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      Neil Warnock charged by FA for explosive post-match blast at officials after Middlesbrough’s loss to Swansea

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      NEIL WARNOCK has been charged by the FA for his explosive post-match blast at officials.The Middlesbrough manager slammed referee Gavin Ward for a number of decisions in the 2-1 Championship loss to Swansea earlier this month.
      Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has been charged by the FA for his post-match rant about officials after Boro lost to SwanseaCredit: PA
      SunSport revealed last week the FA had launched an investigation into Warnock’s comments and he now has until March 22 to respond to the charge.
      An FA statement read: “Neil Warnock has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to Middlesbrough FC’s match against Swansea City FC in the EFL Championship on Saturday 6 March 2021.
      “It is alleged that comments made by the manager during a post-match interview constitute improper conduct as they questioned the integrity of the match official and/or implied bias and/or were personally offensive and/or bring the game into disrepute contrary to FA Rule E3.1.
      “Neil Warnock has until 22 March 2021 to provide a response to this charge.”
      Warnock also accused Swansea of benefiting from decisions in the match at the Liberty Stadium on March 6 because manager Steve Cooper’s dad Keith was a former top-flight official.
      His attack on Ward came after he disallowed Marc Bola’s strike, with Yannick Bolasie adjudged to have fouled Jay Fulton in the build-up.
      After Boro levelled, Ward then awarded the Welsh side a penalty deep in injury-time for a George Saville foul on Jake Bidwell, which Andre Ayew converted from the spot.
      Warnock, 72, said: “They are all heroes, they all want the celebrity status.
      “It’s wrong. My lads have been let down by a team of officials who weren’t good enough today. It’s not right.”
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      Warnock added: “I don’t know if it’s Cooper’s dad whose influencing this?
      “He must have all the numbers. But, joking apart, they can’t keep having decisions like that.”
      Boro are eighth in the Championship – just five points off the play-offs.
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      Nigel Adkins appointed as Charlton manager to replace Lee Bowyer in surprise choice and targets Premier League

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      CHARLTON have appointed Nigel Adkins as manager to replace Lee Bowyer.The former Southampton and Scunthorpe boss has been out of work since leaving Hull in 2019 – but hopes to replicate his St Mary’s success at The Valley and get Charlton from League One into the Premier League.
      Nigel Adkins has been appointed Charlton managerCredit: Getty
      Charlton Athletic are delighted to announce Nigel Adkins as the club’s Manager. Welcome to the Charlton family, Nigel! 🔴⚪ #cafc | https://t.co/f36HsGcQDw— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 18, 2021

      But Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaaard has given him a two-and-a-half-year contract as he looks for a League One play-off push from his sixth-placed side following Bowyer’s departure to Birmingham.
      Adkins said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for me – something that has happened very quickly.
      “I’m really pleased to be here and am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started. 
       “I had a conversation with Thomas and he highlighted where he wants this club to go. It’s an exciting and long-term vision.
      “Getting to the Premier League is something that we all want and something that I have done before. I want to achieve that again.
      “The team got a great result on Tuesday night (a 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers) and now we need to keep driving on together, because we have got a chance of winning promotion this season.”
      Adkins’ best spell in management came at Saints, taking them from League One to the Prem between 2010 and 2013.
      Before that he was boss of Scunthorpe, where he was promoted from physio, leading to the chant: “Who needs Mourinho, we’ve got our physio!”
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      ADKINS’ MANAGERIAL CAREERADKINS has managed the following clubs
      Bangor (1993-96)
      Scunthorpe (2006-10)
      Southampton (2010-13)
      Reading (2013-14)
      Sheffield United (2015-16)
      Hull City (2017-19)
      Charlton (2021-)

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      It is these spells Sandgaard is hoping Adkins will replicate, rather than his more disappointing stints at Reading, Sheffield United and Hull.
      Charlton owner Sandgaard added: “I believe Nigel is the perfect personality, with the perfect background and the perfect experience to get us to where we want to be.
      “Both Nigel and I want us to playing football in the Premier League and I can’t wait to see us there.”
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      Alan Pardew in line for return to English football after ‘expressing interest in taking Portsmouth job’

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      ALAN PARDEW has reportedly expressed an interest in taking the Portsmouth job.Pompey sacked Kenny Jackett after their EFL Trophy final defeat to Salford at Wembley on Saturday.
      Alan Pardew is ‘interested’ in the Portsmouth jobCredit: Getty
      And former West Ham and Newcastle boss Pardew, 59, fancies a crack at the Fratton Park gig, according to reliable south coast football journalist Alex Crook.
      The TalkSport presenter tweeted: “Am told Alan Pardew and Phil Parkinson have both expressed an interest in the #Pompey job.”
      With his side in dire form in League One and slipping out of the play-off places, the Fratton Park board pulled the trigger on Jackett, 59, on Sunday morning.
      In nearly four years in charge, Jackett led Pompey to EFL Trophy glory in 2019.
      But back-to-back play-off slip-ups against Sunderland and Oxford ensured the club remained in the third tier with many fans calling for a change.
      On Sunday, SunSport exclusively revealed Portsmouth want ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss Neil Harris.
      Pardew’s colourful career took a new direction in November with his latest adventure as technical director for CSKA Sofia.
      He left Dutch side ADO Den Haag in April 2020 just two months after ultras hijacked his training session and tried to teach tactics to the players.
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      Am told Alan Pardew and Phil Parkinson have both expressed an interest in the #Pompey job— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) March 16, 2021

      And for the first time in his life he is challenging for the title — even if it is in a league only slightly more competitive than Scotland’s annual two-horse race.
      Elsewhere former Pompey boss Harry Redknapp has offered to take the reins for free until a permanent boss is appointed.
      He told talkSPORT: “I’m ready – I’m getting bored.
      “I’ll walk up there tomorrow for nothing. I’ll do the job for nothing.
      “It’ll keep me busy and get me out of the house. Although I can’t do it until Cheltenham is over.”
      Former Portsmouth and Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara has also chucked his hat in the ring.
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      Banned ref Darren Drysdale given low-key return as fourth official at Scunthorpe vs Southend after squaring up to Judge

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      BANNED ref Darren Drysdale is being handed a low-key return to action as fourth official at Scunthorpe on Saturday.Drysdale was suspended after being found guilty of improper conduct during a heated clash with Ipswich midfielder Alan Judge last month.
      Darren Drysdale will return to action as fourth official this SaturdayCredit: Getty
      He is free to start work again but is being sent to Scunthorpe’s League Two relegation home game against Southend United where he won’t even be on the pitch.
      An FA disciplinary panel heard that Judge called Drysdale a ‘cheating bald c***’ as they locked heads during Ipswich’s match against Northampton on February 16.
      Judge disputes that account strongly and says his club has audio footage to prove his did not swear or label Drysdale a cheat.
      Drysdale, 49, admitted losing his composure in the incident but maintained the abuse he received that night was ‘the worst ever’ in his officiating career.
      He still received a ban that was backdated to February 19 and ran until March 10.
      The trip to Scunthorpe will be his first game since the episode in the 90th minute of a goalless draw at Portman Road.
      The two men squared up after Drysdale booked Judge for simulation instead of awarding him a penalty.
      The Football Association have warned Drysdale about his future conduct.
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      He returns from suspension for squaring up to Ipswich’s Alan JudgeCredit: MatchDay Images Limited

      And a visit to Glanford Park where he will be kept out of direct contact with players as much as possible is seen as the best way of easing the controversial official back into the fold.
      Both teams have plenty on the line Saturday with Essex side Southend desperate for points as they look to avoid relegation to the National League.
      Scunthorpe are also at risk of being dragged in as they sit 18th.
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      Portsmouth want ex-Cardiff and Millwall boss Neil Harris to replace axed Kenny Jackett

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      PORTSMOUTH are lining up Neil Harris to be their new manager.
      The former Cardiff boss is among the candidates to take over at Pompey following their sacking of Kenny Jackett yesterday.

      Portsmouth are looking to make Neil Harris their new managerCredit: Rex Features

      Jackett, who had been in charge for almost four years, was axed after Saturday’s Papa John’s Trophy final defeat by League Two Salford at Wembley.
      It came on the back of three successive League losses.
      And they have resulted in Pompey dropping out of the League One play-off places.
      Chief executive Mark Catlin said: “Portsmouth Football Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Kenny for the work he has done during his near four-year spell at the club and we all wish him well for the future.

      “It has been an emotional past few weeks for everyone associated with Pompey and we now begin the process – which will be as short as possible – of appointing someone who we believe can give us the best chance of finishing inside the top six. 
      “These talks begin now.”
      Jackett replaced Paul Cook in June 2017 and led the club to EFL Trophy success over Sunderland in 2019.
      But he had suffered the heartache of League One play-off semi-final defeats to the Black Cats and Oxford since.

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      Kenny Jackett was sacked after Pompey’s EFL Trophy final defeat to SalfordCredit: PA:Press Association

      Harris, 43, was sacked by Cardiff in January after guiding them to last season’s Championship play-offs – where they were beaten by Fulham in the semi-finals.
      He previously guided Millwall to promotion to the Championship via the League One play-offs in 2017.
      Tony Pulis and Danny Cowley are also among the contenders to take over at Pompey but Harris is their preferred choice.

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      Sunderland 1 Tranmere 0: Mackems finally break 48-year Wembley jinx thanks to Gooch’s goal but no fans there to see it

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      SUNDERLAND finally broke their Wembley jinx as Lynden Gooch’s second-half strike saw them win at the national stadium for the first time since 1973.
      Gooch converted from the edge of the box just before the hour mark and his team held on to lift the 2021 Papa John’s EFL Trophy – beating Tranmere 1-0.

      Sunderland won at Wembley for the first time in 48 years to lift the Papa John’s TrophyCredit: Rex Features

      Lynden Gooch scored the winner just before the hour markCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The Mackems had not won in seven attempts at the national stadium since beating Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup final.
      And although – as boss Lee Johnson put it – ‘it’s not the biggest trophy’ Sunderland fans will be gutted they couldn’t be there to see them shake off the Wembley voodoo.
      Prior to match Rovers fans were simply asking the North East side not to batter them considering they’re chasing promotion in the league above.
      But in reality, the League Two side did themselves proud.

      Their five shots on target dwarfed Sunderland’s one but Gooch’s right-foot effort was the only one that went in and therefore the only one that really mattered.
      There was little to separate the teams in an entertaining contest – but a moment of quality proved decisive in the 57th minute when Aiden McGeady split the Tranmere defence with a through-ball and United States international Gooch finished off the chance.
      League Two beat League One in Saturday’s 2020 final as Salford saw off Portsmouth – but there was no repeat the following day despite a spirited display from Keith Hill’s team.
      Tranmere had the best chance of the first half in the 15th minute when Grant Leadbitter’s attempted clearance of Danny Lloyd’s shot was well kept out by stretching Sunderland goalkeeper Lee Burge.

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      The Mackems had not won in seven attempts at the national stadium since beating Leeds in the 1973 FA Cup finalCredit: Rex Features
      Chris Maguire, starting a game for the first time since December in the absence of the injured Aiden O’Brien, fired Sunderland’s first attempt wide before Tranmere threatened again through Kieron Morris’ blocked effort and Lloyd’s header, straight at Burge.
      Maguire saw a 29th-minute shot deflected wide for a corner before an unmarked Max Power failed to make the most of a header at the far post.
      Veteran Rovers defender Peter Clarke was penalised for a foul on Charlie Wyke in the 38th minute, giving McGeady a free-kick in a similar position to one he scored from in the 2019 final against Portsmouth – but this time the 34-year-old fired well over.
      The Black Cats were forced into their first change in the 44th minute when central defender Tom Flanagan, who needed early treatment for a head injury, was replaced by Conor McLaughlin before Leadbitter produced a timely block to deny Lloyd.
      Otis Khan nutmegged Luke O’Nien before drawing a diving save from Burge within three minutes of the restart, as Tranmere continued to look dangerous.
      However, Lee Johnson’s team responded in the 51st minute when 26-goal top scorer Wyke failed to make the right connection with McGeady’s driven cross.

      Then came the key moment, McGeady’s vision and incisive pass setting up Gooch who advanced and coolly lifted the ball over goalkeeper Scott Davies.
      Maguire was replaced by Jack Diamond five minutes later, with Tranmere bringing on on-loan Preston striker David Nugent and Corey Blackett-Taylor for Lloyd and Paul Lewis.
      The League Two side responded with a good spell of pressure, with O’Nien blocking a George Ray shot, Nugent narrowly failing to connect with a cross and Blackett-Taylor testing Burge.
      However, Sunderland, who came close themselves when McLaughlin’s 76th-minute effort was tipped onto the bar and over by Davies, held on to end their long wait for Wembley success.
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      Madrid legend Karanka set to be axed by Birmingham after awful13 points from 57 return leaves Brum in relegation mire

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      BIRMINGHAM CITY have sacked manager Aitor Karanka, according to reports.
      The Blues lost 2-0 at home to Bristol City on Saturday and the club’s owners are said to have relieved the Real Madrid legend of his duties after the game.

      Birmingham have reportedly sacked Aitor KarankaCredit: Rex Features

      Former Middlesbrough boss Karanka said there was ‘no chance’ of him resigning after the defeat.
      But the club have stepped in and saved him the trouble, according to the Mail.
      The sacking has not been confirmed by the Midlands side yet but an announcement is reportedly expected imminently.
      City players are said to have been told the news on Saturday night.

      Blues sit 21st in the Championship and have the worst home record in the division.
      Karanka has overseen a run which has returned just 13 points from a possible 57.
      His side have lost seven of their last 12 – winning just two.
      And with ten games left in the season, club chiefs appear to have had enough.

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      Ex-Nottingham Forest boss Karanka signed a three-year deal in July but leaves having picked up just eight wins from 38 games.
      Whoever takes over will have a battle on their hands with Birmingham just three points clear of 22nd place Rotherham having played four games more.
      Blues host Reading who are in the hunt for the play-offs on Wednesday before a relegation grudge match against Rotherham on April 17.
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      Portsmouth sack Kenny Jackett after Wembley defeat to Salford following dire winless run to end four-year stint

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      PORTSMOUTH have sacked Kenny Jackett less than 24 hours after losing at Wembley.
      Jackett, 59, oversaw his side’s defeat on penalties to Salford in the 2020 Papa John’s Trophy Final under the Arch on Saturday.

      Kenny Jackett was sacked as Portsmouth manager on Sunday morningCredit: Arfa Griffiths – The Sun

      But with his side in dire form in League One and slipping out of the play-off places, the Fratton Park board pulled the trigger on Sunday morning.
      In nearly four years in charge, Jackett led Pompey to EFL Trophy glory in 2019.
      But back-to-back play-off slip-ups against Sunderland and Oxford ensured the club remained in the third tier with many fans calling for a change.
      Chief executive Mark Catlin said: “Portsmouth Football Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Kenny for the work he has done during his near four-year spell at the club and we all wish him well for the future.

      “It has been an emotional past few weeks for everyone associated with Pompey and we now begin the process – which will be as short as possible – of appointing someone who we believe can give us the best chance of finishing inside the top six. These talks begin today.”
      The players were informed about the decision at the training ground this morning.
      There is no news regarding a caretaker boss at this stage.
      Jackett was forced to step aside from managerial duties for a short period in February to undergo a medical procedure.

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      Portsmouth FC can confirm that Kenny Jackett has departed as first team manager#Pompey
      — Portsmouth FC (@Pompey) March 14, 2021

      Portsmouth have lost their last four matches – the Wembley heartache following poor results against Doncaster, Northampton and Sunderland – and six of their last eight.
      With 13 games left of the League One campaign, the South Coast club are clearly hoping a change in the dugout can inspire an upturn in form and a play-off charge.
      Pompey currently sit seventh on 52 points, just two adrift of Ipswich who occupy the final spot as things stand.
      They will be looking to return to winning ways on Tuesday night.
      However, Portsmouth know they are in for a tough clash away at Peterborough with the Posh on course for automatic promotion.
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      Pompey lost on penalties to Salford in the Papa John’s Trophy final at Wembley on SaturdayCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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