Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Hull City want transfer for rivals Leeds’ out-of-favour Joe Gelhardt to spur Championship play-off bid

      by

      AMBITIOUS Hull are keen to sign Leeds’ out-of-favour forward Joe Gelhardt.The Tigers are looking to boost their bid to make the Championship play-offs and think Gelhardt could help them.
      Hull are keen to sign Joe Gelhardt on loan in JanuaryCredit: Getty
      The 21-year-old is not in Daniel Farke’s side and could head out of Elland Road on loan.
      Several Championship clubs are keen but Hull head the list.
      However, they would have to pay top wages and also offer first-team games.
      Hull chief Liam Rosenior has a handful of top attackers already but will look to make space for Gelhardt.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Huddersfield are another club keen on Gelhardt, who spent the second half of last season at Sunderland.
      Gelhardt scored three goals in 20 appearances for the Black Cats as they made the play-offs.
      However, since returning to Leeds in the summer, he has been limited to just two league starts.
      The youngster did make a return to the matchday squad on Saturday, though, after two months out in the cold.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      Gelhardt was an unused sub as Leeds won 2-0 at Blackburn to keep up the pressure on the top two.
      Meanwhile, Rosenior’s Tigers slipped to a defeat away at QPR.
      The result saw his side drop to eighth in the table, only outside the play-off places on goal difference. More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Paul Heckingbottom linked with immediate return to management as bookies make him favourite to take over ex-Prem giants

      by

      FORMER Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom could make an immediate return to management.Heckingbottom only lost his job on Tuesday but could immediately replace Tony Mowbray at Sunderland.
      Heckingbottom could immediately return to football as Sunderland bossCredit: PA
      Bookies BetVictor have him installed as joint 2/1 favourite to take over at the Stadium of Light.
      He is now level favourite with French coach Julien Sable, who was tipped as the man who had been lined up by Sunderland to immediately replace Mowbray.
      But Heckingbottom’s sudden presence as a free agent on the managerial market may see Sunderland make an opportunistic appointment instead.
      Heckingbottom’s connection with Sunderland has also boosted the chances of him getting the job as he came through the academy there.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      He never made a first team league appearance for the Black Cats however, and left to join Darlington in 1999.
      Heckingbottom made his name as a manager when managing Barnsley from 2016 until 2018.
      Unsuccessful stints at Leeds and Hibernian followed, but he did well at Sheffield United having taken over as an interim from Chris Wilder in 2021.
      The club brought in Slavisa Jokanovic as their full-time manager ahead of the 2021-22 season but after a poor start turned back to Heckingbottom.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      He did a stellar job in getting the club promoted to the Premier League last campaign despite huge financial issues.
      Those problems contributed to a disastrous start to this year’s Premier League, with Heckingbottom sacked after the club accrued just five points from their opening 14 games.
      He was then replaced by his predecessor Wilder.
      Sunderland could be an attractive prospect for Heckingbottom after the club reached the Championship play-offs last season.
      They have exciting young talents in the form of Jack Clarke and Jobe Bellingham but find themselves ninth in the Championship table.
      Sunderland host West Brom today at 12:30. More

    • 263 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Fans suggest career change for Wayne Rooney as Man Utd legend’s horror run as Birmingham boss hits new low at Coventry

      by

      FOOTBALL fans have suggested that Wayne Rooney switch careers following his disappointing start to life as Birmingham manager.Rooney, 38, took the helm at St Andrew’s in October with the Blues fifth in the Championship table.
      Some fans think Wayne Rooney should become a punditCredit: Getty
      However, the Manchester United legend has registered just one win in nine games.
      Since Rooney took over from John Eustace as manager, the Blues have lost six games and drawn two.
      They have subsequently slipped to 16th in the table, leaving fans furious.
      Some are now suggesting that the ex-England striker should quit management altogether to pursue a career as a pundit.
      Read More on Football
      One person tweeted: “Rooney should resort to becoming a sports pundit or something. He lacks everything needed to become a successful coach, he’s been performing poorly.
      “He’s literally dirtying his legacy at Manchester as a player, someone should advise him.”
      Another wrote: “Rooney should just quit this coaching thing and go be a pundit just like the other former English players.”
      While a third added: “Rooney should just become a pundit, you are already rich man.”
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Birmingham suffered a 2-0 defeat to Coventry on Friday.
      After the match, Rooney admitted that the team are in a difficult position.
      He said: “We’re in a difficult place, we know that, with the run of results and the points we’re losing.
      “The big thing is the goals we’re conceding are very poor goals. We have to figure it out and make sure we don’t give easy goals away. The run of form can’t continue.
      “Of course I understand the fans’ frustration. That’s normal when you go through a run of results like this and we have to change this as quickly as possible.
      “If I was a fan in the stands there tonight I would be exactly the same. But what I can tell you is we’re working really hard to fix it, to improve results and performances.” More

    • 213 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      We played together before working alongside each other under Solskjaer – now we’re rivals battling for promotion

      by

      MICHAEL CARRICK knows he has his work  cut out trying to spring a surprise on Manchester United pal Kieran McKenna.Firstly, Middlesbrough could be without TEN players for the visit of high-flying Ipswich this afternoon.
      Carrick will be taking on his old pal this afternoonCredit: Shutterstock
      McKenna was a rising star in Utd’s backroom team under OleCredit: Leila Coker/Shutterstock
      Solskjaer is still to return to management after his time at United
      And even at full strength, Boro chief Carrick knows how hard it will be to get one over “one of the best coaches you could ever hope for”.
      The good mates met as Tottenham players before being reunited at United when McKenna, 37, took over as Under-18s coach while Carrick, 42, was nearing the end as a player.
      They then worked under both Jose  Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
      Ahead of  locking horns as bosses for the first time, Carrick said: “Of course, there is a temptation to try to catch him off guard.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      “We worked in each other’s pockets  for so long at United — we emptied our football brains on to each other.
      “We helped prepare a team along with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for a number of years so we saw a lot of similar things to be able to work together.
      “You unload all of your knowledge on  to each other and feed off it, developing some sort of understanding. We certainly think in similar ways.
      “I picked his brains a lot and we ended up learning a bit from each other, though  I probably learned more from him than  he did from me!”
      Most read in Football
      McKenna began his coaching path  when a hip injury forced him to retire, aged 22.
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Fast forward 15 years and he is the envy of the Championship and attracting admiring glances from Prem clubs having propelled the Tractor Boys to second after going  up from League One last summer.
      Carrick said: “He has done an incredible job, which I am not surprised about one bit. He is one of the best coaches that  I have ever come across.
      “He’s got a very good football brain and eye for detail. His knowledge is just incredible in terms of what he  can store and remember.
      “On the grass he’s fantastic in how he structures his sessions. He’s just  an all-round top coach.
      “I knew from the start, when I first saw him working, how good he was with the youth teams and Under-18s at United when I was playing.
      “Then I got to work with him with  the first team — and I knew from that stage that he would go on to have a  terrific managerial career.
      “We speak a lot and are good friends. Who knows what is going to happen  with Kieran? I just know how good he is and what he is capable of.”
      Equally, McKenna sees Carrick as a pal and inspiration.
      He said: “Of course, the opposition manager is a good friend and someone I hold in the highest regard as a player, coach and, more importantly, as a person.
      “The full focus and respect has gone into preparing for a really good opponent.
      “I think we have very similar views on things, very similar views on football.
      “How we like the game to be played and quite a lot of things that we enjoy from a tactical point of view in terms of how we want our teams to go about things.
      Read more on The Sun
      “So I think we share quite a lot of  viewpoints and a relationship in football that I feel like I’ve learnt and benefited from such a lot.”
      Carrick believes both  were given a great grounding at Old Trafford.He added: “I had some good and some more challenging times — and you learn from that as a player and coach.”  More

    • 163 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Sunderland interview little-known Swedish boss to become next manager after sacking Tony Mowbray

      by

      SUNDERLAND have approached Kim Hellberg in the search for a new manager, according to reports.The Black Cats surprisingly axed Tony Mowbray earlier this week despite the club being just three points behind the play-off places.
      Kim Hellberg has reportedly held talks over becoming Sunderland boss
      They have won just one of their last five games.
      Mowbray, 60, led the club to the play-off semi-final last year before losing to now Premier League side Luton.
      Academy coach Mike Dodds is currently in temporary charge but Hellberg has held talks with owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, claim The Times.
      The 35-year-old boss is without a job after leading IFK Varnamo to fifth in the Swedish top-flight.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Their season came to an end last month and Hellberg chose to resign, citing his desire for a new challenge.
      He has also been linked with the Hammarby job, who lost their boss Marti Cifuentes to QPR.
      Hellberg is a highly-rated young coach and he has made his way up the football pyramid.
      His career began when he won the fifth tier with Kimstad Golf.
      Most read in Championship
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFER
      He then moved to Kuddby IF and won two promotions in three years before climbing to the Swedish equivalent of the Championship and Prem.
      Sunderland also have Reims manager Will Still and Nice assistant Julien Sable on their radar. More

    • 275 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Most beautiful girl in world’ and daughter of ex-Premier League star stuns in new pics as fans say ‘you look damn fine’

      by

      THYLANE BLONDEAU stunned fans with her latest Instagram upload.She is the daughter of Patrick Blondeau, who played for Sheffield Wednesday in the Premier League.
      The model posed in a bathroomCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      She is one of the world’s most well known modelsCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      And has over seven million followersCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      She regularly keeps fans up to date on social mediaCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      Thylane is one of the most in-demand models in the world and is signed to the IMG agency.
      Her looks on catwalks and editorial alike have seen her garner 7.3million followers on Instagram.
      And it’s on that platform that she posted her latest set of pictures.
      In the photos she paired a black cardigan with a black skirt.
      READ MORE ON SPORT
      She captioned the photo with a black heart emoji to match her ensemble.
      One fan commented: “You’re so beautiful”
      Another wrote: “Too beautiful.”
      A third commented: “Wow.”
      Most read in Football
      The model has attended NBA games in the pastCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      While a fourth wrote: “Ooh la la”
      And a fifth said: “You look damn fine.”
      Thylane’s dad, Patrick, 55, won two caps for France, joined Sheffield Wednesday from Monaco at the start of the 1997/98 Premier League campaign.
      He only spent one season with The Owls before heading home to sign for Bordeaux and then Marseille.
      However, he did return to England with Watford in the Championship in 2001 – just months after Thylane was born.
      And lives a jet-set lifestyleCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      She always keeps fans up to date on InstagramCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      Her father played for Sheffield WednesdayCredit: Instagram @ thylaneblondeau
      Her father played for WatfordCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd More

    • 175 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Tottenham blow with Ange Postecoglou’s assistant leading race to take over as Swansea manager

      by

      CHRIS DAVIES is a leading candidate to replace Michael Duff as Swansea manager.The 38-year-old is senior assistant coach to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham after spending years as Brendan Rodgers’ No2.
      Chris Davies is Ange Postecoglou’s No2 at SpursCredit: Rex
      The Aussie brought Davies to Tottenham as part of his staff in the summerCredit: Alamy
      Davies was close to taking over at the Welsh club before Duff was appointed boss of the Championship outfit back in June.
      The former Wales Under-19 player was an analyst at Swansea under Rodgers when the club won promotion to the Premier League in 2011.
      Davies followed Rodgers to Liverpool and also worked with the Northern Irishman at Celtic and Leicester.
      Swansea are on the hunt for a new boss after sacking Duff on Monday with the club lying 18th in the Championship.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
      They have just five wins from 19 games – and only one victory in the last eight.
      Duff’s assistant Martin Paterson was also shown the door.
      If the Swans opt to step up their interest in Davies, they would need to seek permission from Spurs and pay compensation to secure his services.
      Ex-Birmingham boss John Eustace and former Luton and Southampton chief Nathan Jones are both out of the running for the vacant post.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Alan Sheehan remains Swansea’s caretaker boss and is expected to be in charge for Saturday’s Championship game at Rotherham alongside coach Kristian O’Leary and goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson.
      Former Luton defender Sheehan moved to the Liberty in the summer after Russell Martin and his backroom staff departed for Southampton.
      Michael Duff was sacked after just 21 games in chargeCredit: Getty More

    • 300 Shares129 Views

      in Soccer

      I played 33 minutes in the Premier League – now I’m slugging it out at my 25th club after transfer to seventh tier side

      by

      A FORMER Sheffield United striker is now plying his trade at seventh tier side Mickleover. Leon Clarke, 38, made two Premier League appearances in a career that spans across 25 different clubs.
      Clarke was promoted to the Premier League with Sheffield United in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      He also played for a host of Championship and League One sidesCredit: PA:Empics Sport
      The 38-year-old has racked up 153 professional career goals, with 60 of them coming in the Championship.
      During the proceeding years in League One, he scored 23 goals for Coventry City, before re-joining boyhood club Wolves on loan in 2015.
      He is dearly remembered for his Steel City derby brace against city rivals Sheffield Wednesday in 2017 in the Championship.
      Clarke finished United’s top scorer in 2017/18 and was named in the PFA Team of the Year for his output in front of goal.
      READ MORE FOOTBALLN NEWS
      He appeared for 33 minutes, across two games, when Sheffield United were promoted to the top-flight.
      Clarke then enjoyed spells across Bury, Shrewsbury Town, and Bristol Rovers.
      He spent time earlier this year in the National League with Hartlepool, before a loan spell at Rushall Olympic paved the way for a move to Kettering in September.
      And he has now moved to non-league Derby outfit Mickleover.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
      Clarke told the Star: “Mickleover play the sort of football I like, attractive. It’s the sort of opportunity I had to jump at with both hands.”
      The club are currently top of the Southern League Premier Division Central table, with Kettering just outside the relegation zone.
      He had a goal disallowed in his debut on Saturday, as Mickleover lost 2-1 at Halesowen Town.
      But still, it can’t hurt having a former Championship talisman and Premier League player among the ranks. More