Blog (Page 24)

Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard has been asked about a report that he was recommended for the role by actor and presenter James Corden. Lampard agreed to a sensational return to Stamford Bridge on a deal until the end of the season last week, with the Blues continuing their search for a permanent successor to Graham Potter. The move came as a surprise to the footballing world. Lampard – Chelsea’s all-time record scorer – managed the club between 2019 and 2021, promoting young players and playing exciting football but ultimately failing to maintain results in his second season. He was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, whoRead More →

Manchester United’s quest for a second piece of silverware this season continues with a quarter-final matchup against Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League. The first leg takes place at Old Trafford on Thursday night with the Red Devils looking to win this competition for the second time in their history. Erik ten Hag has some injury headaches to contend with ahead of the game, with main man Marcus Rashford likely to miss the home leg at least. Here’s how United could set out on Thursday. GK: David De Gea – Still isn’t too highly rated in his home country, but could help win over watchingRead More →

Marco ‘Chima’ Ruiz has seen his contract as Tigres manager terminated after only 12 matches in charge. Tigres have confirmed the news via official channels and followed up with the announcement that 57-year-old Uruguyan Robert Dante Siboldi will take his place.  After a bad run of form that sees them sitting seventh in the Liga MX table with just 21 points, Tigres felt the time was right to act. Ruiz will leave after only 12 matches, with a poor record that saw Los Auriazules go 4W-3D-5L. Four of those five defeats came in succession. Siboldi arrives at Tigres after spending 2022 coaching Al-Ahil Saudi FCRead More →

New research has revealed that inner-city teenage girls are being left behind in football in England despite the Lionesses’ historic Euro 2022 victory last summer. According to a study conducted by Football Beyond Borders, 63% of teenage girls are unable to name any of the Lionesses, while 25% of them have never watched a women’s football game. Additionally, 67% of teenage girls don’t follow any women’s football players on social media. Football Beyond Borders is an education charity that works with young people who are passionate about football but disengaged in their education. The programme helps them acquire the skills and grades needed to transitionRead More →

When Pep Guardiola was hired by Manchester City in 2016, many expected the two-time Champions League winning manager to guide the Citizens to the promised land. Domestic supremacy has ensued under Guardiola’s watch, and while City have long been regarded as the best team in Europe, glory on the continental stage has continued to elude them. Guardiola’s stint, as majestic as it’s been, will not be complete until he guides City to the Champions League crown. The club’s history with Europe’s premier club competition isn’t particularly extensive, but it’s a painful one nonetheless. Contrary to popular belief, Man City’s first appearance in Europe’s premier clubRead More →

This is why Manchester City signed Erling Haaland; not to break Premier League scoring records at a canter, but to get the Citizens over the line on mammoth European nights. Pep Guardiola’s yet to achieve his ultimate aim in Manchester thanks to a combination of overthinking, Anfield, and misfortune. For all their domestic success under the Spaniard, you feel that his job at the Etihad won’t be complete until he guides City to their first Champions League crown. Once again, Guardiola’s side have waltzed into the quarter-finals of the competition, but this is where things start to get weird for the Premier League’s dominant force.Read More →

Vinicius Junior will become the best player in the world, according to his future Real Madrid teammate Endrick. The 22-year-old became the most expensive export from Brazil’s top division in 2018, joining Real Madrid from Flamengo in a deal rumoured to be worth €46m. It took some time for Vinicius to acclimatise to his new surroundings – he scored just 14 goals in his first 118 games in all competitions for Los Blancos – but over the last couple of years he’s quickly established himself as one of the world’s finest wingers. Indeed, he scored the winner for Real Madrid in the 2022 UEFA ChampionsRead More →

Xavi Hernandez has lamented Barcelona’s lack of ‘efficiency’ in front of goal following a tepid 0-0 draw with Girona in La Liga. Barca had 18 shots and in the Easter Monday clash with mid-table Girona at Camp Nou, but failed to convert any of them – largely due to the fact that just three of said efforts on goal were on target. Speaking to the press after the game, Xavi was honest with his assessment of his team’s attacking performance, admitting: “Girona were fighting for their life on the pitch. It’s frustrating, but I think we played well. We didn’t put away our chances andRead More →

Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Dean Smith as interim manager until the end of the season. Smith arrives at King Power Stadium alongside assistants Craig Shakespeare and John Terry, both of whom he worked with at Aston Villa, and has been tasked with helping the club fight off the threat of relegation. The Foxes are currently 19th in the table, two points away from safety, and have been without a manager since they dismissed Brendan Rodgers in the aftermath of the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on April 1. “I’m really happy to have the opportunity to lead the team during these finalRead More →

LAFC have the 3-0 edge on the Vancouver Whitecaps as both teams head into the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday at BMO Stadium. Vancouver will have a steep deficit to overturn after losing the first leg 3-0. Though it will be extraordinarily difficult, the Whitecaps will have to fight hard to get back into the tie.  On the flip side, LAFC will want to put the game to bed early and look to clinch their spot in the semi-final.  When is kick off? Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, 10:25 PM EST Where is the match being played? BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California,Read More →