David Leggat: Security for coaches Henry and Mourinho

Security is a wonderful thing for a coach. Just ask Graham Henry and Jose Mourinho.

Henry and his All Black assistants, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, have had their contracts extended a further two years until after the 2007 World Cup in France.

At the time Henry was appointed, there were mutterings from two perspectives: that his initial two-year term put him on an unreasonably tight rein to produce results or else; and conversely that it was more than fair as expectations are high for All Black success and it has always been the case. Take your pick.

So why now, with the Lions tour around the corner? Why did the New Zealand Rugby Union not grasp the nettle and announce it in a blaze of glory straight after the terrific night in Paris last November?

What's happened in the meantime which might have had a bearing on their thinking? Nothing, you'd presume.

In the NZRFU release there is an intriguing paragraph.

"The All Blacks coaches have also put significant effort into their relationships and those of the team and management with sponsors, media and the community."

It's clunky, but you get the drift.

Does this read like a last jibe at the bald bloke who preceded Henry and is now preparing to turn the Western Force into Super 14 force next year, and whose work in those fields frequently left his bosses in a state of apoplexy?

But now it's up and away, full steam ahead to Paris in 2007. The decision gives Henry and Co the security of knowing they can tinker, can risk the odd setback - not too many, mind you - all in the name of getting it right for the World Cup.

Now Mourinho. The little Portuguese with the huge ego steered Chelsea to the English premier league soccer title in his first season, breaking the Arsenal-Manchester United death grip on the crown.

This week, in the wake of losing the Champions League semifinal to Liverpool, Chelsea whacked another three years onto his contract, putting him in the big seat until 2010.

The Chelsea moneybags, Russian owner Roman Abramovich (and that's another thing, Mourinho's taken the spotlight away from his deep-pocketed paymaster) knows a good thing when he sees it.

What Henry and Mourinho have in common is that they are expected to deliver. They're not paid to come second.

By comparison the majority of managers in the premier league will have done a good job and kept their employers happy if they keep their team in mid-table.

It's all about individual expectations.

Speaking of Liverpool, sort of, they have a tricky couple of weeks ahead, courtesy of an appalling decision from the European governing body Uefa yesterday.

They play AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul at the end of this month. If they win, they won't be allowed to defend the title unless they finish in the top four of the premiership.

At present they're fifth, three points behind city rivals Everton. They have two games left, Everton three.

You can argue rules are rules, and no country is allowed more than four teams in the Champions League, which is already bloated beyond belief.

But to deny a team the chance to defend the biggest title in European soccer is a disgrace.

And England's Football Association isn't helping.

On its own website in March it said an English club winning the title would get one of the four spots next season.

Now it's expected to show Liverpool the red card if they win in Istanbul but finish fifth in the league.

It's ironic that the team who'd deny them a place are Everton. Toffees supporters will see the funny side of that. Red fans won't.

Then again, if Liverpool lose to Milan and finish behind Everton it won't matter anyway.