Premier League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 250 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      ‘Some of them stopped running… and caring’, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as ex-Man Utd boss opens up on ‘lowest moment’

      by

      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claims that some players “stopped caring” when he faced the sack at Manchester United.The Norwegian was in charge at Old Trafford for three years before he was axed in November 2021.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes some of his players gave up during his final game at Man UtdCredit: AFP
      Solskjaer, 50, led United to a second and third place finish in the Premier League as well as a Europa League final during his tenure.
      But due to a poor run of results and failing to win a trophy, he was sacked after a 4-1 defeat to Watford.
      The Man Utd legend had seemingly lost the dressing room and believes some players had stopped putting effort in as he neared the end.
      Solskjaer spoke to National News, revealing: “There were many lows. I’m one of them who looks back at the lows more than the highs.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “The end at Watford, well you can’t get lower than that.
      “I more or less knew at half-time, so my team talk was about enjoying the last 45 minutes together and giving their all.
      “Some of them had stopped running, caring.
      “But then in the second half we played well. Donny van de Beek came on and scored. We should have scored more. Then we [Harry Maguire] got a sending off.
      Most read in Football
      “It sounds really bad that it was a 4-1 defeat. It was bad to lose against Watford but it wasn’t a 4-1 game.”
      On his sacking, he added: “It was a very emotional day. I didn’t think it would be but it was like leaving your family. I spoke to all the players, coaches and the staff to say goodbye.”
      Erik ten Hag insists he does have Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s backing amid rumours Man Utd boss faces sack in summer
      This is not the first time Solskjaer has criticised Man Utd players when lifting the lid on his departure.
      He previously said players turned down the chance to wear the captain’s armband and signing Cristiano Ronaldo was an error.
      Solskjaer is still without a job and turned down offers from Saudi Arabian clubs and national teams. More

    • 275 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Man Utd ‘secret weapon takes shock manager’s job abroad in blow to Ten Hag… but will stay until after Man City clash’

      by

      MANCHESTER UNITED coach Eric Ramsay is set to be appointed Minnesota United manager.The 32-year-old has reportedly been in talks with the MLS club this week and a deal is close to being agreed.
      Eric Ramsay is set to join Minnesota UnitedCredit: Getty
      It is a huge blow for Erik ten Hag as Ramsay has been dubbed United’s ‘secret weapon’Credit: Reuters
      It will see Ramsay land his first job in management and become the youngest ever gaffer in the division’s history.
      Minnesota play their first game of the new MLS season against Austin on Sunday.
      Interim boss Cameron Knowles will be in charge as Ramsay will not join until after March 3.
      His final game as part of Erik ten Hag’s backroom team will be the Manchester derby against City.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      Ramsay is a highly-rated coach and has been dubbed Man Utd’s “secret weapon”.
      He arrived at Old Trafford in 2021 in a player development and set-piece coaching role while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was boss.
      But he soon earned a promotion, forming a more integral part of the coaching setup under Ralf Rangnick and Ten Hag.
      Ramsay is fluent in French and Spanish, helping several new players settle in.
      Most read in Football
      And his attention to detail has seen the Welshman receive praise from Dragons boss Rob Page, who labelled him “one of the best young coaches in football”.
      Ramsay’s rise up the ranks began at Loughborough University alongside ex-United assistant and Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna.
      Scott McTominay reveals two strict rules implemented by Erik ten Hag at Man Utd
      He then spent four years working in Swansea’s academy and then as a first-team coach at Shrewsbury.
      Prior to joining Man Utd, he coached Chelsea’s Under-23s.
      At Minnesota, Ramsay will manager ex-Premier League star Teemu Pukki.
      They finished 11th in the 14-team Western Conference last term. More

    • 238 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      Saudi Arabia plot triple transfer raid on Premier League with Kevin de Bruyne and Mo Salah both on wishlist

      by

      KEVIN DE BRUYNE tops a list of Premier League legends tipped for mega-money bids from Saudi Arabia this summer.Manchester City’s main playmaker, Liverpool striker Mo Salah and Manchester United midfielder Casemiro can expect mind-boggling offers.
      Man City stylist Kevin De Bruyne is rated a major targetCredit: Getty
      Liverpool’s Mo Salah is also said to be wanted by Saudi clubsCredit: Alamy
      Man Utd anchorman Casemiro could land a big Saudi offerCredit: Getty
      From next season Saudi Pro League clubs will be more eager than ever – and more able –  to chase major names.
      That’s when the number of foreign players allowed in each squad rises from eight to ten.
      And the leading four Saudi teams are keen to exploit the rich transfer resources given to them by the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund.
      The Times say City are likely to receive a massive approach for De Bruyne.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      The 99-cap Belgian, 32, has returned from hamstring surgery with two goals and seven assists in seven games.
      But his contract expires at the end of next season.
      Salah, 31, and 32-year-old Casemiro, 32, are other predicted targets as Saudi clubs eye players whose peak days could be ending soon.
      Pro League teams were linked with approaches for both men in January.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      And former Real Madrid hero Casemiro looks vulnerable to a squad shake-up at Old Trafford come the end of the season.
      But the potential loss of De Bruyne would provide the biggest shock to the English top flight.
      Football’s weirdest contract clauses revealed including non-Arsenal agreement and a private jet promise

      Nonetheless, Etihad chief Pep Guardiola has been cautious about the midfielder’s workload since his comeback from injury in January.
      KDB missed Tuesday’s 1-0 Prem win over Brentford due to a hamstring niggle
      But it’s anticipated he’ll make the squad for Saturday’s visit to Bournemouth or next Tuesday’s FA Cup fifth-round trip to Luton.
      Guardiola said: “I don’t know if he’s 100 per cent but we took good decisions not to take a risk against Brentford.” More

    • 263 Shares99 Views

      in Soccer

      I played under Jose Mourinho when Chelsea had SEVEN national captains in starting XI… I know what truly made him special

      by

      MICHAEL BALLACK has explained why Jose Mourinho was so special to play under – when Chelsea had SEVEN national skippers.The midfield legend says the “provocative” Portuguese boss “stood out” from other managers and persuaded the German to snub Manchester United.
      Jose Mourinho made a huge impression on Michael BallackCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      Ex-Bayern Munich hero Ballack won the Premier League once and the FA Cup three times with Chelsea from 2006-10.
      And even though Mourinho departed Stamford Bridge for the first time in 2007, the 98-cap ace singled him out for a glowing tribute.
      Incredibly, Ballack featured for a Blues side containing six fellow national captains whose status was as iconic as his own.
      That exalted list contained England’s John Terry, Ivorian Didier Drogba, Ghanaian Michael Essien, Ukraine superstar Andriy Shevchenko, Czech keeper Petr Cech and Nigerian John Obi Mikel.
      READ MORE TOP STORIES
      And interviewed on Jeff Stelling’s Football’s Greatest, Ballack said: “This is something really special, to play with six or seven national team captains.
      “That was an interesting group. But as I mentioned, with Jose Mourinho there was a coach who stands out. 
      “You know, of all these characters, he was leading the team in a certain way. 
      “You trusted him. It’s really important that the team trusts the coach.
      Most read in Football
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      “He was also a nice guy – a little provocative, in a nice way. 
      “But in the dressing room he was really a nice guy, and he was funny. He was a family guy. He was really special.”
      Mauricio Pochettino targets first trophy under Todd Boehly with Chelsea facing Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
      Mourinho famously called himself “a special one” when meeting the press after Chelsea lured him from Porto in 2004.
      The tag stuck as he moved on to boss Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Chelsea again, Man Utd, Tottenham and, most recently, Roma.
      Now, at the age of 61, Mourinho is in a rare spell out of management.
      But having won the Champions League twice and eight domestic titles amid a huge haul of silverware, he’ll expect to find another top-level role – should he want one. More

    • 263 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      Pep Guardiola reveals next job he after he steps down as Man City manager but says ‘they need to want me’

      by

      MAN CITY boss Pep Guardiola has outlined his ambition to manage a national team at the World Cup. Guardiola has made his intentions to move away from club football and could do so at the end of his contract in 2025.
      Pep Guardiola has England internationals like Kyle Walker in his City squad.Credit: EPA
      Guardiola has ambitions of managing at a World Cup despite winning the Champions League on three occasions.Credit: Getty
      The 53-year-old has won tons of silverware in his time at City and also across the top leagues in Europe at Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
      The Spaniard has won a total of 32 major trophies across his managerial career and he is the second manager after Sir Alex Ferguson back in 1999 to have won a treble in English football.
      Guardiola has been linked to roles in international football especially the England job as he has worked with England internationals throughout his time at the club.
      With Gareth Southgate’s contract due to expire after this year’s Euros, Guardiola’s ambitions to work in international football would be appealing to The FA.
      Read more on football
      Speaking to ESPN Brazil, Guardiola has expressed his ambitions of working at a major international tournament.
      Guardiola said: “I would like to have the experience of living through a World Cup, or a Euro or a Copa America, or whatever it is. I would like that.”
      Despite expressing his interest working on the international stage, he insists the country would have to make it clear he was their No1 choice for the job.
      Guardiola added: “I don’t know who would want me.
      Most read in Football
      “To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club,”
      The Man City manager further explained in his interview that he would never have imagined winning major honours as a manager when he first started.
      He went to explain that managing at a World Cup would be the pinnacle.
      Guardiola explained: “I don’t know when that would be, if that is five, 10, 15 years from now but I would like to have the experience of being a manager in a World Cup.”
      Eight bizarre football rules you may not know
      Guardiola completed a full house of club trophies in Manchester after Man City beat Fluminense last year to win the Fifa Club World Cup.
      He said then: “I had a feeling all the titles you can win, we have done it. It’s unbelievable what we have done.
      “We try to buy a new book and start to write beautiful histories.
      “The players out there are still hungry and motivated, I’m really pleased for many people in the club for many years.
      “I could never think when we arrived in Manchester we could do this and finish with the World Cup.” More

    • 263 Shares109 Views

      in Soccer

      I’m a former Premier League star – my team-mates stitched me up and I ended up living in rowdy student area

      by

      LEEDS star Patrick Bamford has revealed how his team-mates stitched him up over his new flat when he was on loan at Burnley.The 30-year-old spent one season on loan at the Clarets while at Chelsea during the 2016-17 campaign.
      Patrick Bamford revealed how he was tricked into living in a rowdy part of Manchester by team-matesCredit: Alamy
      The stitch-up happened while Bamford was on loan at Burnley in the 2016-17 seasonCredit: Steve Bardens/Telegraph Media Group
      Bamford joined Chelsea for £1.5 million in 2012 from Nottingham Forest but was immediately sent on loan, with spells at Milton Keynes Dons, Derby County, and Middlesbrough.
      After winning the Championship Player of the Year for the 2014–15 season with Boro he made his Premier League debut on loan at Crystal Palace, before spells with Norwich City and Burnley.
      While he was at Turf Moor his team-mates thought it would be funny the stitch the forward up regarding his living arrangements.
      On his podcast, My Mate’s a Footballer, which Bamford co-hosts with Joe Wilkinson, the Leeds ace revealed he was tricked into living in the noisy student area of Manchester – the Northern Quarter.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He said: “So when I was on loan at Burnley, in your loan contract, you get a bit of an allowance towards a flat wherever you’re going to rent.
      “So I was looking ages for a flat. And I was in the Hilton at Deansgate, the centre of Manchester.
      “I asked some of the lads where I should live. I can’t remember who it was but someone said ‘The Northern Quarter in Manchester is up and coming’.
      “We would stay home the night before a game to get a good night’s sleep.
      Most read in Football
      “Well, Friday night in the Northern Quarter. It was like it was carnival. Carnival on the street every night.”
      I should have made England’s World Cup squad but injury ruined my dream and I sat crying on the bench
      After five years at Chelsea without landing a first-team spot, Bamford headed back to Middlesbrough for around £5.5 million in 2017.
      He went on to join Leeds in July 2018 for around £10million and helped the club win the Championship in 2019–20.
      The Lincolnshire-born star represented England from U18 to senior level, making his Three Lions senior debut in September 2021.
      His first and only game for England came against Andorra on 5 September 2021, where he started and played 62 minutes of the 4–0 victory at Wembley Stadium. More

    • 225 Shares199 Views

      in Soccer

      David Moyes says he has been offered new West Ham contract with his future in his own hands

      by

      DAVID MOYES has been offered a new West Ham contract but will wait until the end of the season to decide his future, he has revealed.The Scot’s current deal at the London Stadium expires in the summer.
      David Moyes has claimed he has received a new contract offerCredit: PA
      And there has been much speculation about him potentially leaving the club after a disappointing run of results.
      But Moyes has now confirmed he has been handed an extension by the owners should he choose to accept.
      He said: “I’ve had really good conversations with the owners, with David Sullivan and Karren Brady.
      “There’s a contract there for me and I’m the one deciding I want to wait until the end of the season.”
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      West Ham have not won any of their last eight games in all competitions.
      They have dropped to ninth place in the Premier League and are just one point off slipping into the bottom half of the table.
      But they have qualified for the Europa League last 16 and have been drawn against Freiburg – who they beat twice in the group stage.
      A “Moyes Out” banner was visible among the West Ham fans during their 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
      Most read in Football
      But the club have enjoyed huge success under the Scottish head coach since he returned to the club in December 2019.
      The highlight came at the end of last season when they won the Europa Conference League.
      David Moyes under fire at West Ham: Is his pragmatic style losing fans?
      They finished sixth and seventh in successive Premier League campaigns.
      In 2022, they also reached the semi-finals of the Europa League.
      Moyes previously managed the club between November 2017 and May 2018, claiming just nine victories from 31 games as he was dismissed with a win percentage of just 29.
      But since returning more than four years ago, his win percentage stands at nearly 46.
      Moyes faces some key games in the coming weeks More

    • 313 Shares119 Views

      in Soccer

      Jose Mourinho told me I’d work in Tesco in shock rollicking after match I didn’t play in – I went on to play for England

      by

      CARLTON COLE revealed how Jose Mourinho told him he would work in Tesco after a match he did not even play in. The former Chelsea boy went on to prove The Special One wrong and ended up playing for England.
      Carlton Cole revealed how Jose Mourinho told him he would work at ‘Tesco’Credit: Getty
      Cole opened up about his frosty relationship with MourinhoCredit: Getty
      The ex-Chelsea striker went on to play for EnglandCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Cole, 40, has opened up about a brutal rollicking from Mourinho after a defeat he didn’t even play in.
      The ex-Blues star told Des Kelly on Hayters TV’s new Football Lives podcast: “We always had a meeting before we went out to train.
      “But this one particular meeting wasn’t great for me. I just went in. I knew I was good that weekend, I hadn’t gone out and done anything untoward.
      “There’s this whole conversation of what happened at the game the day before usually – that was non-existent! 
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      “It was all about Carlton Cole not being good enough, and his performance, and ‘you’re going to work in Tesco if you don’t get your finger out’.
      “I don’t know why I said Tesco, it might have been Sainsbury’s, there was no Co-op back then.
      “Definitely not Waitrose, that was too much glam! Definitely not M&S, that was too much. There were no Aldis back then.
      “It was a shock. It was just on me. He was just caning me for at least 10 minutes.
      Most read in Football
      “I was just like, ‘wow, this is a bit much,’ because I wasn’t even involved in the squad! I didn’t even travel, so why am I involved in this conversation?
      Jose Mourinho opens up on Cristiano Ronaldo, Man Utd, Chelsea and job offers in interview with Rio Ferdinand
      “‘Talk to your players that you took! I always remember that. Even the other players were like, ‘wow, he is gunning for you.”
      ‘I hadn’t even done anything wrong!”
      Cole made nine Premier League appearances as Chelsea stormed to a second consecutive title in the 2005-06 season.
      Mourinho denied the star a chance to secure a Premier League medal that term as he only played one game from February to the end of April.
      Even though he played in the two games after they won the title, he fell a game short of a medal. 
      And when the Portuguese boss chucked one medal into the crowd Cole was prepared to jump and grab it.
      He continued: “That one he threw into the crowd, I saw it going in the crowd in slow motion, mate.
      “I was gonna be Michael Jordan and just jump and get that. I wanted to jump, I’d have jumped into the crowd and got that. 
      “I remember we were up at Newcastle for one of the last games. We’d won the league three games before or something like that.
      “And I was thinking, ‘Just give me one minute, two minutes, just give me something so I can get some times’.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      “And I knew why he didn’t do it. He didn’t want me to be involved in that. I took it on the chin and I grew from it.”
      Cole would go on to join West Ham that summer and win seven caps for England. More