More stories

  • in

    Meet stunning Sky Sports commentator who is daughter of Sir Alex Ferguson’s former right-hand-man at Man Utd

    SKY SPORTS commentator Pien Meulensteen is the daughter of a former Manchester United assistant manager.The Dutch-born journalist has worked for some of football’s biggest broadcasters since graduating from the University of Salford.
    Commentator Pien Meulensteen has worked for the likes of Sky Sports and ITVCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen
    Pien has been a part of Women’s World Cup and Premier League coverageCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen
    Along with Sky Sports, Pien also works for ITV and the Premier League, as well as being part of DAZN’s Women’s Champions League coverage.
    When she is not commentating on Premier League action, though, she has also appeared as a reporter on Soccer Saturday.
    Pien has already provided coverage of matches from Anfield and the King Power Stadium so far this season.
    The daughter of former United coach Rene Meulensteen, Pien was born in the Netherlands before moving to England.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    As a result, she is fluent in both English and Dutch, allowing her to work for Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport in the past.
    Having studied broadcast journalism at university, she began her career on MUTV, covering the Red Devils’ women’s team.
    Pien later joined the club’s Premier League matchday team both on location and in studio.
    Earlier this summer, she was part of ITV’s coverage of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, commentating on matches at the tournament.
    Most read in Football
    Pien is the daughter of ex-Manchester United coach Rene MeulensteenCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen
    Born in the Netherlands, Pien is fluent in both English and DutchCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen
    Her work has also seen Pien attend other major events even when she is not commentating on them, including last season’s Europa League final in Budapest.
    With 19,600 followers on Instagram, she regularly treats her fans to selfies and snaps from around the grounds.
    Pien also documents her travels around the globe on social media, both from her career and when enjoying a holiday.
    As for her father, Meulensteen has had two spells with United, first working as their reserve team boss between 2001 and 2006.
    He later returned to Old Trafford as a coach before becoming Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant, remaining in the role until Fergie’s retirement in 2013.
    A decade on from leaving United, Meulensteen is currently the Australia assistant manager, a role he has held since 2018.
    Pien has appeared as a reporter on Soccer SaturdayCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen
    Pien also has over 19,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Instagram @pienmeulensteen More

  • in

    CBS Sports host Kate Abdo looks awkward as Micah Richards brutally trolls Jamie Carragher and shocks Thierry Henry

    MICAH RICHARDS shocked co-hosts Kate Abdo and Thierry Henry as he ripped into Jamie Carragher during CBS’ Champions League coverage.CBS’ coverage of the Champions League has become a hit around the world due to the electric chemistry between the pundits and host.
    Fans have loved the chemistry of the CBS studio in recent yearsCredit: Twitter @CBSSportsGolazo

    And one of the things that fans have loved so much is the team being happy to lay into each other.
    Yesterday’s coverage saw the CBS crew cover Newcastle’s trip to AC Milan and Manchester City’s win over Red Star Belgrade.
    And fans online were in stitches when Richards trolled co-host Carrgher, saying: “Can I just make a reference?
    “We’ve been on air for five hours and we haven’t actually referenced that you should be doing Thursday nights.”
    READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
    Both Abdo and Henry seemed a bit shocked that Richards would go there but Carragher came back and said: “I’ll do Thursdays if you do Wednesdays.”
    But of course the whole thing was taken in good nature with the four laughing as they exchanged their typical banter.
    Richards was referencing the fact that Liverpool failed to qualify for the Champions League last year for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
    The Merseyside club finished fifth on 67 points, four points behind Newcastle in fourth.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    It was the first time Liverpool have finished outside the top four while Klopp has been in charge for a full season.
    The club’s Europa League campaign will kick off tomorrow when the Reds take on Austrian side LASK.
    Fans on Twitter found Richards’ burn of Carragher hilarious, with one saying “Big Meeks with the burn!”, alongside a laughing emoji
    Another fan said: “Big Meeks needs his mate @alanshearer on board this season, get @Carra23 on the Thursday night shift.”
    While a third said: “Such a shame we can’t watch this show in the UK.”
    The CBS team will be back tonight as they cover Real Madrid vs unlikely Bundesliga qualifiers Union Berlin and Bayern Munich vs Manchester United. More

  • in

    Soccer AM legends Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy look totally different as they reunite on TV show

    SOCCER AM legends Helen Chamberlain and Tim Lovejoy have reunited after 16 years.The duo were the former presenters of the now-axed Sky Sports football show.
    Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain presented Soccer AM togetherCredit: Rex Features
    The pair reunited on Channel 4’s Sunday BrunchCredit: TWITTER @SundayBrunchC4
    Soccer AM ran for 28 years having started in 1995 and was a huge favourite among football fans.
    Chamberlain, 56, and Lovejoy’s era between 1996 and 2007 is considered to be the show’s high point.
    Lovejoy, 55, left the show over a pay dispute while Chamberlain remained on the show for another ten years.
    She would continue to anchor the show alongside the likes of Andy Goldstein, Max Rushden and John Fendley.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Lovejoy now co-hosts Sunday Brunch on Channel 4 with Simon Rimmer.
    Chamberlain was a guest on the show on Sunday which saw them reunite on screens for the first time in 16 years.
    As a treat for fans, they recreated a picture while looking different from their time on Soccer AM and uploaded it to social media.
    The pair were hailed by fans of the old Saturday morning show as one commented: “When Soccer AM was brilliant.”
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    A second wrote: “Those were the days.”
    A third said: “Legends of Tele.”
    A fourth said: “Best TV duo.”
    While another joked: “At least Helen hasn’t changed a bit.”
    Chamberlain has remained out of the spotlight since leaving Soccer AM and is most recently reported to be enjoying a countryside lifestyle.
    She now works on her farm and is a keen metal detectorist.
    Helen Chamberlain posted this pic on Twitter of her looking for artefacts in a fieldCredit: Twitter More

  • in

    Premier League TV fixture changes announced for November including huge Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea matches

    THE PREMIER LEAGUE have announced their TV fixture changes for the first half of November.A number of fixtures have had their dates and kick-off times moved for the opening two matchdays of the month.
    Manchester United’s trip to Fulham is amongst the TV picks for NovemberCredit: Getty
    Huge matches involving Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have been included in the games selected for TV coverage.
    United’s trip to Fulham will take place at 12.30pm on Saturday November 4, live on TNT Sports.
    Later that day, Sky Sports will broadcast Newcastle vs Arsenal at 5.30pm.
    Sky Sports’ Super Sunday on November 5 will feature Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa and Luton vs Liverpool at 2pm and 4.30pm, respectively.
    READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS
    The London Derby between Tottenham and Chelsea has been moved to 8pm on November 6 and will also be shown live on Sky Sports.
    A week later, TNT Sports will show Wolves vs Tottenham at 12.30pm on November 11.
    Bournemouth vs Newcastle at 5.30pm on the same day will be available to watch on Sky Sports.
    Chelsea are also on Sky Sports again as they host treble winners Manchester City as part of Super Sunday on November 12.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    City’s trip to Stamford Bridge will kick-off at 4.30pm and will follow the clash between West Ham and Forest.
    Three matches have also been moved to 2pm on November 12 due to Villa, Brighton and Liverpool’s involvement in Europe on the previous Thursday.
    Premier League TV picks for November
    Fulham vs Manchester United, November 4, 12.30pm (TNT Sports)
    Newcastle vs Arsenal, November 4, 5pm (Sky Sports)
    Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa, November 5, 2pm (Sky Sports)
    Luton vs Liverpool, November 5, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
    Tottenham vs Chelsea, November 6, 8pm (Sky Sports)
    Wolves vs Tottenham, November 11, 12.30pm (TNT Sports)
    Bournemouth vs Newcastle, November 11, 5.30pm (Sky Sports)
    Aston Villa vs Fulham, November 12, 2pm*
    Brighton vs Sheffield United, November 12, 2pm*
    Liverpool vs Brentford, November 12, 2pm*
    West Ham vs Nottingham Forest, November 12, 2pm (Sky Sports)
    Chelsea vs Manchester City, November 12, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
    * Moved due to clubs playing in Europe on previous Thursday More

  • in

    Ex-Man Utd coach bans Sky Sports News from canteen but unusual methods are paying off with team flying

    IPSWICH TOWN boss Kieran McKenna has banned players from watching Sky Sports News in the canteen – as he aims to reach Premier League status.After five games Ipswich, who have been outside the Premier League for more than two decades, are now second in the league.
    Keiran McKenna has admitted to using unusual methods at IpswichCredit: Alamy
    McKenna bans his squad from watching Sky Sports NewsCredit: Getty
    The former Manchester United coach always dreamed to be a manager by the time he was 35 as he revealed to the Telegraph in an exclusive interview.
    He said: “Why 35? I mapped that out. Mentally in my head that was retirement age as a player. I might have played until I was 35, 36.”
    In December 2021 the former Tottenham star was appointed manager of Ipswich- he was 35 and seven months.
    The Suffolk side were failing to escape the mid-table of League One during this time.
    READ MORE MAN UTD
    But McKenna won promotion back to the Championship in his debut campaign.
    The Blues boss hints the squad’s success is because of his unusual method of banning Sky Sports News – the training ground staple – on the televisions in the canteen.
    Instead, there is footage of that day’s training session, always filmed by a drone or highlights from a recent match.
    According to the Ipswich manager, this allows players to glance up and see their work and its consequences.
    Most read in Championship
    CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
    McKenna added: “My principles are really, really strong and I don’t think I will ever go away from them.
    “I believe in trying to play football a certain way. It’s not just about playing out from the back or pressing high. I want my team to be excellent in all aspects.”
    “This is a progressive club and I know that I want to manage at the highest level of the game.
    “I want to be back to that level – back to the Premier League and manage in the Champions League.”
    McKenna began his footballing career as a youth player for Northern Irish side Enniskillen Town before making his way to Tottenham.
    He was on the verge of being Spurs’ first team but moved into coaching at 22 after a long-term hip injury curtailed his playing career.
    This inspired him to pursue his coaching career and in 2016 McKenna was poached by fan club Man Utd to be the U18 coach. More

  • in

    England and Scotland fans praise ‘genius’ Channel 4 as iconic pundit returns to TV screens after Sky Sports axe

    GRAEME SOUNESS has returned to TV screens after being axed by Sky Sports.The Liverpool legend was on Channel 4’s panel of pundits for Tuesday’s clash between Scotland and England.
    Graeme Souness is part of Channel 4’s team of pundits for Scotland vs EnglandCredit: Channel 4
    Fans were quick to praise the broadcaster’s “genius” for putting Souness back on their screens.
    The former Rangers star left Sky Sports at the end of last season after 15 years as a pundit.
    Reacting to Souness’ appearance during Channel 4’s coverage, one fan tweeted: “Love Souness already on @C4Sport.”
    Another added: “Might be in a minority but whoever decided to put Graeme Souness on the C4 coverage for Scotland v England is a genius.”
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    A third supporter also wrote: “Ally (McCoist) and Souness are quality.”
    Meanwhile, one more commented: “Great to see the main man Souness up at Hampden.”
    Scotland and England’s meeting at Hampden Park on Tuesday marks their 150th Anniversary Heritage match.
    The fixture celebrates the first ever international match, played between the two sides in 1872.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    Their clash 151 years ago at a cricket ground in Partick ended in a goalless draw and was watched by a crowd of 4,000 fans.
    Across the two sides’ 115 meetings since, 48 have been won by England and 41 ended in a Scotland victory. More

  • in

    Former Sky Sports presenter shocked after spotting mysterious ‘large cat’ while taking tiny dog out for walk

    CHARLOTTE JACKSON-COLEMAN has revealed she spotted a mysterious “large cat” while taking her tiny dog out for a walk.The former Sky Sports presenter was left shocked after capturing the animal on video in Easton, Hampshire, on Sunday.
    Charlotte Jackson-Coleman spotted a ‘large cat’ while walking her dogCredit: Getty
    Charlotte had been walking her Yorkie-poo in the village when she saw the grey cat from a distance.
    In her video, the cat can be seen lurking behind a tree off a path in the countryside.
    Before running off, the animal peers round the tree at Charlotte and her dog.
    Recalling the incident, Charlotte told the Daily Echo: “It was quite large.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS
    “The pattern and colour of the coat was not like one I had seen on a cat before.
    “As we got closer, I realised how much bigger it was than other cats – and it had no collar.
    “I put my dog on the lead straight away. He is a Yorkie-poo and much smaller than the cat.
    “It didn’t seem frightened of us, and I got my phone out to take a video as I thought it was really unusual.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    “But I think I was a bit slow in doing so as it ran into the bush and then off.”
    Charlotte worked as a presenter for Sky Sports for a number of years after joining the broadcaster in 2009.
    She has since gone on to become an actress, having previously been a singer and backing vocalist early in her career.
    Having graduated from acting school in 2021, Charlotte has appeared in several projects, including BBC series Silent Witness.
    The 45-year-old is married to former Wales manager Chris Coleman, who is currently in charge of Greek side Atromitos. More

  • in

    Sky Sports and TNT Sports could be forced to make major historic change to Premier League coverage

    BROADCASTERS Sky Sports and TNT Sports are hoping to make a series of changes to their in-game coverage of the Premier League.TNT Sports, formerly BT Sport, introduced some unique features ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest last month.
    Broadcasters want to speak to players after they have been substitutedCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
    Fans loved the new features on TNT Sports earlier this seasonCredit: Twitter / @footballontnt
    In one instance, presenter Jules Breach and Ally McCoist spoke to Gunners captain Martin Odegaard at the entrance to the Emirates Stadium.
    Breach also completed a link in the tunnel at half time while the players returned to the pitch.
    The changes proved to be a roaring success among fans, so both TNT Sports and Sky Sports are now keen to implement new features to enhance the in-game experience for fans.
    According to The Daily Mail, in-game interviews and cameras in the dressing rooms could become the norm.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Broadcasters want to be able to speak to players just moments after they are substituted during a match.
    The prospect reportedly received a ‘lukewarm response’ when it was relayed to clubs last week.
    International partners have told Premier League executives that they want them to improve access while matches are taking place, which has prompted the proposals for change.
    In a recent off-pitch change, PGMOL chief Howard Webb has started to release VAR audio as a way of explaining why some decisions were made during games.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
    His most recent broadcast was aired last week, when he justified some decisions made during Arsenal’s clash with Manchester United.
    Webb also spoke about about the decision by Simon Hooper to not award a penalty for Andre Onana’s clumsy collision with Sasa Kalajdzic. More