Ad build-up to Qatar World Cup is ‘oh so quiet’ October 26, 2022 The World Cup is a little over three weeks away but it’s oh so quiet. At least when Björk sung those words, the accompanying music video by Spike Jonze showed people spontaneously spilling into the street in a Busby Berkeley-style choreographed celebration. But it’s increasingly hard to shake the feeling that there isn’t quite that [...]
Premier League: Newcastle in top four, Arsenal draw and Villa impress October 23, 2022 Was it the day Tottenham saw their, admittedly unlikely, title challenge come to an end or was it the day Newcastle United knocked on the door of the Big Six’s office and asked for a seat around the undoubtedly extravagant table? A 2-1 win for the Toon in north London moved United into the top [...]
From Liverpool’s Under-18s coach via Rangers to Aston Villa: What is next for Steven Gerrard? October 21, 2022 Steven Gerrard’s sacking at Aston Villa leaves the former England and Liverpool midfielder having to consider what comes next. After all, the football star is just 42 years old. Considering the route Gerrard has taken – from Liverpool’s Under-18s coach, via Rangers to Aston Villa – it is evident he is no drop-in celebrity manager. [...]
Once, twice, goald: Maradona ‘Hand of God’ ball to go under hammer October 13, 2022 The ball which became the infamous victim of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ fist in the 1986 World Cup is set to go under the hammer next month. The ball, used for the entirety of the match between Argentina and England in Mexico, is being sold by the man who refereed the match – Ali [...]
Ralph Hasenhuttl on thin ice as Southampton head to free-scoring Manchester City October 6, 2022 The irony will probably not be lost on Ralph Hasenhuttl if his last match in charge of Southampton proves to be Saturday’s trip to Manchester City. The Premier League champions are the team that Saints’ new regime has looked to more than any other in recent months as it has sought to shake up the [...]
Ed Warner: Reform the FA to avoid the burdens of a sport regulator September 29, 2022 Can you name the new Minister for Sport? Turns out it’s Stuart Andrew, MP for Pudsey. Let’s hope he’s a sports fan as there’s nothing publicly available to say that he is (or indeed isn’t). And so the door to this most junior of ministries revolves again. And at a time when a number of [...]
Ronaldo signing pushes Manchester United to record financial loss of £115.5m September 22, 2022 Manchester United suffered their worst ever financial loss last year despite revenues rallying as supporters returned to stadiums following the pandemic. United made a loss of £115.5m for the year ending June 2022, a further deterioration on the previous season’s record £92.2m loss. Revenue increased 18 per cent to £583.2m thanks to the return of [...]
David Dein interview: On Arsenal, Premier League, Kroenke, Wenger and Usmanov September 15, 2022 Fifteen years on from an unceremonious ousting from Arsenal that also cost him a host of other high-powered roles in football, David Dein is still feeling bruised. The club’s former vice-chairman, who rose to the same role at the Football Association, was one of the architects of the Premier League and became president of leading [...]
It’s easy to see the attraction but Graham Potter’s Chelsea switch is a major gamble September 8, 2022 On the face of it, it is easy to see why Chelsea part-owner, chairman and interim sporting director Todd Boehly was attracted to Graham Potter. The 47-year-old Englishman has left Brighton and Hove Albion, his home since 2019, for the west London giants, who have handed him a five-year contract and pay the Seagulls £20m [...]