Sports Buzz

Tag: Justin Setterfield

  • Newcastle’s 56-year trophy drought ends with stunning Carabao Cup final upset over Liverpool

    Newcastle’s 56-year trophy drought ends with stunning Carabao Cup final upset over Liverpool

    Newcastle ended their 56-year trophy drought in stunning style as Dan Burn and Alexander Isak sealed a 2-1 win against Liverpool in the League Cup final on Sunday (Monday AEDT).

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    Eddie Howe’s side made history at Wembley with a superb display that left the runaway Premier League leaders shell-shocked.

    Burn put Newcastle ahead late in the first half and Isak’s 27th goal in all competitions doubled their lead after the interval.

    Federico Chiesa got one back in the closing seconds, but Newcastle held on for their first major silverware since the 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.

    That success in the predecessor to the Europa League is a relic of a bygone era, but this long-awaited triumph will be forever etched in the memories of the Newcastle fans who turned one half of Wembley into a roiling sea of black and white with their ecstatic celebrations.

    It was also Newcastle’s first major domestic prize dating back 70 years to the 1955 FA Cup.

    Since the Magpies lifted the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, 30 different English teams had won silverware, while Liverpool had clinched 38 major trophies in that time.

    But after losing the 2023 League Cup final against Manchester United, Howe’s team returned to Wembley and set the record straight at last.

    Newcastle had endured five relegations to the second tier since their last trophy, with club legends like Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Malcolm MacDonald failing to win silverware in their time on Tyneside.

    Aside from a brief period when Kevin Keegan’s self-styled “entertainers” challenged for the title in the 1990s, Newcastle have endured decades of underachievement and self-inflicted wounds that rendered them a laughing stock for long periods.

    All that changed in 2021 when a Saudi-backed consortium completed a takeover from unpopular owner Mike Ashley and quickly hired Howe as their manager.

    Thanks to Howe’s astute leadership and the Saudi financial backing, Newcastle have been transformed from relegation candidates to silverware winners.

    Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said the win was the “best day of my life”.

    “It’s all for these fans,” Guimaraes told Sky Sports. “They deserve everything. When I first came here I said I wanted to put my name in history.

    “We can now say we are the champions again. This is one of the best days of my life.

    “I don’t have any words. It’s the best day of my life. For them (the fans) it’s like the World Cup. People have grown up and not seen us as champions. My first year as captain of this club and it’s one of the best days. This is unbelievable.

    “This is my second home. We are making history. Some day when I leave this club I want the fans to sing my name the way they do to Shearer. He texted me before the game. I’m so emotional today.”

    Dan Burn of Newcastle United lifts the Carabao Cup Trophy.Source: Getty Images

    The defeat was another painful blow for Liverpool just days after their Champions League last 16 exit on penalties against Paris Saint-Germain.

    But despite failing to win their first trophy under boss Arne Slot, Liverpool still sit 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League, within touching distance of a record-equalling 20th English title.

    Liverpool are 23 points ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle in the league and hadn’t lost to them for 17 games dating back to 2015.

    But Howe’s men were in no mood to be cowed by past failures Newcastle fans unveiled a banner before kick-off urging their team to “write your name in the history books”.

    They rose to the challenge in spectacular fashion, snapping into tackles and counter-attacking with purpose, while Liverpool were sluggish and sloppy in possession.

    Bruno Guimaraes had a golden opportunity to reward Newcastle’s enterprising start when Burn headed Kieran Trippier’s corner towards the Brazil midfielder, but he nodded at Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher from close-range.

    Goalscorer Alexander Isak celebrates with the trophy.Source: AFP

    Newcastle’s desire and drive was clear to see when Joelinton tracked back from midfield to stop Jarell Quansah in his tracks and celebrated with a fist-pumping roar.

    Despite nearly being caught out by Burn’s aerial prowess once before, Liverpool failed to heed the warning as the towering centre-back put Newcastle ahead in the 45th minute.

    Bizarrely left unmarked, with only the diminutive Alex Mac Allister anywhere near him, Burn was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Tripper’s corner as he thumped a powerful header into far corner from 12 yards.

    Burn’s goal — Newcastle’s first in a cup final since 1976 — capped an incredible week for the journeyman centre-back, who received his first England call-up on Friday.

    With Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah completely anonymous, the lethargic Reds had no answer as Isak put Newcastle into dreamland after 52 minutes.

    Jacob Murphy met Tino Livramento’s cross with a header that found Isak, who drilled a superb first-time finish past Kelleher from 10 yards.

    Chiesa’s stoppage-time strike set up an anxious finale, but good things comes to those who wait.

    And all across Wembley, Newcastle players and fans celebrated with abandon as a party over half a century in the making got into full swing.

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  • Axe rumours to player rift claim: Why Ange’s Spurs plea could be his last…or end doom spiral

    Axe rumours to player rift claim: Why Ange’s Spurs plea could be his last…or end doom spiral

    The defining moment of Ange Postecoglou’s time at Tottenham has arrived.

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    Spurs host Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar on Friday morning Australian time in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie, needing to come from behind to keep their hopes of winning a trophy alive this season after losing the first leg 1-0 in the Netherlands a week ago.

    Postecoglou’s statement back in September that “I always win things in my second year”, in reference to titles with Celtic, Yokohama F. Marinos, the Socceroos, Brisbane Roar and South Melbourne, has seemingly become a rod for his own back during his second season in north London.

    It is a quote that is brought up constantly, and when asked about it again in his match eve press conference, he passionately defended his words once again.

    “I wasn’t making anything up. I was asked the question, and I answered it,” Postecoglou explained.

    “Critics have used it for their own purposes, suggesting I’m making a bold claim, but I was stating a fact.

    “Usually in my second season, I win things.

    “That’s the whole idea. The first year is about establishing principles and creating a foundation. Hopefully, the second year is going to win things.

    “If that doesn’t happen this year, then I can’t say that anymore. What am I supposed to say? I’ve always won in the second year; I have in the past, everywhere I’ve been, but here (at Tottenham) it won’t happen.

    “Is that what people want to hear? People can twist these things, use them, and you know what, maybe we defy all the odds and we do win something.”

    With the FA Cup and Carabao Cup gone, and Tottenham sitting a lowly 13th place on the Premier League table, Postecoglou is all-in on the Europa League.

    Spurs won five, drew two and lost one of their league phase matches to avoid a playoff and gain automatic passage to the Round of 16.

    But a second poor showing in the first knockout stage would end Postecoglou’s stunning second-year streak and the knives are sharpening in preparation.

    Tottenham are winless in their past three matches in all competitions despite clearly playing better football as the cavalry returns following their injury crisis.

    Key players getting out of the medical room and back on the pitch built positivity, which was boosted by a hat-trick of league wins before an arguably unlucky 1-0 loss to Manchester City started their current winless stretch, but the discontent, that has bubbled away for several months, quickly resurfaced.

    Spurs salvage draw against Bournemouth | 01:30

    Reports from Italian outlet TuttoSport emerged this week that Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is keeping a close eye on Inter Milan manager Simone Inzaghi as a possible replacement for Postecoglou.

    Meanwhile, former Tottenham and England striker Jermain Defoe revealed to TalkSport that he and other coaches at Spurs in 2023 wanted now England manager Thomas Tuchel appointed instead.

    The Athletic’s Tottenham-focused podcast, ‘The View from The Lane’, spent much of their most recent episode debating whether Spurs would be more likely to win the Europa League if they moved on the Australian now.

    Former Tottenham and Barcelona striker Gary Lineker also poured fuel on the fire, suggesting on the Rest is Football podcast that Postecoglou may have had a falling out with attacking midfielder James Maddison because he started on the bench in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Sunday.

    Defender Cristian Romero made his return from injury in the same game, having not played since December, but the World Cup winner increased speculation of unrest by thanking the Argentinian physiotherapists, and not Tottenham’s, on Instagram for getting him back on the park.

    But despite the huge amounts of negativity swirling about, Postecoglou is pushing ahead with trying to orchestrate a memorable comeback victory.

    Son Heung-min started on the bench along with Maddison against Bournemouth, in a call seemingly made to ensure they are fresh for this European clash.

    Romero played a little over an hour before making way for Micky van de Van, who has also returned from injury to offer Postecoglou the chance to start his preferred pairing in central defence.

    But midfielders Rodrigo Bentancur, after a third booking in the competition, and Dejan Kulusevski, foot injury, will be absent because Tottenham could not possibly have their first-choice team available at the same time this season.

    The key addition that Postecoglou is most counting on, however, is a supportive home crowd.

    Reds fall in penalty shootout to PSG | 03:28

    Tottenham fans are routinely ridiculed for their negative antics, and Postecoglou has experienced a testy relationship with the supporters.

    It was all sunshine and roses when they sat atop of the Premier League table ten games into the Australian’s maiden season at the helm.

    He was serenaded with “I’m loving big Ange instead” to the sounds of Robbie Williams’ hit Angels upon the full-time whistle after home wins, but by the end of the season, Postecoglou blasted the club’s fragility as fans pleaded for the team to lose the penultimate game of the season to eventual champions Manchester City to deny rivals Arsenal the title.

    The tension increased throughout the current campaign as Postecoglou clashed with verbally abusive fans on several occasions after disheartening losses.

    He was also met with choruses of boos instead of jubilation upon the final whistle as well as calls for his sacking on social media and talkback radio.

    But the 59-year-old has asked the faithful to channel their passion into supporting the team rather than ridiculing.

    Postecoglou believes the players need a vibrant crowd to feed off rather than becoming engulfed by an anxious one.

    “Yeah, look, again I said before, I can’t sort of dictate to people how they sort of interact, but, AZ’s crowd certainly helped them on Thursday night,” he said after the Bournemouth match.

    “We need our crowd to get behind the boys on Thursday to make it an atmosphere where maybe we lose some of that nervousness and anxiety within our game.

    “But the reality is, we as a team have to respond irrespective of the atmosphere and one may follow the other. If we start the game strong, it’ll get the place nice and loud, which will help us.”

    Utd eyes historic move from Old Trafford | 01:24

    Tottenham have undeniably been a team of moment throughout the Postecoglou era.

    When they are good, they have ran over the top of teams and piled on goals, proven by the fact only league leaders Liverpool have scored more goals than them despite such an underwhelming campaign.

    When they are poor, the reverse is true. Unable to stem any bleeding with defensive frailties causing unrest in the stands.

    An early goal would be a nightmare for Postecoglou’s side, while like Liverpool in their Round of 16 defeat to PSG in the Champions League, the fans would scarcely be able to handle the drama of a penalty shootout.

    But the reality of the situation is that the feeling of impending doom will not disappear if they can advance to the quarter-final.

    Tottenham have infamously not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and their European drought dates back to the 1984 UEFA Cup, the precursor to the Europa League.

    Patience has not been Tottenham’s strong suit in the 17 years following their 2-1 triumph against Chelsea at Wembley, with Postecoglou their eighth full-time manager since Spaniard Juande Ramos, who lifted the trophy that day.

    The nerves will likely get greater if they can make it deeper into the competition, but that is far better than Postecoglou being given his marching orders.

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  • ‘Deeply disappointed’: Football Australia responds to radio host’s shocking attack on Matildas

    ‘Deeply disappointed’: Football Australia responds to radio host’s shocking attack on Matildas

    WARNING: This article contains language that some readers may find offensive

    Comments live on-air from Triple M radio personality Marty Sheargold about Australia’s Matildas have been blasted as “disgusting” and “a f**king joke” — with the comedian since apologising, while Football Australia called the incident “deeply disappointing”.

    The Matildas, Australia’s wildly popular national football side, are in the United States competing in the annual SheBelieves Cup along with Japan, Colombia and the host nation.

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    When the Triple M program and podcast, The Marty Sheargold Show, began discussing the Tillies’ results in the tournament on Monday afternoon, the host took the opportunity to express his feelings towards the team and women’s sport in general.

    It’s understood the station has been flooded with complaints after the comments were posted on social media late on Tuesday.

    Australia opened the event with a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan on Friday (AEDT) and then followed up with an improved 2-1 loss to the US three days later.

    Listen to part of the comments in the player below

    The Matildas following their loss to the United States on Tuesday. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images via AFP)Source: AFP

    It’s worth noting that when Sheargold began Monday’s show, he started with the message to listeners: “Little ears warning for the following podcast.

    “It’s probably not for kids, there’s some adult concepts, not just today, every day.

    “Buyer beware as they say.”

    But we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether that is warning enough for what transpired live on Monday afternoon.

    The discussion between Sheargold and co-hosts Troy Ellis and Will Ralson began with Ralston mentioning the tournament to date.

    “In football or soccer it’s been a nightmare tournament for the Matildas over the last three or four days over in the US,” Ralston said.

    Sheargold immediately jumped in with the following rant, including downplaying – unintentionally or otherwise – the Matildas’ semi-final appearance at the 2023 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

    “There’s something wrong with the Matildas,” Sheargold began.

    “They had that wonderful tournament out here where we all fell in love with them, even though they didn’t make the quarters.

    “You know what they remind me of? Year 10 girls,” Sheargold continued, as laughter rang out in the background.

    “All the infighting and all the friendship issues, ‘the coach hates me and I hate bloody training and Michelle’s being a bitch’.

    “Now I’m sorry to undermine the whole sport, but that’s what I think of it so you can stick it up your arse.”

    Sheargold only returned to the airwaves late last year after a high-profile end to his previous morning show on Triple M in late 2023.

    Triple M radio and podcast host Marty Sheargold. Picture: Supplied/Triple MSource: Supplied

    The broadcaster and actor announced at the time he was taking an extended break to spend more time with family and “prioritise self-care (and) maintaining a better work/life balance”.

    After a period of sobriety, Sheargold hit the headlines following a drunken incident at the 2023 AFL grand final, leading to his decision to step away from the spotlight.

    Ralston then tried to continue with the sports news bulletin, stating: “So we’re playing in the SheBelieves Cup.”

    Sheargold jumped in, screaming “Oh, she believes in what? It better be men” as more laughter rang out.

    After a conversation about Sam Kerr and her partner, American footballer Kristie Mewis, which included Sheargold’s question “do they play the same position?”, Ralson tried again to keep the bulletin moving.

    Kristie Mewis (left) and Sam Kerr were also discussed on the program. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    “We’re 12 months out from Australia hosting the Women’s Asian Cup, so hopefully we have a better runway to improve before that comes around,” he said.

    Sheargold responded: “Oh god. The Asian Cup. I’d rather hammer a nail through the head of my penis than watch that,” as a sound affect and more laughs were heard.

    “Got any men’s sport?”

    Ralston replied: “Yeah I do, baseball, the New York Yankees have dropped their 49-year ban on beards, on facial hair.”

    “Now this is a good story,” Sheargold responded.

    The exchange came to light after Olympic hockey player Ambrosia Malone posted part of it on TikTok with the following caption: “I honestly don’t know what is wrong with the world.

    Tokyo Olympian Ambrosia Malone posted some of the comments on social media. Picture: Alex Coppel.Source: News Corp Australia

    “I heard this on the radio yesterday in prime time (5.30pm) on the way to training and all I could think about was the young girls sitting in the car with their parents, maybe on the way to or from their own training sessions hearing this.

    “I’m sure many of them would have been hurt and confused … I was in disbelief.

    “This is apparently acceptable on mainstream afternoon radio??? HOW??”

    She added: “I’d name the station and speaker, but I don’t want to reward their behaviour with publicity.”

    There was a strong reaction on the platform, with many stating the same disbelief at the comments and asking for the station to be named.

    “It’s worth lodging a complaint about this,” was one reply. “If you provide the station and time then I’m sure a few people would be interested in also lodging a complaint.”

    Marty Sheargold and Mary Fowler. Photo: Triple M and Mark King, Getty Images.Source: Getty Images

    Another wrote: “Is this a f**king joke?!? I feel like I’m living in a simulation. That cannot be a real recording.”

    “This CAN’T be real,” added a third.

    After the station and host was added to the comments, a vast number confirmed they had lodged a complaint with Triple M.

    News.com.au has reached out to Triple M for comment.

    Meanwhile, more prominent female athletes voiced their anger.

    Swimming great Libby Trickett commented: “I’m livid. It’s 2025 and this isn’t funny.”

    Netballer Gretel Bueta commented “Yuk”, while Diamonds great Bianca Chatfield left an angry face emoji.

    Sheargold has apologised amid the backlash, claimed his joke missed the mark.

    “Any comedy, including mine, can miss the mark sometimes, and I can see why people may have taken offence to my comments regarding the Matildas. I sincerely apologise,’’ he said.

    Triple M distanced itself from the comments, without indicating whether any disciplinary action would be taken against Sheargold.

    An SCA spokesperson said: “Marty Sheargold’s comments regarding the Matildas — made during Triple M Drive on Monday, 24 February — do not align with Triple M’s views and values, and Triple M remains steadfast in its strong support of all women’s and men’s sports. We are sorry for any offence caused.”

    Football Australia later issued a statement.

    “Football Australia is deeply disappointed by the unacceptable comments made by Marty Sheargold on Triple M regarding the CommBank Matildas. Such remarks not only diminish the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our women’s national football team but also fail to recognise the profound impact they have had on Australian sport and society.

    “The CommBank Matildas have inspired a new generation of Australians from young boys and girls to men and women who now see a future for themselves in football and sport more broadly. They have broken barriers, set new standards, and elevated the game to unprecedented heights. Their success has been instrumental in transforming women’s sport in Australia, and they deserve to be covered with the respect and professionalism they have earned.

    “While we acknowledge the apologies issued by both Triple M and Marty Sheargold, this incident is a stark reminder of the responsibility media outlets and personalities have in fostering respectful and constructive discussions about women’s sport and its participants. Every comment, every report, and every discussion shape public perception and reinforces our society’s values toward women and girls in sport.”

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  • ‘Inhumane and immoral’: Football icon facing criminal action over ugly accusation

    ‘Inhumane and immoral’: Football icon facing criminal action over ugly accusation

    Galatasaray have vowed to file a criminal complaint against Jose Mourinho amid claims he made “racist statements” after Monday’s Istanbul derby.

    Mourinho’s Fenerbahce side drew 0-0 away with their bitter Turkish rivals but the match was overshadowed by allegations of racism.

    Former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss Mourinho claimed after the stalemate that Galatasaray had tried to get one of his team booked early on, The Sun reports.

    He told a press conference that “everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys”.

    Galatasaray immediately hit back and accused the Portuguese manager, 62, of “regularly using derogatory words towards the Turkish people” since moving to Istanbul.

    In a damning statement, accompanied by a #SayNoToRacism tag, the reigning Turkish champions added: “[He] has now added inhumane rhetoric to his immoral statements.

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    “We would like to inform you that we will file a criminal complaint with the prosecutor’s office and that we will also file a complaint with UEFA and FIFA regarding these racist statements against Jose Mourinho.

    “Furthermore, we shall diligently observe the stance adopted by Fenerbahce — an institution professing to uphold ‘exemplary moral values’— in response to the reprehensible conduct exhibited by their manager.”

    Fenerbahce’s Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho looks on from the technical area during the UEFA Europa League knockout phase play-off 2nd leg football match between Fenerbahce SK (TUR) and RSC Anderlecht (BEL) at the Lotto Park Stadium in Brussels, on February 20, 2025. (Photo by Simon Wohlfahrt / AFP)Source: AFP

    In his post-match press conference, Mourinho claimed Galatasary players had played for a draw and tried to get one of his players a yellow card.

    Praising Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, who was reportedly drafted in from abroad following a string of controversies surrounding Turkish officials, Mourinho said: “The reason this was a good match was because of the referee’s performance.

    “He had enough honesty to manage this match well. They tried to get a yellow card for our 18-year-old player from the first minute, but the referee managed the game well.”

    However, it was his comments that followed which are believed to have caused uproar.

    Mourinho continued: “In the situation I mentioned, everyone on the opposing bench was jumping around like monkeys.

    “If it were a Turkish referee, they would have immediately given the card, and I would have had to take the player off in a minute.

    “It was a great match for him.”

    Thirty thousand police were deployed. Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images

    “After the match, I went to the referee’s room. I said to the first referee, ‘Thank you for managing this big match well.’

    “I said to the [Turkish] fourth official, ‘If it was you, this match would have been a disaster’. It was a very, very good match in terms of emotion and competition.”

    Mourinho is yet to respond to the allegations made against him. The former Manchester United boss has previously spoken out on how football is plagued by racist incidents.

    The feisty derby saw seven yellow cards dished out, and the match was also stopped momentarily when Fenerbahce fans launched flares into the home fans beneath them.

    Some 30,000 police officers were believed to be on duty for Monday night’s match.

    Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen later shared his club’s statement to his Instagram story.

    Mourinho had previously criticised Osimhen for his on-pitch antics, labelling him a fantastic player, but claiming he “dives too much”.

    Jose Mourinho is a multiple Premier League winning manager. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images

    Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk later took aim at the “Special One” for going into the referee’s dressing room to talk to him.

    Buruk said: “Mourinho took a long time to cry. The Crying One… He’s famous for crying. He went into the referee’s room and cried. Let him keep crying.

    “Mourinho entered the referee’s room. It is very wrong for him to speak insultingly to the Turkish referee. He said that if they were the ones managing, it would be like this.

    “This is very wrong. I cannot believe that he is humiliating the Turkish referees so much, I condemn it.”

    Former Porto, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss Mourinho took over at Fenerbahce last year.

    Monday’s result leaves them in second place, six points behind Galatasaray with 12 Super Lig games remaining.

    — This story originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission

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  • ‘She knows what we’re thinking’: Matildas boss responds over Kerr captaincy call

    ‘She knows what we’re thinking’: Matildas boss responds over Kerr captaincy call

    Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni has praised the “fantastic job” done by Steph Catley as Australia’s captain in the absence of Sam Kerr, saying it’s “irrelevant” whether the Chelsea star is restored as skipper when she returns from a long-term knee injury.

    Kerr hasn’t played since rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee in January last year.

    Since then, star Arsenal left-back Catley has handled the captaincy with aplomb, while Kerr’s stocks have fallen after she was charged – and subsequently found not guilty – of racially aggravated harassment of a police officer after calling him “f***ing stupid and white”.

    Despite the not guilty verdict, there have been calls to strip Kerr of the Matildas’ captaincy, with Football Australia in no hurry to make a decision on leadership as the star striker remains sidelined and not part of the national squad for the four-nation She Believes Cup in the United States.

    When asked on Thursday if he would be comfortable with Kerr being reinstated as Australia’s captain, Sermanni didn’t give a yes or no response.

    Sam Kerr remains sidelined with a knee injury. Picture: Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    “That will be a decision that gets made when that happens, and whatever decision gets made, it gets made,” Sermanni said ahead of the Matildas’ clash with Japan in Houston on Friday morning (AEDT).

    “How that decision gets made, who makes it, and whose involved in it, I really don’t know, because it’s really completely and utterly not part of our focus, because at this minute in time. Sam is injured.

    “She’s been injured for 13 months, hasn’t played an international for 16 months, and the team is just getting on with its normal business, so it’s not part of the conversation.”

    Sermanni said the priority regarding Kerr was getter her “healthy as quickly and as safely as possible, and to get her back on the field”.

    “Particularly in relation to me, the captaincy issue is kind of quite irrelevant, because by the time she comes back into the team, I might not be here, so there’s really no point in me commenting on that,” he said.

    Steph Catley leads the Matildas out for the second half of the game against Germany at the Paris Olympics.Source: Supplied

    “Whoever comes in, whoever that coach is, who knows what’s going to happen, so really from my perspective, (and) from the team’s perspective, it’s something that’s really not that relevant at the moment, and to be honest, Steph Catley has stepped in as captain and done a fantastic job.”

    Sermanni said he been in contact with Kerr since the end of her court case in London last week.

    “We’ve checked in. We haven’t actually had conversations, but we’ve been in touch through text, so we’ve actually been in contact with each other,” he said.

    “It’s been a pretty long couple of weeks for Sam, so the last thing she needs is people constantly badgering her at this time.

    “We’ve had some contact. She knows what we’re thinking. Our physios are keeping in touch, (and) keeping in touch with Chelsea, so the lines of communication are very much open.”

    Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni has praised Steph Catley’s work as Australia’s captain. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    He said he had yet to address the Kerr matter with the Matildas squad in the current camp.

    “It hasn’t really come on the radar,” Sermanni said.

    “We’ve just come into camp and really not had much time to do much. The team’s in good spirits, upbeat, and if there’s anything to be discussed about (Kerr), then, we’ll discuss it at some stage during this tournament.”

    Sermanni was unsure whether he would still be in charge of the Matildas – who have been without a permanent coach since Tony Gustavsson’s departure following the team’s disappointing effort at last year’s Paris Olympics – for the two-match series in NSW against South Korea in April, when Kerr could be involved.

    “I honestly don’t know. Basically I’m here as long as I’m required in the job, and if it finishes after this tournament, then so be it,” he said.

    “At some stage, and probably I would suggest between now ad the middle of this year, there will be somebody else in the hot seat.”

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  • ‘Welcome to my world’: Ange’s cold response as Man United’s great lashes ‘really poor team’

    ‘Welcome to my world’: Ange’s cold response as Man United’s great lashes ‘really poor team’

    There was no way Ange Postecoglou was going to feel sympathetic for Ruben Amorim after Tottenham’s 1-0 win at home against Manchester United on Sunday.

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    After months of being pillaged by injury, Postecoglou welcomed back first-choice Guglielmo Vicario, who made his presence known with several key saves, and James Maddison, who scored the only goal of the game when he pounced on a rebound from Lucas Bergvall’s shot, to the starting line-up.

    Almost as importantly, Destiny Udogie, Brennan Johnson and Wilson Odobert returned to the list of substitutes, with the latter two coming on in the second half.

    Tottenham started to look like the side who came agonisingly close to a Champions League berth last season again.

    Meanwhile, Amorim had eight teenagers among United’s nine substitutes, and he only called upon one of them.

    The sole change he made was bringing on 17-year-old striker Chido Obi for his debut with three minutes remaining as they tried to snatch a point.

    It was a predicament Postecoglou knows all too well.

    But the Australian was not in the mood to feel sorry for his rival manager as his side defeated United for the second time this Premier League season, becoming the first Spurs outfit to do the league double against the Red Devils, and for the third time in all competitions.

    “If I check my office, I don’t have any sympathy cards from other managers, so that hasn’t happened,” Postecoglou said.

    “There’s definitely a few (injury issues). I could see Ruben there, players out of position, kids on the bench. Well, welcome to my world.

    “But that’s for one game. Now do that for two months. Do that for two months. Any club. Do that for two months.

    “I thought Man United were good today, considering all that, and we had our days when we were good, we beat Liverpool in this spell.”

    The victory was Tottenham’s second straight in the league and lifted them to 12th on table, while United dropped to 15th, 12 points clear of the relegation places.

    Amorim has officially had the worst start of any United manager since the great Sir Alex Ferguson with his side recording, four wins, two draws and eight losses in the league since the Portuguese manager took over.

    The Red Devils have lost 12 of their 25 league games so far, and the last time they piled up that many losses was in 1973/74 when they were relegated from the top flight.

    The former Sporting CP boss said post-match he has “a lot of problems” and that his “job is so, so hard here”.

    But United great Gary Neville summed up how dire the situation is by saying on Sky Sports that the best part of Amorim’s tenure has been his work in front of the cameras.

    “The best thing about it has been his press conferences, and I think even today after the game, the way in which he communicates his vision and his idea, and he wants to succeed at Manchester United, and he feels he’ll get it right,” Neville said.

    “I don’t think there’s anything on the pitch that I’ve seen so far, either in results or performances, that tell me we’re watching a really good team.

    “This is a really poor team, this United team.

    “He has died in a ditch when he said very early on that I’m not going to change my ideas, and now he can’t, and I suppose that’s an issue in some ways.

    “The concern is that the players aren’t demonstrating this system yet, in any of the 20 games Ruben Amorim’s had, apart from maybe Liverpool away.”

    Like Tottenham, United are clinging to the hope of silverware in the Europa League despite their poor Premier League campaign.

    Both teams gained automatic passage to the Round of 16 courtesy of finishing in the top eight of the league phase, but Neville believes things are trending upwardly only for Spurs as they emerge from their injury struggles.

    Speaking on Sky Sports pre-match, he was full of praise for Postecoglou and even said he hoped the Australian wins the secondary European trophy, but with a caveat.

    “He’s a massive asset to the Premier League,” Neville said of Postecoglou.

    “I hope they can turn it around and do well in Europe as well.

    “I’d like United to win the competition but if they didn’t I would want Spurs to win it as well.”

    Post-match Neville again expressed his support for the former Celtic boss.

    “I don’t buy into this that everyone wants Ange Postecoglou to be sacked, or to fail, because actually, I desperately don’t,” he said.

    “I think he’s one of the best styles of play I’ve seen here for a long time.

    “It’s brilliant how he’s got his team to play. They’re so exciting to watch. I love it when I get a Tottenham game given to me.

    “Everyone wants him to succeed, but obviously results do have to improve.”

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  • $554m for ONE goal: One of football’s worst deals ever meets costly end

    $554m for ONE goal: One of football’s worst deals ever meets costly end

    Brazilian superstar Neymar has left sections of the football world in meltdown with an announcement about his return to boyhood club Santos expected to be made within days.

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    Saudi giant Al Hilal on Monday night released a statement to confirm the club had reached a mutual agreement to release the former Barcelona star from his mega-contract.

    The Champions League winner shared a message on Tuesday night, saying goodbye to his Saudi Pro League fans.

    “To everyone at Al Hilal, to the fans, Thank you,” he posted on X.

    “I gave everything to play and I wish we enjoyed better times on the pitch together.

    “To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.

    “Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you.”

    Al Hilal’s Brazilian forward Neymar warms up. Photo by AFP.Source: AFP

    Neymar’s deal was reported to have been worth a staggering $215 million (£129m) per-year, The Sun reports.

    And after leaving following 18 months at the club, it meant he earned £193.8m in total.

    That breaks down to an outrageous $4.1 million (£2.5m) per-week.

    Combined with his transfer fee, Al-Hilal effectively paid $452 million (£271m) for Neymar’s single goal and three assists in seven matches.

    Al Hilal’s nightmare isn’t even over yet.

    Neymar will still pocket $87 million (£51.9m) of the wages he was owed for the remainder of the season, agreeing to give up just 15 per cent – which works out to $13 million (£8m).

    That means by the end of the season, his single goal will have cost over $554 million (£322m), while each appearance will have been worth £46m.

    If all that wasn’t enough, Neymar also raked in a cool £136m from commercial income, separate to his wage from Al-Hilal.

    The former Paris Saint-Germain winger played just seven times since joining the club in August 2023.

    Neymar was the subject of what is still the biggest transfer in football history when he joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona in 2017 for a fee of 220 million euros.

    He followed fellow superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema to the lucrative Saudi league.

    But two months after his arrival in Riyadh, he ruptured a cruciate ligament in his left knee while playing for Brazil in a World Cup qualifier in October 2023, which kept him on the sidelines for a year.

    He returned for Al Hilal with two brief appearances in October and November but injured a hamstring and has not played since.

    Club’s blunt Neymar statement as boyhood fairy tale nears

    Al-Hilal’s statement confirming Neymar’s exit was short and sweet.

    “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career with Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career,” said a club statement posted on social media.

    The decision to release Neymar came after boss Jorge Jesus admitted the player was no longer capable of the required physical demands.

    He said: “Neymar can no longer perform at the level we are used to.

    “Things have become difficult for him, unfortunately.”

    While Neymar had been courted by MLS teams in the United States, reports in Brazil said Santos, the club where Neymar made his name, was in talks for him to return to his homeland.

    A return to Brazil would likely be the last chance for a player who is his country’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals in 127 matches.

    Neymar scores for Brazil at the 2022 World Cup. Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images.Source: Getty Images

    Club president Marcelo Teixeira took to Instagram to deliver the message to Neymar on Tuesday night but did not officially confirm the 32-year-old’s return to the club where he first broke through in 2009.

    “The time has come, Neymar. The time has come for you to return to your people. To your home, to our beloved club,” said Teixeira.

    “Welcome back, Ney boy!… Come and be happy again in the sacred jersey. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”

    Earlier in January, Neymar said he was aiming to play the 2026 World Cup, to be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico.

    “I know this will be my last World Cup, my last shot, my last chance and I will do everything I can to play in it,” he told CNN.

    At the start of his career he was cast as the heir to Pele.

    After scoring 107 goals in 177 appearances for Santos, he joined Barcelona in 2013, becoming the young star of a team that also featured Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, which swept to the Champions League title in 2015 by beating Juventus 3-1 in the final in Berlin.

    A year later he scored the winning penalty in a shootout as Brazil won the men’s football gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

    In 2017, Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain prised him away from Barcelona with what is still a world-record transfer fee of 220 million euros ($230 million).

    He won five Ligue 1 titles and he and prolific French forward Kylian Mbappe led PSG to the final of the Champions League in the Covid-blighted 2019-2020, but they lost to Bayern Munich.

    PSG reunited Neymar with Messi in the French capital, but the trio with Mbappe failed to gel as personal rivalries got in the way and he was pushed to the exit, and to Saudi Arabia, by the Parisian management in 2023.

    — with AFP

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  • English star ‘delighted’ to finalise Italian loan move amid heartfelt City tribute

    English star ‘delighted’ to finalise Italian loan move amid heartfelt City tribute

    England right-back Kyle Walker has completed a loan move to AC Milan from Manchester City, the clubs announced on Saturday.

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    The 34-year-old Walker will join Milan for the remainder of the season in a deal that could become permanent in the summer.

    Walker endured a difficult campaign as City captain and had not started a game since their derby loss to Manchester United on December 15.

    He ends his long association with City, whom he joined from Tottenham in 2017, after winning six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League under Pep Guardiola.

    “Manchester City… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true,” Walker wrote on social media.

    “Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.”

    Milan are a distant eighth in Serie A but are on course for automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 after five straight wins in Europe.

    In a separate social media post, Walker — who will be reunited with other England internationals Fikayo Tomori, Tammy Abraham and Ruben Loftus-Cheek at the San Siro — spoke of his excitement in joining the Italian giants.

    Football wrap: Spurs boost, Man Utd joy | 03:26

    “I’m delighted and proud to sign for AC Milan!” he said.

    “A club with such rich history, one I’ve followed since I was a kid. It’s an honour to join and I can’t wait to pull on the Rossoneri shirt and get started.

    He added: “A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, both on and off the pitch. See you soon! Forza Milan.”

    His signing helps compensate for the loss of Emerson Royal, who picked up an injury midweek that could rule out the Brazilian right-back for up to two months.

    Walker’s exit from the Etihad Stadium comes as part of a City rebuild, with Guardiola’s side currently 12 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool following an unprecedented run of four successive English titles.

    Egypt forward Omar Marmoush joined City from Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday on a four-and-a-half-year contract for an initial fee of £59 million ($72.6 million) with add-ons worth a potential £4 million.

    He is City’s third signing of the January transfer window following the arrivals of defenders Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

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  • ‘It’s my decision’: United’s Rashford row rolls on ahead of ‘inevitable ending’

    ‘It’s my decision’: United’s Rashford row rolls on ahead of ‘inevitable ending’

    Ruben Amorim has insisted he knows what he’s doing as the Manchester United manager looks to revive the fallen English giants amid a row over the future of Marcus Rashford.

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    Amorim has had a rollercoaster ride since succeeding the sacked Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

    United enjoyed a late comeback win over local rivals Manchester City only to then slump to a 3-0 loss at home to Bournemouth last weekend following a midweek 4-3 League Cup quarter-final defeat by Tottenham.

    Rashford was omitted from all three of those games, with the 27-year-old, a product of the United youth system, now looking increasingly likely to leave Old Trafford.

    The struggling England international fuelled speculation about his own future by saying he was “ready for a new challenge” in a midweek interview.

    But Amorim, speaking ahead of the Boxing Day match away to Wolves, said nothing had changed from his point of view.

    “Normal situation,” he said. “When I feel that it’s the right moment I will change something. Until then I will continue to think what is the best for the team.

    “I speak with him (Rashford) every day. Not about the interview, about the performance.” Amorim added Rashford “wants to play, he is trying” but “it’s my decision, only my decision”.

    “I spoke with a lot of players — individually, during training — so I’m trying to do things… I am doing things my way,” the Portuguese boss said. “And it’s the only way I know.

    “If I don’t do that I will lose myself and I will not lose myself. I know what I’m doing.”

    Man U fan frustration felt by Amorim | 00:41

    Amorim questioned the “choices” of people surrounding Rashford after omitting him from the Bournemouth match, when Gary Neville said the forward leaving felt like an “inevitable ending”.

    The former United captain also called it a “distraction for the manager” — something Amorim denied Tuesday.

    “No, I don’t think so,” he said. “Not for me, not for the other players because everybody is there every day during training, so they understand and that is the key point.

    “For the media and for the other people, I cannot control that. “But I’m really focused and they know, I’m so clear in my message, everybody in Carrington know what I’m talking about and what I want from Marcus and everybody else.

    “So, it’s not a distraction for us. Maybe it’s for the media but that is not my concern.”

    Amorim, asked what more he would like to see from Rashford, replied: “Like any other player, the best that they can be.

    Arsenal superstar suffers lenghty injury | 00:35

    “If you have big talents, big performance, big responsibility, big engagement, like push forward everybody in this moment. And some guys have a big responsibility here because they are here for a long time.” United are a lowly 13th in the table ahead of Thursday’s match against a team managed by Amorim’s compatriot Vitor Pereira, who is taking charge of his first match at Molineux fresh from leading Wolves to a 3-0 win at Leicester.

    “I understand that it’s a tough moment, and it’s on me,” said Amorim. “Since the first day that I arrived, it’s on me because I’m responsible for the team…We just have to think about improving, to understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past.”

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  • ‘Alien to me’: Trait that endeared Ange to Premier League now brings knives out — UK View

    ‘Alien to me’: Trait that endeared Ange to Premier League now brings knives out — UK View

    The knives are coming out, the vultures are circling and judgment day is coming for Ange Postecoglou, according to some in the British press, after Tottenham’s latest Premier League loss, a 4-3 home defeat to second-place Chelsea.

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    Thirteen months ago, the Australian manager was serenaded by Spurs’ fans after being dismantled 4-1 at home by the same side, because they loved the commitment to ‘Angeball’ despite having two players sent off for most of the second half.

    Now, the attacking nature of Postecoglou’s tactics are not being so well-received.

    Tottenham were 2-0 up inside 11 minutes, but conceded the next four goals of the game as things unravelled.

    Centre back pairing Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who returned from a toe injury and a hamstring problem respectively, as well as winger Brennan Johnson, were forced off with injuries.

    Yves Bissouma and Pape Sarr gave away penalties with unnecessary challenges, and Cole Palmer slotted both of them home, the second with a cheeky Panenka-style dink to lob it over the diving Fraser Forster and rub salt into the wound.

    It was a comedy of errors, and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes they are the sort of mistakes that could cost Postecoglou his job.

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    Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher rejected the former Socceroos boss’ post-match comments praising his side, and said that if Postecoglou does not adapt, he will be shown the door.

    “Ange said how well they played. I can’t imagine any Liverpool manager I played for and we conceded four in a game would say in the interview we played well,” Carragher said.

    “If you play this way you’ll get the result like at Manchester City but you’d also get results like this one where you’re 2-0 up. I’ve never got my head around managers saying we play a ‘certain way and we will never change’ – I think it started with Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.

    “This idea that wherever they play, they will play their way. But that was the best team I’ve ever seen. Pep Guardiola then had to change his Man City team who were winning the leagues every season, putting centre-backs at full-back.

    “This idea that you can’t change is alien to me. The game-state dictates how you play, not all the time but if you go away to a tough away ground you shouldn’t play the same way as you do against a team at the bottom. There’s this idea of playing a pure game and the Tottenham fans signing ‘we’ve got our Tottenham back’ but you won’t win anything, you won’t challenge.

    “I wake up every morning hoping the sun is shining, so I can put some shorts and a T-shirt on but if it’s raining, you put your coat on. You can’t have this idea about playing one way, it won’t work. If it doesn’t change, he won’t be here next season.”

    Tottenham have won just once in their last seven games in all competitions, and that victory was a 4-0 romp of the reigning champions at the Etihad two weeks ago.

    Adding to the bizarre nature of their recent run is that despite sitting 11th on the Premier League table, Spurs have the fourth best goal difference behind the top three of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, and only Chelsea have scored more goals than them this season.

    Defensive frailties continually haunting them has meant that some are now turning their attention to what is going on in the minds of the club hierarchy.

    Chairman Daniel Levy declared three months into Postecolgou’s tenure that “we’ve got our Tottenham back” after dour years under the likes of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, but that positivity now feels like a lifetime ago.

    “In the directors’ box chairman Daniel Levy looked down and his face said it all. It was even more taught than Van de Ven’s hamstring,” the Telegraph’s chief football correspondent, Jason Burt, wrote.

    “It is the manner of the defeats, and the ease with which they concede goals, that is killing them at present and surely putting Postecoglou’s job increasingly at risk.

    “There is, unfortunately, a soft underbelly and a flakiness that opponents are seizing on. Spurs lost a two-goal lead for the 11th time in the Premier League, four times more than any other side.”

    The problems at the back are also being compounded by issues in attack, particularly around their star goal-scorer Son Heung-min.

    Postecoglou returned the Korean to the starting front three, which also featured Dominic Solanke up front and Johnson on the opposing flank, after bringing him off the bench in the 1-0 loss at Bournemouth mid-week.

    Son has battled hamstring issues in recent months and has been out of sorts since coming back to the pitch.

    His rut was exemplified by an uncharacteristic miss during the second half, that proved to be costly and symbolic of his manager’s struggles.

    “At 2-2, Son Heung-min wasted a huge chance to lead, when the captain raced through on goal and steadied himself before whipping a shot wildly off target,” The Independent’s Lawrence Ostlere wrote.

    “One of the most deadly finishers in the Premier League looked bereft of confidence, like his team, and his tap-in at the death was not enough to make amends as Spurs went down 4-3. Postecoglou rued a “big moment” that slipped by.

    “Yet that sense of self-sabotage might also be levelled at the manager. Spurs played with typical abandon which produced moments of joyous football in the first half, but when the momentum of the game swung, Postecoglou failed to react. His midfield was inexplicably open, with the overrun Bissouma understandably drawn to Palmer, leaving the advancing Enzo Fernandez in wide-open space time and time again.

    “’Tottenham Hotspur, it’s happened again,’ sang the Chelsea fans, and there was a devastating simplicity to that refrain. It was losing to Chelsea, the team who have enjoyed more success than any other visiting this stadium; it was letting another lead slip away in a clichéd collapse; it was how they seemed to melt in the middle.”

    ESPN’s James Olley took a similar approach in saying that “this game is in danger of resembling a metaphor for Postecoglou’s time at Spurs”.

    “Start well, generate dizzying excitement, lose players to injury, look increasingly one-dimensional and end up defeated,” Olley wrote.

    Postecoglou was abused by fans in ugly scenes after the Bournemouth loss, he had a frosty exchange with a supporter following their 2-1 home defeat to newly promoted Ipswich Town last month, but despite the fans growing more restless, there was no boil over of emotions at the full-time whistle.

    Many Tottenham fans on social media are pointing the finger at Levy and other off-field figures, while calling for Postecoglou to be afforded more time.

    Others want him gone, as is always the way with these things.

    But Postecoglou made a key move pre-game, in a pointed response to the events of the south coast days earlier.

    “Postecoglou had applauded the South Stand at length before kick-off, which felt significant after what had happened between him and the travelling Spurs fans at Bournemouth last Thursday. He needs them behind him,” The Guardian’s David Hytner wrote.

    “His team would make the dream start, two up after 11 minutes, and yet it never looked like lasting. There would be boos at the full-time whistle but no fan mutiny.”

    There is also no player revolt.

    Romero spoke with glowing praise of Postecoglou post-match, and expressed his belief that those on the pitch should be shouldering the responsibility for Tottenham’s recent run of poor results.

    “He’s a great coach. We saw it in the first season. In this second one we’ve suffered a lot of injuries,” Romero said.

    “Players should be the first one to be criticised, then if we lose 10 games, the staff can be changed.

    “We are very happy with this staff, me and my colleagues. We love how they work and the football they try to play.”

    Regardless of what the players or sections of the fan base believe, if more poor results come, more people will be baying for blood.

    Tottenham have four more matches before Christmas, and they could decide Postecoglou’s future.

    The Australian has always won a trophy in his second season charge, and it feels somewhat forgotten that he still has two live chances to keep that impressive streak alive, and deliver Spurs their first piece of silverware since 2008.

    On Friday morning Australian time, Postecoglou will travel north to Glasgow, to return to a scene of former glories.

    Tottenham will face Rangers, the biggest rivals of Postecoglou’s former club Celtic, at Ibrox Stadium in a key Europa League contest.

    Both sides sit on ten points after five matches, in eighth and ninth respectively, with the top eight after eight matches receiving a bye through to the Round of 16 in the new format.

    A week later, Spurs take on Manchester United in a Carabao Cup quarter-final at home.

    Either side of that clash is a trip to Southampton and a date with league leaders Liverpool.

    It is crunch time for Postecoglou.

    As the past fortnight since Tottenham’s demolition of Manchester City has shown, two weeks is a long time in football, and Postecoglou could be in the doghouse or the penthouse by Christmas Day.

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