Sports update

[Edoman]

Chelsea aim to gain from time spent in Spain as Tuchel looks to topple Guardiola

16/04/2021

Thoma Tuchel (centre) allowed his players to relax during an overnight stay in Seville.

Thomas Tuchel hopes Chelsea will benefit from a rare opportunity to bond in Seville after the squad stayed overnight following their Champions League clash with Porto.


Chelsea lost the second leg of the quarter-final tie following a stoppage-time winner for their Portuguese opponents on Tuesday, though still progressed 2-1 on aggregate.
Rather than fly home immediately after the game in the Spanish city – both fixtures were staged there due to the ongoing travel restrictions in place during the coronavirus pandemic – Tuchel and his Chelsea players had the chance to get together and relax.


Chelsea head coach Tuchel allowed his Premier League players to have a glass of wine or a beer as they discussed matters away from football before returning to England the next day, a move he hopes has allowed the group to grow even closer as they prepare for a busy run-in to the season.



Chelsea are still fighting for a top-four finish in the Premier League, but the immediate focus is on an FA Cup semi-final showdown against Manchester City, with the two heavyweight rivals clashing at Wembley on Saturday.


"We are aware that it is necessary to recover mentally," Tuchel told the media on the eve of the City game. 


"For example, we decided to stay overnight in Seville because we knew the hotel. It was very nice, in a nice setting - we had the chance to sit outside because the weather was very warm.

"It was a calming circumstance to enjoy each other's company. We had a good sleep and we had a chance to stay together after the match because we created a bubble there.


"It was a good chance because the players have not been able to go out, go to restaurants. For almost a year now, we cannot share a dressing room. So we created this just to feel some time together, have talks outside of tactics and line-ups to just bond, let the players bond, enjoy an evening after a game.


"They could have a glass of wine or sip of beer if they want. It was important to have this environment and organise it like this. It was part of the mental recovery.
"We are aware that we have many meetings after games and training sessions. We want to have sessions where there isn't too much explanation or talking, just to find exercises on the pitch that bring a lot of fun and joy and sweat out the tension.


"Things like this are very important to help the seriousness of how we prepare and play in games."
Tuchel will hope the time spent in Spain has refreshed Chelsea prior to taking on the runaway league leaders; City have won six of the past nine meetings in all competitions, including a 3-1 triumph at Stamford Bridge earlier in this campaign.


Frank Lampard was in charge for that game and while Tuchel has lost just twice since taking charge, he has yet to beat Pep Guardiola in his managerial career. All of their previous five head-to-head battles came while both were working in the Bundesliga.

[Edoman]

Rumour Has It: Man Utd want Fofana as Liverpool still eye Konate

17/04/2021

Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana

A new defender appears to be at the forefront of Manchester United's planning.
The Premier League giants have been linked with a host of centre-backs.
But they could turn to a familiar club to bolster their defence.

TOP STORY – ANOTHER LEICESTER DEFENDER SET FOR OLD TRAFFORD?

Manchester United are eyeing Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana, according to Foot Mercato.
United are targeting a new partner for former Leicester star Harry Maguire – the world's most expensive centre-back – amid links to RB Leipzig's Ibrahima Konate, Sevilla's Jules Kounde, Villarreal defender Pau Torres and Real Madrid pair Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.




Fofana only joined Leicester from Saint-Etienne at the start of the season and is contracted until 2025.

ROUND-UP
- Fabrizio Romano says Konate remains one of Liverpool's top transfer targets. Liverpool are reportedly preparing a five-year contract.


- Arsenal are targeting Rennes and France sensation Eduardo Camavinga, reports Marca. The 18-year-old midfielder, who has already rejected a contract extension, has been linked with Madrid, United and Paris Saint-Germain.
- Inter's Martin Satriano is attracting interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG and Leipzig, claims the Daily Mail.
- Tottenham are considering a move for Barcelona's Emerson, says Mundo Deportivo. The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Real Betis amid links with Inter and PSG.


- Atletico Madrid are eyeing Juventus sensation Nicolo Rovella and Udinese's Nahuel Molina, according to Mundo Deportivo.

- Gazzetta dello Sport reports Milan have enquired about Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan as the Serie A side consider alternatives to Gianluigi Donnarumma should he fail to sign a contract extension. Meanwhile, SportItalia says Milan have offered Inter full-back Danilo D'Ambrosio a two-year deal. The Italian is out of contract at season's end.

[Edoman]

In Focus: Pass master Jorginho in control of own destiny at Chelsea

17/04/2021

Jorginho's Chelsea future is unclear after a mixed bag of performances under Thomas Tuchel

Jorginho’s recent performances for Chelsea have been like a lucky dip — you never know if you are in for a sublime showing or a dismal display. 


The Italy international, 29, twice gifted the ball to West Brom in the Blues’ shock 5-2 defeat earlier this month, forcing Thiago Silva into the rash challenges that resulted in his eventual red card. 


But he has quickly made amends in the weeks that have followed, providing Thomas Tuchel with a conundrum ahead of tonight's FA Cup semi-final clash with Manchester City.
Should the German persevere with Chelsea’s inconsistent midfield maestro?


Easy mistakes
Tuchel’s comments after the West Brom game were clearly in reference to Jorginho’s lethargy in possession. 
He said: "We made easy mistakes and were punished. It was totally our fault. 
"We did big mistakes before the two yellow cards. There were too many easy ball losses."


Following that match, plenty of Chelsea supporters might have felt confident in the club’s ability to cope without Jorginho. 
After all, he had hardly been a regular under Frank Lampard earlier in the season.


Return to form
But Jorginho’s performances since that West Brom debacle have changed the outlook once again. 
He was impressive in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Porto in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, before producing a commanding display in last weekend’s 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace. 
Tuchel (right) was left to rue Jorginho's mistakes in the defeat to West Brom

In between those wins, Jorginho publicly flirted with former club Napoli — suggesting a Stamford Bridge departure is not out of the question this summer.
Napoli speculation
Discussing a potential move to Naples, he said: "I had a wonderful experience [with Napoli] and I’m very fond of the city and the fans.

"Now, honestly, I’m not thinking about it because my concentration is all on Chelsea. 
"But if there’s the possibility, one day, you don’t know when, to return, of course I would like to."


The question that must be asked is whether or not Chelsea might fare better without the Brazil-born man in their ranks.


Midfield balance
At his best, Jorginho is capable of controlling games, dictating the tempo and creating chances with his incisive passing. 
The former Verona playmaker is in the Premier League’s top 10 players for possession won in the middle third (4.69 per 90 minutes) and also sits among the division’s most adept passers, with an average of 71.22 completed each game. 
With time to run on his deal at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are under no pressure to make a decision on Jorginho

His partnership with Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic has also blossomed over the last couple of seasons.


With Mason Mount and Kai Havertz more advanced at Selhurst Park, there was a nice balance to Chelsea — that was evident in the performance and result.


Future decision
It could be that Tuchel has a different vision for his midfield. After all, Jorginho is hardly a youngster. 
N’Golo Kante and Kovacic complement each other well, even if neither possess Jorginho’s ability to truly dominate the midfield. 
A decision on his future is not urgent, given his current deal at Stamford Bridge runs for another two years. 


But there has been talk of a potential contract extension and Chelsea will want to be sure that keeping Jorginho for the long-term is beneficial should they opt to commit.
If he can find some consistency — which has been lacking this season — there will be far fewer doubters. 


The final stages of the campaign and games such as the semi-final at Wembley will therefore be key for Jorginho.

FA

[Edoman]

Lionel Messi, Barcelona Players Celebrate Copa Del Rey Trophy Win (Photos,Video)

Lionel Messi, and his BarceReylona teammates Celebrated as they won the Copa Del  Trophy.

Messi netted twice as Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao 4-0 to win the 2020/2021 Copa del Rey trophy.

This is Coach Ronald Koeman's first trophy as Barcelona Coach.

Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong also scored in the Cup Final to secure the win.

Barcelona have now won the Copa Del Rey 31 times.

Gerard Pique lead the celebrations for Barcelona as they arrived back at the team hotel.

Pique sprayed wine on the reporters waiting outside the team hotel.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EDlFuTsHfk

[Edoman]

'I couldn't care less what he says' - Jose Mourinho hits back at Paul Pogba following his criticisms about the former Man United coach







Jose Mourinho has hit back at Paul Pogba's recent criticism of him, after the Manchester United star said he sees his current coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a different and better type of manager to Mourinho because he doesn't "go against the players".

Pogba notoriously had a bad relationship with Mourinho at Old Trafford, and recently admitted that he was unsure why that relationship went sour.
 
"What I have now with Ole is different, he wouldn't go against the players. He wouldn't go against the players," Pogba told Sky Sports.

"Maybe Ole wouldn't pick them, but it's not like he puts them on the side like they don't exist anymore. That's the difference between Mourinho and Ole.
 


"Once I had a great relationship with Mourinho, everybody saw that, and the next day you don't know what happened. That's the strange thing I had with Mourinho and I cannot explain to you because even I don't know."
 
Mourinho, whose side Tottenham have exited the Europa league and are doing poorly in the premier league has now responded.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his Tottenham side drew Everton, Mourinho replied: "I would like to say that I couldn't care less with what he says. I couldn't care less. Not interested at all."
 

[Edoman]

Napoli vs Inter Milan preview: Hit the net with our 1,000th live stream

18/04/2021

Antonio Conte has confounded critics to lead Inter Milan to within touching distance of the Serie A title

Inter Milan will hunt a 10th straight Serie A victory as the Nerazzurri look to continue their charge towards a famous Scudetto at Napoli this evening. 

Antonio Conte’s men have been outstanding in recent weeks and are primed to end their 11-year wait for Serie A glory. 


However, they are sure to face a stern examination from Gennaro Gattuso’s side, who still harbour strong hopes of a top-four finish. 


The mouth-watering contest is available to watch for FREE on the LiveScore app this evening — a match that marks our 1,000th streamed clash. 


Confident visitors
Inter head to Naples in good spirits, having won their last nine contests with a minimum of fuss — particularly catching the eye defensively. 


With only four goals conceded in their last 11 outings, the pragmatic style of Conte that has been heavily scrutinised by the Italian media over the years appears to have been vindicated this term. 


Speaking earlier this week, defender Milan Skriniar heaped praise on his manager’s level of focus as they close in on glory. 
Skriniar, 26, said. "He [Conte] tells us every day that we need to work and complete each training session without thinking about how many games are left.


"We are still working hard to raise the bar even higher. We certainly never expected to have this kind of lead with eight games left."
Gattuso on the move?
Despite impressive form in recent weeks, Gennaro Gattuso's future at Napoli is in doubt

After surviving a rough patch in early February, Gattuso has his Napoli team firing on all cylinders — with the Partenopei winning seven of their last nine in Serie A and losing only once. 


Yet surprisingly, a parting of ways could be on the cards come the end of the campaign, with reports in Italy continuing to link Gattuso with a switch to domestic rivals Fiorentina. 
A breakdown in the relationship between owner and manager is thought to have taken place following an unexpected Europa League exit to Granada, prompting speculation that change is inevitable. 

Whatever the case may be, securing Champions League qualification remains the immediate priority and the excellent recent run of results gives them a fighting chance. 


Back within reach of AC Milan, Juventus and Atalanta and faced with a favourable run-in, Gattuso will be desperate to keep momentum going with a positive result against the champions-elect. 

Did you know?

Inter are looking to win back-to-back Serie A trips to Napoli for the first time since 1997. 
This is only the fifth time in Serie A history that Napoli have won 19 or more of their opening 30 matches. On the previous four occasions, they finished third or better. 
Since 2016-17, six of the eight goals Inter have netted against Napoli have came from the duo of Romelu Lukaku (three) and Lauro Martinez (three).

[Edoman]

Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 Saint-Etienne: Icardi heads 95th-minute winner in frenetic five-goal finale

18/04/2021

PSG celebrate a dramatic win against Saint-Etienne

Returning substitute Mauro Icardi gave Paris Saint-Germain a remarkable 3-2 win at home to Saint-Etienne on Sunday to significantly boost the champions' title hopes.

A perplexing encounter was goalless until the 77th minute when Denis Bouanga had Saint-Etienne in front and PSG, beaten in their previous three home Ligue 1 games, facing defeat again.

Kylian Mbappe levelled just 84 seconds later, though, and then won and converted a penalty to seemingly win the match and close to within a point of leaders Lille, held by Montpellier on Friday.

Yet that was far from the end of the drama, with an awful error from stand-in PSG goalkeeper Sergio Rico gifting Romain Hamouma a 92nd-minute equaliser.


Saint-Etienne had just three more minutes to see out to protect a point but allowed Icardi, back after a month out with a thigh strain, to reach Angel Di Maria's cross and nod in to spark jubilant celebrations.

Mauricio Pochettino's side had gone closest before the ludicrous finish, with Pablo Sarabia's 25-yard free-kick bouncing back out off the post before Danilo Pereira hacked the rebound over.
Mbappe played in Rafinha for a low shot that was well saved and then seized on Miguel Trauco's slip and raced into the box before slashing a wild finish over.


But a stale second half threatened to play out without major event until Bouange steered in Trauco's cross.

Rather than clinch the points, that goal simply prompted an outrageous stretch in which PSG went straight up the other end to restore parity as Mbappe smartly controlled a searching Ander Herrera pass and beat Etienne Green.
Mbappe was soon felled by Green and dispatched the subsequent spot-kick, yet PSG improbably threatened to throw away the win as Rico dropped the ball at Hamouma's feet.


Back came PSG and Di Maria, who shortly before had hit the post direct from a corner, helped finally find the match-winner by crossing from the right for fellow sub Icardi to get up highest and head home at the far post.

What does it mean? PSG missing stars but not spirit

Especially with Icardi, Di Maria and Marco Verratti all starting from the bench, this was an undermanned PSG line-up. The suspended Neymar, in a white fur coat, watched from the stands alongside injured goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Marquinhos was also out.

With Neymar on the pitch, PSG might have had more than one shot on target in the first half. They certainly would not have conceded to Hamouma with Navas involved; their outstanding first-choice keeper has not made a single error leading to a goal all season while making 111 saves.


But PSG's spirit could not be questioned. They fought and fought and, with six seconds of the indicated additional time remaining, were eventually rewarded.

Reinforcements to the rescue
Given the talent in the stands and on the pitch, the PSG bench spoke of the strength in depth at Pochettino's disposal. Neither Icardi nor Verratti featured as the French giants beat European champions Bayern Munich over two legs.


They could yet have a say in the Champions League semi-finals against Manchester City, however. While Verratti created two chances and played 17 passes in the Saint-Etienne half, Icardi made the most of his only opening.


Mbappe made to work again
Due to the number of absentees, Pochettino cannot afford to rest Mbappe, who endured some rough treatment. The forward won only a single foul, for the penalty, but hobbled out of an early challenge and required treatment after a late lunge from Harold Moukoudi in the penalty area.


With European opponents City losing Kevin De Bruyne to injury earlier this weekend, PSG might be wary of pushing their own star performer too far. He had to play the full match, had a game-high six shots and a joint-high two key passes.

Key Opta Facts

- PSG have not lost any of their past 16 Ligue 1 games against Saint-Etienne (W11 D5); only against Angers (21) and Brest (18) are they on a longer unbeaten run against current French top-flight sides. 


- The capital club have scored in each of their past 20 Ligue 1 games against Saint-Etienne (49 goals in total), their joint-longest such run against a specific opponent in the top flight (level with Nantes).


- Only Reims (22) and Nantes (20) have lost more points than Saint-Etienne (19) from winning positions in Ligue 1 this season.

- The five goals scored between the 77th minute and full-time were the most in a Ligue 1 game since the same number in Lens' 4-4 draw with Reims last November.
- Mbappe has scored 87 goals for PSG in Ligue 1, surpassing Mustapha Dahleb (85) for the outright third-most in their history. He is now only behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic (113) and Edinson Cavani (138).

What's next?

There is no rest for treble-chasing PSG. They have Angers in the Coupe de France quarter-finals on Wednesday. Saint-Etienne do not play again until Saturday's league clash with Brest.

[Edoman]

[b]Kelechi Iheanacho Sends Leicester To First FA Cup Final Since 1969[/b]

Leicester City book their place in the FA Cup final against Chelsea as Kelechi Iheanacho's second-half strike seals Wembley win over Southampton




Leicester City have reached their first FA Cup final since 1969 after Kelechi Iheanacho's strike saw off Southampton at Wembley.

The striker converted from close range in the 55th minute after good work from Jamie Vardy set him up during a counter attack.

It is the fifth time the Foxes have reached the FA Cup final and they will now face Chelsea next month after the Blues defeated Manchester City in the other semi-final on Saturday.


Iheanacho’s strike was the 14th he has scored in this competition since 2015 and no player – not Sergio Aguero or Harry Kane – has scored more FA Cup goals during that time. The cup has become his playground.




Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9474859/Leicester-vs-Southampton-FA-Cup-semi-final-2020-21-Live-Result.html

[Edoman]

UEFA and Premier League issue scathing statements after 12 top clubs announce plans to breakaway and set up their own European Super League








European football governing body, UEFA has slammed plans by some top clubs in European top leagues for plans to break away from the normal league and champions league format to set up their own European super league while also thanking French and German clubs for refusing to sign up to the scheme.

According to the Premier League and UEFA,  the plans to create a European Super League, are anti-competitive and will undermine the integrity of the sport.
 
Reports of a rival competition known as European Super League emerged on Sunday April 18, just a day before UEFA were to hold a meeting to ratify the current Swiss model being used for the Champions league.

In a joint announcement on Sunday night,  six English clubs -- Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur -- alongside three teams from Italy -- AC Milan, Inter Milan and Juventus -- and three from Spain -- Atlético Madrid, Barcelona and Real Madrid -- laid out plans to form a breakaway competition, referred to in the announcement as the Super League.

The top clubs feel cheated by the current champions league format which does not give them enough financial protection.

The top clubs feel that it's easier now for 'small clubs' like Leicester City, Everton, Atalanta, Bilbao to qualify for the Champions league than them. Most especially top premier league clubs feel cheated as they earn the same amount of television rights money as the likes of Burnley, West Ham, West Brom when they believe fans from all over the world will rather watch a Manchester United vs Chelsea than a West Brom vs Burnley.

UEFA, the premier league and the English FA have now released statements condemning the clubs.

In a statement, the English premier league said: "The Premier League condemns any proposal that attacks the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are at the heart of the domestic and European football pyramid.

"Fans of any club in England and across Europe can currently dream that their team may climb to the top and play against the best. We believe that the concept of a European Super League would destroy this dream.

"The Premier League is proud to run a competitive and compelling football competition that has made it the most widely watched league in the world. Our success has enabled us to make an unrivalled financial contribution to the domestic football pyramid.

"A European Super League will undermine the appeal of the whole game, and have a deeply damaging impact on the immediate and future prospects of the Premier League and its member clubs, and all those in football who rely on our funding and solidarity to prosper.   

"We will work with fans, The FA, EFL, PFA and LMA, as well as other stakeholders, at home and abroad, to defend the integrity and future prospects of English football in the best interests of the game."
 
UEFA in a statement said: "UEFA, the English Football Association and the Premier League, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and La Liga, and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and Serie A have learned that a few English, Spanish and Italian clubs may be planning to announce their creation of a closed, so-called Super League.

"If this were to happen, we wish to reiterate that we – UEFA, the English FA, RFEF, FIGC, the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, but also FIFA and all our member associations - will remain united in our efforts to stop this cynical project, a project that is founded on the self-interest of a few clubs at a time when society needs solidarity more than ever.

"We will consider all measures available to us, at all levels, both judicial and sporting in order to prevent this happening. Football is based on open competitions and sporting merit; it cannot be any other way.

"As previously announced by FIFA and the six Federations, the clubs concerned will be banned from playing in any other competition at domestic, European or world level, and their players could be denied the opportunity to represent their national teams. 

"We thank those clubs in other countries, especially the French and German clubs, who have refused to sign up to this. We call on all lovers of football, supporters and politicians, to join us in fighting against such a project if it were to be announced. This persistent self-interest of a few has been going on for too long. Enough is enough."
 
The FA in a statement also said: "It is clear that this would be damaging to English and European football at all levels and will attack the principles of open competition and sporting merit which are fundamental to competitive sport.

"For new competitions to be formed involving clubs from different assocations, approval would be required. We would not provide permission to any competition that would be damaging to English football, and will take any legal and/or regulatory action necessary."

There have been no official comments from any clubs so far. 

[Edoman]

Mourinho Sacked As Tottenham Coach

Jose Mourinho has been sacked as Tottenham Hotspur head coach.

Appointed in place of Mauricio Pochettino in November 2019, the experienced manager guided Spurs to a Europa League place in his first season despite a host of injuries to key players.

However, following a bright start to this campaign and after reaching the Carabao Cup final, results have been extremely poor since the turn of the year, notably the Europa League exit against Dinamo Zagreb after going to Croatia with a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

Getting back on track with a win at Aston Villa, Spurs have only picked up two points from a possible nine in their last three league games after drawing against Newcastle United and Everton either side of their defeat at home to Manchester United.

With Tottenham now five points adrift of the Champions League places with six league games remaining, Daniel Levy has now made the huge call to part with the man he appointed just under 18 months ago.

It now means Tottenham have to make a decision over who will be in charge of the team for Wednesday evening's Premier League home game against Southampton and also Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Man City.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/news/breaking-jose-mourinho-sacked-tottenham-20415483.amp

[Edoman]

Chukwueze Ends 17-Game La Liga Goal Drought With Brace In Villarreal Win

Chukwueze ends 17-game La Liga goal drought with brace in Villarreal win over Levante


The 21-year-old returned to the scoresheet in style as Unai Emery's side bounced back to winning ways in the Spanish top-flight
Samuel Chukwueze has ended his 17-game goal drought in La Liga with a brace in Villarreal's 5-1 hammering of Levante on Sunday.

It was the first time the Nigeria international scored a goal since December 3, when he found the back of the net against Sivasspor in the Uefa Europa League and against Real Valladolid in a league match on November 2.

Chukwueze stretched the visitors' lead at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia in the 63rd minute to make it 3-1 after Gerard Moreno's first-half strike and Postigo's own goal in the ninth minute.



Nine minutes after his first goal of the night, Levante conceded another own goal through Ruben Vezo and Chukwueze wrapped up Villarreal's emphatic away victory with his second in the 75th minute.

Special dedication for @chukwueze_8! �#LaLigaFanCam | #LevanteVillarreal pic.twitter.com/Nzq9zbJs9T

— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) April 18, 2021
Sunday's goals came as a relief for the 21-year-old who struck the post twice in the Yellow Submarine's Uefa Europa League victory over Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday, where he only got an assist.

Chukwueze was later replaced in the 81st minute by Yeremi Pino, however, he has a tally of three goals and two assists after 25 La Liga games this season.

He has equalled last season’s feat of three league goals and he is two goals from matching his best goalscoring return in the Spanish top-flight, when he scored five goals in 26 games in the 2018-19 campaign.


The victory shot Unai Emery's men to fifth on La Liga standings with 49 points after 31 games, but they are 15 points behind fourth-placed Sevilla with seven games remaining.

“We’re fifth, but the fight with Real Betis and Real Sociedad will be very tight and they are going to make it very difficult for us. We’ve won two matches in a row and we want to continue this form against Deportivo Alaves," Emery told the club website.

The Super Eagles winger will be expected to help Villarreal build on their win when they visit Deportivo Alaves for their next league game on Wednesday before they battle Barcelona at the Estadio de la Ceramica on April 25.

https://www.goal.com/en/news/chukwueze-ends-17-game-la-liga-goal-drought-with-brace-in/1d8hzbkk1io3k1oe8eeie0p0h7

[Edoman]

Revealed: Jose Mourinho has been paid a total of £93.5m for his sacking as Football manager







Football manager/coach, Jose Mourinho has been paid a staggering £93.5 million for his sackings in football.

Tottenham ruthlessly sacked Mourinho and his coaching staff on Monday morning, April 19, following a poor run of form in the Premier League .

He lasted just 17 months with the 58-year-old in line to receive a whopping pay-out.

UK media claim Mourinho will pocket £30 million after club chairman Daniel Levy decided to end his four-year contract with the club.

It's now been revealed that so many other clubs paid Mourinho huge amounts after sacking him midway into his contracts.

Mourinho has had four of his contracts terminated early since he first joined Chelsea - Chelsea in 2007, Real Madrid in 2013, Chelsea again in 2015, and Manchester United in 2018.

The cost of those early terminations is listed in the accounts of each of the English clubs in question. 

 Chelsea (first time): £23.07m, Chelsea (second time) £8.30m, Manchester United: £19.60m
 Real Madrid shelled out £17 million after sacking him now Tottenham is set to pay him about £30m after sacking him.

So, Mourinho has received an astonishing £93.5 million for his sackings during his illustrious managerial career.

[Edoman]

Liverpool striker, Mohamed Salah confirmed as new captain of the Egyptian national team








Liverpool striker, Mohamed Salah has been named as the new captain of the Egyptian national team, the EFA announced on Monday.
 
The national team captaincy has been an issue for a long time now, with many football fans and pundits urging Egypt coach Hossam El-Badry to hand Salah the armband and move away from the tradition of giving the armband to the most senior player in the squad. 
 
Salah, 28, is not the oldest in the national team but the Egyptian Football Association disclosed in the statement that the coach met with older players in the squad who supported the move.
 
"Hossam Al-Badri, the coach of the national football team, has decided to award the captain's armband to Mohamed Salah," the Egyptian Football Association said in a statement on Monday. 
 
"The decision came after the coach informed the players, who preceded Salah in seniority and who supported this step. Al-Badri believes that the next stage needs stability in some matters, including the leadership badge.
 
"The technical and administrative staff seek to arrange matters in the coming period to achieve the dream of Egyptian fans of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar."
 
Salah is now Egypt's second-highest goalscorer. He scored twice against Comoros in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last month, taking his tally to 45 goals. 
 
He surpassed Hassan El-Shazly’s longstanding record of 43 goals, with only Hossam Hassan’s tally of 69 in front of him.
 

[Edoman]

Super League Showdown: Agnelli Resigns. Juve, Chelsea Others Leave ECA


Juventus President, Andrea Agnelli, has resigned as President of the European Club Association (ECA) as well as stepped down from his position in the UEFA Executive Committee.

Agnelli, who since 2012 has been President of the ECA, an umbrella body representing the interests of 246 leading European clubs, in association with Real Madrid's Fiorentino Perez, Manchester United's Joel Glazier, Liverpool's John Henry and Arsenal's Stan Kroenke, has been in forefront in the push for the European Super League (ESL) competition.

The ESL is expected to rival the UEFA Champions League with 12 of the most wealthiest and storied clubs in Europe: AC Milan, Arsenal , Atlético Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, Internazionale, Juventus, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur as "founding clubs" with three others expected to participate at its maiden stage.

The ECA which held its meeting on Sunday night, chaired by Edwin Van der Saar (with none of the 'prodigal 12' honouring the invitations), re-instated its "strong opposition" to the ESL.

"In light of today's reports on the subject of a so-called breakaway league, ECA, as the body representing 246 leading clubs across Europe, reiterates its stated commitment to working on developing the UEFA Club Competitions (UCCs) model with UEFA for the cycle beginning 2024 and that a 'closed super league model' to which media articles refer would be strongly opposed by ECA.

"They added that the ECA refers "to the position adopted by its Executive Board at its meeting last Friday 16th April, namely that it supports a commitment to work with UEFA on a renewed structure for European Club Football as a whole post 2024, including proposed changes to the UEFA Club Competitions post 2024.

"With ECA's support, UEFA's Executive Committee is being asked to endorse these commitments at its meeting on 19th April along with pursuing efforts to reach an agreement on the future relationship between ECA and UEFA.

"The ECA Executive Board will be convening over the coming days to take appropriate decisions in light of any further developments."

ECA

UEFA, in a statement co-signed by the national associations of England, Spain, Italy and those countries' respective top leagues, vowed to ban players and teams from other competitions if they become involved in the Super League.

FIFA has also shown disdain for the breakaway ESL competition, advocating calm and constructive dialogue.

FC Porto, French clubs and all German clubs including Bayern Munich, Liepzig and Borussia Dortmund have announced their position which is a total rejection of the ESL and supporting the reforms of UEFA.

"This Super League is a club for the super-rich, who are disrespecting the long-established structure of football. It is an attack on UEFA club competitions, but above all on the national leagues.

It is cynical and hypocritical to say that this change is for the good of football and is what football fans want, as are those behind this league. We can be proud that all German clubs opposed this league and we will strive to ensure that the clubs involved are expelled from all national and international competitions."

SOURCE

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson also showed resentment towards the ESL.

Plans for a European Super League would be very damaging for football and we support football authorities in taking action.

They would strike at the heart of the domestic game, and will concern fans across the country.

The clubs involved must answer to their fans and the wider footballing community before taking any further steps.

UK PM, Boris Johnson

Agnelli's resignation has been followed by the stepping down of United's Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward and Arsenal CEO, Vinai Venkatesham from the UEFA Professional Football Strategy Council and ECA respectively.

Following up with that Juventus, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have resigned from the ECA.

The Premier League is expected to meet tomorrow to draw out sanctions;

NEW: Premier League to host meeting with 14 clubs tomorrow morning. Clubs involved in proposed European Super League are not included. Meeting chaired by Richard Masters online #SSN

SOURCE

SOURCE

[Edoman]

[b]Real Madrid, Chelsea & Manchester City "To Be Expelled From Champions League"

Chelsea, Man City and Real Madrid ‘to be expelled from Champions League’ claims Uefa ExCo chief[/b]

Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid will be kicked out of this season’s Champions League by Friday, according to the chairman of the Danish FA.

The trio are among the 12 clubs to have confirmed their plans to form a breakaway European Super League, a seismic move that has been met with widespread condemnation across the football world.

UEFA have promised heavy sanctions for those involved. On Monday afternoon, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin confirmed that players who participate in the European Super League will be banned from representing their national team at major tournaments.

Further repercussions look to be on their way with DBU chairman Jesper Møller, who also sits in UEFA’s executive committee, expecting the sides involved in the Super League to be expelled from this season’s Champions League.

Chelsea, City and Real Madrid have all reached the semi-final stages with Paris Saint-Germain, who are not part of the 12, the only other side involved.

‘[Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea] are going out, and I expect that to happen on Friday,’ Møller told DR.

‘And then you have to see how to finish the Champions League.’

He added: ‘There must be one extraordinary executive committee meeting on Friday. I have an expectation that the 12 clubs will be thrown out.’

Møller’s comments would also suggest Manchester United and Arsenal face being thrown out of the Europa League.

The Premier League sides are also in the semi-final stage and are set to face Roma and Villarreal respectively.

https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/19/chelsea-man-city-and-real-madrid-to-be-expelled-from-champions-league-14436603/amp/

[Edoman]

I'm always in football.' - Football manager, Jose Mourinho breaks silence after Tottenham sacking








Jose Mourinho has broken his silence after he was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after just 17 months at the club.
 
The Portuguese manager was sacked on Monday morning, April 19, less than a week before Tottenham take on Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.  
 
The 58-year-old had been in charge at Spurs since November 2019, signing a deal until the end of the 2023 season. But he was dismissed after a dismal domestic campaign and failure in the Europa League, with the club on course to miss out on Champions League football this season.
 
Speaking with Sky Sport, Mourinho refused to discuss his departure but disclosed that he doesn't need a break from football.
 
'You know me. I'm not going to say anything,' he told Sky Sports. 'No need for breaks or recharged batteries. I'm always in football.'
 
Mourinho leaves Spurs seventh in the table, five points off the Champions League places, and is in line for a huge pay-off of £30 million after his sacking.
 
It has also been revealed that so many other clubs paid Mourinho huge amounts after sacking him midway into his contracts.
 
Mourinho has had four of his contracts terminated early since he first joined Chelsea - Chelsea in 2007, Real Madrid in 2013, Chelsea again in 2015, and Manchester United in 2018.
 
The cost of those early terminations is listed in the accounts of each of the English clubs in question. 
 
Chelsea (first time): £23.07m, Chelsea (second time) £8.30m, Manchester United: £19.60m. Real Madrid shelled out £17 million after sacking him now Tottenham is set to pay him about £30m after sacking him.
 
This means, Mourinho has received an astonishing £93.5 million for his sackings during his illustrious managerial career.
 
 
 

[Edoman]

Ahmed Musa opt-out of Kano Pillars away games over unsafe roads








Kano Pillars has announced that Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa will miss most of their away games when the second stanza of the Nigeria Professional Football League begins April 28.
 
This was confirmed in a statement by the Chairman of the club, Surajo Yahaya.
 
In the statement, Mr.Yahaya noted that Musa will be available for every home fixtures but would only attend away games if he could travel by air.
 
“Ahmed Musa is a big player and at the moment we know the economic situation of the country and the bad roads in some regions. He is going to honour all our home matches and if there is an available flight in the state we have an away game, then he is going to attend,” Yahaya told Punch.
 
“He did not say that he’s totally going to be unavailable for our games on the road, but he is going to attend those matches by flight, but for the games that are close by, like a game at Katsina or Bauchi, he is ready to go. But we need to provide good facilities for him,” Yahaya added.
 
The former Leicester City and CSKA Moscow winger, who has been a free agent since parting ways with Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in October, rejoined his boyhood club Kano Pillars for a second stint until the end of the season. 
 
He is expected to make his debut for Pillars on May 5, when the Sai Masu Gida welcomes Enyimba.
 
 
 

[Edoman]

#EuropeanSuperLeague: 14 angry clubs set to tell Big Six clubs to leave the premier league







14 premier league clubs have held an emergency meeting where they all reportedly agreed to tell the big six 'rebel' clubs to quit the Premier League over their decision to set the European Super league.

The big six clubs- Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal are part of the clubs who released a statement on Monday announcing their desire to set up their own European Super League to rival the UEFA champions league.

The big six argue they don't make as much money as their brands deserve and feel that with the new ESL they will make much more money than given to them by UEFA. A deal is already in place to give the top six clubs a starting £310m to start up the ESL.
 


But the other 14 top-flight teams are planning their revenge, agreeing in a meeting on Monday to remove the top six from the premier league while UEFA also plans to kick the clubs out of Europe on Friday..

The top six believe they will be better served financially in their own European league and have already filed legal injunctions against UEFA to prevent the body from punishing them for setting up their own league.
 
At a Prem meeting on Tuesday April 20, from which the six giants have been excluded the other teams are set to agree to demand United, Liverpool, City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs all leave the league at the end of the season.

The outsiders are angry at what they called “underhanded” dealing by the Big Six, despite previous promises of unity collective agreements to back the Prem.

Clubs are said to be “angry and dismayed” at the actions of the Six, with a call for disciplinary charges and for the League to officially confirm they will not be granted permission to join the £4.6billion scheme.

But expelling the top six clubs is one option that is being discussed by club chiefs and one exec said: “Lots of options are being explored. They have underestimated the opposition."

Under Prem rule B6, it would take a vote of three quarters of the 20 clubs to boot any of the Big Six out.
 
With a maximum of 14 clubs backing any such call, they would fall one vote short.
 
But Rule B11 gives “discretion, right and power” to the League’s Board - chief exec Richard Masters, chairman Gary Hoffman and non-exec director Kevin Beeston - to act in “sole and absolute discretion” to make “final and binding” rulings that are “not subject to appeal”.

Executives of the smaller clubs have hit out at the top clubs and their scheme to enrich themselves .

Aston Villa chief exec Christian Purslow said: “These proposals do away with sporting merit.

"It would enable a small number of clubs to be in this competition come what may and, for millions of people in football, that goes against everything the sport means and stands for.”

While Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish added: “This is creating a gilded elite that will not be challenged.

“If you can imagine uniting every football fan, every chief executive, every politician, Boris Johnson, [France President Emmanuel] Macron… a whole group of people who couldn’t agree on anything suddenly coming out instantly condemning something. So, it feels like a busted flush.”

Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani said: “Absolutely against the sporting spirit, the dream of millions of fans to conquer the champions on the field, with planning, vision, work.

"Kill dreams of players and fans. The teams are fans and WE are custodians of the club.”

Denmark FA chief Jesper Moller revealed: “The Super league clubs who are still in Europe must go, and I expect that to happen on Friday.

“Then we have to find out how to finish the Champions League.”

 Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin also threatened to ban England and overseas stars including Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Cristiano Ronaldo and Antoine Griezmann from Euro 2020.

[Edoman]

#EuropeanSuperLeague: Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp calls for calm after angry fans try to stop team bus from arriving at stadium (photos)







Angry fans attempted to block Liverpool's team bus from arriving at Elland Road for their game against Leeds following the decision of the clubs heirarchy to join other top European clubs to form the European Super league on Monday, April 19.
 

 
Twelve clubs across Europe, including Liverpool owned by John W. Henry's Fenway Sports Group, announced the launch of a breakaway tournament that would replace their European commitments with UEFA, such as the Champions League.

The highly controversial Super League would see 15 clubs automatically qualify for the league every year leading to condemnations from UEFA, FIFA, the FA, the Premier League and some Footballers.

On Monday night, fans from Liverpool and Ledds protested against the proposals before the game between both clubs got underway.

Fans gathered together to hold up banners expressing their feelings on the prospect of a European Super League. 

One banner from an angry Liverpool supporter read: 'Fans say no to Fenway's Super Greed (FSG). No Super League.'
 


Another banner unveiled by supporters read: 'Love for the working class game, ruined by greed and corruption! RIP LFC. Thanks for the memories' 

Other banners outside the ground read: 'RIP Football 1863-2021' and 'Fans before finance'.
 


Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has now come out to calm fans saying he was shocked after his players received abuse before the match.

He also expressed shock that fans tried to stop the team bus with one fan trying to physically push Liverpool’s team bus back.

'Leeds fans came here before the game and they were shouting at us, in the city when we had a walk this afternoon people were shouting at us. But we have nothing to do with it.

'We are employees of the club and I feel responsible for a lot of things in this club. When I am involved in things then I take the criticism easily, when the boys are involved they have to take it and do that as well. But we aren’t involved in this one.

'It’s a tough one at the moment when you hear pundits talking about the club. This club is bigger than all of us, we should not forget that. This club has been through difficult times.'
 

[Edoman]

UEFA To Sign A $7.2Bn Deal With Centricus To Stop European Super League

- Football body discusses financing to revamp flagship tournament

- JP Morgan Chase & Co is providing €4 billion to bankroll the European Super League

UEFA is in discussions with Centricus Asset Management over a €6 billion ($7.2 billion) financing package to overhaul its flagship football tournament and stop plans for a new breakaway Super League, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Switzerland-based sporting body is working with Centricus on a plan to fund a new-look UEFA Champions League tournament, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing confidential information.

Negotiations are currently ongoing between UEFA and London based Centricus, according to the people. A representative for Centricus declined to comment, while a spokesperson for UEFA didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

It comes as UEFA prepares to battle with a new Super League that could mark the biggest upheaval of European football since the 1950s and end the Champions League’s decades long reign as the world’s premier club contest.

A group of the world’s richest football clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, announced plans for the breakaway league starting in August in a statement early Monday.

The marquee names; six from England, three from Italy and three from Spain have signed up so far, would play each other midweek as an alternative to the UEFA tournament. In addition to what will be 15 permanent teams, another five will qualify each year for the Super League.

The €4 billion plan, which is being bankrolled by JPMorgan Chase & Co, has already drawn heavy criticism from domestic leagues and politicians. UEFA has said it could ban Super League team players from national teams that take part in the national Euro and World Cup competitions.

Centricus has been in talks with UEFA for a number of months regarding financing, a person familiar with the matter said. The investment firm had discussed an initial package of about €4.2 billion, which was raised to €6 billion following the rival Super League proposal, the person said.

Centricus, which oversees about $30 billion in assets according to its website, is well connected to large, wealthy institutions in the Middle East and Asia, and helped SoftBank Group Corp raise $100 billion for its massive Vision Fund.

The firm was started in 2016 by Nizar Al-Bassam, a former investment banker at Deutsche Bank AG, and ex-Goldman Sachs Group Inc. partner Dalinc Ariburnu.

Despite running a small team from London, Centricus has become known for a string of opportunistic deals. It is currently working with Indian commodities tycoon Anil Agarwal on a plan to invest $10 billion in turnaround opportunities in India, and last year made a last-minute pitch to buy TikTok’s operations in several countries for $20 billion.

In 2019 it made a foray into the high-end hotel and resorts sector and bought the iconic Capri Palace Hotel & Spa.

Within the sports industry, Centricus was also part of a consortium, alongside SoftBank and FIFA, to launch a brace of new soccer tournaments, and has held talks to invest in Swiss club FC Basel.

Al Jazeera

Bloomberg