Premier League - The worst emotional returns ever

Eurosport - Thu, 08 Jan 12:13:00 2009

Tottenham fans were in raptures on Tuesday night over the return of Jermain Defoe to White Hart Lane.

2008-2009 Tottenham Hotspur Jermain Defoe - 0

But as these examples show, it is not always a good idea to go back...

Juergen Klinsmann - Tottenham

Back in 1994 when the Premier League was in the shadow of Spain and Italy, Klinsmann was possibly the division's biggest ever signing. He played superbly, scored 21 goals and promptly scarpered for Bayern Munich - prompting Alan Sugar to say he wouldn't wash his car with Klinsmann's shirts. It was all smiles when he came back in 1997 aged 33, but it probably shouldn't have been. Although Klinsi bagged nine goals, the whole thing smacked of a self-serving farewell tour, and he spent more time exchanging applause with opposing fans than exerting himself on the pitch.

Robbie Fowler - Liverpool

Fowler was once the deadliest finisher in English football, piling up ludicrous goal totals including 28 in an electrifying 1995/96 league campaign. But Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier fell out of love with him and sold the heartbroken 'God' to Leeds in 2001. When Rafa Benitez offered him the chance to return in 2006, he signed on without even discussing wages. But Fowler was leaden-footed, injury-prone and frankly past it, and was quietly offloaded to Cardiff after just eight goals in 30 appearances.

Kevin Keegan - Newcastle (manager)

Like all good Messiahs, the Geordie one had a second coming when he was talked into returning to St James' Park by Mike Ashley in 2008. While his first spell was characterised by goals and breathless excitement, his second was filled with acrimony, bitterness and Dennis Wise. Too honourable for his own good, Keegan could not get to grips with the behind-the-scenes wranglings and left Newcastle a disillusioned man. Again.

Juninho - Middlesbrough

Everybody loved Juninho during his first incarnation when, along with Fabrizio Ravanelli, he briefly made Teesside one of English football's hottest destinations and produced some spellbinding performances. He secured iconic status with his tears after a tumultuous 1996/97 season in which Boro lost two cup finals and were relegated. The Juninho that returned in 2002 lacked the sparkle of yesteryear - although he did say that the 2004 League Cup meant more to him than winning the World Cup.

Kenny Miller - Rangers

Old Firm rivalries being what they are, few players have crossed the divide from one Glasgow giant to the other, and even fewer players have gone back again. Things have gone alright on the pitch for Miller since his return to Ibrox after a spell with Celtic in 2006/07 - seven goals in 16 games including two against the Hoops - Miller is not the most popular man among the Rangers faithful, although fans have at least stopped booing him at home games. Progress of a sort.

Christian Vieri - Atalanta

The much-travelled Italian veteran has 13 former clubs so it was only a matter of time until he signed for one of them. Vieri actually had two spells at Atalanta before he returned for a third stint in summer 2008. He was met with angry protests and jeered by fans who were angry that he had celebrated a goal for Fiorentina - scored against Atalanta in 2007 - with what they deemed excessive delight. "I didn't expect a reaction like this from the fans, they exaggerated things," said Vieri.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 18 - 37 of 57

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  1. re 32 - he does look like a prize tit! good play though lol

    From Greg, on Wed 7 Jan 6:03PM

  2. When Teddy Sherringham came back to spurs he played very well. Defoes still young on his return aswell.

    From thegingerbreadmen, on Wed 7 Jan 5:50PM

  3. (post 32) what's your problem, they're is clothes he can wear what he likes. what do you want him to do - come out in the nude?

    From Sneaks, on Wed 7 Jan 5:30PM

  4. J R came back from the dead why not defoe

    From CE, on Wed 7 Jan 5:23PM

  5. 28 it would be nice to see that education was not wasted. It is not the typing it is the spelling and grammar on here that are sometimes bad. No offence to you personally

    From taff, on Wed 7 Jan 5:20PM

  6. post 23 what the f uck are you on

    From The Dobbo, on Wed 7 Jan 5:18PM

  7. Robbie Fowler was rockin the league at 1 point.

    From Nath, on Wed 7 Jan 5:17PM

  8. Why did he show off his stupid clothes in the public? we know how stupid he is too even get on the pitch.

    From Nath, on Wed 7 Jan 5:14PM

  9. As memory serves, Klinsmann's performances in his return were a key reason Spurs avoided the drop that year, particularly when he put four past Wimbledon. Seems a bit harsh to put him in this list, therefore. It's only a shame we couldn't keep him for more than one season first time round

    From David, on Wed 7 Jan 5:12PM

  10. tony c out the top draw gooner forever

    From The Dobbo, on Wed 7 Jan 5:09PM

  11. 23 - Get a life.

    From monty23, on Wed 7 Jan 5:08PM

  12. post 23 corect dis than u jakasss.

    Geez, do you really care that much about how people type on simple article's forum?

    From Sneaks, on Wed 7 Jan 5:05PM

  13. How come so many of your feature articles on football look exactly like what I have read before on Football365? They did a similar piece this morning. Coincidence? I think not as this is not the first time either...

    From LondonMonkey, on Wed 7 Jan 5:00PM

  14. Defoe goes back home to Spurs. Where he can be a little fish in a small pond.
    A match made in heaven!!

    From tc, on Wed 7 Jan 5:00PM

  15. Mark Hughes coming back to Man United after a spell at Barcelona - brill!
    Depends on the manager and the player: buy rubbish: get rubbish!

    From jonathan, on Wed 7 Jan 4:51PM

  16. Glad to see pedantry is alive and well.

    From dylann_w3, on Wed 7 Jan 4:49PM

  17. 2 - "there" = "their"
    4 - "egotist" = "egotistical"
    6 - "your" = "you are" or "you're"
    10 (see 6)
    13 - "desimated" = "decimated"
    18 - "its" = "it's" or "it is"

    From Michelangeloindeed, on Wed 7 Jan 4:35PM

  18. ALL IVE GOT TO SAY ABOUT THE ARTCLE ABOVE IS !!!!! INVALID COMMENT !!!!! AND SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT
    PETE NO1 GARDENER

    From NO 1 GARDENER, on Wed 7 Jan 4:27PM

  19. waht about frank butcher coming back, he was better second, third & fourth time around.

    From KarlB, on Wed 7 Jan 4:07PM

  20. SWP coming home to manchester city was the best thing that he could have done as his form shows!!!

    From Ste, on Wed 7 Jan 4:00PM
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