UEFA Nations League

Subterms

    More stories

    • 213 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle star could make shock international allegiance switch U-turn as England target winger after Scotland injury KO

      by

      ENGLAND could target Elliot Anderson for a shock international U-turn after injury ruled the Newcastle winger out for Scotland.The Tynesider appeared to have finally settled his allegiance by accepting a senior Scottish call-up last week.
      Elliot Anderson’s international future could again be up for debateCredit: PA
      The Newcastle local lad has played for Scotland U21s and England U19sCredit: Rex
      But he’s had to pull out of Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier away to Cyprus and a friendly against England at Hampden Park next Tuesday.
      Now The Telegraph reckon the Three Lions might go on the prowl for him again.
      Anderson, 20, played for Scotland’s junior sides until switching for one game with England U19s in 2021.
      But he returned to the Scottish ranks at U21 level in March last year.
      READ MORE TOP FOOTBALL
      That move seemed to have been cemented when Steve Clarke rewarded his rapid rise at Newcastle by promoting him to the senior Scotland squad.
      And Clarke appeared sure Anderson was content with his choice.
      The former Chelsea defender and ex-Reading manager said: “He had a little think about choosing between Scotland and England.
      “Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, he is one we have had an eye on.
      Most read in Football
      “We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and certainly good for us in the future.”
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      Born in Whitley Bay, Anderson qualifies for Scotland through a grandparent. 
      The former Bristol Rovers loanee signed a new long-term contract with Newcastle in September 2022.
      Toon chief Eddie Howe said at the time: “We are all delighted with Elliot’s development.
      “He is a natural talent, but he also has an excellent work ethic and always wants to learn.” More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Nine candidates who could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss from Pep Guardiola to Sarina Wiegman

      by

      ENGLAND are already thinking ahead in case manager Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.Southgate’s contract runs out next year and his future will largely depend on the Three Lions’ performance in the European championship in Germany.
      England manager Gareth Southgate’s contract runs out after Euro 2024Credit: Getty
      If the 53-year-old departs then the FA will be no short of quality options to replace him in the dugout.
      Pep Guardiola has been earmarked as the association’s top pick to take over and push England to glory, just like he did with Manchester City and Barcelona.
      Guardiola’s contract with City expires just a year after Southgate’s and the Spanish tactician is bang in the mix for the job.
      The 52-year-old would be a priority but there are other quality options, one of which would pose as a history-making appointment.
      Read More on Football
      SunSport take you through the NINE managers that could replace Gareth Southgate as England boss:
      Pep Guardiola
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is the FA’s “dream” pick for the top job.
      And England chiefs will ty to lure Guardiola if Gareth Southgate leaves after Euro 2024.
      The ex-Bayern Munich boss has previously opened the door to the Three Lions as he admitted he would be keen on crossing over to international football.
      Most read in Football
      A move to his native Spain would be quite unlikely after his public support of Catalan independence.
      Sarina Wiegman
      FA chief executive Mark Bullingham confirmed he wouldn’t rule out England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman as the men’s next head coach.
      Wiegman led the Lionesses to European Cup glory in 2022 and then took them to this year’s World Cup Final where they lost to Spain.
      The Dutch tactician is the only manager – male or female – to lead two different teams to a World Cup Final, having also finished as a runner-up with the Netherlands to the USA in 2019.
      Thus, the 53-year-old could indeed become the first ever woman to manage a men’s national team next year, although her contract with the Lionesses expires in 2025.
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is England’s “dream” pick to replace SouthgateCredit: PA
      Eddie Howe
      Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England boss.
      It all started during Howe’s time at Bournemouth when he led the Cherries to Premier League promotion in 2015.
      The 45-year-old has since been turning heads at St James’ Park as he led the Magpies to a top-four finish last season and a subsequent return to the Champions League.
      England women’s boss Sarina Wiegman wouldn’t be ruled out for the men’s job by the FACredit: Getty
      Graham Potter 
      Graham Potter has been out of a job ever since his controversial dismissal by Chelsea last season.
      However, Potter is still highly-rated after his stunning three-year stint at Brighton.
      In fact, FA technical director John McDermott met colleagues to discuss potential successors prior to the 2022 World Cup and the 48-year-old was mentioned.
      Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has long been touted as a future England managerCredit: Alamy
      Lee Carsley
      England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley couldn’t be ruled out for the top job as current England manager Southgate was appointed while he was also in charge of the Young Lions in 2016.
      Carsley led the youth team to a stunning Euro 2023 triumph this summer that saw them winning every game and conceding no goals.
      Steve Cooper
      Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has enjoyed tremendous success and love at the City Ground after leading the club back to the Premier League following a 23-year absence from the top flight.
      But Cooper is no stranger to the England set-up as a former manager of the Under-16s and Under-17s.
      The 43-year-old was a massive success as he won the Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and made it to the final of the Euros the same year.
      Roma boss Jose Mourinho almost took over as England manager in 2007Credit: Getty
      Jose Mourinho
      Roma boss Jose Mourinho used to be many elite clubs’ dream pick to sit in their dugout.
      But Mourinho’s star has started to fade and there are not many top teams chasing the Special One’s signature.
      However, England have always been keen on the Portuguese tactician and could come back for him after almost signing him in 2007 only for his wife to change his mind at the eleventh hour.
      The two-time Champions League winner knows all about English football having previously worked for Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham.
      Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard would be in contention for the England jobCredit: Getty
      Steven Gerrard 
      England could go back to some of their biggest legends to take over the hotseat, such as Al-Ettifaq manager Steven Gerrard.
      Gerrard is currently in Saudi Arabia making big bucks, but such a challenge could convince him to turn his back on all that easy money and move back to elite competition.
      The 43-year-old experienced immense success at Rangers and an impressive first year at Aston Villa – so much so, that many consider the Liverpool legend as Jurgen Klopp’s natural successor.
      Wayne Rooney
      Another legend that knows all about the demands of being England boss is former record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.
      Read More on The Sun
      Rooney showed signs of promise during his time in charge of Derby, despite the crisis that had engulfed the club.
      The Manchester United legend has also shone bright in the MLS as DC United boss as he was also picked to manage the competition’s All Stars to face Arsenal this summer. More

    • 263 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Meet the American wonderkids who could end up playing for ENGLAND as FA eye top world talent for young Lions set-up

      by

      SCOUTS and analysts are scouring the world to secure top talent for England’s youth teams.And two players who both live in the United States could be in action for the Three Lions’ Under-19s and Under-17s tonight.
      American Noel Buck (right) could make his England U19 debut this eveningCredit: Getty
      Christian McFarlane qualifies for the US but is in England’s U17 squadCredit: Getty
      It would have been unthinkable a few years ago for the States to have produced top talent which would have interested the Football Association.
      Yet their recruitment and retention department have been hard at work.
      And hoping for his international debut for England’s U19s against Germany in Spain this evening is midfielder Noel Buck.
      Born and bred in Arlington, Massachusetts, Buck plays for home MLS club New England Revolution and has made 24 first-team appearances.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      His dad Steven holds both American and British passports and last year Buck was called up by the US men’s national team to attend a development camp.
      But he has accepted the FA call-up and could also feature for England against Switzerland on Saturday, alongside Jude Bellingham’s younger brother Jobe.
      Similarly, defender Christian McFarlane of New York City could play for England’s U17s tonight against Portugal in Spain.
      HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
      McFarlane, 16, was born in Essex but moved to the USA, aged three.
      Most read in Football
      At just 14 years and seven months, McFarlane signed his first pro contract with New York City and in doing so, became the third youngest player in MLS history to sign a deal.
      He has already played for the United States U16s but has accepted England’s invitation and could play against Morocco on Saturday and hosts Spain next Tuesday.
      Of course, both players could still end up with the United States.
      That is shown by the fact Norwich keeper Angus Gunn could pick up another senior cap for Scotland next Tuesday despite his 12 appearances for England’s U21s.
      Gunn, whose dad Bryan played six times for Scotland, swapped countries after believing his chances with England were limited and has already made four senior appearances.
      FANS IN POLE POSITION
      ENGLAND will take almost 3,500 fans to Wroclaw for their Euro qualifier against Ukraine on Saturday.
      The 45,000-seat stadium was a venue for Euro 2012.
      The city considers itself as the ‘Venice of Poland’ owing to its canals and fans may want to know Wroclaw is pronounced ‘vrot-swaaf’.
      JURGEN GETS IT HWANG
      SOUTH KOREA boss Jurgen Klinsmann was at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the hope of watching Nottingham Forest’s Hwang Ui-jo.
      The striker had been an unused sub in Forest’s last three games and the former Spurs frontman was hoping to see him play.
      Sadly for him, Hwang was in Norwich having signed just seconds before the transfer window shut the night before.
      DRAW’S NOT MUCH KOP
      THE biggest clubs in Europe were all in Monaco last week.
      Read More on The Sun
      Teams sent chief execs, sporting directors, ambassadors or just their club secretaries for the Champions League, Europa League and Europa League Conference draws.
      Maybe it was because they are only in the Europa League but Liverpool did not send anyone. More

    • 200 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      Brighton hat-trick hero Evan Ferguson could still switch international allegiance to ENGLAND like Rice and Grealish

      by

      EVAN FERGUSON could still switch his allegiances from Ireland to England, according to reports.The Telegraph report that Ferguson remains eligible to play for England despite making six international appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
      Evan Ferguson has three competitive caps for IrelandCredit: Sportsfile
      Brighton’s star man Evan Ferguson hit a hat-trick against Newcastle last time out and has no intention of switching allegiances from Ireland to EnglandCredit: Getty
      Ferguson, 18, qualifies for the England national team due to his mother being English.
      But the Brighton sensation has no intention of switching allegiances having grown up in Bettystown, Meath.
      He has represented the Irish national team from Under-15s level all the way through to the senior side and is in Stephen Kenny’s squad for Ireland’s upcoming qualifiers against France and the Netherlands.
      Ferguson is expected to lead the line for Ireland in both games and needs just one more appearance in a green shirt to close off the possibility of playing for England.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
      Fans might be perplexed as to how Ferguson could STILL change his allegiance to the England national team despite appearing six times in an Ireland shirt.
      That’s because Fifa rules on changing nationality were relaxed in 2020.
      Players are now eligible to switch nationalities until they have played four competitive games for their country.
      As only three of Ferguson’s six Ireland appearances have come in qualifiers, he could, in theory, switch to the England national team right now.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      The rule on playing four times for a country only apply if the player made those appearances before they turned 21 – it was brought in to protect players that are called up to a national team at a young age in order for countries to lock in access to the player.
      As Ferguson is just 18, he is eligible to switch.
      Declan Rice made use of the rule when he changed national teams from Ireland to England in 2019 after making three senior appearances for Ireland.
      Jack Grealish also changed allegiances to play for England after representing Ireland at youth level.
      Ferguson has been asked about the prospect of switching allegiances to England before in an interview with Sky Sports and said: “That’s not gonna happen, no.
      “My mam is English, so that’s where the tie comes in. But I’ve seen a few saying oh, will he? Will he? But I can tell you now it’s a no.”
      Presenter Melissa Reddy then said: “I don’t think your Dad would let you.”
      To which Ferguson said “I wouldn’t be allowed back.”
      Read More on The Sun
      The Telegraph report centred around the fact that Ferguson snubbed interest this summer to sign a new deal at Brighton.
      He produced a stunning performance this weekend as he hit a hat-trick in Brighton’s 3-1 win over Newcastle. More

    • 188 Shares179 Views

      in Soccer

      Wales boss Robert Page still smarting from humiliating 4-2 home Euro 2024 loss to Armenia

      by

      ROBERT PAGE is still haunted by Wales’ humiliating Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Armenia in June.The 4-2 summer home Cardiff loss has turned the heat up on Page’s future as the Dragons now face a huge mountain to climb to qualify for the finals in Germany.
      Wales boss Robert Page is under-pressure ahead of must-win Euro 2024 qualifierCredit: AFP
      Ethan Ampadu and Chris Mepham were left shell-shocked by ArmeniaCredit: Rex
      Page knows only a win in the Group D clash with Latvia in Riga on September 11 in Riga will erase those painful memories and keep their Euro dream alive.
      Page said: “It has been a long couple of months. You can’t address and deal with the things that weren’t right.
      “All the players went off on holiday and I had staff meetings and we went through the clips of the game and identified areas we need to address.
      “Armenia wasn’t acceptable and we deserve all the criticism in the world. I take full responsibility.
      read more in football
      “We don’t want results like we had against Armenia and that’s the one that has haunted me. 
      “It is probably the first test I’ve had. Ever since taking over everything has been rosy.
      “We’ve had success, promotions, qualifications, and this is the first time that I’ve felt time dragging. 
      “I can’t wait and I’ll be putting a positive slant on things when they come into camp because there has been nothing but positivity over the last few years. 
      Most read in Euro 2020

      “We’ve just had a bad month. The Armenia game is the one that will haunt us. We’ll address it on Sunday night when we meet up.”
      Page received a vote of confidence from Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney despite the shocking result but a section of fans want the 48-year-old out.
      The ex-Watford and Sheffield United centre-back added: “That was nice to hear.
      “But when I took on the job we knew it wasn’t going to happen overnight and we had to manage expectations. 
      “We’ve lost arguably one of the world’s best players in Gareth Bale and some big characters in Chris Gunter and Joe Allen – all significant losses. 
       “I’ve been in football long enough to know how nasty it can get out there on social media. I played until I was 35, so I understand what goes on.
      “I understand the frustration of the supporters but there was nobody more disappointed than me after the Armenia game. 
      “I don’t look at social media and I don’t read any articles from ex-players because it will inevitably cloud your judgement. 
      “When I went into the job at Port Vale after Micky Adams left, I won the first three or four games.
      “Fans were coming on to me and saying that it was the best football we’ve played. They were thanking me but I lost the next two games and it was all ‘get him out’.
      “Inevitably then you are going to be influenced by negativity, and I don’t need that in my life. I just want to remain focused on the job ahead of me and that is getting three points against Latvia. 
      “We’re probably back to where John Toshack was, trying to find the next group coming through, developing and evolving.
      “The remit is to get the next batch of kids through. It is a progression, we are evolving and we need to get caps for these players.
      “I’m going to stick by what I believe in and that’s getting the young players involved. We will give it our best shot. I need to pick a team to go and get us three points in Latvia and we are back on track. ”
      Wales have won just one match – the 1-0 home win over Latvia in March – in their last 12 internationals including a dismal show at last year’s World Cup.
      That has increased the pressure ahead of Thursday’s friendly against South Korea at the Cardiff City Stadium.
      Page said: “There is pressure in every game you play.
      “The reason we are under pressure is because of the expectations we have put on ourselves over the last couple of years and the standards we’ve set.
      “The games we’ve won and the competitions we’ve gone into – getting into the Euros, getting promotion into the Nations League A division and then the World Cup.
      “The one win in 12 is correct as a stat on paper but it frustrates me. 
      “Two games were against Belgium, Netherlands, Poland and we played USA, England and Iran at the World Cup. We have to have common sense looking at the fixtures.
      “We’ve got to appreciate that we’ve Wales. We have had some significant players retire.
      “If we are going to win games we have to manage expectations and defend like we did against Croatia and attack like we did against Latvia.
      Read More on The Sun
      “I want to see a reaction. I want to see us defend. That’s our identity and our foundations.” More

    • 213 Shares149 Views

      in Soccer

      England blow as Man City coach hints Jack Grealish will MISS Ukraine and Scotland games through injury

      by

      MANCHESTER CITY star Jack Grealish may miss England’s upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland.Grealish did not feature in City’s 5-1 Premier League victory over Fulham at the Etihad due to a thigh injury.
      Manchester City star Jack Grealish suffered a thigh injuryCredit: Getty
      Man City stand-in boss Juanma Lillo claimed Grealish may miss England’s next matchesCredit: Rex
      And the Citizens’ stand-in manager Juanma Lillo, who’s filling in for Pep Guardiola as the head coach continues to recover from minor back surgery, dealt England boss Gareth Southgate a further blow.
      Lillo admitted during his post-match press conference that it is “going to be difficult” for Grealish to be fit in time for the Three Lions’ next matches.
      Southgate’s men take on Ukraine next Saturday in a Euro 2024 qualifier in Poland.
      England will the square off against Scotland in an international friendly at Hampden Park three days later.
      Read More on Football
      However, Southgate might have to make an adjustment to his attack with Grealish posing as a doubt.
      This also poses as a blow for City, who are currently dealing with a minor injury crisis themselves.
      The Treble winners’ captain Kevin de Bruyne has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and could be out for the rest of the year.
      John Stones is also shelved due to a hip injury he suffered before the start of the campaign.
      Most read in Football
      FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
      And Stones is expected to be unavailable until after the international break.
      The same goes for City manager Guardiola, who looks set to return to the dugout on September 16.
      That is when the reigning Premier League champions travel to West Ham. More

    • 200 Shares159 Views

      in Soccer

      Newcastle star switches international allegiance as he’s called up for Scotland despite playing for England U19s

      by

      ELLIOT ANDERSON has switched his international allegiance away from England.The Newcastle youngster played for the England U19s side in 2021.
      Elliot Anderson has switched his national allegiance to ScotlandCredit: Rex
      Scotland boss Steve Clarke said Anderson’s decision came after ‘good’ talksCredit: Getty
      Anderson, 20, had previously featured for Scotland’s youth teams before his brief stint with England.
      However, he changed back to Scotland and played for the nation’s U21s side.
      The Magpies ace has now made his final decision over his future allegiance after being called up to the senior side.
      Anderson will be in the Scotland squad for the Euro 2024 qualifier in Cyprus next month.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He will also be available for a friendly match against England at Hampden Park.
      Scotland coach Steve Clarke insisted that the decision came after he held “good discussions,” which led to his choice being made.
      Clarke said: “He had a little think about choosing between Scotland and England.
      “Elliot has been through the under-age groups with Scotland, he is one we have had an eye on.
      Most read in Football
      CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
      “We had some good discussions with the boy and his family and he has chosen to come with us, which is good for us now and certainly good for us in the future.”
      Scotland are in a good position to qualify for Euro 2024 as they currently sit top of Group A.
      Clarke’s side have won four out of four matches, including a 2-0 win over Spain and a 2-1 victory over Norway.
      They are currently eight points clear at the top ahead of Norway and Georgia. More

    • 225 Shares139 Views

      in Soccer

      SunSport assesses where it has all gone wrong for the Dragons and Robert Page in Euro 2024 qualifiers

      by

      WALES’ disastrous back-to-back Euro 2024 defeats have all but ended their hopes of automatic qualification for Germany.Successive June losses to Armenia (2-4) and Turkey (2-0) has left the dismal Dragons fourth in Group D with furious fans now calling for under-fire boss Robert Page to be sacked.
      Wales midfielder Joe Morrell was sent off in Monday’s 2-0 qualifying defeat to TurkeyCredit: Viaplay
      The Dragons lost twice this month, starting with the shambolic 4-2 defeat to Armenia in Cardiff last FridayCredit: Rex
      At the halfway stage of qualification, Wales are five points behind leaders Turkey with Armenia and Croatia also above them despite the World Cup semi-finalists playing two matches less.
      Here, SunSport’s Phil Cadden assesses where it has all gone wrong for Wales and Page…
      RESULTS
      Wales had a positive start to this Euros campaign with four points in March but that only papered over widening cracks.
      read more football news
      The Dragons have won just once – a 1-0 home victory over Latvia – in their last 12 matches.
      That Cardiff win was also their only clean sheet in this alarming slump.
      Since a 4-0 hammering to Denmark at Euro 2020 two summers ago, Wales have won just six of their subsequent 24, the other wins coming against Belarus twice, Estonia, Austria and Ukraine. 
      To Page’s credit, he took over in difficult circumstances following Ryan Giggs’ arrest in 2020 and guided Wales to last November’s World Cup – a first global appearance since 1958.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Another factor for some of the recent woeful run has been fixtures against superior opposition after being promoted to League A of the Nations League.
      But, in truth, results and performances have been on the slide for some time and without the retired superstar Gareth Bale and Joe Allen there are major concerns over the quality and strength in depth of the team.
      TACTICS
      Page’s flops picked up just one point and scored once – a Bale penalty versus USA – in three group matches in Qatar.
      The 48-year-old made changes as Nick Davies and Eric Ramsay replaced Tony Strudwick and Kit Symons on the coaching staff while Aaron Ramsey replaced Bale as captain.
      But little has changed.
      The shambolic 4-2 defeat to Armenia exposed Welsh weaknesses of defensive vulnerability and being overrun in midfield. 
      In Wales’ success under Chris Coleman, Giggs and Page’s early tenure, they played with a five-man defence and were difficult to beat through graft and team spirit plus Bale’s brilliance. 
      Page’s side must be better defensively to compete with Europe’s elite, they lack leaders and the age-old issue of not enough players playing in the Premier League.
      While Brennan Johnson has impressed in the top-flight, he doesn’t have the X-factor all-time record goal scorer and cap-holder Bale had.
      DISCIPLINE
      Three red cards in Wales’ last six internationals points to ill-discipline. Wayne Hennessey was dismissed against Iran for a karate-kick on Mehdi Taremi.
      Kieffer Moore was red carded after he kicked out at Armenia goalkeeper Ognjen Chancharevich,
      And then Joe Morrell was sent off for an ugly studs-up challenge on Turkey’s Ferdi Kadioglu.
      All three red cards were naive and poor decision-making.
      QUALIFICATION
      Page is spinning the line Wales must win all of their four remaining matches – Latvia away, Croatia home, Armenia away, Turkey home, to secure a top-two finish.
      But that seems impossible based on their rank form. 
      The Dragons have not put four victories together since Giggs’ side in September 2020.
      Wales started that run with wins over Azerbaijan and Hungary in November 2019 to reach Euro 2020.
      Then success followed in the Nations League over Finland and Bulgaria 11 months later behind closed doors during Covid.
      Remarkably, Wales could still qualify for Germany via a play-off courtesy of their previous Nations League record.
      A home semi against Estonia next March is a possibility.
      However, Wales aren’t winning enough matches to generate confidence.
      PAGE’S FUTURE
      The Football Association of Wales rewarded Page with a four-year deal last September after booking their World Cup place.
      But Dragons fans have had enough and hammered chief executive Noel Mooney with ‘Page Out’ posts in reply to his tweet from the stands in Samsun on Monday night.
      Coleman and Giggs also received criticism after poor results but former FAW chief Jonathan Ford stood firm.
      Now Mooney as well as the FAW board and council members have a big decision to make.
      Stick with Page or make a change ahead of the autumn?
      Ex-Wales defender Danny Gabbidon reckons Page should be given the chance to finish off the campaign.
      Coleman’s former-assistant Osian Roberts was asked after the Turkey defeat if he would consider a return should a vacancy arise and he said: “Who knows. In the future, you can never tell.”
      Read More On The Sun
      SunSport understands the ex-Crystal Palace No2 plans to follow Patrick Vieira in his next managerial post, with Leeds keen on the France World Cup winner.
      Ex-Wales skipper Ashley Williams could also be a short-term option if the FAW axe Page. More