In becoming a player/coach with Derby County for 2019/20, Wayne Rooney underlines the East Midlands club’s reputation as a breeding ground for promising young coaches, and managers-in-waiting. For most living Rams fans, Brian Clough’s glorious reign at the club is the obvious genesis of this reputation. Retired at the age of just 26 due to […]
Back Bielsa to take Leeds to the Premier League this time after agony of play-offs
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa’s mission is clear: to shape his squad with intelligent coaching and to maximise the talent of his players as the Elland Road side bid to gain promotion to the Premier League. Remember, they agonisingly missed out last time of asking following a defeat over two legs in the play-off semi-final […]
New Luton boss Jones awaits Championship baptism of fire — as Leeds look to find Promised Land
New Luton Town boss Graeme Jones faces something of a baptism of fire on Friday when he takes charge of the newly-promoted Hatters as they host Middlesbrough in the first Sky Bet Championship fixture of the 2019/20 campaign. Jones, who has previously worked under Spanish coach Roberto Martinez (notably as an assistant coach of the […]
Gers boss Gerrard rues missed chances in routine win over Luxembourg minnows
Glasgow Rangers boss Steven Gerrard says he wishes his team had chalked up the convincing win his side deserved as they cruised to a 2-0 victory in their Europa League first-leg triumph over Luxembourg side Progres Niederkorn. Former Liverpool skipper Gerrard watched on as the Ibrox outfit totally dominated open play but somehow managed to […]
Hoops happy! Celtic on course for Champions League progress
Whether or not Glasgow Celtic can sustain a decent run in the Champions League remains to be seen. But for the time being they have every chance of progressing to the next stage at least thanks to a creditable 3-1 first round of qualifying victory over FK Sarajevo in Bosnia. Goals from Mikey Johnston, Odsonne […]
Gerrard will run rule over new aces as Gers head to Gib to faces minnows
Steve Gerrard will be at pains to ensure that there is no complacency within the Glasgow Rangers ranks when he takes his side to face minnows St Joseph’s in their first qualifying round first leg of the Europa League. The Gers’ fixture against the Gibraltar side has been changed to next Tuesday (July 9) from […]
Copa America agony for Suarez as fans anticipate Brazil v Argentina showdown
Luis Suarez has enjoyed an illustrious career playing at the highest level on the world stage and at club level. You’d back him all day long when he steps up to take a penalty — scoring from 12 yards couldn’t be too testing for the Barcelona ace, could it? On the training ground, maybe, but, […]
Leeds ready to go again but look set to lose Clarke to Spurs
Leeds United narrowly missed out on securing a place in the Premier League last term — but their scintillating brand of football still have punters convinced they are destined for the top flight. But one aspect of being the side that everyone aims to beat is that the bigger fish come circling looking for bites. […]
Wolves relish Europa League action as Glasgow Rangers face tricky tie
For Arsenal fans it was considered a burden. And when the Gunners flopped so badly in the final with a 4-1 defeat to London rivals Chelsea, you daren’t mention to Gunners fans the fact that, after missing out on the Champions League yet again, they would have to contend with the inferior European competition next […]
Palmeiras in pole position to lift title, thanks to top coach Scolari
They won the league title last time of asking. And there appears to be no reason to suspect that table-toppers Palmeiras won’t win it again the season. Not if Brazil’s Serie A league standings are anything to go by, anyway. For Palmeiras boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, it would underline an illustrious career. He was cheered […]
Portugal’s Nations League glory caps sizzling season for Silva
It surely can’t get much better for Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva after he helped to steer Portugal to victory over Holland to claim the Uefa Nations League on Sunday night. Not only did the fleet-footed flyer get his hands on another impressive piece of silverware (to add to the domestic treble of Premier League, […]
Is Sarri’s Call to Italy Inevitable?
It is safe to say that Maurizio Sarri experienced a turbulent first season in the Premier League, having taken on a job that has seen much more experienced top-flight managers get the boot. Sarri himself faces ‘the boot’, but it may not be the dreaded figurative one, which has become so readily associated with the […]
Sterling set for captain’s role as England head into semi-final against Holland
It is perhaps an indication of how much Raheem Sterling has grown up that he has shown he is contrite after his media team revealed he is poised to wear the skipper’s armband tonight when England face Holland. Gareth Southgate’s men go head to head with the Dutch in Portugal in the vital Nations League […]
Pochettino leaves sorry Spurs in limbo after Champions League misery
Sorry Spurs lost the Champions League final — now they could suffer another loss. For the manager, Mauricio Pochettino, has yet to confirm whether or not he will remain in the Tottenham hot seat, according to widespread media reports. Argentinian coach Pochettino is said to be on the wanted list by some of the top […]
Striker Uribe seals deal to switch from Flamengo to Santos
Forward Fernando Uribe sealed the deal to join Santos from Flamengo and then paid tribute to the manner in which coach Jorge Sampaoli went about his business to lure him to the club. The Colombian goal-getter, who is aged 31, says he switched to Santos because of the worldwide esteem in which the club is […]
No let-up in desire as Brown-inspired Celtic bid for Scottish Cup glory
There isn’t a man alive who has ever, rightly, questioned the desire, drive and ambition of Celtic skipper Scott Brown. Not one with all his cerebral faculties in place, anyway. And so, it will come as no surprise to you to learn that the Hoops enforcer is relishing the chance to hold aloft the Scottish […]
Mings the merciless! Enforcer in fine form as Villa get set to face Derby in fight for Premier league spot
He has looked the part every time he has pulled on the famous colours of Aston Villa. Powerful central defender Tyrone Mings has come across every inch a Premier League player as he has gone about his business helping the Villa Park outfit to the brink of the top flight following their victory over West […]
Asamoah eager to help Inter Milan pip Napoli to Serie A runners-up spot
There is more to Kwadwo Asamoah’s game than simply goals. Who says? Why he does. And it is a good job really. Because he hasn’t been finding the net for Inter Milan with any degree of regularity this season. Not that you would expect the hard-working midfielder to be leading marksman, but a few goals […]
Sarri heaps praise on Hudson-Odoi with an eye on West Ham clash
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri watched his side ease to a comfortable 3-0 win over lowly Brighton to move to fifth in the Premier League and then heaped praise on teen ace Callum Hudson-Odoi. The starlet, aged just 18, and who already has two caps for England, made his first top-flight start in the victory against […]
Stanway eyes trophy haul after penning new Manchester City deal
Manchester City striker Georgia Stanway penned a new deal with the Women’s Super League leaders — and then confirmed her ambition to collect as many trophies as possible for the club. England ace Stanway, 20, who has bagged 15 goals this term, has signed on until 2022 after joining the club in 2015 from Blackburn […]