Championship

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick tipped for huge managerial move if he fails to secure Premier League promotion

      by

      MICHAEL CARRICK has been tipped as “one to keep an eye on” regarding a vacant Premier League manager job.The Middlesbrough manager has enjoyed an incredible breakthrough season in the dug-out at the North East club.
      Michael Carrick has been linked with a potential shock return to former club TottenhamCredit: Rex
      Boro were sitting 21st in the Championship when he replaced Chris Wilder back in October but he has now transformed them into huge promotion contenders.
      They currently sit fourth and have already secured their place in the play-offs – but now Carrick has been linked with a return to one of his old clubs.
      Tottenham are searching for a new permanent manager after Antonio Conte’s departure.
      His assistant Cristian Stellini initially took caretaker charge, but he was replaced by Ryan Mason on a temporary basis following the 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United.
      READ MORE FOOTBALL
      Sun Sport exclusively revealed that Vincent Kompany, who has led Burnley to the Championship title, was Tottenham’s top target.
      The 37-year-old has refused to comment on those links and now former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann is among the top contenders for the job.
      And Bayer Leverkusen’s is another name that is believed to be on the shortlist – but now TalkSPORT’s transfer guru Alex Crooks has thrown Carrick, who spent two years at Spurs before signing for Manchester United in 2006, into the mix.
      It came as he was providing an update on Spurs’ pursuit of Nagelsmann when he told talkSPORT: “This one was always a very slim chance that he would go.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      “Obviously that chance improved when he took himself out of the running to be the new Chelsea manager.
      “Watching Chelsea last night, he might be quite pleased with that decision.
      “But I think it always had to be 100 per cent right for Nagelsmann to go to Tottenham, particularly as they’re not going to be in the Champions League next season.
      “I think he’s concerned about the lack of a sporting director and who they might appoint in that position, so he’s not going to commit himself until he knows who he is going to be reporting to.”
      Crooks added: “I still think they might go down the young, up-and-coming route.
      “We know they’re big admirers of Vincent Kompany, he’s definitely on their list of potential targets.
      “Michael Carrick I think would be an interesting one to keep an eye on if Middlesbrough don’t go up.” More

    • 225 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      Jobe Bellingham piles on almost two stone as he is tipped to become ‘absolute MONSTER’ like brother Jude

      by

      JOBE BELLINGHAM has been tipped to be an “absolute monster” after he bulked up to compete in the Championship. The 17-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of his older brother Jude, who has taken Europe by storm in recent years.
      Big things are expected from the younger Bellingham brother, JobeCredit: Rex
      Jude Bellingham is already among the world’s best midfielders and could be set for a huge summer transferCredit: Getty
      The midfield ace began his career at boyhood club Birmingham and made such a huge impact the Blues retired his shirt when he left for Dortmund in 2020.
      Jobe is also expected to do big things in his career and will be looking to make a bigger impact at Birmingham next season.
      SunSport columnist Tory Deeney, who joined the second-tier side in 2021, has seen Jobe’s development up close and is excited for the future.
      He revealed that the youngster was bulking up to be more of a physical presence on the pitch.
      READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS
      Deeney told Kammy & Ben’s Proper Football Podcast: “There’s a cluster of six or seven (at Birmingham) under the age of 22, Jobe being the youngest – he has just turned 17.
      “He’s put on 10 kilos this year, he’s going to be an absolute monster just like his brother is.
      “He is going to be unbelievably talented, you can’t deny that, but it is just going to take him a year or two longer than his brother. He’s in that shadow isn’t he? Wonderful kid, wonderful family.”
      Despite his potential, Jobe has only made four starts within his 21 Championship appearances this season.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      Brother Jude made 41 outings during his extraordinary breakthrough 2019-20 campaign when he was just a 16-year-old.
      Birmingham manager John Eustace has spoken about the importance of not shoving Jobe onto the frontline too early.
      He told BirminghamLive last month: “There’s a lot of pressure on Jobe because of who his brother is and we have to protect him, and I have to protect him.
      “I think he (Jobe) was 16 in the first half of the season and he’s turned 17. We are talking about very young players. It’s my job to develop them in the right way.
      “Throughout the season Jobe has had very good minutes. We’ve put him in, we’ve pulled him out and rested him at times.
      “In the last couple of appearances you can see how he’s grown and developed, and there’s still a hell of a lot more to come from him. We’re going to have a super player on our hands.”
      Despite Lee Bowyer being unexpectedly sacked in pre-season, Birmingham have overcome the chaos to have a decent campaign and are set for a mid-table finish. More

    • 213 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Plymouth keeper Callum Burton at centre of tug-of-war with Birmingham one of three Championship clubs eyeing transfer

      by

      BIRMINGHAM are one of three Championship clubs eyeing a move for Plymouth keeper Callum Burton.The Blues as well as Swansea and Reading have sent scouts to Home Park in recent weeks to track the Pilgrims stopper.
      Callum Burton is wanted by three Championship clubsCredit: Rex
      While Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts have also been monitoring £500,000-rated Burton.
      Burton, who has represented at youth level up to England U18s, has impressed since replacing injured No1 Michael Cooper in February.
      The 26-year-old helped Plymouth win promotion to the Championship in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Burton Albion – his seventh clean sheet in 16 League One starts.
      Burton has one year remaining on his contract but got his break with the Devon club when Cooper was crocked in the 1-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday three months ago.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Plymouth top English football’s third tier with 98 points, one ahead of fellow automatic promoted side Ipswich.
      Steven Schumacher’s Argyle can win the division with a victory – which will break the 100-point barrier – at Port Vale on Sunday.Second-placed Ipswich travel to Fleetwood.
      They have led the way for much of the season and only the Tractor Boys can pip them to the title after also sealing promotion on Saturday with a 6-0 win over Exeter.
      Kieran McKenna’s side have won 13 out of their last 14 games including their last five on the bounce.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
      As well as eyeing the League One trophy they will also be looking to break the 100-point and 100 goals scored barrier in what has been a terrific campaign in East Anglia. More

    • 188 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Coventry stadium’s away toilets trashed by yobs with sinks ripped off walls after hosting Birmingham

      by

      FOOTBALL yobs destroyed the sinks in Coventry’s away toilets as the club hosted Birmingham in the Championship. The Sky Blues are going for the play-offs and gave their promotion chances a big boost by winning on Saturday.
      This was the state of the away toilets at the CBS Arena after Coventry hosted BirminghamCredit: Twitter
      Viktor Gyokeres scored his 21st Championship goal of the season in the Coventry winCredit: PA
      But some misbehaving fans left the away toilets at the CBS Arena in a shocking state.
      Pictures from Twitter account Football Away Days shows two sinks ripped from their hinges in toilets for travelling fans.
      The sinks appear to have been purposely dragged from the walls and left hanging above the ground by yobs.
      The bathroom also has litter strewn across its floor.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Coventry and Birmingham have been contacted for comment.
      Fans were left unimpressed by what they saw.
      One said on Twitter: “That’s muggy. ‘We may have lost the game but we gave the sinks a good seeing too’ ffs wise up.”
      While another quipped: “How could they sink down so far?”
      Most read in Football
      The CBS Arena is currently owned by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group after they stepped in to buy the ground from Wasps, the rugby union club who went into administration last year.
      Coventry agreed a five-year deal to be allowed to play at the ground with Ashley’s company last week.
      Coventry beat Birmingham 2-0 with first-half goals from Josh Eccles and Viktor Gyokeres.
      They ended the weekend fifth ahead of the final set of fixtures in the Championship next Monday.
      Coventry have a strong chance of reaching the play-offs despite not winning any of their first nine league games in this campaign. More

    • 163 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Blackpool set to appoint Stephen Dobbie as full-time manager despite club’s devastating relegation

      by

      STEPHEN DOBBIE’S chances of getting the Blackpool job full-time are soaring as pal Ciaran Donnelly is lined up for a key post there.The Scot has been in caretaker charge since Mick McCarthy stepped down earlier this month.
      Stephen Dobbie could turn his caretaker role into a permanent oneCredit: Getty
      And the interim manager may get the nod for next season despite failing to guide the Seasiders away from the relegation zone.
      Around half-a-dozen candidates are set to be interviewed by the club.
      Academy chief Donnelly, who is part of the process of finding a new boss, works closely with Dobbie and knows him well.
      Blackpool were relegated to League One on Friday night after a 3-2 loss to Millwall.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      The team were in dire form under McCarthy, failing to win seven of his last eight games before he quit.
      However, under Dobbie, results have improved, winning two of the five matches he has been in charge for.
      The 40-year-old is a Blackpool hero after playing for them 56 times during playing his career.
      Before he was appointed interim boss, he worked with young players as their lead development coach.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Former gaffer Neil Critchley has been linked with a return to the club, with Graham Alexander also reportedly in the frame.
      Blackpool face Norwich away on the final day of the season with all hope already gone. More

    • 200 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Blackburn face fight to keep Jon Dahl Tomasson as he could consider return to European football

      by

      BLACKBURN face a fight to keep boss Jon Dahl Tomasson after one season at the club.The Dane, 46, has done well on his managerial debut in England with the club in the hunt for a play-off place.
      Jon Dahl Tomasson could leave Blackburn this summerCredit: Getty
      He also guided them to huge scalps versus Premier League opponents West Ham and Leicester in cup competitions this season.
      However, Tomasson could quit the club and be tempted by a return to European football, if Rovers fail to gain promotion to the Premier League.
      He knows Blackburn will cut back next season if they do not go up.
      The likes of star man Ben Brereton Diaz could depart Ewood Park, with his contract set to expire this summer.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Additionally, SunSport exclusively revealed that wonderkid Adam Wharton is wanted by Newcastle.
      Tomasson also did not get the players he wanted in the January transfer window.

      The club made a move to sign Norwich’s Todd Cantwell and Leeds’ Joe Gelhardt, but neither move materialised.
      Tomasson was also left frustrated when Blackburn suffered a paperwork disaster that led to two transfer falling apart.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Deals were in place for Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien and Rochdale ace Ethan Brierley.
      However, the EFL prevented the swoops happening due to paperwork not being submitted before the deadline.
      Blackburn currently sit three points behind the last play-off place and they have two matches remaining while the teams above have just one.
      They face Luton tomorrow before a huge clash with fellow-play-off spot chasers Millwall on the final day of the season. More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Sheff Utd will keep Oli McBurnie for the Premier League next season as two top stars enter final year of deals

      by

      SHEFFIELD UNITED will keep striker Oli McBurnie for the Premier League next season — when THREE of their top stars are in the last year of their deals.Paul Heckingbottom’s side secured promotion back to the top division via a second place finish when they beat West Brom 2-0 on Wednesday.
      Sheffield United star Oli McBurnie is set to stay at the clubCredit: PA
      And the club are planning on retaining several of their key players for next term.
      McBurnie sees his deal run out this summer but the Blades are taking up the option of retaining him for another campaign.
      Meanwhile, Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye are signed up until next year.
      Both are likely to want to carry on in the top-flight’s big shop window and become free agents after that. 
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      McBurnie joined Sheffield United in the summer of 2019 from Swansea for a fee of £17.5million.
      He has been key in the Championship this season, netting 12 goals in 36 matches.

      As for Berge, the midfielder has been a vital cog in the starting XI since joining from Genk in 2020.
      The player was close to joining either Newcastle or Fulham during the January transfer window, but he chose to stay with Sheffield United.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Ndiaye is another who sees his deal expire in the summer of 2024 and he has impressed this season, scoring 15 goals in 50 games in all competitions.
      The Senegalese international was part of his country’s side that lost to England in the World Cup.
      He has previously been linked with a move to Everton.
      Sander Berge could leave Bramall Lane at the end of next seasonCredit: Getty
      Iliman Ndiaye has previously attracted interest from Premier League sidesCredit: Getty More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Soccer

      Tony Mowbray suffers freak injury celebrating Sunderland’s last-gasp equaliser against Watford

      by

      TONY MOWBRAY suffered a freak injury celebrating Sunderland’s last-gasp equaliser against Watford. Patrick Roberts rescued a point at the Stadium of Light with a 95th minute leveller.
      Tony Mowbray suffered a freak injury celebrating Sunderland’s equaliser against WatfordCredit: Twitter

      But the scenes of joy soon turned to pain for Black Cats boss Mowbray, who pulled his hamstring celebrating in the dugout.
      And despite an 18-year professional playing career, the former defender revealed it was the first time he suffered the injury.
      Mowbray said: “I think it’s a hamstring injury.
      “I never had a hamstring injury in 18 years as a professional because I was never fast enough but when that goal went in, I obviously moved a bit too quick.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “I’m sure it’ll be fine, a bit of treatment. We have a full treatment room but if I can grab a physio I’ll be fine.”
      Watford had taken a two goal lead after headers from Christian Kabasele in the first half and Ryan Porteous in the 69th minute.
      But 60 seconds on from the second goal, Luke O’Nien gave Sunderland a lifeline before Roberts’ dramatic equaliser.
      The result leaves Sunderland seventh, two points shy of sixth-placed Millwall ahead of their final-day trip to mid-table Preston.
      Most read in Championship
      FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
      Mowbray said: “It gives us real clarity that we have to go and win at Preston next week. If we do, everyone around us has tough games on paper.
      “Let’s go and win. It’s real clarity now, we know we need to go and get the three points and see what happens.
      “I’m pretty relaxed about it. We’ve given ourselves a real opportunity, we’ll take 6,000 fans there, let’s hope it’s a big party.
      “We showed reasonable patience and then Roberts, a guy I’ve been speaking about since I came in here, I could never believe he was playing in League One last year, he’s an amazing footballer.
      “Cometh the hour, cometh the man. I don’t think anybody could argue we didn’t deserve something from that football match.
      “We’re in it until the last day of the season. It still might not be enough, but that’s OK, it’s been an enjoyable season working with the young players.”
      Tony Mowbray celebrates Sunderland’s drawCredit: Rex More