Despite Thomas Muller’s impressive achievement of winning 12 Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich, his future at the club remains uncertain following their recent domestic league triumph.
Bayern Munich is planning to make significant changes at the club for the upcoming season after struggling with consistency and only managing to secure one title out of a possible three in the past season.
According to SB Nation, Thomas Tuchel is reportedly planning to exclude Muller from his preferred starting lineup for the 2023/24 season, as the legendary German player has fallen down the hierarchy at the Allianz Arena.
The former Chelsea manager is hoping Bayern will land Juventus forward, Dusan Vlahovic in the summer to add impetus to the club’s attack, which has lacked a natural goal-poacher since the exit of Robert Lewandowski.
Muller only managed seven Bundesliga goals and created eight assists this season for Bayern Munich in 27 appearances.
Muller contemplating future at Bayern
Meanwhile, Muller is considering his future at Bayern Munich after being reduced to an option from the bench under coach Tuchel, Fansided reports.
The 2014 World Cup winner could be one of the high-profile departures from the Allianz Arena, as he wants regular game time and the chance to compete for big trophies.
Muller is yet to hold talks with the Bayern hierarchy about his future, although it is believed the Bundesliga champios would not mind parting ways with the 33-year-old forward this summer.
Muller sets amazing Bundesliga record
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Muller becoming the most successful player in Bundesliga history after helping Bayern Munich win their 11th German league title in a row.
Former Premier League referee Mark Halsey has called for a ban to be imposed on Jose Mourinho for ‘indefensible’ behaviour during and after the Europa League final.
Mourinho lost his first ever European final on Wednesday, May 31 as Roma were beaten by Sevilla on penalties.
Mark Halsey, former Premier League referee
Mourinho was highly critical of referee Anthony Taylor throughout the game, and took his frustrations out on the English referee after full time in the car park.
A video doing rounds on social media shows an irate Mourinho muttering “You’re a (expletive) disgrace” in reference to Taylor’s performance in the Europa League final.
That was not the end of Taylor’s woes as the referee was swarmed by angry Roma fans at the airport as he was preparing for a flight back in Britain from Budapest, as reported on Sky Sports.
This series of events have divided fans online, with majority now turning on Mourinho, who they blamed for Anthony Taylor’s encounter with the fans.
Meanwhile, Halsey, who officiated in the Premier League from 1999 to 2013, believes a heavy ban should be imposed on Mourinho and Roma.
“Jose Mourinho’s attack on Anthony Taylor in the Budapest car park was indefensible,” Halsey wrote as quoted on Express Sport.
“Fines and touchline bans are not a deterrent, so I hope Europe’s governing body acts,” added Halsey.
“The level of abuse towards officials is evident in Europe and in English football and points deductions are the only answer. The FA revealed this week they are bringing this punishment into grassroots football but it should start at the top.
According to the former Premier League referee, Sevilla and Roma should also be slapped with a three-point deduction from their next European campaigns.
“I would also ban Mourinho, wherever he goes, for six games because of his unacceptable conduct.” He went on.
Mourinho congratulated Sevilla coach before final penalty
Sports Brief also reported on an interesting incident that saw Mourinho congratulated the Sevilla manager before the penalty shootout was over in the Europa League final.
During the shootout, Sevilla’s Gonzalo Montiel stepped up, but his first effort was stopped by Rui Patricio.
Anthony Taylor, however, ordered the penalty to be retaken after replays showed the keeper was off his line before the ball was struck.
Just before the Argentine went in for his second attempt, Mourinho approached the Sevilla huddle and congratulated opposition coach, Jose Mendilibar.
The group representing referees has strongly denounced the “abhorrent” abuse directed atAnthony Taylor in Budapest.
Following Taylor’s controversial performance in the Europa League final, where he refereed the match between Sevilla and Roma, he and his family faced harassment from angry fans at Budapest Airport.
The referees’ group condemned the behavior as unacceptable and reprehensible. Videos circulating on social media captured the incident, showing Taylor and his family trying to navigate through the crowd.
In the match itself, Taylor issued a total of 13 yellow cards, with seven of them given to Roma players, and the game was frequently interrupted due to a high number of fouls.
Anthony Taylor was accosted by fans on his way home from the Europa League final in Budapest (Adam Davy/PA)
A chair and a bottle were thrown in the direction of the referee and his group.
Taylor and his family were eventually led out of a cafe and into a secure area by airport security.
The English official was also targeted by Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who was seen gesticulating at Taylor and calling him a “disgrace” in a profanity-laced tirade in the stadium car park after the match.
Responding to the incident at the airport, the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said in a statement: “PGMOL is aware of videos circulating on social media showing Anthony Taylor and his family being harassed and abused at Budapest Airport.
“We are appalled at the unjustified and abhorrent abuse directed at Anthony and his family as he tries to make his way home from refereeing the UEFA Europa League final.
“We will continue to provide our full support to Anthony and his family.”
Refsupport UK added: “This is so, so worrying to see and we hope Anthony and his family are ok.
“This is why we believe organisations like the LMA_Managers and the PFA as well as the WeAreTheFSA need to come out and condemn such behaviour in this country.
“Managers’ comments and players’ behaviour encourage this and it is on a worrying rise where a serious incident or murder is just around the corner.”
UEFA is awaiting Taylor’s report before deciding whether to take action against Mourinho for his rant.
Taylor booked Mourinho during the game, which finished 1-1 after extra time before Sevilla won on penalties.
It was Sevilla’s seventh Europa League triumph and the first European final defeat of Mourinho’s managerial career.
Karim Benzema has finally spoken up following intense speculation linking him with a departure from Real Madrid in favor of a move to Saudi Arabia.
There has been widespread discussion regarding the Frenchman’s future over the past few days.
Numerous reports have surfaced, suggesting that the 35-year-old is on the verge of ending his 14-year tenure at Real Madrid this summer in order to pursue a career in the Middle East.
As per Football Espana, the recipient of the Ballon d’Or award has made the decision to join Al-Ittihad.
Despite committing to Real Madrid for an additional year, Benzema appears to have changed his mind about the issue.
The former Lyon forward has now addressed the speculation surrounding his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
After receiving the MARCA Leyenda award on Thursday, Benzema seemed to quell concerns that he would leave this summer.
“At the moment I’m at Real Madrid, and this Sunday we have a game,” he said via Marca.
“Why am I going to talk about my future if I’m at Real Madrid? Those who talk about my future are on the Internet, and the Internet is not reality.”
It remains to be seen how Benzema’s situation plays out.
His departure from Real Madrid was set to be officially announced soon, but his latest comments have raised doubt over the situation.
Kane to replace Benzema?
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will make a move for Tottenham striker, Harry Kane should Benzema decide to leave the Spanish giants this summer, Caught Offside reports.
Kane appears willing to finally leave the North London club this summer after another failed season. Manchester United and Real Madrid have been sounded as possible destinations for the England forward.
Tottenham could earn in the region of £100m from Kane’s sale now, rather than allowing the forward to leave for free when his contract expires next season.
Benzema seeks Ronaldo’s advice
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Karim Benzema is weighing all the options after being offered a massive €400m deal to join Al-Ittihad this summer on a two-year deal.
The 35-year-old forward has spent 14 years at Real Madrid but could leave the 14-time Champions League winners when his current deal expires at the end of the season.
Benzema has now spoken to former teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo before deciding whether to accept the offer from the Saudi Arabian club.
In a daring move, Ronaldo departed Europe for the Middle East, signing a lucrative contract with Al-Nassr in January, following his controversial departure from Manchester United.
His transfer has generated unparalleled interest in Saudi football, with rumors suggesting that numerous European stars could follow in Ronaldo’s footsteps.
Speaking on the prospect of seeing big players switch to the Gulf state, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner – who has predicted the Saudi League to be among the best in the world in the coming years – suggested their presence in the competition will help in improving its quality.
“Life goes very well. The [Saudi] league is good. The big players are all welcome. If this happens, the league will improve,” he told SPL Chat, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
CR7 in an interview with Piers Morgan
Ronaldo’s former teammate, Karim Benzema has been heavily linked with a move to reigning Saudi champions, Al-Ittihad, while PSG superstar, Lionel Messi has also been tipped to join Al-Hilal, per Football Espana.
Ronaldo ends Al-Nassr exit rumours
Meanwhile, Ronaldo has discussed his Saudi future with league side, Al-Nassr, amid speculation he is unhappy in the Gulf state, Sports Brief reported.
The Portuguese veteran’s Middle East sojourn ended on a disappointing note after failing to inspire the Knights of Nahd to silverware in his first season.
Ronaldo has since been linked with a return to Europe with Saudi-backed Premier League side, Newcastle United, but the veteran does not seem to agree.
The Frenchman’s future has been the subject of much speculation over the last few days, with many claiming he will join Ronaldo in the Middle East nation.
Real Madrid’s striker, Karim Benzema
Multiple reports have emerged suggesting Benzema is set to end his 14-year stay at Real Madrid this summer in favour of a move to the Saudi top flight.
UEFA is currently waiting for the match official’s reports before making a decision on whether to take action againstJose Mourinho regarding his outburst towards referee Anthony Taylor following Roma’s loss in the Europa League final, according to the PA news agency.
After the penalty shoot-out defeat to Sevilla in Budapest on Wednesday night, Mourinho expressed criticism towards Taylor during his post-match press conference.
Additionally, video footage circulating on social media captured the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager gesturing towards Taylor and other officials in the stadium car park, accompanied by him uttering the word “disgrace.”
Taylor booked Mourinho during the game, which finished 1-1 after extra time before Sevilla sealed their seventh Europa League triumph by winning 4-1 in a penalty shoot-out.
Tempers simmered on and off the pitch in a disappointing final, with 13 players shown yellow cards, seven of them to Roma players, while fourth official Michael Oliver had his work cut out to keep control of both dug-outs.
The game was littered with delays, with a total of 25 minutes’ stoppage time added to the 120 minutes of playing time.
Mourinho lost for the first time in his sixth major European final, while Sevilla extended their record number of tournament wins following previous successes in 2006, 2007, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2020.
The social media accounts associated with the This Morning show have maintained a low profile and refrained from posting since Phillip Schofield confessed to having an affair with a younger colleague.
Normally, these accounts provide daily updates on the program, but the This Morning TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages have been inactive since Friday.
The most recent post shared by all the accounts was a video snippet from an interview with supermodel Elle Macpherson.
However, later that day, Schofield released a statement admitting to his affair, expressing remorse.
While the official accounts have remained dormant, various moments involving Schofield and his former lover have surfaced on social media, attracting significant attention. One recent video that resurfaced showcased the two of them consuming whisky together on an episode of This Morning in 2016.
During the Christmas-themed segment, Schofield and co-host Holly Willoughby were trying out alternative advent calendars while Schofield’s lover – who worked as a runner on ITV – was in the background dressed as an elf.
After former Emmerdale actress Natalie Anderson showed them a whisky advent calendar worth £1,000, the hosts were quick to try out a bottle themselves.
With Schofield delighted by the ‘smooth’ drink, he turned to his festively dressed lover and asked, ‘Do you want some?!’
After the younger man took a sip, he joked: ‘Let’s get the elf smashed!’
The clip has resurfaced as ITV bosses face further questions about what they knew of Schofield’s affair with his colleague.
It has been claimed that the younger lover received a financial settlement from the broadcaster.
The Daily Mail has been told that he was given a payment following the end of the on-off relationship, which Schofield described as ‘unwise but not illegal’.
ITV has repeatedly declined to comment on the alleged pay-off or deny it.
There were no comments from a representative of the presenter, who quit the channel on Friday after he revealed to theDaily Mail that he had lied about the affair to our sister paper, The Mail on Sunday.
But a source claims that the money was handed to the man, who, after he declared his love for Schofield at an awards ceremony in January 2020, was shunted to another of the network’s daytime programmes, Loose Women.
He no longer works there.
Schofield and Ms Willoughby pretending to be hungover on This Morning on January 21, 2016
ITV insiders said that at some level, bosses must have known about any payment.
One added: ‘There have been numerous pay-offs at ITV and they have always had to be arranged and sanctioned by people of some seniority.’
The claims come as pressure has increased on the broadcaster’s chief executive, Dame Carolyn McCall, director of TV Kevin Lygo and head of daytime Emma Gormley to speak out about what they knew.
One source at the channel said: ‘This is unravelling fast and there is no evidence to suggest it will come to an end any time soon.
‘There are a lot of people out there who feel wronged by ITV and they now have the confidence to have their say.
‘The house of cards appears to be collapsing – it is anybody’s guess where this ends now.’
It comes after former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes accused ITV bosses of orchestrating a ‘total cover-up’ of Schofield’s affair with his younger lover, saying those in authority ‘had to know’ about the secret relationship.
The pair met when Schofield was in his 50s and giving a talk to a theatre school. At that time, his future lover was 15 and keen to make a career in the TV industry.
He moved down to London aged 18 and began working at This Morning, before striking up the secret relationship with the presenter.
In an interview on GB News on Monday evening, Holmes, labelled Schofield, 61, ‘chief narcissist’ who would ‘hit the town’ on Thursdays for ‘playtime’ with the young man.
He claimed Schofield’s lover would be ferried between the presenter’s central London flat and the TV studio in taxis paid for by the network.
Holmes said: ‘I didn’t know but I’ve subsequently found out from a very, very good source, because he would arrive much earlier in the morning than I would for the programme, that he was delivered from Phillip’s London home.
‘Usually on a Friday morning, because Thursday was playtime when he and Phillip would hit the town and then he obviously stayed overnight. There are records to show that he was brought in the next day separately in cars paid for by ITV.’
Asked whether the management would had to have known, Holmes replied: ‘Unless Phillip paid the bills separately, but it would still have to go through the accounts office that they would have seen that and known that.’
Holmes, 63, also claims he approached senior management who worked for Ms McCall to tell them about Schofield’s relationship with the young production assistant.
He said: ‘I had gone to the senior bosses at ITV, people who worked for Carolyn McCall, the chief executive in November 2019, with the story of Phillip having this inappropriate relationship with the young man, and had urged them to investigate because why, at the very least, would you not investigate?
‘I wasn’t saying that Phillip was guilty of anything. I was saying you should launch an investigation.’
Sources close to Schofield hit back at Holmes, saying: ‘If Eamonn Holmes wants to be that cruel to someone in Phillip’s position then that I think says more about Eamonn than Phillip.’
ITV is still refusing to give the Daily Mail any further detail of an investigation it insists took place. Sources close to the younger man say it did not ask him about the affair as part of any probe.
On Saturday, ITV released a statement which said ‘both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU’.
ITV will not say whether the investigation was independent and external or who conducted it and when.
The scandal is threatening to topple This Morning, the daytime programme which was launched in 1988 and hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.
One source on the show said yesterday: ‘There are already conversations taking place between staff about how they are worried that things are going to have to change and where that leaves their jobs.
‘It is a deeply worrying time, but nobody is under the illusion that the show can stay the same. It has to be rebranded because so much trust has gone.’
In the second part of the interview, which was broadcast last night, Holmes agreed with MailOnline columnist Dan Wootton that if anyone questioned Ms McCall’s ‘woke narrative… they are out’.
ITV bosses are set to be questioned by MPs about the broadcaster’s handling of Schofield’s affair when they face the Commons culture committee next Tuesday.
Despite the ongoing scandal, Holly Willoughby will return to This Morning on Mondayfollowing an extended half-term break which was planned before the scandal broke.
A source told MailOnline Ms Willoughby will front the show on Monday as planned. She will be joined by Alison Hammond, according one report.
Sevilla won their seventh UEFA Europa League title on Wednesday night in Budapest after defeatingAS Roma in the championship match.
Paulo Dybala scored first, but Gianluca Mancini’s own goal negated it, forcing the three-hour gritty contest into the dreaded penalty shootout.
After a difficult season, Sports Brief looks at the five lessons learned from Sevilla’s defining moment.
Sevilla remain unscathed in UEL
The Andalusian club is to the Europa League what Real Madrid is to the UEFA Champions League. This was their seventh triumph in their seventh final in Europe’s second-tier club competition.
After going down in the first half via a perfectly struck Paulo Dybala goal, Sevilla clawed back into the game after recess and never looked back until the final spot kick was converted by Gonzalo Montiel, the man who scored Argentina’s World Cup final-winning penalty.
At this juncture, it is safe to say that the La Liga club are the landlords of this competition, and have every right under the sun to feel entitled to winning the trophy anytime they make the final.
Mourinho loses impeccable final record
Jose Mourinho had to surrender his perfect record in European finals to Sevilla in Budapest when his Roma side lost on penalties. The defeat was Mourinho’s first-ever defeat in the grand finale of a European competition.
After inspiring the Giallorossi to Conference League success, the club’s maiden European trophy, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss was seeking to become the first manager to win the Europa League with three different clubs, but Sevilla had other ideas.
The defeat means Mourinho’s gamble of putting all his eggs in one basket failed this time. There will be no European nights in the Eternal City for Mourinho and his charges next season- that is, if he still remains at Roma.
Mendilibar’s tactical masterstroke
José Luis Mendilibar, only in the Sevilla job for three months and on a mission to rescue a team threatened by relegation, was coaching his 965th game, but only his fifth in Europe. The experienced gaffer weaved his tactical magic to inspire a comeback which was completed by their penalty shoot-out success.
But before then, his raft of changes in the second half proved to be a masterstroke. Sevilla’s blunt attack in the first half was replaced with unerring precision with the introduction of Lamela and Suso, which resulted in the equalizer.
The 62-year-old became the fourth manager to win this trophy with Sevilla, per the Guardian.
Controversy rocks final
A gruelling night of European action continued for three hours and past midnight to determine the winner between Sevilla and AS Roma.
Like almost every other final, the game was rocked with controversy. First, referee Anthony Taylor had to overrule his initial penalty call in the 75th minute after a VAR review.
The Englishman then became an ‘enemy’ to the Romanistas, who felt they deserved a penalty of their own after a cross struck a Sevilla defender’s hand.
As if that was not enough, Gonzalo Montiel’s initial missed penalty was retaken, much to the chagrin of Mourinho and his charges, who levelled expletives at the referee and his officials after his side lost.
Mourinho throws medal away
Jose Mourinho has been accused of having a ‘sour loser’ attitude, and this was epitomized by his moment of ‘madness’ when he rushed ahead of his players to take his silver medal, before throwing it into the crowd.
To be fair, the Portuguese tactician had invested his all in the final and was banking on his proven track record in such games.
Mourinho throws away medal
It was therefore understandable how and why Mourinho vented in such a manner.
The medal was caught by a lucky young fan in the stands. This is not the first time the ‘Special One’ has pulled such a stunt.
He also threw his Premier League winners’ medal into the stands after guiding Chelsea to their first English top-flight success after five decades.
At the beginning of the recently concluded season, no rational pundit or fan expected Arsenal to be contenders for the title,not even Mikel Arteta.
Hope is often the culprit that leads to despair, as when hope fades, people tend to grasp onto anything to avoid sinking into misery.
Aiming for a top-four finish appeared to be a realistic goal for a young team that was still adjusting to the challenges of English top-tier football.
But game by game, the Gunners went from strength to strength and by the time the season took a break to pave way for the2022 World Cup in Qatar – it looked as if Arteta could lead the young guns to a first Premier League title since Arsene Wenger’s ‘Invincibles’ in 2004.
After all, almost every team that has been on top of the league on New Year’s Day went on to win the title.
Arsenal’s ‘excuses’ for losing EPL
But unknown to Arteta and Arsenal fans, they were facing the unstoppable and well-oiled force that is Manchester City.
One knows how the story goes by now – Pep Guardiola won his third consecutive league title.
Enter the excuses:
Well, from injuries to key players like William Saliba to the inexperience of the young players, Arsenal fans have conjured up reasons why their side couldn’t last the mile.
But no excuse seems crazier than one Gunners fan, who blamed Queen Elizabeth II’s death last year for their struggles at the end of the season.
In a TikTok video shared by @globalmanunitedfans, the unidentified Arsenal fan claims the Queen’s passing came just when his team were at the peak of their season.
Queen Elizabeth II’s death
Queen Elizabeth II passed on aged 96 years on September 8, 2022, at the Balmoral Castle after ruling for 70 years, as reported by BBC News.
Before her death, Arsenal were supposed to play City on October 19, but a lot of fixtures were rescheduled to allow the nation to mourn the death of the longest-serving monarch.
As the fan argues, had the game been played when it was intended, Arsenal could have beaten Manchester City.
“Our form going into that game was crazy. We had just registered six consecutive wins. We were phenomenal. We were absolutely on fire.
We had no injuries. City had just drawn with Copenhagen [in the Champions League] and lost to Liverpool. We were unlucky because it was a once-in-a-lifetime incident.”
It’s perhaps a good thing he started his argument with the phrase ‘bear with me’.
When the two sides eventually met in the rescheduled fixture on April 26, the defending champions blew away Arsenal 4-1 to register the first tectonic shift in the title race.
The EPL title loss is a moment that will take a while before it fades away, but the young stars under Arteta can take solace in the fact that they dared to rival City for the title.
For Arsenal fans, any excuse that helps them sleep at night is understandable.
Aguero backs Arsenal, Manchester United
Sports Brief also reported that Sergio Aguero named the only two teams he believes have what it takes to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title next season.
Kun, who won the English top flight on five occasions with the mighty Citizens, has backed Arsenal to challenge City for the crown next season, and feels Man United can too.
After hisAS Roma team suffered a defeat to Sevilla in the Europa League final at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Jose Mourinho reacted by throwing his runners-up medal into the crowd moments after receiving it on May 31.
The match saw a first-half goal by Paulo Dybala countered by a Gianluca Mancini own goal, leading to a penalty shootout.
Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou’s save on Mancini’s penalty, along with Roger Ibanez hitting the crossbar, secured Sevilla’s victory and maintained their flawless record in the Europa League final.
It was the first time that Mourinho had lost a European final and the Portuguese manager was, as expected, not impressed about it. Bizarre scenes rocked the medal awarding ceremony when Mourinho broke ranks with his team and went for his medal alone.
Jose Mourinho throws away his runners-up medal to a fan after losing the Europa League final to Sevilla on May 31. Photo by Jonathan Moscrop.
Source: Getty Images
The 60-year-old left his team behind and rushed to the podium to pick his silver medal even before the match officials could be feted. As soon as the medal was hung around his neck, ‘the Special One’ removed it and made a beeline for down the tunnel.
He was then spotted throwing his medal away, which was caught by a young fan in the stands. UEFA officials led by President Aleksander Čeferin then gave the medals to match officials before the rest of the AS Roma squad followed.
Mourinho lashes out at Anthony Taylor
Sports Brief has also reported that Mourinho was spotted hurling obscenities at match referee Anthony Taylor. Mourinho was far from unhappy with some of the decisions made by the English referee.
A video has now surfaced online where Mourinho is heard shouting expletives. The insults are said to have been directed at Anthony Taylor and his team.
“You are a (expletive) disgrace.”
Jose Mourinho confronts Anthony Taylor during the Europa League final between Sevilla and AS Roma. Photo by Clive Rose.
Premier League referee Taylor made a couple of controversial decisions during the game. He first awarded a penalty to Sevilla after Luis Ocampos had been brought down. However, after a VAR review, he rescinded the decision.
After seeing his AS Roma team lose the Europa League final to Sevilla on May 31, Jose Mourinho was seen cursing at referee Anthony Taylor.
Some of the judgements made by the English referee did not make Mourinho happy. After a one-all tie in regulation and extra time, the closely contested battle had to be decided in penalty shootouts.
Roma missed two penalty kicks, allowing Sevilla to win the Europa League for the seventh time. That was Mourinho’s first-ever European championship game. The Portuguese manager hurriedly grabbed his trophy and walked off the pitch.
A video has now surfaced online where Mourinho is heard shouting expletives. Italian Football TV reports that the insults were directed at Anthony Taylor and his team.
The incident happened in what appears to be the parking lot, with Mourinho shouting towards someone not captured in the video. He interchanges between English and Italian languages.
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) June 1, 2023
“You are a (expletive) disgrace.”
Premier League referee Taylor made a couple of controversial decisions during the game. He first awarded a penalty to Sevilla after Luis Ocampos had been brought down. However, after a VAR review, he rescinded the decision.
Anthony Taylor’s decisions
Premier League referee Taylor made a couple of controversial decisions during the game. He first awarded a penalty to Sevilla after Luis Ocampos had been brought down. However, after a VAR review, he rescinded the decision.
Minutes later, Roma thought they deserved a penalty of their own when Ivan Rakitic handled the ball, but Taylor stood his ground and waved the complaints away.
A total of 14 yellow cards were given in the tempered game, with Mourinho criticising Taylor in his post-match comments.
“Next year we won’t be playing theChampions League and that’s a good thing because we’re not made for it,’ he said.
Mourinho throws away his silver medal
At the same time, Sports Brief has reported that Mourinho threw his runners-up medal into the crowd seconds after receiving it on May 31.
It was the first time that Mourinho had lost a European final and the Portuguese manager was, as expected, not impressed about it.
Young fan who caught Mourinho’s medals
Bizarre scenes rocked the medal awarding ceremony when Mourinho broke ranks with his team and went for his medal alone.
Mourinho throws away medal
As soon as the medal was hung around his neck, ‘the Special One’ removed it and made a beeline for down the tunnel.
As rumors linkingKarim Benzema to Saudi club Al Ittihad continue to circulate, the French striker has received advice to consider a move from Europe to the Middle East.
Benzema’s current contract with Real Madrid is due to expire this summer, and while there have been reports of a potential renewal, no official announcement has been made yet.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has reportedly urged Benzema to have a conversation about his future, particularly in light of the growing speculation surrounding a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia, according to Football Espana.
Carlo Ancelotti and Benzema
The 35-year-old, who has endured a topsy-turvy campaign, has reportedly been presented with a contract surpassing €400 million (£346m/$439m) for a span of two seasons, GOAL reports.
Additionally, this agreement includes compensation for his role as an ambassador in the upcoming World Cup bid.
Reports of Benzema’s purported mega contract have left tongues wagging on social media, with many urging the current Ballon d’Or holder to ditch Europe for the money bag in the Middle East.
Fans advise Benzema to leave
A devout Real Madrid fan, @FAROUKATIPAGA, told Benzema:
“Benz, don’t think twice. Just go. You have won everything at club level with the best club in the world. Nothing to prove to anyone again. Go for the bag, Alhaji.”
@Irunnia_ reasoned:
“These Saudi teams are crazy rich. What is Benzema still doing in Madrid? €100 per season is crazy, and he doesn’t have to pay tax. The money is all his. He’s won everything, after all.”
@kwaku_majesty_ added:
“He should leave and go for the big bag.”
@Jack_at_joat reckons Benzema will eventually be tempted to join Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League:
“He’s done it all. He takes the 100m a year. Who the hell wouldn’t at that age?”
@Supreme_Utd rehashed the suggestions of most fans:
“Secure the bag, Benzema. You have won it all already.”
Benzema receives lucrative offer
Earlier, Sports Brief reported thatReal Madrid superstar Karim Benzema could be on his way to Saudi Arabia – if recent reports are anything to go by.
The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to stay at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium last season but is also said to have received a €200 million offer to the Middle East.
The current Ballon d’Or holder has had a hit-and-miss season as Los Blancos have only won one of the three trophies they were vying for, along with the Club World Cup.
Since joining the club from Porto in 2018, the 24-year-old right-back has accumulated 107 appearances across various competitions.
While he spent the 2020-21 season on loan at AC Milan, Dalot has committed his future to Old Trafford by agreeing to a new five-year deal, with the possibility of an additional season.
This extension signifies the optimism and determination within the Manchester United camp as they look forward to a promising future.
“Playing for Manchester United is one of the highest honours that you can have in football,” the 11-cap Portugal international said.
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣8️⃣ ✍️@DalotDiogo has signed fresh terms with the Reds! 🤩#MUFC
“We have shared some fantastic moments over the past five years and I’ve grown so much and my passion for this incredible club has only increased since the day that I joined.
“As a group of players, we all feel like we are at the start of a special journey right now.
“I can assure you that I will dedicate myself relentlessly to helping this group to achieve our aims and make the fans proud of this team.
“That drive continues this week with everyone intensely focused on preparations for the FA Cup final.”
Dalot began the season superblyunder Erik ten Hag, but much-improvedAaron Wan-Bissaka may get the nod to start Saturday’s FA Cup final at right-back.
Irrespective of his role against Manchester City this weekend, United football director John Murtough is delighted by the strides the full-back has made.
“Diogo is an excellent defender, with a great combination of pace, strength and versatility,” he said. “He has consistently developed, improving year-on-year since joining the club in 2018.
“Diogo’s work ethic and professionalism is superb; the way in which he prepares himself every day in order to perform at his highest level is exactly what we all want from a Manchester United player.
“Diogo has a strong mentality, high standards and a great personality, and we are delighted that he will remain an important member of the squad for the coming years.”
Manchester City posed a formidable challenge toArsenal in the Premier League title race and eventually surpassed them. However, there was a point where City could have lost the title as well.
Throughout the season, City trailed behind Arsenal, but they managed to secure the championship with three games remaining.
Arsenal’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest played a significant role in City’s victory, as it ensured Forest’s safety and helped City claim the title.
Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City clinched their third consecutive title and their fifth in the past six years.
The only team to interrupt their dominance was Liverpool, who were crowned champions in 2020.
Ilkay Gundogan lifts the Premier League trophy with his Man City teammates after beating Chelsea. Photo by Visionhaus.
City are on course for a treble with the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan still to come in the next 10 days.
City nearly lost EPL title
One of the advantages Man City had over Arsenal was beating the challengers home and away with an aggregate scoreline of 7-2, which proved helpful in the long run.
However, City’s away form nearly collapsed their own title aspirations.
According to SportBible, against teams who finished in the top nine, the champions only won once – against Arsenal – while also drawing three and losing five.
Attention was somewhat put on Manchester United. According to The Independent, the Red Devils failed to win away against any top nine teams, securing only a draw against Tottenham, but City have it almost the same.
Three consecutive draws against Liverpool, West Ham, and Southampton were crucial to Arsenal’s collapse, but Caught Offside reports that a poor home form where only five teams conceded more goals also cost Mikel Arteta’s side.
City should not underestimate Inter
Manchester City are the odds-on favourite to win the Champions League final against Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 10.
However, Sports Brief analysed two important reasons why City should not underrate Inter, or they could be in for a shocker similar to their loss to Chelsea in 2021.
Felix was surprised to be released by Chelsea immediately after the season ended, leaving him uncertain about his future.
Atletico Madrid, his parent club, considers him surplus to requirements and is actively seeking to offload him.
While Paris Saint-Germain has also been linked with Felix, his preference is to stay in the Premier League and play Champions League football, making Newcastle an attractive prospect.
Felix could join Newcastle this summer Credit: Getty
Atletico are ready to strike another loan deal with a modest fee plus the players wages of around £200K a week covered.
That would be a sticking point as Toon boss Eddie Howe admits his club does struggle on pay.
A split on the salary may have to be agreed.
Felix, 23, is on holiday in Ibiza at the moment while his agent and Atletico resolve his future.
He was under the impression that Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly would turn his six months loan into a full-time transfer this summer.
Instead he has become the first casualty of the new regime under incoming Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino.
The Blues paid the players’ wages in full after signing him on loan in January for a fee of £9.7 million.
Felix was initially a big hit at the club but by the end of the season barely got a look in for games.
The striker, who departed Manchester City and has since made a positive impact at Arsenal this season, was on the verge of joining Chelsea’s London rivals.
However, Tuchel intervened and prevented the transfer, causing surprise among the Chelsea board, as per The Guardian’s report.
Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea
The Blues struggled for goals this term, netting only 38 times in the Premier League.
Problems with strikers were a continuous theme throughout the campaign with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kai Havertz not hitting top form.
Meanwhile, Jesus led Arsenal to a second place finish, scoring 11 league goals despite missing months because of knee surgery.
Reports suggest that the club listened to Tuchel’s wishes on transfers last summer.
He wanted to spend big on defence after losingAntonio Rudiger as well as Andreas Christensen and the choice was also made due to fitness issues regarding Reece James and Ben Chilwell.
Tuchel then splashed £160million on Wesley Fofana, Marc Cucurella and Kalidou Kouliably.
The now Bayern Munich boss was sacked after his relationship with the board became frosty and he was replaced by Graham Potter, who was then axed after just seven months.
Mauricio Pochettino will now take over as manager for next season following on from Frank Lampard’s interim spell.
Mauricio Pochettino is Chelsea’s new manager
Boehly is expected to step back from running the club, which was reportedly always the plan, and not because of poor results on the pitch.
Reports indicate that,Lionel Messi’s camp has expressed dissatisfaction with comments made by FC Barcelona manager Xavi Hernández regarding Messi’s potential return to the Camp Nou.
Xavi had mentioned that the decision ultimately lies with Messi himself.
However, sources close to Messi have reportedly found this statement puzzling, as they believe the situation hinges on Barcelona obtaining approval from La Liga.
Xavi spoke with Messi after PSG defeat
The Catalans need to offload players and comply with the league’s financial constraints.
According to information in the media, the Paris Saint-Germain star has demanded that Barcelona put a formal contract on the table, which is something they cannot do at this stage.
The main stumbling block impeding a sensational return remains the club’s precarious finances – particularly their high wage bill.
In an attempt to lower this,Barcelona have said goodbye to veterans, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets this summer, just six months after veteran defender, Gerard Pique left the club.
Even with a lower wage bill, it remains doubtful that bringing Messi back to Barcelona is viable.
Meanwhile, rumours of a PSG stay have been sparked after the veteran featured in the club’s promotional video for their 2023-24 home kit.
Messi’s transfer options
Messi reportedly has an offer on the table from Saudi Arabian side, Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, other information states that Inter Miami has presented a former proposal to bring the 2022 FIFA World Cup winner to South Florida.
Messi with family in Saudi
Furthermore, a report from TNT Sports Brasil details that barring a drastic shift, the hopes of seeing the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner reunite with his former club are low considering the offrts coming from abroad.
Messi’s father anxious about Barcelona
Sports Brief had earlier reported that Messi’s father and agent, Jorge is sceptical about Messi returning to Barcelona in the summer.
The veteran’s representative is said to be anxious about the club’s offer and reportedly wants to confirm his son’s future as soon as possible.
Messi Senior is also said to be unsure about the Catalans’ financial viability plan and how they will stick to Financial FairPlay rules by La Liga.
The first-ever all-Manchester FA Cup final will take place this weekend at Wembley under the direction of Pep Guardiola and Erik ten Hag.
We have looked more closely at the City and United managers in preparation for Saturday’s matchup in the capital.
Past meetings
This season’s Premier League encounters are the only times these managers have faced off, with City winning the first encounter 6-3 in October before United came back to win 2-1 at Old Trafford in January.
But while they do not have a huge history of playing against one another, these bosses know each other well.
Guardiola and Pep worked together at Bayern
Ten Hag left Go Ahead Eagles in his homeland in 2013 to become head coach of Bayern Munich II — the reserve team of the perennial Bundesliga champions, who were then managed by Guardiola.
The United boss said the Catalan inspired him, with the pair talking regularly and the Dutchman watching him very carefully.Ten Hag has previously described his training sessions as “a joy to watch”.
Guardiola clearly thinks highly of his cross-city rival, who he said would have made an excellent successor for him at the Etihad before his United appointment was confirmed.
Trophies
Pep Guardiola lifted his fifth Premier League title earlier this month
Guardiola, arguably the greatest coach of this generation, boasts an eye-watering medal haul.
The 52-year-old has won 11 top-flight titles — three LaLiga crowns, three Bundesliga titles and now five Premier League triumphs. Guardiola oversaw a pair of Champions League victories at Barcelona, which he hopes to add to against Inter Milan in June’s Istanbul finale.
Pep has also won domestic trophies aplenty wherever he has been, with Saturday offering the chance to win his second FA Cup.
The freshly-crowned LMA Manager of the Year takes on a man that led Ajax to three Eredivisie titles during his time in Amsterdam, as well as a pair of KNVB Cups and the Johan Cruyff Shield.
Ten Hag’s first silverware as a manager was the Regionalliga Bayern title in 2014, while this season’s Carabao Cup victory was his latest triumph and first at United.
This season
Erik ten Hag will hope to be smiling after the final whistle on Saturday
City are looking to write their name in history by matching United’s 1999 Treble heroes. Guardiola’s side saw off Arsenal’s impressive title charge during an unrelenting end to the season that led them to be crowned with three games to spare — their fifth in six years and third in succession.
Inter stand in their way as City make their second Champions League final appearance on June 10, where they would have the chance to wrap up the Treble, unless Ten Hag’s Red Devils can put a spoke in the wheel at Wembley.
United have improved vastly on last season’s wretched campaign to finish third in the Premier League, securing a Champions League return on the back of ending their six-year wait for silverware.
Ten Hag became just the second manager in the club’s medal-laden history to win a major trophy in his first season at the helm with February’s Carabao Cup triumph against Newcastle.
Erik ten Hag wins Carabao cup
Now comes the chance to add another trophy to the cabinet with a statement victory that would end their neighbours’ Treble dreams.
However, on Wednesday morning, PSG released a video showcasing their new kit for the upcoming 2023/24 season, and Messi was prominently featured in the promotional material.
🆕🏟️👕
Presenting our new 23/24 season 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐲 @nikefootball 🟥🟦
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner’s two-year contract with the French giants expires this summer.
According to a report by Goal, Messi currently poised to depart the Ligue 1 club on a free transfer after he was punished for taking a private trip to Saudi Arabia without his manager’s approval.
The Argentine maestro left Barcelonain the summer of 2021 amid the club’s financial difficulties, signing a two-year contract with PSG.
The 35-year-old has made 74 appearances for the French team, contributing to 32 goals and 34 assists while also winning the Ligue 1 in both of his seasons there.
Which club could Messi join?
Throughout the World Cup in Qatar,Messi’s advisors were reportedly in negotiations to extend his contract, but the situation has since altered.
PSG saw the signing of the veteran as a triumph on and off the pitch, but some of the club’s supporters turned against the star after they were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich.
According to a reports by Marca, Barcelona have made explicit their intention to re-sign Messi this summer, and he remains convinced he can still compete at the best level in Europe.
However, it is unclear just how the Catalans will afford to bring him back to Camp Nou, with La Liga said to be skeptical about their current plans and how they will align with FFP regulations.
Messi has also attracted interest from Saudi Arabia and the MLS in America.
PSG wins 11th Ligue1 title
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that PSG clinched a record 11th title in Ligue 1 as Lionel Messi scored in a 1-1 draw away at Strasbourg.
His opener was cancelled out by a Kevin Gameiro equaliser, yet the result gave the Parisians an unassailable lead over Lens in second.
PSG moved ahead of the previous record of 10 titles set by Saint-Etienne in 1981, which they equalled under Mauricio Pochettino.
On October 17, 2023, the national teams of Ghana, Black Stars and the United States of America (USA) are set to compete in an international friendly match.
As part of their preparations for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches, the U.S. Men’s National Team has organized two notable friendly encounters.
First, they will face the four-time World champions, Germany, on Saturday, October 14, in Hartford, Connecticut.
Following that, just three days later, the USA will welcome the Black Stars of Ghana to GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tennessee.
The match will be televised by TNT and Universo, with streaming available on Max and Peacock, starting at 8 p.m. ET. The kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Ghana to face off USA in friendlies
Ghana has twice knocked the United States out of World Cups (2006, 2010) and will be seeking their first win on U.S. soil in the all-time series.
“We have always been looking for these kinds of opportunities to continue our team-building exercise so playing against the United States of America has come in handy” President Simeon-Okraku told ghanafa.
‘’We have two more matches to end the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and would need matches of this nature to prepare for future assignments i.e. the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
“The game presents to us a very good platform to test our strength against one of the best teams in the World,’’ Simeon-Okraku added.
The imminent task ahead for the Black Stars is the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar next month.
Young made over 100 appearances for Watford before joining Villa in 2007.
He signed for Manchester United in 2011 and won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League during nine years at Old Trafford.
Young moved to Inter in 2020 and became the third Englishman to win Italy’s top prize after Jimmy Greaves and Gerry Hitchens in 1963.
The 39-times England international, who can play as a left-back or left wing, made 32 appearances last season and 250 for Villa across his two spells with the club.
Ashley Young is an English professional footballer who primarily plays as a winger or full-back. He was born on July 9, 1985, in Stevenage, England. Young began his youth career at Watford and eventually made his professional debut for the club in 2003.
Young quickly made a name for himself with his pace, versatility, and technical skills on the pitch. He caught the attention of Premier League side Aston Villa, where he played from 2007 to 2011. During his time at Villa, Young established himself as one of the top talents in English football, earning several individual accolades and attracting interest from larger clubs.
In 2011, Young made a high-profile transfer to Manchester United, one of the most successful clubs in England. He spent eight seasons at Old Trafford, contributing significantly to the team’s success. During his time at Manchester United, Young won numerous trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup, and UEFA Europa League.
Known for his versatility, Young often played as a winger or full-back but could also fill in as an attacking midfielder. He was praised for his work rate, crossing ability, and set-piece expertise. Young also represented the England national team, earning over 40 caps and participating in major tournaments such as theFIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championship.
In 2020, Young transferred to Italian club Inter Milan, where he continued to showcase his skills in Serie A. His stint at Inter Milan was successful, as the team won the Serie A title in the 2020-2021 season.
Overall, Ashley Young’s career has been marked by consistent performances, versatility, and success at both the club and international levels.
Mount, meanwhile, is wanted by a string of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool.
Elsewhere, Ruben Loftus-Cheek appeared to say his final goodbyes to fans during Chelsea’s final game of the season against Newcastle ahead of a proposed move to the Serie A.
Pochettino approves first Chelsea signing
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Mauricio Pochettino has okayed Chelsea’s pursuit of Sporting Lisbon star Manuel Ugarte.
Ugarte is wanted at Stamford Bridge to partner with Enzo Fernandez in the central midfield department.
According to Katia Aviero, Cristiano Ronaldo‘s sister, the reason they avoid discussing Lionel Messi at home is because Ronaldo and Messi have been involved in a football rivalry spanning over 15 years.
Given their dominance in the sport and the countless discussions and accolades surrounding them, the family likely prefers to keep those conversations separate from their personal environment.
With a combined 12 Ballon d’Ors between them, among other achievements, the two are arguably the greatest players to ever grace a football game.
Ronaldo with sister, Katia and Messi with World Cup trophy (R)
The rivalry hit fever-pitch during their days in Spain when Ronaldo used to turn out for Real Madrid and Messi for their Classico rivals, Barcelona. The duo has always maintained great respect for each other but have admitted they pushed each other to the limits.
Ronaldo vs Messi GOAT debate
The GOAT debate has also been a divisive issue among fans for quite a long time. In the Ronaldo household, they have a silent rule of not talking about Messi when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is home. They do this to keep Ronaldo away from all the gruesome debates and routines of the outside world.
“We don’t talk about Messi at home.Cristiano knows that behind the door, there is a whirlwind. And that when he goes through the door from the outside to the inside, he is protected. That’s where that he recharges all his batteries,” Katia said in a 2018 interview.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2015 Ballon d’Or gala in Switzerland. Photo by Philipp Schmidli.
Ronaldo left Los Blancos for Juventus in 2018 before rejoining Manchester United in 2021. His contract at Old Trafford was ripped up and he joined Saudi Arabia giants Al-Nassr. On the other hand, Barcelona’s financial issues saw them lose Messi on a free transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
It is undeniable that Ronaldo and Messi are incredibly talented and accomplished athletes who have achieved numerous records and accolades throughout their careers, but the question still lingers – who is the GOAT?
Offering his two pence on the discussion, Carlos, who was known for his intense love for training and dedication to his craft, tilted towards Ronaldo in the GOAT argument.
Ernest Nuamah, a promising young forward, has received his first call-up to the Ghana national team, known as the Black Stars, for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in June.
National coach Chris Hughton has included the winger in the 24-man squad for the crucial match in Antananarivo on June 18.
Nuamah, who has been in outstanding form for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga, has caught the attention of the coaching staff, leading to his inclusion in the Black Stars team.
The talented player has been a standout performer for the Ghana U23 team, which has further boosted his chances of making it to the senior national team.
In addition to Nuamah, the squad list released on the official Ghana FA website also features the return of Alidu Seidu from Clermont Foot and Kwasi Okyere Wriedt from Holstein Kiel.
Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey have not been included in the squad due to their respective injuries while Kamal Sowah was seemingly not invited.
Captain, Andre Ayew and his brother, Jordan Ayew are also part of the team alongside Arsenal’s Thomas Partey.
In-form Inaki Williams will be hoping to break his goal-scoring duck with the national team, exactly a year after announcing his nationality switch.
The four-time African champions need one point to secure qualification to the tournament in Ivory Coast next year.
The Ghanaian international, who had previously gone on strike in an attempt to secure a transfer to Everton last year, now has his sights set on a move to a higher-profile club.
Kudus had an impressive season with Ajax in 2022-23, finding the back of the net 18 times. Additionally, he contributed two goals during the World Cup, including a crucial match-winning performance against South Korea.
His stellar performances have caught the attention of several Champions League clubs, who are closely monitoring the talented attacker.
Given his potential and the impact he could make, Kudus has the potential to be one of the standout bargains in the upcoming transfer window.
Ajax reshuffle
After failing to win the Eredivisie title for the first time since 2018, Ajax need to make a few changes this summer.
Fortunately, they produce and develop talent so well that the funds needed to freshen up their squad are never far away.
Kudus is out of contract in two years’ time and the priority for the Dutch side is to raise as much capital from his sale as possible, rather than allow his value to diminish.
And the dynamic goal threat is seemingly set on an exit too, with his agent Jennifer Mendelewitsch telling Dutch media: “I think it is best for both Ajax and Mohammed that he leaves now. Now is the right time.
“He has rejected an offer to extend his contract until the summer of 2026.
“What I can say is that after the World Cup and this season there is a lot of interest in Kudus.”
Mohammed Kudus is contemplating his future at Ajax
He does not mind ruffling a few feathers, either, following up last summer’s strike action by involving himself in fisticuffs with Neymar in a pre-World Cup friendly for the Black Stars.
After a few heated exchanges in the match between Ghana and Brazil, the forward said: “He’s not better than me. He’s just a higher profile player, that’s all.
“I wasn’t about to let him push me around. What makes him better, for now, is that he has achieved a lot. I’ll get there soon.”
Style of play
Kudus’ style of play reflects that confidence.
No player completed more dribbles per game in the Dutch top tier this term, while he also ranked in the top 20 for shots.
Like several attackers with such a creative skill-set, he believes he is at his best when seeing as much of the ball as possible.
Kudus said: “I still feel that I can do my best in the No10 position. I talked about that with [ex-Ajax] trainer Erik ten Hag. In his style of play, creative and attacking, I saw myself.”
Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling has expressed his support for the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as the club’s new manager.
Following the sacking of Graham Potter back in February due to poor performances, the Premier League giants have been on the lookout for a permanent manager.
Initially, former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann and Spaniard Luis Enrique were considered frontrunners for the job at Stamford Bridge.
However, Pochettino emerged victorious, securing the position after being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain almost a year ago.
Mauricio Pochettino at PSG
This marks Pochettino’s return to the managerial role, and Sterling is among those who endorse his appointment.
Sky Sports reports that Pochettino’s appointment was confirmed on Monday, May 29, with the ex-PSG boss said to have penned a two-year deal with the west Londoners.
Sterling backs Mauricio Pochettino
Sterling, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, has now declared that Pochettino is the right man for the job at Stamford Bridge.
While Poch will be inheriting a shell-shocked squad which finished a lowly 12th with a paltry 44 points, Sterling contends he has what it takes to steer the club to greater heights.
Raheem Sterling
The former Man City winger went on to highlight the three qualities the Argentine will be bringing with him to Stamford Bridge.
“He will bring leadership, he will challenge players physically and mentally. I feel he is going to come here and he is going to have the personality that everyone is going to respect,” Sterling said via The Sun.
“That’s what we need, someone in charge,” he added.
Poch is no stranger to the Premier League, having previously managed Tottenham Hotspurand Southampton.
On Monday, May 29, an official statement fromChelsea confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino would be the next Head Coach of the club
Taking over from Frank Lampard on July 1, Pochettino faces the daunting challenge of leading a team that has struggled despite its talented squad.
Reports suggest that Pochettino’s appointment has been well-received by the players, adding a positive note to what has been a turbulent season in West London since the departure of Thomas Tuchel.
While Pochettino brings proven Premier League experience, his lack of silverware has often been cited as a drawback in his coaching career.
That notwithstanding, his ability to turn young players into world beaters like what he did with Delle Alli and Harry Kane is unquestionable.
What to expect from Pochettino
Chelsea’s faithful will be hoping he can mould the current team into something constructive. Todd Boehly has brought in a raft of young new players like Mykhailo Mudryk, Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke.
So, how does Pochettino operate? Forget his tactical acumen and man management; the Argentine coach has other rituals or superstitions that he holds dear to his heart. These will soon make their way to Stamford Bridge.
1. Bowl of lemons
The former Tottenham boss keeps a bowl of fresh lemons in his office to absorb negative energy. In a past interview with Talk SPORT in 2019, he said;
“So when people arrive with bad every, the energy is going to be in the lemon and not in myself. It’s like a sponge. It takes all the negativity.
“You can see it. It’s unbelievable! I change the lemons every ten days but sometimes every three or four days, they become ugly.”
2. Walking on hot coal
This sounds like training for deep undercover military personnel, but surprise, Pochettino has in the past made his players walk over hot coal.
As the Sun reports, Pochettino brought in motivation expert Xesco Espar ahead of his Champions League final against Liverpool in Madrid for this daring exercise.
3. Reading players’ aura
In the modern world, managers often use video replays and training sessions to judge how fit and ready a player is for a game.
“I need data and tests, but what most influences my decisions is my ability to see if the right energy is flowing. I can foresee things that are going to happen and the associated consequences or which path each player is going to take. I can see it in their auras,” he said in his book Brave New World authored by Guillem Ballague.
So I finally finished 'Brave New World' by Guillem Balague about Pochettino's 16/17 season at Spurs. The one thing I take from this is… I miss him. Great insight into how he worked and his motivation. And the section from Levy… It just had me shaking my head the whole time. pic.twitter.com/LXQBtdZ7Ys
It gets scarier or funnier, depending on your sense of humour. Pochettino also had his players attempt to snap arrowheads with their throats. Crazy, huh?
“When you see the arrow, you think ‘, It’s impossible; how am I going to break the arrow against my throat?’
“You say: ‘No, come on, I am going to kill myself.’ You put it with the sharp tip against your throat, but then, bang, you come forward and break the arrow.
“The most important thing is to learn how you can prepare your mind. To be focused. To be proactive. This is key in football.”
It is not known whether any player managed to break the arrowheads or if he had any volunteers, for that matter.
5. Gacon test
Chelsea players should prepare for lots of running in the Pochettino era to test their endurance. In his book, the 51-year-old documented how he uses a proven gruelling run called the Gacon test.
“To start with, the players have 45 seconds to cover 150 metres, with 15 seconds to rest. In each subsequent 45-second rep, they have to run 6.25 metres further, with the intensity steadily increasing.”
6. Specific washing powder
It gets crazier. Pochettino is said to have a specific washing powder that he wants the first-team jerseys to be washed with. He believes that the smell goes a long way in impacting good performances on the pitch.
7. Records training sessions
It is unheard of for managers to record training and gym sessions. But in Piochettino’s world, it is different. His former player Danny Rose was astounded by this practice.
“He was the first manager I came across who records training, records gym sessions. There are no hiding places,” as quoted by the Telegraph.
8. No fines for players
For a manager with very bizarre routines and mannerisms, it would come as a shock that he doesn’t necessarily believe in fining his wayward players.
He, however, still demands respect, especially for the club owners to be greeted with a firm handshake.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that these, coupled up with the massive investment done in the last transfer windows, will help catapult the club back to English royalty. Cause the bottom-half place they are set to finish in this year is not it.
As previously stated, Pochettino’s lack of trophies during his first spell in England with Tottenham Hotspur has always been a consideration when judging his suitability to manage a top club.
However, as Sports Brief reported, he might be the answer to a struggling Chelsea side in dire need of an uplift.
In Poch, Chelsea will get a manager who is willing to put everything on the line while attacking. Scoring goals has been the club’s main issue this season and looking at Pochettino’s previous teams, it was an area he addressed pretty well.
Sadio Mane, a forward from Senegal, expressed his joy when Bayern Munich won the Bundesliga on the last day of the regular season.
Bayern needed to defeat Koln in order to increase their chances of Borussia Dortmund losing at home to Mainz on a momentous German league day.
Kingsley Coman gave the Bavarians the lead, but Dejan Ljubicic’s penalty-point conversion for the hosts tied the score with nine minutes still to play.
Sadio Mane was named Player of the Tournament as Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations this year
With Dortmund losing 2-1 in the other game, the Black and Yellows were set to be crowned champions. However, their dreams were dashed after Jamal Musiala netted a late winner for Bayern Munich, as reported by the BBC.
Mane, who has struggled for form in recent times, took to social media to share his delight and hopes to return next season in good form.
“What a season!! But Alhamdoulilah. Time to go rest and come back stronger,” the African Player of the Year said via Twitter.
Meanwhile, his future in Germany remains in doubt after reports claimed he would be sold at the end of the campaign.
Mane joined Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window from Liverpool but has been plagued by issues including injuries, form, and his bust-up with teammate, Leroy Sane.
Sadio Mane celebrates Bundesliga win with teamates
Bayern win 11th straight Bundesliga
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Dortmund gifted Bayern the Bundesliga title on a shocking final day in the German top flight, with a stunning collapse turning Borussia’s swan song into a dirge.
The Bavarians had taken an early lead through Kingsley Coman against Koln while Dortmund went 2-0 down in the first half versus Mainz, missing a penalty that would’ve tied the score at one apiece.
Dortmund entered the day at the top of the table and despite dominated the game, Mainz’s Andreas Hanche-Olsen and Karim Onisiwo’s goals were enough as the Black and Yellows stumbled to second.
Quincy Promes, the former Netherlands and Ajax Amsterdam forward, is facing legal action for his alleged participation in the smuggling of narcotics – cocaine.
He stands accused of trafficking the banned substance in two separate shipments with an estimated value of around 75 million euros. These shipments were intercepted in Antwerp in 2020.
According to NOS, Promes is due to appear for a pre-trial hearing on Monday, June 6.
The reports indicate that if he does not return to the Netherlands, the court proceedings can proceed in his absence, with a lawyer representing him as authorized.
Additionally, Quincy Promes is currently facing a charge of aggravated assault following the emergence of new evidence relating to a stabbing incident, per GOAL.
During a family event, it is alleged that Quincy Promes stabbed his cousin in the knee. Despite initially denying the accusations, Promes was reportedly captured confessing to the stabbing in a police wiretap.
He currently plies his trade in Russia with Spartak Moscow after stints with Dutch sides FC Twente and Ajax while also turning out for La Liga side Sevilla.
Promes suspected of trafficking, attempted murder
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Spartak Moscow winger Quincy Promes is the suspect of being involved in illicit substance trafficking racket and being a member of a criminal organization, as per De Telegraaf.
Promes was arrested in June 2020 for stabbing his cousin at a family party, and the police started to tap his phone after that.
The former Ajax winger and his family reportedly invested a huge amount to buy 400 kgs of c0caine that were intercepted by Belgian police in April 2020.
Footballer, girlfriend arrested
In a related article, Sports Brief reported that a professional footballer and his girlfriend were reportedly arrested at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France, at the weekend.
The former Martinique international and current Aiglon du Lamentin player in their first division was reportedly placed in pre-trial custody on Sunday, January 1.
Ghanaian defender, Tariq Lamptey, has shed light on the reasons behind the successful first season of Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion.
De Zerbi, who previously coached Sassuolo, took over the reins from Graham Potter early in the season after Potter’s departure to Chelsea.
Under De Zerbi’s guidance, Brighton & Hove Albion achieved a historic feat by securing European qualification for the first time in their history, finishing in sixth place in the recently concluded campaign.
Tariq lamptey quits England for Ghana
Lamptey attributes the team’s transformation and success to the impact of De Zerbi, who has proven to be a skillful and influential manager.
His managerial prowess has made Brighton & Hove Albion a formidable side, enabling them to achieve remarkable results and earn their spot in European competition.
“I have worked under two great coaches [Potter] and [De Zerbi] now and we have played attractive football.
We always try to be on the front foot and score a lot of goals and it is entertaining to watch, to be honest,” he told Citi Sport, as quoted by GHANA Soccernet.
He said the tendency of Brighton to pass was something practiced during training and the Italian helped bring these techniques into games.
Following their success this season, Brighton will now compete in the Europa League.
“Qualifying to play in Europe is amazing. It is the first time in the history of the club and it is very exciting to be part of this achievement,” Lamptey added.
The 22-year-old has been out of action since March after picking up an injury in the match against West Ham United, as reported by The Athletic.
Lamptey missed Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and has been ruled out of the upcoming game against Madagascar in June.
Lamptey explains Ghana switch
Previously, Sports Brief reported that ex-England youth international, Lamptey revealed why he switched nationalities to Black Stars.
Although he was born in England to Ghanaian parents and represented the country at a youth level, he changed to the west Africans in June last year.
Tariq Lamptey on display for Black Stars
Lamptey was eventually named in Ghana’s national squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, having made his debut against Brazil in September that year.
This conversation between Guardiola and Neymar comes shortly after news surfaced indicating that Manchester United could be among the clubs expressing interest in acquiring the winger’s services.
Neymar had an exceptional individual season in France before his involvement was hindered by an ankle injury, cutting short his further participation.
Neymar suffered ankle injury in 2023
PSG were then eliminated from the Champions League, provoking angry reactions from the club’s ultras, who have now demanded that Neymar and Lionel Messi leave the club.
While Messi will be a free agent,Neymar remains contracted until 2027 and it remains to be seen if the French side will want to cash in on him.
As L’Euipe reports, Guardiola checked in on the 31-year-old, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that Manchester City will move in for him.
On paper, Manchester City are among the few clubs that can pay the astronomical wages of the former Barcelona man. The Mirror adds that Manchester United are also tempted by the possibility of bringing Neymar to Old Trafford.
How Guardiola could line up with Neymar
Despite his injury concerns, Neymar is a world-class player who would readily walk into any team.
Should Guardiola’s phone calls turn into a move to the Etihad, Sports Brief takes a look at how he would fit Guardiola’s plans. The Spanish manager has shown over the years that he is not afraid to tweak his system.
1. As a left winger
This is the Brazilian’s position of strength. he has played a majority of his career from the left wing due to the lethal nature of his right foot. Jack Grealish has, however, made this position his own this season after initially struggling since joining from Aston Villa.
2. As a secondary striker
Should Guardiola stick with Grealish on the left wing, Neymar could easily be moved into a secondary striker position.
It is the same position he adopted under Tite in the Brazil national team set up to allow for Vinicius Junior’s inclusion into the team.
Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 formation would see him play alongside Kevin De Bruyne, just behind Erling Haaland and just in front of a double pivot midfield, usually of John Stones and Rodri, with Grealish and Bernardo Silva covering the flanks.
This could also solve the Ilkay Gundogan issue. The skipper is yet to agree a new deal with the club.
3. As a number 10
This is highly unlikely given that Guardiola rarely uses the 4-2-3-1 formation to allow for the number 10 to play behind the striker. However, De Bruyne slightly dropping in deep could allow Neymar to play in between two wingers, just behind the main striker.
Guardiola could as easily come up with a different position for the talented forward. It would be exciting to see what he adds to the current Manchester City team should he join this summer.
Neymar skips title celebrations
Sports Brief has also reported that Neymar elected not to travel to Strasbourg, where a solitary Lionel Messi goal secured a 1-1 draw for the Parisians and confirmed their second successive Ligue 1 title.
The Brazilian instead attended the showcase Formula 1 event in Monaco and was pictured alongside Hollywood superstars like Tom Holland, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Douglas – a decision that has not gone down well with the club.
Neymar’s absence from their title celebrations has reportedly been seen as an ‘act of provocation’ by the PSG hierarchy, as his exit this summer appears increasingly likely.
Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, will be led by head coach Chris Hughton in their upcoming 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifier against Madagascar.
Hughton has announced a 24-man squad comprising 3 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 5 midfielders, 4 wingers, and 4 strikers.
The squad sees the return of defender Alidu Seidu and forward Kwasi Okyere Wreidt, while Ernest Nuamah has received his first-ever call-up to the national team, marking his debut in the squad.
Injured players, Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Salisu, Tariq Lamptey and Daniel Kofi Kyereh were left out of the squad.
No local player was named in the squad by coach Chris Hughton.
Black Stars coach, Chris Hughton and Ghanaian player, Edmund Addo
The Black Stars of Ghana will take on Madagascar on June 18, 2023, at 17:00 GMT. The game will take place at the Stade Kianja Barea in Antananarivo.
Below is the squad list;
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)
Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC),Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)
Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)
Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).
In an interview with Dornu’s Corner, Dogboe dismissed these claims as fake news and attributed them to a particular prophet who he believes is intentionally trying to ruin his marriage and his relationship with Isaac.
Furthermore, Dogboe expressed his frustration with the same prophet for spreading false information about him owing money to residents of Anyako.
He emphasized that these allegations are baseless and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
“When you trust and they mess you up and they make people believe other things …. Even in my own village, I go out of that village clean, helping the village people so much so that I went back to England having nothing.
When I came back I had people going around saying that I owed people from the village.
“They go around using my name to extort money from people. They were saying that I’ve slept with a mother and her two daughters.
Can you imagine? This is just to mess me up. This is the kind of stuff that a man God says about me.
“If God talks to you, you should know that what you are saying is not true. It’s so bad. The lies you can tell to destroy somebody and his wife and kids,” he said.
Isaac and his dad and former manager
Paul Dogboe in the same interview implored his son to settle some debts he owed certain investors who contributed to his success in the sport.
“One of the fights, against Cesar Juarez, we had tickets that we obtained on credit for $40,000 from Islam, who usually provides us with complimentary tickets. I owed Jerere $5000, and I paid him.
I settled with Patrick as well, so there were small debts that I managed to clear. The only outstanding petty debt is $6,000 owed to Cephas,” Paul Dogboe revealed.
Paul continued, recounting the conversation he had with his son when Isaac informed him that he no longer wanted him to manage his career. “I said, ‘Okay, I have given you my blessing, but remember there are debts.’
I sent him a text listing all the debts, and he called John Marfo, promising to settle them. So, how is it that he then approached Uncle Mitch for a $70,000 loan?”
Paul Dogboe expressed his disappointment, stating, “There was a time he said he would send me money, but I told him I didn’t need it; he should pay off the debts instead. He gave me a thumbs-up, so I thought my son was being responsible and clearing his debts.”
A former British military officer, Paul revealed that he sometimes regrets leaving his well-paid job to devote himself to his son’s boxing career.
He further revealed that individuals he had brought in to assist with his son’s training spread falsehoods and encouraged Isaac Dogboe to distance himself from his father.
“You are surrounded by people whom I introduced you to, yet they harbored ill intentions towards me while I had nothing but good intentions for you.
I sacrificed my lucrative job to support you,” Paul expressed with a tinge of regret.
Paul Dogboe disclosed that his life has taken a downward spiral, resulting in the sale of his house in England following his divorce from Isaac’s mother. The proceeds, he says were used to secure another property with a new mortgage.
Manchester United fans have been expressing their anger following a significant alteration to the club’s iconic badge.
It has been reported that the club’s upcoming third kit for the next season will showcase notable changes, particularly to the badge design, as Adidas, the kit designer, has chosen a minimalist approach.
According to The Sun, the new kit will feature a simplified representation of the devil instead of the traditional club crest, which has been a prominent symbol associated with Manchester United for many years.
Man Utd badge
This modification has provoked a strong reaction from supporters of the club.
The publication adds that the kit will also be without the words ‘Manchester United’, the club’s badge layout or the ship, which have been mainstay features on United’s merchandise since the 1970s.
Leaked photos of the new design showed that the kit will only feature a devil, which is white in colour.
This has not gone down well with a majority of fans, who quickly took to social media to express their displeasure with the new design.
@forealutd tweeted:
“We’re the Red Devils and our badge has a devil so why not?”
At the time, only the words football club were removed.
Meanwhile, there has been a raging debate if the ship on the United’s badge is an appropriate symbol as it risks the association with the slave trade.
🚨🚨🌕| JUST IN: #mufc are making an historic change to their third kit next season by dropping the club crest and replacing it with an image of a devil. [@lauriewhitwell] pic.twitter.com/ESCzwCKBa6
However, according to The Athletic, the latest changes are purely a design choice made by Adidas, who are United’s kit makers.
Be that as it may, the Red Devils’ home and away kits will still feature the classic badge.
Ten Hag speaks on Greenwood
Earlier, Sports Brief reported Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has broken his long silence on Mason Greenwood’s situation at Old Trafford.
Greenwood has not played for the Red Devils for more than 16 months following his suspension at the club after he was arrested and charged with assault.
As of March this year, Ghana has been ranked seventh out of 122 contributing countries by theUnited Nations (UN) in terms of its involvement in peacekeeping efforts.
The global deployment of peacekeepers by the UN during this period reached a total of 76,712 individuals, consisting of 70,257 males and 6,455 females.
Among the 6,455 women deployed, Ghana accounted for 429 of them, positioning the country as the fourth highest contributor worldwide and the second highest in Africa when it comes to the deployment of women in peacekeeping operations.
In all, Ghana has so far deployed a total of 2,762 peacekeepers to various parts of the world.
UN Peacekeeping Day
The UN Resident Coordinator, Charles Abani, made this known during a flagraising and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers on the theme: “Peace begins with me: 75 years of UN Peacekeeping” in Accra yesterday.
Men and women who have dedicated their lives to upholding peace and security around the world and also contributed to peacekeeping were rewarded for their various contributions.
Tributes were also paid to fallen heroes who died in the course of peacekeeping operations.
A symbolic tree planting exercise was held to honour fallen peacekeepers globally.
Commendation
Mr Abani commended Ghana for her unwavering commitment since its first participation in the operations in the 1960s by providing soldiers, police officers and civilian personnel to numerous peacekeeping operations across the globe.
“Earlier this month, 700 Ghanaian peacekeepers, including 68 women were awarded the prestigious UN medal for their commitment to shaping a more peaceful and prosperous future for the peace of the world’s youngest nation,” he said.
Mr Abani also expressed appreciation to Captain Cecelia Erzuah who served as a peacekeeper with the UN Interim Security Forces in Abyei for receiving the 2022 UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award.
The award was for her advocacy role on gender equality and community engagement to address the peoples’ concerns.
According to Mr Abani, the dedication and sacrifices of peacekeepers could not be monetised due to the fact that some had paid a price with their lives in the course of peace under the UN flag.
“The legacy of these peacekeepers should inspire us to take action, recognising the fact that peace begins with you, me and us,” he added.
Mr Abani further said that attaining peace was the collective responsibility of everyone and not just the sole efforts of international organisations and governments.
He reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to continue to be a reliable partner in the agenda for peacekeeping.
Support
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Kofi Amankwa-Manu, called for all hands on deck to support peacekeeping operations, provide the necessary resources and also empower peacekeepers with the tools they need to carry out their mission.
The Deputy Minister of the MFARI, Thomas Mbomba, said there was the need to strengthen partnership between the UN and regional and sub-regional bodies such as the AU and the European Union.
Instead of joining his teammates in Strasbourg, Neymar, the star player of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), chose not to travel, but joins Monaco Grand Prix.
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s sole goal secured a 1-1 draw, ultimately securing PSG’s second consecutive Ligue 1 title.
Neymar, who has been a crucial contributor to PSG’s success this season, with 13 goals and 11 assists, has been dealing with an injury since March when he twisted his ankle.
Despite being sidelined, the Brazilian forward made his presence felt at the prestigious Formula 1 event in Monaco, where he was photographed alongside Hollywood celebrities such as Tom Holland, Orlando Bloom, and Michael Douglas.
Neymar snubs Ligue 1 Title celebration for Monaco Grand Prix
However, despite Christophe Galtier telling reporters the forward’s absence was due to mobility issues, French outlet, L’Equipe have claimed his decision has not gone down well with the club.
Neymar’s absence from their title celebrations has reportedly been seen as an ‘act of provocation’ by the PSG hierarchy, as his exit this summer appears increasingly likely.
The Brazilian has come in for staunch criticism this campaign, with more vocal supporters going as far as to verbally abuse the player outside his own home in France.
Neymar’s absences fuel transfer rumours
Yet another absence from team activity has led to increasing reports of a potential move away from the club, with rumoursindicating Neymar could join the Premier League.
According to a report by 90 min , Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United are touted as possible destinations, while Man City coach, Pep Guardiola has reportedly already been in contact with the Brazilian.
Neymar celebrates with Formula 1 stars with Poker plays
The 31-year-old forward wasn’t the only high-profile PSG player to miss out on their Ligue 1 triumph this weekend, with Messi attending a Coldplay concert in Barcelona just a day after starring in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
Both players’ futures in the French capital look uncertain, as they promise to become two transfer sagas that could dominate this summer’s window.
Neymar discusses attending Formula 1
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Neymar attended the Monaco GP on Sunday a day after his club claimed Ligue 1.
The Brazilian was pictured meeting Spider-Man star, Tom Holland at the venue while PSG celebrated its title win.
Ancelotti, who was unable to successfully defend his Champions League crown this year after Madrid withdrew from the tournament in the semifinals, has staked his prediction on Mourinho’s ability to inspire Roma to their second consecutive European championship.
After edging off Feyenoord to win the inaugural UEFA Conference League last season, the Eternal City team will be hoping to add the Europa League, a trophy Mourinho has won on two times, to their trophy cabinet, according to Mirror.
SEVILLE, SPAIN – MAY 05: Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid attends the Press conference at Estadio de La Cartuja on May 05, 2023 in Seville, Spain. Real Madrid will face CA Osasuna in the Copa del Rey final on May 6, 2023. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Assessing the chances of Jose and his charges, Ancelotti highlighted the transformation Sevilla have experienced under Spanish gaffer José Luis Mendilibar.
“After a difficult start, Sevilla were able to climb out of the relegation zone. Now they’re well organized,” the 63-year-old said as quoted by Roma Press.
He continued: “Roma have the opportunity to go for the win. In addition, the Giallorossi have a very experienced coach when it comes to finals and who will play his part on the touchline. Let’s hope Roma wins.”
Mourinho eyes Europa League success
Earlier, Sports Brief reported thatRoma manager Jose Mourinho has never lost a European final, while Sevilla are six from six in Europa League finals. Something has to give in Budapest on Wednesday.
Portugal’s Mourinho has five major continental titles to his name — two Champions League wins, two Europa League trophies and last year’s triumph in the inaugural Europa Conference League with the Italian side.
Mourinho kisses trophy
The 60-year-old announced himself on the big stage in 2003 when he led Porto to the UEFA Cup, the Europa League’s precursor, and the following year he won the Champions League.
Pochettino was officially announced as the permanent boss on Monday, May 29, taking over from Graham Potter, who was sacked in February.
Lampard had taken the reins of the west London club in an interim capacity after Potter’s dismissal.
However, the legendary midfielder struggled to achieve positive results during his tenure, securing only one victory in the 12 matches he oversaw.
The disappointing run came to a close with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on the final day of the season.
According to Metro UK, the Stamford Bridge dwellers were only able to rack up just 44 points throughout the entire season, their lowest points tally in Premier League history.
While the ex-Everton boss endorsed the appointment, he warned Pochettino that ‘there is a lot of work to be done’ at Chelsea.
The former England international further revealed that he believes standards have dropped in the dressing room.
“I’m a big fan of Pochettino as a manager, he’s a very good manager but it’s not about which individual it might be, it’s about getting the right, high-level of manager,” Lampard said via Football London.
“Pochettino’s history tells you he works with clubs at this sort of level. Then let them get to work with the players to try and create a solid identity in a team that can win more games. Those things are not always overnight things. We have to be careful with expectations a little bit,” he added.
Chelsea to sign Felix permanently?
Sports Brief previously reported that Chelsea could sign Felix in a player-swap deal.
Felix was a mainstay figure during Graham Potter’s stint at the club, but has played a less prominent role since the arrival of Frank Lampard, who took charge as the caretaker boss after Potter was sacked.
Recent reports suggest Chelsea are keen to have Felix continue at the club beyond this summer.
Former President John Mahama’s promise to scrap the ex-gratia when given the presidential mantle again in 2024 has sparked several controversies among many, including the Managing Director of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea, who has challenged the ex-president to stop taking it ahead of the elections.
Speaking on Monday, 29th May during a JoyNews interview on the current state of Ghana’s economy and other matters, including Ghana’s IMF bailout, KKD jabbed the government to prioritize the needy, not the greedy.
KKD
Pension schemes such as SSNIT and other insurance covers are enough to sustain the beneficiaries of the ex-gratia.
“Now I think ex-gratia should be scrapped… We have SSNIT. If you pay into that, depending on your profession and position, you may go home with your full salary; some get less.
“So the people who are already in the highest positions and will go home with perhaps their full salary when they go on pension are the ones who are still looking for more.
“Let’s serve the needy, not the greedy, Ghana, listen; serve the needy, not the greedy,” the cultural icon fumed.
He took a swipe at “our elders” and some laws, including some provisions of Article 71, which provides ex-gratia for retired government officials.
“We have to question our elders. Not all our elders are brilliant, and we have to accept that now. From the days of slavery until now.
And some of them looked at the exigencies at the time and put certain things into law, but not all laws make sense.
“There was a time when slavery was in law, so are we going to say it was a good law?” he noted.
KKD called ex-gratia “a bad idea” and wants a complete abolishment of it, however, through right constitutional procedures.
“The ex-gratia idea is a bad idea if the people who are taking it would stand up and say, like the former president, Mahama is saying, you know, I will speak to my people and tell them if I’m going to give you an appointment, you must accept that you will not take ex-gratia, and then they would go through the court processes and parliament.
“We need to scrap it, and we need to do that lawfully.”
Akufo-Addo
While the 1992 Constitution of Ghana does not explicitly mention the term “ex-gratia,” it has become a commonly used phrase to describe the retirement benefits provided to government employees who fall under the scope of Article 71 office holders in the constitution.
Article 71 office holders include the President, Vice President, Speaker of Parliament, Chief Justice, and Justices of the Supreme Court.
Additionally, it includes Members of Parliament (MPs), Ministers of State, political appointees, and certain public servants whose salaries are funded by the Consolidated Fund and who enjoy special constitutional privileges.
According to Article 71(1) and (2) of the Constitution, the determination of salaries and allowances for the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, financed by the Consolidated Fund, is the responsibility of the President.
This is made based on the recommendations of a committee, consisting of no more than five individuals appointed by the President and acting upon the advice of the Council of State.
In his debut season in England, the Norwegian forward led Manchester City to their third consecutive Premier League triumph by scoring the most goals.
Erling Haaland was presented with the Premier League Golden Boot after finishing as top scorer in the league with 36 goals. Photo by Stephanie Meek
Robert Lewandowski, who switched from Bayern Munich to Barcelona, finished as La Liga’s top scorer in his first year in the Spanish top flight as he also propelled the Catalan giants to the league title.
Sports Brief, alongside Goal, has revealed the top ten goal-scorers in Europe’s top five leagues following the conclusion of the 2022/23 football season.
1. Erling Haaland, Manchester City
36 goals
Haaland reigned over England in his first season in the Premier League, netting 36 league goals for eventual champions, Manchester City.
The Norwegian forward looks certain to overthrow Lewandowski to become the 2023 Golden Shoe winner. No marksman in Europe’s top five leagues could get close to his goal tally.
Haaland boasts power and pace in abundance, and one of the most sought-after talents on the planet did not disappoint when bursting out of the blocks for the Premier League champions.
2. Harry Kane, Tottenham Hotspur
30 goals
Harry Kane scored a remarkable 30 goals this season for Tottenham, but that was not enough to earn the England forward the top scorer’s award in the English Premier League.
Harry Kane
Kane, who has over 180 Premier League goals to his name, was six goals shy of Haaland’s mark in the EPL, but second among the top scorers in Europe’s top five leagues.
3. Kylian Mbappe, Paris Saint-Germain
28 goals
Kylian Mbappe was voted as the best player in Ligue 1 for the 2022/23 season, beating the likes of Lionel Messi to the prestigious award in France.
Kylian Mbappe
After netting 28 goals for Paris Saint-Germain, Mbappe once again topped the scorer’s chart in France and also landed as the third most lethal forward across Europe.
4. Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon
27 goals
Former Arsenal talisman, Alexandre Lacazette is back to his best since transferring back to his boyhood club, Lyon last summer.
Troyes Lyon
The French forward scored a total of 27 goals in Ligue 1, although his effort was not good enough to help Lyon secure a European spot for next season.
5. Victor Osimhen, Napoli
25 goals
Napoli would be nowhere without Victor Osimhen’s goals this season.
The Nigerian forward powered the Naples club to their first Serie A title in 33 years, after he netted 25 goals to become the league’s top scorer this season.
Victor Osimhen gestures during Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Udinese.
Osimhen also broke numerous records on the way to becoming the goal king in Italy, after eclipsing George Weah’s all-time goal-scoring record in Serie A and surpassing Samuel Eto’o’s highest goal tally by an African in the Italian top flight.
6. Jonathan David, Lille
24 goals
Lille certainly know how to produce top goal-scorers in Europe. Jonathan David has become the hitman for the Ligue 1 side this campaign, with the Canadian forward netting an impressive 24 goals to see his stock rise.
Jonathan David, Lille
7. Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona
23 goals
Lewandowski is a bona fide goal-scoring machine. The Polish forward is unfazed by his competitors as he scores goals for fun.
Robert Lewandoski
Lewandowski again showed why he is one of the most-feared strikers in the world, after he netted an impressive 23 goals in his first season in Spain.
His goals propelled Barcelona to their first La Liga title in three seasons, while he also finished as the top scorer in the division ahead of Karim Benzema.
8. Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan
21 goals
Lautaro Martinez is one of the biggest reasons why Inter Milan are Coppa Italia champions and also in the final of the UEFA Champions League this season.
Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan
In Serie A, the Argentina forward was also lethal in front of goal for the Nerrazurri, netting 21 goals to finish second in the top scorers’ chart in Italy.
9. Habib Diallo, Strasbourg
20 goals
Habib Diallo had scored up to 12 goals in a season previously in Ligue 1.
Habib Diallo
10. Ivan Toney, Brentford
20 goals
Ivan Toney might be facing off-field issues, but the England forward has proved this season that he is one of the best strikers in Europe.
Ivan Toney, Brentford
The Brentford man scored 20 goals this season to finish third in the Premier League scorers’ chart ahead of Mohamed Salah and Marcus Rashford.
Players with most goals, assists
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the most lethal players in Europe are superstars from PSG, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City, both in scoring and setting up opportunities.
Some well-known names are among the footballers with the most goals and assists in European football this season, from the old guard to the upcoming stars of the next generation.
Lionel Messi, Vinicius Junior, Mohamed Salah, Kylian Mbappe, and Erling Haaland all make up the top five players with the most goals and assists in Europen competition this season.
Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new permanent manager of Chelsea, taking charge after a turbulent campaign that saw the club finish 12th in the Premier League standings. Pochettino, formerly the manager of Tottenham Hotspur, has been entrusted with the task of rejuvenating the Blues.
In light of this appointment, it is worth examining Pochettino’s managerial record.
Espanyol (32.9% win rate)
Having finished his playing career with Espanyol, Pochettino was pressed into service to lead a struggling team in January 2009 and lifted them from the relegation zone to a mid-table finish – drawing with local rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and beating them in LaLiga.
After retiring as a player, Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol in 2009.
Espanyol finished 11th, eighth and 14th in his three full seasons in charge, though the former Argentina defender left with them bottom of the table in November 2012 after a poor run of form and a dispute over financial restrictions.
Southampton (38.3% win rate)
Taking over mid-season from the popular Nigel Adkins, Pochettino led Southampton to a 14th-placed finish in 2012-13 and an impressive eighth the following campaign.
Conducting press conferences via an interpreter throughout his spell on the south coast, Pochettino was nevertheless clearly able to get his message across to an over-achieving squad and position himself for higher-profile roles to come.
Tottenham (54.3% win rate)
Pochettino’s five-year reign at Tottenham marked the most prolonged period of success and stability in their recent history, with the club finishing fifth, third, second, third and fourth and reaching finals of the Champions League and the League Cup.
Pochettino celebrates with players after victory
The Argentinian nurtured a Spurs squad that was the youngest in the Premier League when they ended as runners-up in 2016-17, containing a mix of domestic talents such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier, and overseas players including Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Toby Alderweireld.
A club that had had 10 coaches in 12 years before Pochettino’s arrival in 2014 have cycled through Jose Mourinho, interim boss Ryan Mason (twice), Nuno Espirito Santo, Antonio Conte and caretaker Cristian Stellini in short order since his departure in November 2019.
Paris Saint-Germain (65.5% win rate)
Won 55, drew 15, lost 14;
Paris Saint-Germain, where Pochettino spent time as a player, brought him the first major trophies of his managerial career by winning the Coupe de France in 2020-21 and Ligue 1 in 2021-22.
However, his tenure was not deemed successful as a runners-up finish to Lille in 2020-21 meant PSG missed out on the Ligue 1 title for only the second time in nine seasons, and he failed to guide the capital club to the Champions League final.
Former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel
Pochettino was sacked last summer having won less than 66 per cent of matches in all competitions, whereas his predecessor Thomas Tuchel – who started this season as Chelsea boss – had a 75 per cent win rate across his two-and-a-half years in charge.
As President Muhammadu Buhari concluded his tenure as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, one of the beneficiaries of his final actions is Victor Osimhen, the talented Napoli striker.
Osimhen played a pivotal role in Napoli’s remarkable achievement of winning their first Serie A title in 33 years under the guidance of Italian manager Luciano Spalletti.
This victory marks the third Scudetto triumph in the club’s history.
Osimhen’s exceptional contributions cannot be understated, having scored 25 goals in the league and notably securing the crucial goal that sealed the title for Napoli in a 1-1 draw against Udinese.
Victor Osimhen gestures during Napoli’s 1-1 draw against Udinese.
Furthermore, he is currently positioned to contend for the prestigious Golden Boot award.
President Buhari’s support and recognition of Osimhen’s accomplishments serve as a testament to the striker’s remarkable talent and his impact on Nigerian football. Osimhen’s success on the pitch has brought immense pride and joy to both Napoli fans and the Nigerian football community as a whole.
Osimhen receives national honour
According to Cable Lifestyle, as part of the activities leading up to the change of government in his home country, Osimhen has been bestowed with a national honour – Member of The Order of Federal Republic (MFR).
Osimhen joins Davido, Temi on Buhari’s honour list
This was his recognition of his exemplary achievement in sports. Osimhen had previously won the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria in 2017 – a tournament he was the golden boot winner with a record 10 goals in a junior World Cup.
Osimhen loses iconic face mask
Sports Brief reported that Victor Osimhen misplaced his face mask while on international duty with Nigeria for the games against Guinea Bissau.
The striker failed to find the back of the net in both games and when he returned to Naples, he found out he was without the iconic mask.
He started wearing the mask after a head injury in November 2021 that forced him to miss the 2022 African Cup of Nations.
Osimhen fumes at Spalletti
Sports Brief also reported that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen fumed at Spalettiafter the manager substituted him in the 67th minute of the 3-1 victory over Inter Milan.
The manager appeared unfazed as the player was furious because he wanted to keep his golden boot aspirations intact – his closest competitor Lautaro Martinez was still on the pitch for Inter.
After securing his second Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Lionel Messi made a swift return to Spain and was spotted attending a sensational Coldplay concert in Barcelona.
The 35-year-old football maestro took the opportunity to immerse himself in one of the most highly anticipated music festivals of the year.
With his recent sporting triumph still fresh in everyone’s minds, Messi added an extra layer of excitement and star power to the event.
Fans and concert-goers were delighted to witness the convergence of two global phenomena – the brilliance of Messi on the football pitch and the electrifying performances of Coldplay on the musical stage.
Lionel Messi was spotted jamming at Coldplay concert in Barcelona. Credit: @fabrizioromano
In a video shared on Twitter, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was seen in the audience at the concert at Montjuic Stadium and seemed to be trying to maintain a low profile.
The World Cup winner quickly discovered that was impossible when assembled Barcelona supporters recognised him sitting in the lower stands and started singing his name in unison.
Messi reportedly skipped the annual UNFP ceremony, which recognises the top players in Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and the D1 Arkema (women’s first division) to attend the concert, reports RMC Sport.
The Argentine genius was one of four PSG players nominated for the French league’s team of the year, along with award-winner Kylian Mbappe, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes.
Messi’s condition for Barcelona return
Meanwhile, Messi has requested Barcelona sign his fellow Argentina teammates, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes, ahead of his potential return, Sportskeeda reports.
Both of these footballers played alongside their national captain at Paris Saint-Germain last season before joining Juventus at the start of the 2022/23 campaign.
With Juve likely to miss out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season, Messi now wants Barcelona to sign the Argentines as one of his conditions for re-signing for the Catalan giants.
Messi waves at PSG fans
Earlier, Sports Brief of some PSG fans after a turbulent few weeks which saw supporters boo him during matches.
The 35-year-old had certainly earned the wrath of the Parisian club’s supporters after being suspended for two weeks for an unsanctioned trip to Saudi Arabia.
During PSG’s training session on Friday, Messi appeared in a joyous mood and was captured waving at the few fans who chanted his name during their practice.
Kylian Mbappe continued his remarkable dominance in Ligue 1 by clinching the Player of the Season award for the fourth consecutive time on Sunday night.
The 24-year-old football sensation has been in outstanding form, finding the back of the net 28 times in the league this season, and is well on his way to securing his fifth consecutive top scorer title in Ligue 1.
Mbappe beats Messi to win Ligue 1 player of the year award
In a prestigious ceremony held in Paris, Mbappe was rightfully recognized, triumphing over fellow nominees Lionel Messi and Lens’ dynamic duo Loïs Openda and Séko Fofana, as well as Lille’s prolific striker Jonathan David.
This achievement places the young Frenchman in a league of his own, surpassing the three-time winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who also achieved this feat during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.
Mbappe’s exceptional talents and consistent performance have solidified his status as one of the most outstanding footballers of his generation, and his latest accolade only serves to reinforce his exceptional skill and impact on the French league.
“I want to thank all the players. Winning the league is a great honour for us,” Mbappe said on receiving his award, via PSG Chief.
Mbappe poses with award
The French star also thanked Messi for his help during the season, plus PSG staff, management, and others working behind the scenes.
Mbappe, scorer of 40 goals this campaign, snubbed Real Madrid at the end of last season and signed a new three-year contract to stay with PSG.
His contract will run out next year unless he exercises an option to stay until 2025, as per transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano.
Asked about his future at the awards ceremony, Mbappe replied:
“There’s no more links about my future? I’m very happy here at PSG and with my choice to be part of this project. I will be here at PSG next season.”
Franck Haise was named best coach of the season after leading RC Lens to second place, which will see the northern club play in the Champions League for the first time in 21 years, PSG Chief reports.
Lens also had four players in the team of the season: Brice Samba, defender Kevin Danso, midfielder Seko Fofana, and striker Lois Openda – with Samba being named best goalkeeper.
PSG also had four players selected in the Ligue 1 top eleven:forwards Mbappe and Messi, plus full-backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi.
Mbappe to announce PSG departure
Elsewhere, Sports Brief reported that PSG and Messi could part ways at the end of the season after a falling-out, and Mbappe could be next to depart.
Former football agent, Francois Gallardo has claimed the French star is also nursing a desire to leave the Ligue 1 champions when the season ends.
Mbappe penned a three-year contract extension at the start of the season, but is said to be keen on quitting the club to join Real Madrid this summer.
Yaw Dabo, the Ghanaian actor, has broken his silence regarding the age controversy surrounding him, which arose after his interview with Spanish media outlet Marca went viral.
During an appearance on Wontumi TV after his return from a European tour, Dabo addressed the reasons behind his claim of being 24 years old, seeking to clarify the situation.
“Yes, I am 24 years, that is my real age,” he said.
Dabo explained that during his visit to Europe, he was on a mission to seek support for his football academy thus it was important he spoke the truth.
Yaw Dabo on Europe tour
According to the football administrator, he initially hesitated when asked about his age during the interview with Marca but decided to maintain honesty, considering the preference of Westerners for truth and loyalty.
“When the question was asked it came as a shock to me so I was a bit hesitant but I came back to answer, I wanted to change my age but I reconsidered it because I was there to get help for my club.”
Dabo explained “Some of these foreigners believe in truth and loyalty so I just mentioned that I am 24 years. The interviewer then said, ‘respect, respect’, and from there, we continued with the interview.”
The Ghanaian actor gained global attention after being interviewed in Spain following the UEFA Champions League semifinal first-leg game between Real Madrid and Manchester City.
During the interview with Marca, Dabo’s enthusiastic support forReal Madrid caught the journalist’s attention, leading to the question about his age. Dabo confidently stated that he is 24 years old.
“When I started delivering my thoughts, he was shocked and asked about my age because of the way I was expressing myself. That moment I realized I had to give my best. And of course, when you get the opportunity, you have to take it and I did that,” he pointed out.
Yaw Dabo with Marca journalist
He further stated in another interview that his “viral video gave the Spanish media company the most views in 2023.”
While the interview generated significant buzz, Dabo has now shed light on the circumstances surrounding his response.
Age controversies are not unique to Yaw Dabo, as several celebrities including footballers and politicians have faced similar scrutiny.
Notable amongst them is the president-elect of Nigeria, Alhaji Ahmed Bola Tinubu who has been accused of massaging his age to be able to contest the recently-held nigerian elections.
However, the intensity of the speculation, in this case, is due to his stature and the fact that little is known about the actor’s origins and personal life.
Pep Guardiola is confident that his Man Citysquad is prepared to seize the opportunity and achieve a historic treble by winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.
Having secured their third consecutive league title with three games remaining, the English champions now have the FA Cup final against Manchester United and the Champions League final against Inter Milan next month.
In English football, only Manchester United’s class of 1998/99 has previously accomplished the treble.
Guardiola believes his team has the potential to join this elite group and etch their names in football history.
“Everybody knows what position we are in. It comes once in a lifetime,” Guardiola said on Friday.
“Once we are there, first of all you have to relax and enjoy and do your best, but no one can be sure we will be in that position again.
“They are ready. I see many details — how they come up on days off to make treatments, how many hours they stay to make the treatments, how players are individually concerned maybe they cannot play theFA Cup final and Champions League final.
“When you see that you don’t have to tell anything and do anything.”
Guardiola’s scrupulous attention to detail is often hailed as a key to his success.
But he said some time off after Sunday’s final league game away to Brentford is the best preparation for two huge matches.
“When I started, it was ‘I have to prepare the final. I have to make a lot of videos’. Now it’s completely the opposite,” said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, who has won 11 league titles in 14 seasons as a coach.
“We need to disconnect. Even our physios and doctors and cooks, they work incredibly hard in this period. They don’t have time off. They need to disconnect.
“Go with your families. If the sun is shining, play golf, do whatever you want and (have) quality (rest) to prepare for the finals. Arrive in the best conditions for the finals.”
Real Madrid is gearing up to face Sevilla this weekend at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium; however, they will be without key attacking options in the central position.
Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, Karim Benzema, and Vinicius Junior are all expected to be sidelined due to injuries.
Mariano and Asensio are dealing with muscular problems, while Benzema has stitches in his foot following a cut he sustained in a match against Rayo Vallecano.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has also confirmed that Vinicius Junior is still struggling with a knee issue, which prevented him from participating in their recent midweek victory.
Ancelotti denied the Brazilian was being left out as a convenience, following the racial persecution he has suffered of late away from home.
“No, he doesn’t travel because he can’t play. His knee still bothers him. He can’t play, period,” Ancelotti said, via Football Espana.
Real Madrid are a point ahead of city rivals, Atletico Madrid in second place and that, along with professional pride, remain the only thing in play, Sports Mole cited.
Florentino Perez may also remind his charges that several millions in Euros are in play.
Sevilla, meanwhile, can still make seventh place and the Europa Conference League next season, but will have their attention firmly focused on next week’s Europa League final against Roma.
Real Madrid stands by Vinicius
Meanwhile, Real Madrid paid special tribute to Vinicius Junior after the Brazilian forward faced racist abuse in the club’s previous La Liga game against Valencia.
The men’s and women’s teams, along with the basketball squad, showed solidarity for the 22-year-old by wearing his jersey number before their games on Wednesday, Madrid Zone reported.
Real Madrid stands by Vinicius by wearing number 20 jersey
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has also publicly supported Vinicius, Valencia has condemned the racist abuse, and Real Madrid has filed a hate crime complaint with Spanish authorities.
Vandals destroy Vinicius Jr’s poster
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that the racism row engulfing Spanish football shows no sign of abating after a poster of the Real Madrid forward Vini was defaced on Wednesday.
An image of the Brazilian player on an advertisement for stadium tours at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu was torn while the culprit left the effigy of Karim Benzema untouched.
The 22-year-old Real Madrid winger was given his marching orders for slapping Hugo Duro after being manhandled by the Valencia player, sparking jeers from home supporters.
Erik ten Hag has cautioned the prospective owners of Manchester United about the potential pitfalls of repeating the mistakes made by Chelsea during their ownership transition last summer.
At present, Manchester United is engaged in discussions regarding a possible takeover with their current owners, the Glazer family, who are considering options to either sell the entire club or share control.
Erik Ten hag
The Americans have been under immense pressure from the fans to cede ownership of the club.
Anti-Glazer protests have been a common sight in recent seasons, with many feeling United has stalled in terms of development, as reported by ESPN.
But with new owners comes the risk of clubs losing sight of the bigger picture – if what has happened at Chelsea this season is anything to go by.
Chelsea’s lacklustre season
Chelsea’s long-time owner, Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club after Russia invaded Ukraine early last year.Todd Boehly’s Clearlake consortium won the bid to buy the club.
The American arrived with much promise, picking up from where the oligarch had left off and immediately pumping money into new signings.
However, the club overspent on some players, leaving them exposed in some areas, with the lack of strategy becoming clear as the season progressed.
The Blues are set to record their worst-ever finish in 29 years. Ten Hag is aware and concerned about such a scenario repeating itself in the Northwest.
“You have to do the right things. You can have money but have to spend it in a smart way, and you need to have a strategy behind it – otherwise, the money doesn’t work.
We are now in a good direction – but we can also learn from this season,” the Dutch manager said, as quoted by the Sun.
Ten Hag was speaking ahead of his side’s game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Red Devils would go on to secure a point against Frank Lampard’s beleaguered Blues and secure their spot in Champions League football next season.
Antony goes off injured
In that game,United raced to a 2-0 lead before the break, but winger, Antony was stretched off with a serious-looking injury.
Sports Brief reported the Brazilian came into contact with defender, Trevoh Chalobah and was left screaming in utter agony.
Following Manchester United‘s victory over Chelsea, effectively ending Liverpool’s chances of securing a Champions League spot, fans of the English Premier League have flocked to social media to respond to a post by Mohamed Salah.
In the match, Manchester United triumphed over Chelsea with a resounding 4-1 scoreline, propelling themselves into third place and securing the final UEFA Champions League spot for England.
This outcome occurred after Newcastle United had already confirmed their own spot with a draw against Leicester City earlier.
With just one game remaining, Liverpool finds themselves trailing fourth-placed Newcastle United by four points, making their chances of a Champions League finish increasingly slim.
Fans have taken to social media platforms to share their reactions and thoughts in response to a post made by Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah has reacted to Liverpool’s failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Credit: @championsleague
Source: Twitter
The Egyptian forward took to social media to establish his disappointment after failing to make it into Europe’s elite club competition.
“I’m totally devastated. There’s absolutely no excuse for this. We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed. We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.
I am sorry but it’s too soon for an uplifting or optimistic post. We let you and ourselves down,” Salah wrote on Twitter.
His post drew several reactions from fans of rival clubs, with some trolling the Reds for missing the UEFA Champions League.
How fans reacted:
@c_shueb wrote:
Keep crying, Thursday nights on Kazakhstan for you. HOLD THAT
@Gabriel_gunne2 added:
Take heart salah, spurs are nowhere.
@utdaaron tweeted:
Found out he was playing Thursday night football in Lithuania on Thursday nights
@ayshardzn posted:
@Bruno_UNITED1 wrote:
Garnacho is playing Champion league football next season, but Salah can’t! so painful
@MadnessFC_4 tweeted:
@MrStevenHowson added:
7up n all that, aye.
Salah reacts to UCL failure
Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah released a worrying statement after his side failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
The Reds will have to play in the second-tier Europa League in the 2023-24 season, after Manchester United’s win over Chelsea on Thursday confirmed their place in the final Champions League spot.
This is certainly unfamiliar territory for Salah, as it is the first time Liverpool have failed to qualify for the Champions League since 2017.
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