Soccer

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘I had no one but my PlayStation’ – Aaron Wan-Bissaka breaks silence on ‘difficult’ Man Utd spell after £50m transfer

      by

      AARON WAN-BISSAKA had no one but his PlayStation when he first arrived at Manchester United in 2019.The full-back has opened up on the loneliness he felt when he swapped the safety of Crystal Palace for the bright lights of Old Trafford.Aaron Wan-Bissaka has broken his silence on feeling isolated when he first arrived at Manchester UnitedCredit: GettyThe 26-year-old joined West Ham for £15m this summer after five years at UnitedCredit: GettyAt £50m, he was the fifth-most expensive player United had ever signed and remains now the priciest ever uncapped Englishman.Then manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer described the then 21-year-old as “one of the best upcoming defenders in the Premier League.”Wan-Bissaka quickly earned the trust of the fans with Jamie Carragher coining him the “best one-on-one defender in world football” in 2020.But he initially struggled to adapt to life in Manchester off the pitch as it took time for the South London boy to settle in.READ MORE ON MAN UTDHe told The Standard: “It was difficult. Very difficult. I went on my own and it was my first time moving away from home. I had no one up there, apart from my PlayStation.”Because Manchester’s smaller, everyone’s aware of everything that’s happening. You have to be mentally strong to avoid the negative stuff it comes with.”In fact, he felt so isolated that he would travel back to London after training most afternoons to spend time with his family, before heading back up North that same night.But Wan-Bissaka admitted that the tiredness of travelling forced him to settle as the reality set in that he was a United player.Most read in FootballAaron Wan-Bissaka made 42 appearances for Crystal Palace in the Prem before his move to Old TraffordCredit: GettyHe won the Carabao Cup in 2023 alongside Tyrell Malacia, Jadon Sancho and Marcus RashfordCredit: GettyFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSWan-Bissaka added: “I came back as a man. More mature, more grounded, more focused.”He became a staple at right-back for two seasons, as United finished third in his debut campaign and runners-up the following term.Man Utd braced for Mason Greenwood lawsuit after Mendy successfully sued City over £11m unpaid wagesBut he eventually started slipping down the pecking order as the need for a more modern attacking full-back became increasingly important.And Erik ten Hag didn’t favour him either, instead deploying Diogo Dalot with Wan Bissaka only starting 20 games last season.Explaining how his exit from United came to be – after being linked with a move away for some time – he said both parties agreed it was mutually beneficial for him to leave.He said: “I spoke to the club and they thought this opportunity was best for me.”They gave me some time to think about it. In the moment, I didn’t, but I spoke to family and friends about it and we all decided it was the right time.”Now Wan-Bissaka is back in his hometown of London playing for West Ham, who have struggled this season.He has started eight of their first 10 Prem games after joining Julen Lopetegui’s side for £15m in the summer.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 26-year-old played a full 90 minutes as the Hammers beat his former team 2-1 last month – which saw Ten Hag sacked the following morning.He played a total of 190 times across five seasons at United and won two trophies – the Carabao Cup in 2023 and FA Cup in May. More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Footballers’ financial disasters…Gary Neville’s ‘Teletubby’ eco-home to star’s £1.2m mansion taken over by drug dealers

      by

      THEY make more money in one day than most of us will all year.But for cash-flush football stars looking to invest their millions in creative ways, fortune doesn’t always favour the brave.Gary Neville’s restaurant has gone into liquidationCredit: GettyHis £8m eco-home was likened to the TeletubbiesCredit: SWNS:South West News ServiceIt never got built in the end and he struggled to sell the plot of landCredit: Make ArchitectsThis week, we revealed how Gary Neville’s Michelin-star restaurant, The Man Behind the Curtain, has become his latest business flop.The Leeds eatery – run by chef Micheal O’Hare – has gone into liquidation with debts reported at £1 million, including £519,000 owed in taxes.It’s a disappointing result for the former Man United ace, who has had more hits than misses with his business ventures, allowing him to build up a £100million empireBut Gary – who even appeared as a guest Dragon on Dragons’ Den earlier this year – is far from alone when it comes to footballers and financial disasters.READ MORE SPORTS FEATURESFrom a former Arsenal star who FORGOT he had bought a £1.2million home and saw it overrun by drug dealers, to an ex-Chelsea ace swindled in a multi-million pound betting scheme, we look at some of the game’s biggest cautionary tales.Tellytubby eco-home nightmareNeville’s kitchen nightmare isn’t his first setback. He also made a disastrous business decision in 2010, when he bought a plot of land to build an £8million eco-house.The Sky Sports pundit was planning a futuristic carbon-neutral mansion with its own 130ft wind turbine on, to sit in Harwood, Greater Manchester.The house would be built into the ground with a grassy roof fitted with solar panels.Most read in FootballThe two-storey home would have an open plan kitchen and living room downstairs, plus five bedrooms, as well as a fitness suite, plant room and double garage for bikes and cars.Neighbours said the planned house resembled the one in children’s TV show Teletubbies, but after a long battle with them, Neville eventually got the green light to go ahead in 2012.Gary Neville reveals he bought and sold a Bentley after three weeks as he ‘felt like a w*****’However, the house was never built, and by 2020, he was struggling to sell the 8,000 square foot site – with his original eco-friendly plans included in the price.Eventually, he was forced to slash the £650,000 asking price by a quarter to £500,000.Nightclub turned lapdancing jointStephane Mahe opened up nightclub Seventh Heaven in GlasgowCredit: John Kirkby – The Sun GlasgowIt flopped and became a strip clubCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdEx-Celtic and Hearts defender Stephane Mahe hooked up with former team-mate and fellow countryman Stephane Bonnes for a step into the business world in 2002, when he plunged £400,000 into a nightclub near Glasgow’s Charing Cross.But it was over even quicker than his two-year spell with the Hoops.The pair opened Seventh Heaven, hoping to lure 1,300 revellers to the venue each weekend – including fellow pros and their Wags.Instead they managed just 50 punters some nights.With debts reported at the time to be close to half a million pounds, the doors were quickly closed, less than half a year after the business kicked off.Seventh Heaven was soon re-opened as a lapdancing club and the new owners quickly struck up a sponsorship deal with Airdrie United chairman Jim Ballantyne, who joked he was bringing “sexy football” to the club.Pitch-side hoardings at the New Broomfield ground described the venue as “The Chairman’s Choice”.Betting swindleChris Sutton got involved in a million-pound scam and was declared bankruptCredit: Kenny RamsayIn 2014, former Chelsea and England striker Chris Sutton was declared bankrupt after being caught in a spread betting foreign currency scam.Sutton and his wife Samantha both invested £50,000 each after his former financial adviser Simon Grint assured him he would make a “good return”.But the investment was part of a multi-million-pound fraud scheme, for which Grint was jailed in 2013.In a statement released at the time, ex-Celtic forward Sutton said: “During the investment period, I was led to believe that I was making a profit on the investment. “However, I now realise that I was not.”He also told the Daily Record: “I’ve been given bad financial advice.”Forgotten mansion overrun by drug lordsJermaine Pennant admitted to squandering £10millionCredit: Simon JonesA gang took over his forgotten mansion and turned it into a cannabis factoryCredit: YouTubeFormer Arsenal player Jermaine Pennant declared himself bankrupt last year, having run up debts of around £1million.Describing himself as “financially illiterate,” he revealed how he squandered around £10million during his career.The former Liverpool winger splashed out on a fleet of supercars, homes, five-star holidays abroad and once paid a £25,000 bar bill on a lads’ break in Las Vegas. He told The Sun: “In all honesty, I could have been a billionaire and still f***ed it up. I have made so many mistakes but I did not know how to deal with things and would not think of the consequences of my actions.”Pennant even bought a £1.2million six-bedroom mansion in Cheshire but later forgot he owned it – although he was still paying the interest-only mortgage on it.When he moved to Spain he left it empty, but it was later occupied by a drugs gang who caused a fire at the property.Pennant admitted: “I bought houses but never spoke to an estate agent and had mortgages that I did not know about.“I took bad advice from bad people and just lived day to day.“There was a fixer who arranged things for me — but now I realise he swindled me out of money.“He advised me to buy the house in Hale for well over the odds and then to do a load of building work on it. But I wasn’t paying the builders, I was paying him.”£5 left in the bankRonaldinho owed millions but only had £5 in his bankCredit: Instagram @ronaldinhoHis supercars were taken off him, as well as propertiesCredit: Instagram @ronaldinhoIn 2018, Ronaldinho was reported to have just £5 in his bank account despite owing a massive £1.75million.The Brazil legend was fined heavily for illegal construction in a protected area in his home country, along with his brother Roberto Assis.Despite remortgaging the property, Ronaldinho was said to be unable to pay his debt due to the sky-high interest rate, and had just £5.24 left in his bank account.As a result of that, a judge in Brazil ordered Ronaldinho to have his passport seized in a bid to ensure he didn’t flee the country.READ MORE SUN STORIESRonaldinho also had his luxury cars and artwork seized by Brazilian officials after he and his brother Roberto de Assis Moreira were chased by officials claiming he owed money for fines levied against his charity.The former Barcelona and AC Milan star continued to have money problems, and had two of his properties in Brazil seized in 2021, to recoup any money owed by the former footballer. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Lee Carsley tipped to land shock Premier League management job once Thomas Tuchel takes over as England boss

      by

      LEE CARSLEY has sensationally been tipped to manage a Premier League club once Thomas Tuchel officially takes charge of England.Carsley, 50, has been in temporary charge of England since Gareth Southgate’s resignation in July and has guided the Three Lions to three wins and one defeat during his brief reign.Lee Carsley has been in temporary charge of England since Gareth Southgate’s resignation in JulyCredit: GETTYCarsley, 50, is set to return to his role as Under-21s manager once Thomas Tuchel takes charge on January 1Credit: GETTYThe former midfielder has been tipped to take charge of former club BrentfordCredit: GETTYBut the Under-21s chief stunningly ruled himself out of the running to permanently replace Southgate before it was announced that Tuchel would officially become the nation’s 20th manager on January 1.Carsley is set to return to his previous role once Tuchel takes charge, although SunSport columnist Troy Deeney reckons he’d be a perfect fit for former club Brentford.During an appearance on talkSPORT, he said: “I think where Lee could come in at a different angle is that I don’t think his expectation would be that he gets the top four job straight away.”Gareth Southgate, it was like Man United was where he was coming in. That was his entry point.READ MORE ON CARSLEY”I think Lee would be great at Brentford where he’s worked before.”Carsley worked at Brentford back in 2014, heading up their development squad before he was made interim manager after Marinus Dijjhuzen’s departure.He won five of his ten matches in charge of the Bees before Dean Smith took permanent charge of the West Londoners.Carsley was on the receiving end of plenty of criticism last month after England’s shock Nations League defeat to Greece.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSSouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024But Deeney has defended the interim boss by saying: “I think he’s tried.”He’s tried something. He’s helped out.Lee Carsley announces November England squad selection “He could have easily said, no thanks, I’m in with the 21s. I’m going to stay here where it’s nice and safe.”He tried. Boosted his profile. Had a go at some things. And he’s not spoken out of turn.”He’s not put us in a dodgy situation. So I think he’s done really well on such short notice.”Carsley’s managerial credentials will be further tested next Thursday when England travel to Athens to avenge October’s defeat to Greece.They then play Ireland next Sunday at Wembley. More

    • 213 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      Shock moment former EFL boss grabs his own player and furiously shoves him after receiving red card

      by

      FORMER EFL boss Pep Clotet furiously grabbed and shoved his own player after the forward was sent off.Clotet, 47, managed Oxford and Birmingham between 2017 and 2020.Pep Clotet grabbed striker Raimonds KrollisThe furious Spaniard then appeared to shake KrollisClotet, 47, managed Birmingham during his stint in EnglandCredit: PADuring his time at St Andrew’s he helped to nurture Jude Bellingham.Since leaving Birmingham, Clotet has had three spells with Italian side Brescia, as well as stints at SPAL and Torpedo Moscow.Last month he took charge of third tier Triestina.Languishing at the bottom of Serie C, the club’s board would have hoped for their new manager to inject some fight into his troops.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSBut this probably wasn’t what they had in mind.In the 33rd minute of tonight’s home clash with Giana Erminio, goal-shy striker Raimonds Krollis was shown a straight red card.As the Latvian trudged off the pitch, Clotet caught his attention.Instead of heading straight down the tunnel, Krollis walked towards his manager.Most read in EFLBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAt this point, an enraged Clotet grabbed the forward by the collar of his shirt and began to shake him.Krollis, 23, appeared dejected and did not try to free himself from his manager’s astonishing outburst.How to cure England’s Bellingham, Foden and Palmer headacheTriestina had to play with ten men for around an hour.And combustible Clotet’s mood won’t have been helped by how the game ended.Just three minutes from time, Giana Erminio grabbed a late winner via Gabriel Avinci.The result leaves Triestina rooted to the bottom of the table with just six points from 14 games.Since taking over on October 21, Clotet has amassed two points from four games.Triestina have not won since beating Arzignano all the way back on August 24.Clotet managed Jude Bellingham at BirminghamCredit: PA More

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Thomas Tuchel warned of biggest challenge he faces as England boss after Pep Guardiola’s scathing rant

      by

      IF Thomas Tuchel did not already know the political challenges he faces as England boss, he does now.The German may have experienced a battle of wits on the touchline with Pep Guardiola during his time as Chelsea chief.Pep Guardiola was furious with one of Lee Carsley’s decisionsCredit: RexThomas Tuchel is set to take over as England boss on January 1Credit: PABut fending him off over the selection of his Manchester City stars will soon be a whole new ball game.And let’s not forget that Guardiola is just one of many Prem managers not shy of moaning about their over-worked players being called up for international duty.Guardiola’s rant over Jack Grealish’s inclusion in the latest England squad was not what Tuchel would have wanted to hear as he prepares to take over on January 1.Tuchel resisted having any say in interim boss Lee Carsley’s final squad — but he will be picking the next England group in March  after a relentless four-month domestic run.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSThe manager of City, who normally have up to five players in the Three Lions squad, is furious with the FA.Guardiola made it obvious he does not believe his record signing, Grealish, is fit enough to be called up for the Nations League fixtures with Greece and Ireland.And he took aim at both Carsley — as well as the £100million ace — over the decision to call him up.This is the same manager who, only last month, revealed he was “never  so angry” as he was with the FA in the spring.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBack then, centre-back John Stones was injured in a friendly against  Brazil and had to miss a leg of City’s Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid.That day Guardiola hid his anger at Gareth Southgate and the governing body fairly well — as it only emerged several months later.Thomas Tuchel ‘was NOT England’s first choice and Pep Guardiola could still get the job’This time, though, he could not disguise his anger over the call-up for Grealish. The player has endured another frustrating season with the champions and has featured only once since October 5.Even that was a 17-minute cameo off the bench against Wolves three weeks ago, since when a hamstring issue has kept him out.According to Guardiola, Grealish only returned to training yesterday, so he should be spending the next couple of weeks getting fit at the Etihad.Instead, the former Aston Villa skipper — axed from the Euro 2024 squad in the summer — has indicated he wants to go and play.’THEY HAVE TO RECOVER’Asked for his views on the club-v-country issues faced by top players, Guardiola said: “Always has been like that. I’m always pleased for players to go — when they are fit. And if they haven’t struggled for the last one, two, three, four weeks.“Then I have the opinion they have to recover.”He could not have made his views any clearer.So this is the kind of issue that Tuchel will have to get used to as he makes the move into international football in a few weeks’ time.And, ironically, it might not be too long until Guardiola sees it from the other side of the fence, too.He was strongly linked to the England vacancy before the former Chelsea boss was confirmed.And this week there were fresh reports suggesting he is in the frame to land the job with Brazil’s national team.That comes as he stands on the brink of losing four games in a row for the first time in his glittering career.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis depleted City side face a tricky trip to Brighton on Saturday looking to end a run of three straight defeats — albeit in three different competitions.And he will have to do it without Grealish, 29, who has started only four Premier League games this season and has already been ruled out of the trip to the Amex.Jack Grealish is set to be on England duty next weekCredit: Reuters More

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Jack Grealish at centre of club-versus-country row as England call-up leaves Pep Guardiola furious at Lee Carsley

      by

      JACK GREALISH is at the centre of a club-v-country row over his England call-up.Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is fuming with the FA and interim manager Lee Carsley for picking the £100million ace — who has not played since October 20 due to a groin injury.Jack Grealish with Man City boss Pep GuardiolaCredit: ReutersGrealish has been recalled by Lee CarsleyCredit: GettyThree Lions sources insist they were in regular contact with City medics and were assured he was available for the Nations League double-header.Carsley said Grealish, who misses City’s tea-time trip to Brighton today, returned to training this week — but Guardiola hit back: “It’s his decision.“It’s a question for the England manager, I’m not involved. They can select who they want. “All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured — 17 days out and Friday was the first training with the team.READ MORE IN football “He trained 20 minutes. This is the reality. He was in the gym a few minutes, yes, the last two days. But for my team he’s not fit — he cannot play.“They can select who they want. Jack trained and believes he can help, so I’m not the guy to say you cannot go.“All I can say is that over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help. So go.”Guardiola was angry when John Stones played in the March internationals despite fitness fears.Most read in FootballSouthgate vs Tuchel records comparedTHOMAS TUCHELAugsburg II 2007-2008P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%Mainz 05 2009-2014P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%Honours: DFB Pokal Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2Chelsea 2021-2022P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World CupBayern Munich 2023-2024P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%Honours: BundesligaGARETH SOUTHGATEMiddlesbrough 2006-2009P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%England U21 2013-2016P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%Honours: Toulon tournamentEngland 2016-2024P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSNow he is on a collision course with the FA again ahead of next week’s Greece and Republic of Ireland clashes.Pep is also unimpressed Grealish, 29, wants to go.Jack Grealish owes Trent Alexander-Arnold £500 as he’s made to regret wager within seconds during England clashHe said: “Have I spoken to him? Yes. He said, ‘I want to go to the national team’. Am I surprised? No.”Asked if it could help the forward get fit for a busy couple of months, Guardiola said: “Maybe. The manager from the UK will know better.“Our medical department haven’t told me they spoke with them.”But FA sources last night insisted there had been dialogue with City about Grealish’s availability before Thursday’s squad announcement.Guardiola also indicated he will not be signing a new deal in the international break.The last two times he has extended his stay, he has done so in November.But Pep said: “I said many times, I won’t talk about it. When it happens, it will happen.” More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Inside the world of Pep Guardiola’s disciples as Maresca and Arteta go head to head for first time in huge London derby

      by

      PEP GUARDIOLA smiled when it was put to him that two of his old assistants are now among his biggest rivals.He said: “If you want to be a manager, come on my staff — and maybe you’ll have a chance!”Pep Guardiola has had his say on his two former assistantsCredit: ReutersEnzo Maresca landed the Chelsea job after a year at LeicesterCredit: RexMikel Arteta worked on Guardiola’s staff for more than three yearsCredit: RexSpeaking last month, the Manchester City boss was only half-joking.But the fact is the managers of two of the Prem’s powerhouses have both served their apprenticeship under the master himself at the Etihad.And on Sunday, Arsenal chief Mikel Arteta and Chelsea boss Enzo  Maresca go head to head for the first time — in a vital London derby at Stamford Bridge.What’s more, both are now expected to push Guardiola’s side for the major honours.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLGuardiola said: “They are so young and will have much success in the future.“It was a pleasure for me to work with them. The knowledge is back and forth, not just in one direction.”Yet Maresca is sure that both he and his opposite number tomorrow owe a huge debt of gratitude to the man who has won six of the last seven Prem titles.The Blues boss, 44, said: “I learned many things from Pep. If I’m here today, it’s probably because of the amount of things that I have been lucky to learn next to him.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMaresca worked under Guardiola at CityCredit: ReutersArteta assisted Guardiola prior to landing the Arsenal jobCredit: Reuters“Probably both of us, we have to be thankful because we worked beside the one who I consider the best manager in the world.”And Arteta echoed those feelings, saying: “Enzo has had many years learning from some top people and he is proving he is a very good  manager at the top level. Enzo has given his touch and you can see clearly what he wants to do.Enzo Maresca hails Chelsea professionalism in comprehensive win over FC Noah“He has been very brave from day one to consistently follow what he wanted to do.“I know a lot of people that know him well and are very happy with him that he’s making a lot of progress there.”Arteta was the first to become one of Pep’s disciples, way back in summer 2016, and served a longer apprenticeship at almost three-and-a-half years.It’s hard to believe it now — when you see him prowling the touchline at the Emirates — but Arteta was quiet when he first linked up with Pep.Guardiola had identified the former Rangers, Everton and Arsenal midfielder as someone who could help him learn about the Premier League.Arteta had only just hung up his boots and was determined to learn as much as he could for a future in management.ARTETA’S FIRST TESTIn the early days, Pep’s then-No 2 Domenec Torrent took his fellow Spaniard under his wing and relayed his ideas to the manager.They quickly realised he had something special though — and four months into the season, Arteta was given his first real test.Pep took the young coach into his office ahead of a game with Arsenal in December 2016 and told him ‘you’re in charge for this one’.Luckily the young apprentice had guessed he would be asked his opinion — as he had been playing for the opponents a few months earlier.So he had come prepared and Guardiola liked his ideas. City won the game 2-1 thanks to a late Raheem Sterling goal.’FROM THE START I WAS FASCINATED’That won him respect from his superiors but he was learning so much from the former coach of Barcelona and Bayern Munich.He says in the book ‘Pep’s City’: “From the start I was fascinated by Guardiola’s work ethic — his ability to transmit his ideas to his players and convince them they are going to work.“How he simplifies the most complicated things  so they appear straightforward.”Arteta was not long retired and he would often be asked to join in training — as he and Pep felt it was an excellent way to see things from the ‘inside’.After two years on the coaching staff, he stepped up to be the main assistant when Torrent moved to the MLS.’THE CLUB OF HIS HEART’And many even viewed him as a natural successor to Guardiola — before Arsenal, who Pep always knew was the ‘club of his heart’, appointed him a year later.It was a few months after that when Maresca first came onto the radar of the Etihad hierarchy.He was recommended to City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain by their old boss Manuel Pellegrini. And he was appointed head coach of the Under-23s in 2020 – taking charge of Cole Palmer, James McAtee, Tommy Doyle and Liam Delap.During his only season in that role, he led the club to the Premier League 2 title and impressed everyone.Crucially, with Covid restrictions in full swing, he found himself in the same bubble as Guardiola and Begiristain and they quickly realised what Pellegrini had been talking about.The City boss was soon telling everyone Maresca would go on to become an ‘extraordinary manager’.A move to Parma did not work out, so when Pep’s assistant Juanma Lillo left for a job in Qatar in summer 2022, he was brought back to City — this time with the first team.He was only back for a year — but what a year it proved to be as City swept to their historic Treble.Leicester came calling for him to replace Brendan Rodgers but Guardiola urged him to see the season out  and Maresca wanted to do that too.The recent Netflix documentary ‘Together: Treble Winners’ shows the pair having a heated debate around a tactics board at half-time in the Champions League final.Pep later felt the way he had approached the team-talk at the interval in Istanbul had been key to them beating Inter to win the trophy.Leicester came back in for him a few days later and, after one season with the Foxes, he landed a job with one of the Prem’s superpowers.READ MORE SUN STORIESGuardiola looked puzzled when it was put to him in pre-season that the new Chelsea boss was known as ‘Diet Pep’. He asked: “Is it because of the bald head and the beard?”But he has known for a while there is a lot more to the Italian than that. More

    • 150 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      What to Know About the Attacks on Israeli Soccer Fans in Amsterdam

      by

      Dutch and Israeli officials described the clashes after a soccer match as antisemitic.A soccer game between Dutch and Israeli teams in Amsterdam on Thursday night led to dozens of arrests, in what officials in Israel and the Netherlands described as antisemitic attacks on the fans of the Israeli team.As of Friday, many details of what happened on Thursday, including the identities and affiliations of those involved in the attacks on fans, are still unclear.Here’s what you need to know:What happened in Amsterdam?How many people were hurt?Who attacked the Israeli fans?Who are the teams involved?What happened before the game?What happened after the game?What happened in Amsterdam?Dutch officials said that attackers had assaulted Israelis, and the Israeli Embassy in the Netherlands said that some victims had been kicked or beaten.The attacks unfolded over several hours in multiple locations, with many taking place in the hours after the game ended.Officials said that 62 people had been arrested in connection with the violence and that most had been later released. El Al, an Israeli airline, sent planes to transport Israeli citizens back to Israel.We are having trouble retrieving the article content.Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.Thank you for your patience while we verify access.Already a subscriber? Log in.Want all of The Times? Subscribe. More