold that very rarely gets crossed for me.

For example, a player can get sent off (lack of discipline) a lot and even join a rival club if it means they have better chances at major silverware (something like RVP coming to United), but for me a player refusing to come onto the pitch or train or publicly criticizing their manager or team mates is something that makes me lose respect for them (although if the player has mental health issues, then I’m open to hearing their perspective). But, in general, if you cannot resolve your issues privately, then maybe leave the club and start afresh or find another solution besides airing your dirty laundry while you’re an active player.

Another thing that makes me lose respect for a player is if I feel they’ve betrayed their values for money (ie as Jordan Henderson has apparently done). If i suspect a player who I feel stands for something goes to a country which isn’t known to respect those values, then I cannot respect that player. If they donate a sizable portion (if not the whole amount) to charity and try to increase awareness in said country, then I feel they have an obligation to make their fans and the public at large aware so as not lose faith in that player (I usually prefer people being charitable not being made public knowledge, but this kind of situation is an exception). But if they don’t make a public statement, then I definitely cannot respect them, but that’s just me and most people are probably fine with this.

As far as gaining or maintaining respect, players like Sergio Aguero and Juan Mata never making a fuss or causing trouble and being professionals of the highest order and acting with integrity has my respect.

What are times you lost or gained complete respect for a player or manager?