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      Why Premier League conquerors Olympiacos’ European success is no miracle after Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool triumphs

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      OLYMPIACOS have officially made history as the first ever Greek club to win a European trophy.The Greek giants also became the first team to win a Uefa honour outside of the world’s top five league competitions since 2011 after beating Fiorentina 1-0 in the Europa Conference League final at rivals AEK Athens’ OPAP Arena ground.Olympiacos’ Europa Conference League triumph was no miracleCredit: GettyOlympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis has been building a European club since 2010Credit: RexOlympiacos have beaten some of the biggest Premier League clubsCredit: GettyMany have understandably coined the Piraeus outfit’s success as a miracle, but there is a lot more to it.The Greek Superleague has made headlines around the world often in recent years for all the wrong reasons due to fan violence and alleged corruption.In turn, football fans around the globe wrongfully dubbed Greek football with a series of unflattering monikers, such as “farmers’ league”.But Olympiacos transcend the Greek league and their recent track record proves that as they have made it out of the group stages of a major European competition in 14 out of their last 16 attempts.Read More on FootballUnder Evangelos Marinakis, who took over the club in 2010 and won 10 Superleague titles as well as four domestic Doubles, the team has made it out of the group stages of a major Uefa competition 11 times out of the last 13 attempts.And all of that has been under a Greek budget at a time when Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and US money is taking over football.Olympiacos have evolved into a European club that has also picked up some major scalps along the way from Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and more.All of the above also fell at the fiery Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium which poses as a powerful fortress filled with passionate, rowdy and loud fans who have been the backbone of this club since its creation in 1925 and always demand nothing less than perfection.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe Red and White have bested a series of Premier League clubs along the way, such as Liverpool whom they beat 1-0 in 2004 in their first ever European match at Karaiskakis, a few months before the miracle of Istanbul.Olympiacos went on to overcome the likes of Manchester United, Burnley, West Ham and Aston Villa, while Tottenham, Chelsea and Wolves couldn’t win in Piraeus.Olympiacos receive FIERY heroes’ welcome after Europa Conference League triumphBut no Prem club has ever struggled more against Marinakis’ club than Arsenal.So far the two clubs count six wins each against one another with none of their 12 previous meetings ending in a draw.In fact, Olympiacos have beaten Arsenal three times at the Emirates, which is more than the Gunners’ home losses to rivals Tottenham who have only won twice across all their visits at that ground.The Greeks rose to prominence in Europe largely thanks to a series of milestones they have reached in recent years, all of which set new standards that were never lowered.Arsenal pose as one of those unforgettable nights as they became the first ever English club Olympiacos ever beat away in 2015 after a 3-2 victory at the Emirates.The Gunners also became the first Premier League club the port city outfit eliminated in the knockout stages of a major competition in 2020 when they knocked them out of the Europa League’s Round of 32.Olympiacos’ milestone victories over the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United laid some strong foundationsCredit: GettyHow it all startedBut the night that truly changed everything took place in 2007 in Germany when the pride of Piraeus finally won an away game in the Champions League following 10 unsuccessful years.The unfancied conquerors defeated Werder Bremen 3-1 at the Weserstadion and never looked back since.Olympiacos, though, for years couldn’t even tie their previous best finishes that saw them making the quarter-finals of the Champions League and Europa League in 1999 and 1993 respectively.That came to an end this year in the Europa Conference League, and they did it in style as they eliminated Maccabi Tel Aviv from the Last 16 with the greatest comeback victory in Greek football history as they won 6-1 away after an embarrassing 4-1 loss at home.Other than the title win in Nea Filadelfia, Villa pose as the most recent milestone as Unai Emery’s side became the first ever Prem side Olympiacos eliminated by winning both legs – a 4-2 in at Villa Park and a 2-0 victory in the return fixture.But those milestones wouldn’t have happened without all the hard work that went into the club the last few years with Marinakis – also owner of Nottingham Forest – adhering to European standards since his arrival at the wheel.Jose Luis Mendilibar’s impactManagers like Ernesto Valverde, Marco Silva, Pedro Martins and now Jose Luis Mendilibar have left bits of their philosophy deeply ingrained into the club’s mentality, philosophy and character.Mendilibar especially transformed Olympiacos in just three months and has already made a strong case as the club’s greatest ever manager ahead of past legends like the aforementioned tacticians as well as Dusan Bajevic and Marton Bukovi.The Spanish tactician brought his experience and winners’ mentality a year after winning the Europa League with Sevilla but simply unlocked the best of the abilities of every star he already had at his disposal, unlike predecessors Diego Martinez and Carlos Carvalhal.Mendilibar found the likes of Kostas Tzolakis, Santiago Hezze, Rodinei, Vicente Iborra, Francisco Ortega as well as Ayoub El Kaabi and just let them play their game by implementing his own philosophy while reinstating some much-needed confidence to the team.The Basque head coach was also helped by the club’s greatest ever January transfer window that saw the likes of David Carmo, Chiquinho and Andre Horta taking things to the next level.Veterans like Giorgos Masouras, Youssef El Arabi and captain Kostas Fortounis also kept the standards sky high in the meantime with their past experience of European success.Star signingsThe club’s structure has attracted a number of stars thanks to its own star quality which is headed by Champions League and World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, who has been working with the club since 2013 as an ambassador.That led to the signings of Mathieu Valbuena, Esteban Cambiasso, Marcelo, Eric Abidal and Daniel Podence, who came back for another stint last summer on loan from Wolves.The work Olympiacos have put in behind the scenes was proven this season when the Under-19s became the first ever Greek club to win the Uefa Youth League.Marinakis’ investment and support shown for the likes of Jose Anigo and Thomas Benedet who ran the academies as well as youth manager Sotiris Silaidopoulos also led to two league titles in the last two years.There was a method and logic into this year’s miracle, which coincidentally took place 20 years after Greece’s stunning Euro 2004 triumph.SunSport previously analysed the Greek national team’s triumph all those years ago which carried many similarities to Olympiacos’ recent success.Learning from Euro 2004 failuresAnd the Superleague outfit will now need to avoid the same mistakes that saw Greece decaying and missing out on all major competitions in the last 10 years, including the upcoming Euros.Olympiacos have been raising the bar for years, and now it has been higher than ever.Thus, the demands have shattered whatever glass ceiling there was and there is a major hangover awaiting the club, who won’t have to worry about qualifiers for the first time since 2015 as they made it straight into next season’s Europa League.READ MORE SUN STORIESGreece lost their first match after Euro 2004 at Albania and missed out on the 2006 World Cup before completely dropping their standards following the 2014 World Cup.Marinakis has claimed those standards will be raised even higher as he suggested the Europa League is on Olympiacos’ sights next, and that’s exactly what needs to be done to follow such a hard act as this past season.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. 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      Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina (AET) LIVE RESULT: El Kaabi bags winner at the death as Greeks win Europa Conference League

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      OLYMPIACOS are the newly crowned Europa Conference League kings after beating Fiorentina 1-0 in extra time.Ayoub El Kaabi was the hero for the Greeks, bagging the winner right at the death.Olympiacos made history on the night, becoming the first Greek club to win a major European trophy.
      Match result: Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos team: Tzolakis; Rodinei, Retsos, Carmo, Ortega; Hezze, Iborra, Chiquinho; Fortounis, Podence, El Kaabi
      Fiorentina team: Terracciano; Dodo, Milenkovic, Martine Quarta, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Arthur, Mandragora; Gonzalez, Kouame, Belotti
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow our live blog below…Olympiacos are European champions
      Olympiacos have lifted their first ever European title in Athens!
      An absolutely tremendous effort from a team that went through leaps and bounds this season.
      A crowning moment for veterans like Giorgos Masouras, Youssef El Arabi and of course the captain Kostas Fortounis.
      Evangelos Marinakis has officially won it all with the team, which has turned into a proper European outfit.
      A team that has made it out of the group stages of a major European competition 14 times out of their last 16 attempts, and now can rightly call themselves champions of Europe.
      This city is not sleeping tonight as all the fans will celebrate until the morning – supporters who backed the team through thick and thin even during the worst possible times.
      That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great night!
      Credit: Getty
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedGuard of honour
      Olympiacos have set up a guard of honour for Fiorentina players.
      In the meantime, owner Evangelos Marinakis has stepped up on the podium to hand out medals alongside Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin and Greek official Theodoros Theodoridis.
      Theodoridis is Uefa’s general secretary and has returned to his home country to award the first ever Geek European champions.
      The fans are anxiously waiting for the trophy…
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedWhat’s next for Olympiacos?
      Olympiacos have now advanced for next season’s Europa League competition.
      The Greek giants have made it to the league phase of the competition.
      That means no qualifiers for the Piraeus outfit this summer.
      This will give owner Evangelos Marinakis enough time to sort out the contracts of 18 players whose deals come up on June 30.
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedFiorentina stars gutted
      Fiorentina gave it their all and dominated possession as well as tempo throughout the match.
      However, they were undone after Olympiacos’ best attack in the 116th minute.
      The players are dejected as they have fallen to the ground some with their shirts over their heads.
      Manager Vincenzo Italiano is also sitting in his dugout struggling to find the words after a second consecutive loss in a Europa Conference League final.

      Credit: AP
      Copy linkCopiedMendilibar’s miracle continues
      Olympiacos boss Jose Luis Mendilibar has done the unthinkable after only joining the club in February.
      Mendilibar will lift his second consecutive European title after last season’s Europa League triumph with Sevilla.
      The entire ground is chanting the Spanish tactician’s name, and why wouldn’t they.
      The players are celebrating in front of their fans – and it’s all taking place on one of their rival’s new stadiums…
      Credit: Getty
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedOlympiacos vs Fiorentina stats
      Fiorentina dominated 54 per cent of possession against Olympiacos.
      The Viola registered 17 shots but only four of them were on target.
      Olympiacos, on the other hand, had only six shots, four of which were on target.
      More below:

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos have won their first and only European title by beating Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League Final… in Athens!
      The competition’s top goalscorer Ayoub El Kaabi was the difference maker once more with his 11th goals in nine matches.
      El Kaabi, who won Man of the Match, met a stunning cross from Santiago Hezze from the left and finally beat Pietro Terracciano with a clinical header.
      This is Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar’s second consecutive European title after winning the Europa League last season with Sevilla.

      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedFT: Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Peep!
      Olympiacos are European champions for the first time ever!!!
      Copy linkCopied120+4 Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Fiorentina seem to have accepted the result, they are out of energy.
      Olympiacos subs are standing at pitch side waiting for the final whistle.
      Copy linkCopied120 Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Substitution
      Olympiacos boss Mendilibar makes his final change with top scorer El Kaabi coming off for the legendary El-Arabi, who scored that unforgetable goal that eliminated Arsenal at the Emirates in 2020.
      Copy linkCopied120 Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      This place has come unglued, Olympiacos are only five minutes of stoppage time away from their first and only European title!
      The place is about to explode!
      Copy linkCopied116 Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      It’s a goal for Olympiacos! El Kaabi wasn’t offside!
      The striker, though, was booked after his celebration.
      Copy linkCopied116 Olympiacos 1-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos break the deadlock, or have they?
      Hezze delivers a cross from the left and finds El Kaabi who gets the diving header.
      But VAR is checking for offside…
      This is a stressful time in Athens…
      Copy linkCopied113 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos fans are pushing the team forward but the players can’t get that final ball.
      Fiorentina continue to dominate possession and are giving Olympiacos all sorts of problems inside the area with a raft of bodies.
      Copy linkCopied110 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Chance
      Fiorentina star Ikone finds himself unmarked inside the box and tries a shot but it’s too weak and Tzolakis picks it up with ease.
      Copy linkCopied110 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos giving the ball away easily in midfield.
      Fiorentina are growing in confidence.
      Copy linkCopied108 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos are without some of their most creative players in Chiquinho, Podence and Fortounis.
      If this goes on penalties then they can barely count the clinical shooters.
      Copy linkCopied106 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Subtitution
      And Olympiacos boss Mendilibar plays his final hand as Masouras replaces Podence, who may have played his last game for the club before returning to Wolves.
      Copy linkCopied106 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Substitution
      Fiorentina boss Italiano shakes things up with a double change as Ranieri and Beltran come on for captain Biraghi and Gonzalez respectively.
      Copy linkCopiedOlympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Peep!
      Off we go in the second half of extra-time!!!
      Copy linkCopiedHT: Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Peep!
      That’s half-time at extra-time!!!

      Copy linkCopied103 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Olympiacos have two centre-forwards but often find themselves with one forward isolated in the final third.
      Fiorentina are moving the ball very nicely with long balls that lead to promising rebounds but their finishing has been poor.
      Copy linkCopied100 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Retsos has been wearing the armband since Fortounis was subbed off.
      A true captain’s performance from the centre-back who shook off a head injury while the Olympiacos physios were calling for a change.
      The Greece international is truly leaving it all on the pitch for his team in the final.
      Copy linkCopied98 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Yellow card
      Fiorentina captain Biraghi booked for an elbow to Rodinei’s face.
      Copy linkCopied96 Olympiacos 0-0 Fiorentina
      Chance!
      Olympiacos star Jovetic almost scored against his former club with a stunning shot that Terracciano just managed to save with his fingertips after a lunge to his bottom left corner.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      Fans fume at TNT Sports for ‘very annoying’ technical fault during Europa Conference League final coverage

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      FANS were left fuming at TNT Sports for a “very annoying” technical fault during the Europa League Conference final.Olympiacos and Fiorentina butted heads in Greece on Wednesday night in a full-throttle clash.Fans fumed at a technical glitch during the Europa Conference League finalCredit: GettyBoth teams had early opportunities to score, with Fiorentina even finding the net before having their effort ruled out for offside.But it quickly became clear to viewers at home that there was a problem with TNT Sports’ commentary.As the game played out, the pundits’ voices behind the screen were easily several seconds behind the action.And fans were quick to pick up on the problem as they took to social media.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLOne joked: “I’m not saying the commentary on the Conference League final is a little behind the pictures, but I’ve just been told Aston Villa have just equalised.”Another declared: “You always know when you’re watching a game on TNT Sports when the commentary is a good two seconds behind the pictures.”One noted: “The commentary on this is miles behind the pictures. Sort it out TNT Sports.”Another boomed: “Any chance of getting the commentary in sync with the game? Shambolic.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne quipped: “Delay on the commentary is so annoying.”Another added: “I appreciate Athens I quite far away but why is TNT’s commentary lagging so far behind the picture?”Olympiacos receive FIERY heroes’ welcome after Europa Conference League triumph More

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      Europa Conference League Final – Olympiacos vs Fiorentina: Get £20 in free bets and £10 casino bonus with BoyleSports

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      FIORENTINA are hoping to banish the memories of 12 months ago when they face Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League final on Wednesday.And BoyleSports are marking the mega Greek fixture by offering brand new customers £20 in free bets plus an extra £10 bonus to spend in the casino!Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereBoyleSports also have a BIG price boost available for the game, and you can find out what it is below…Get £20 free bets and £10 casino bonus – Claim HERE*Olympiacos vs Fiorentina – UECL final: Get £20 in free bets & £10 casino bonusHow to claim welcome bonusBoyleSports offer

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      Olympiacos vs Fiorentina preview: Free betting tips, odds and predictions for Europa Conference League final

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      OLYMPIACOS and Fiorentina battle it out in the Europa Conference League final at the AEK Arena in Athens.SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest, and carefully selected our best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our partners for Wednesday night’s all-important showdown.Find The Sun’s betting publishing principles hereFree bets for Olympiacos vs Fiorentina from our partners
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      Already have these accounts? Don’t worry, we’ve got loads more terrific deals with our partners!Olympiacos vs Fiorentina betting previewOlympiacos vs Fiorentina previewThe second major European final of the year comes up this Wednesday when Olympiacos and Fiorentina face off in the Conference League.For Olympiacos, it might not feel like much of a European final given the game at the AEK Arena is less than 10 miles from their ground.They go into the game as the underdogs and the first Greek club side in over 50 years to reach a major European final.Fiorentina finished eighth in Serie A and booked their spot in this competition again next season – should they fail to win this of course.It’s their second successive time in this final having lost 2-1 to West Ham last time out.That defeat took their record to four European final defeats out of five occasions. They’ll hope to eradicate that here.Olympiacos vs Fiorentina latest odds
      Olympiacos to win at 17/10 with Ladbrokes – CLAIM HERE
      To lift trophyOdds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.Olympiacos vs Fiorentina betting tipsEl Kaabi to have 2 or more shots on target at 23/10 with Ladbrokes – CLAIM HERESome competitions just bring out the best in some players.For Ayoud El Kaabi, that’s what the Europa Conference League has done.He’s two goals clear at the top of the top scorer standings, though that’s mainly due to his five goals across the two legs with Aston Villa in the previous round.We’ve taken the insurance of just shots on target instead of goals this time around.Over 3.5 goals at 11/4 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREThis one could be lively and we’re expecting goals.Both teams have scored in each of the last eight games that Fiorentina have played in, including a 3-2 win last time out.Olympiacos’ 4-2 win at Aston Villa showed there’s goals for and against them here and they come into this one off the back of a 2-2 draw with Panathanaikos last time out.Good value.Nikola Milenkovic to be carded at 3/1 with William Hill – CLAIM HEREWas booked in semi final draw at Club Brugge that saw them through to this final.Sent off against Atalanta last month too, so two cards in last six games makes this a decent bet at the prices.Remember to gamble responsiblyA responsible gambler is someone who:
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      Never chase their losses
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      ‘If we got a two-year ban, is it worth it?’ – Why Chelsea may be better off PULLING OUT of the Conference League

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      CHELSEA might be better off pulling out of the Conference League next season.And one journalist has suggested the board may have a discussion on the subject after Man Utd’s shock FA Cup final win saw them downgraded from the Europa League.Chelsea were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League at the weekendCredit: GettyBlues chief Todd Boehly has the option of withdrawing from the competitionCredit: GettyThe Blues were demoted to the Conference League following the Wembley clash.A decision will now have to be made on whether or not they decide to accept a spot in the competition.Should they choose to take the opportunity, Chelsea will have to comply with stricter Financial Fair Play rules.And football writer Matt Law stated back in April that he felt the Blues hierarchy may hold talks on the matter.Read More on ChelseaHe told the London is Blue podcast: “The Conference League, they have a decision to make over whether they’d enter it.“Because of the European FFP being different to the English PSR, the chances of breaching European FFP may not be worth taking for the very very miniscule amount of money you can make on playing in the Conference League for a year.“AC Milan. I think, did it one year [the Italians pulled out of the Europa League in the 2019/20 season]. “Chelsea will have a decision to make on that because European Financial Fair Play is harder to meet than PSR.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“You have to weigh up the risk and reward of ‘if we got a two-year ban, is it worth it to play in the Conference League or is it actually worth giving ourselves an extra year to get into a situation where we can get back into Europe, into a better competition, and not be at risk of getting a European ban?’“I don’t think there’s a question on the Europa League or Champions League. I think the Conference League would spark a discussion.”Mauricio Pochettino LEAVES Chelsea despite promising end to season as Blues line up four potential new bossesChelsea have spent around £1billion on player transfers over the last two years, meaning they are now at risk of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.If found guilty of a breach, they could receive a significant points deduction.Meet Pep Guardiola disciple Enzo MarescaEnzo Maresca is considered among the most exciting young coaches on the planet.
      Born in Italy in 1980, he managed to guide Leicester to the Championship title in his first season as Foxes boss.
      His management career started at Italian minnows Ascoli before he was snapped up by Man City in 2020 to manage their Elite Development Squad.
      He guided the youth team to the Premier League 2 title in his one season working for the Citizens – with Cole Palmer in the side.
      His first senior job was with Parma but he was sacked after just a few months after failing to impress.
      Despite the team playing in Serie B and Maresca having an impressive squad he was unable to get them on course for promotion.
      He returned to Man City and worked as one of Pep Guardiola’s assistants for the 2022/23 season as they won the Treble.
      He took over relegated Leicester last summer and made an immediate impact, with the Foxes winning the Championship title.
      Maresca showed his dedication to the job by living at the training ground for the first two months after his appointment.
      He’s considered something of a Pep disciple and has said: “For a coach, it’s important to have the mentality of a chess player.”
      During his playing career he played under Carlo Ancelotti and Marcello Lippi – and alongside ex-Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi.

      The Blues are currently on the verge of appointing a new manager following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure.Poch left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent last week despite having a positive end to the season.Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca is understood to be the frontrunner. More

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      How Chelsea face epic 331-DAY season with whopping 74 games after Man Utd dropped them into Conference League

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      MANCHESTER UNITED’S shock FA Cup final win has handed Chelsea an incredibly busy calendar.The sixth-place Blues dropped into the Europa Conference League as the Red Devils joined Tottenham in the Europa League despite finishing eighth thanks to their Wembley victory.Chelsea’s players are set for a busy seasonCredit: ReutersThe Blues could be in action for most of the yearCredit: GettyAnd that means Chelsea could rack up an incredible 74 games in a mammoth season.The incredible figure does not even include five pre-season fixtures, with the Blues potentially in action for 331 days.Chelsea are on a tour of the USA from July 24 to August 6 and return 11 days before the Premier League season, which finishes on May 25 next year.The Blues’ Conference League campaign kicks off on August 22 and, if they make the final, that takes place three days after the top-flight finale.READ MORE CHELSEA NEWAnd just when the end is in sight, the Club World Cup is slated to kick off on June 15, with the final on July 13.To make matters worse, many Blues stars will be in action at this summer’s European Championship.Chelsea are keen to get their business done early this window and their first priority is bringing in a manager.Mauricio Pochettino waved goodbye despite winning his final five games and reaching the Carabao Cup final.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSunSport exclusively revealed that Chelsea have held talks with Leicester boss Enzo Maresca.Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and Brentford’s Thomas Frank are also in the frame.Watch Argentina World Cup winner and £107m Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez play hurling on holiday in Ireland Blues chiefs are keen to have the new man through the door by the end of next week so they can focus on players.Having a deep squad will be even more important next season due to the return of European football to Stamford Bridge and a jam-packed calendar.Chelsea are ready to launch a £20million bid for Burnley keeper James Trafford as they seek a long-term answer in goal.Boehly’s record would make even Abramovich blush… we’re back to square one
      HERE we go again.
      Just when some positivity was building around the place and an optimistic eye was being cast to the future, Clearlake Capital go hurtling full pelt back to the drawing board, write SunSport’s Tom Sheen.
      Mauricio Pochettino leaving will make it six different managers in less than two years when next season rolls around, a record that would make Roman Abramovich blush.
      But while the oligarch was keeping Chelsea’s HR department busy by regularly handing out P45s, he was also regularly delivering world class players in the hope of delivering instant silverware.
      There was no ‘Vision 2030’, talk of players as financial assets or ridiculous eight-year contracts that potentially hamstring the club.
      Hiring and firing worked under the previous regime because Chelsea had a spine of world class talent that they were always looking to improve upon – not a group of players who look light years away from the top teams in the land.
      One thing is for sure, though. If Clearlake carry on down this road they’ll need a rebrand to Vision 2060.
      Click here to read Tom’s damning verdict in full…

      Pochettino’s Chelsea record
      MAURICIO POCHETTINO had just started to turn Chelsea around.
      An impressive run of end-of-season form saw the Blues leapfrog the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle to finish sixth in the Premier League – and earn a Europa League spot.
      But it wasn’t enough to keep him in a job as it was announced on Tuesday evening that the Argentine had left.
      Here are all Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge stats:
      Premier League – 6th
      FA Cup – Semi-finals (lost to Man City)
      Carabao Cup – Runners-up (Lost to Liverpool)
      Total record:
      Games 51Wins 26Draws 11Defeats 14
      Goals for 103Goals against 74 More

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      in Soccer

      David Moyes DENIED emotional goodbye to West Ham fans after Man City pitch invasion chaos

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      DAVID MOYES was denied an emotional goodbye to West Ham fans as he took charge of his final game for the club.It was announced earlier this month that Moyes would be leaving the London Stadium at the end of the season.David Moyes was unable to say an emotional goodbye to the West Ham faithfulCredit: GettyManchester City supporters invaded the pitch at full-time against West HamCredit: Sky SportsMoyes, 61, is closing the curtain on his time at the club on the expiration of his contract this summer after taking charge of over 250 games.And the Hammers’ clash with Manchester City this afternoon was his final game before that deal comes to an end.His side were beaten 3-1 as City clinched the Premier League title, with Mohammed Kudus on the scoresheet for West Ham.However, the travelling West Ham support were unable to thank the gaffer who has spent six years with the club over two separate spells in the dugout.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLCity fans invaded the pitch before the full-time whistle before storming onto the turf at the end of the match.As a result, Moyes and his players headed straight down the tunnel instead of having a moment with their fans.Home supporters already said their goodbyes to the former Everton and Man Utd boss last weekend when West Ham beat Luton 3-1 in his final game at the London Stadium.Moyes will go down in history in East London as the manager who brought major European success to the Irons.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMoyes’ record and honours at West HamA look at Moyes’ time with West Ham…

      261 games in charge
      112 wins
      53 draws
      96 losses
      403 goals for
      368 goals against
      1.34 Premier League points per game
      Three top half finishes
      1 x Europa Conference League champion
      Biggest win: 5-0 vs Freiburg (Europa League Last 16)
      Biggest defeat: 6-0 vs Arsenal (2023/24 Premier League)

      The tactician guided West Ham to Europa Conference League glory last season when the club lifted the trophy in Prague thanks to a dramatic late winner from Jarrod Bowen.But he has failed to impress this season with a number of heavy defeats scattered around – including a 5-0 loss to Chelsea and a 6-0 hammering by Arsenal.Luton fans ‘FIGHT stewards in shocking scenes at West Ham’ as Hatters see Premier League status all but endedAnd execs at the club are said to have already agreed terms with former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui to come in as his replacement.Moyes will be remembered fondly by most West Ham fans for his work during his second spell in charge of the club – having been fired after 31 games during his first crack at the job between 2017 and 2018.His efforts since his re-hiring in December 2019 have seen him navigate his way to three top half finishes in four seasons.Speaking after his final home game last week. Moyes said he was “touched” by the reception he received.He then went on to tell the West Ham website how much he has enjoyed working with the players at the club.He explained: “I have to say, they’ve been great to work with and overall they’ve been great lads.”At Rush Green, I’ve said many times that it’s been tough love with them, and some are OK to take it and some are not, but overall it’s been a great time.”Moyes led West Ham to Europa Conference League glory last seasonCredit: GettyInside David Moyes’ West Ham exit as Hammers boss rowed with technical director and had contract offer withdrawBy Jack Rosser

      REGARDLESS of how it has ended, David Moyes leaves West Ham a club great and a history-maker.
      The Scot, 61, did not want to go like this, his departure confirmed before the end of the season with his squad in a spiral and rows with the technical director.
      Moyes has insisted all year long that he would wait until the summer to make a decision on his future on his own terms – but that option has been taken away from him.
      These final months and weeks have clouded a tenure at the London Stadium which no one saw coming – and could be quickly missed if the next steps are not carefully taken.
      Having been overlooked after keeping West Ham in the Premier League during his first spell in East London, Moyes returned in December 2019 to keep them afloat once more.
      The ex-Manchester United manager did just that and then took the Hammers to heights they could not have imagined.
      Click HERE to read the full column. More