Aston Villa signed Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United for the rest of the season on Sunday to end the England international’s exile under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
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Once a hero for the United fans, Rashford has not featured for his boyhood club since December 12 and admitted earlier this season he was ready for a “new challenge”.
The 27-year-old had been linked with a move to AC Milan and Barcelona, but the European giants were put off by his reported £300,000-a-week (A$600,000) wages.
According to Sky Sports, Villa will pick up at least 75 percent of that pay packet for the coming months, rising to 90 percent depending on performance-related bonuses and have an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season for £40 million (A$40m).
“I was lucky to have a few clubs approach me but Aston Villa was an easy decision – I really admire the way that Aston Villa have been playing this season, and the manager’s ambitions,” said Rashford in a Villa statement.
“I just want to play football and am excited to get started. I wish everyone at Manchester United all the best for the rest of the season.”
Villa moved to bolster their attacking options after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday for a reported £64 million.
Unai Emery’s men have qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and still have aspirations to qualify for that tournament again next season.
Villa sit eighth in the Premier League, eight points above 13th-placed United. Rashford scored 138 goals in 426 appearances since coming through the ranks at Old Trafford and has lifted the Europa League, two FA Cups and two League Cups as a United player.
However, his attitude and work ethic in training has been questioned by Amorim, since he took charge in November.
After last weekend’s 1-0 win at Fulham, the Portuguese coach sensationally claimed he would rather put the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, in the squad than Rashford.
“Our team should be so much better with Rashford, but he has to change,” Amorim said last week.
“If he does change, we are more than welcome to put a talent like Rashford in, and we need it.
“But in this moment I think it’s really clear that we have to set some standards. That’s all.” A temporary switch to Villa allows Rashford a fresh start to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace.
He was part of England’s World Cup squad just over two years ago and scored a career-best 30 goals in the 2022/23 campaign.
But he netted just eight times last season and has seven in 24 appearances so far this campaign.
ANGE HI-JACKS $40M TRANSFER
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign 26-year-old centre back Kevin Danso, who joins initially on loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season for 25 million euros (£21 million, A$42m).
“It’s great to get Kevin in, we desperately needed a defender,” added Postecoglou.
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs have hijacked a deal Wolves had in place to sign Kevin Danso.Source: Getty Images
“Getting him is great because he’s a great fit for us. He’s had a strong career and he’s at an age now (26) where he wants to kick on and he has all the attributes we look for. We’re really pleased and it will be a lift for the whole group.”
Danso is expected to be available for selection by the time Spurs play the second leg of their League Cup semi-final against Liverpool on Friday morning.
Postecoglou’s first-choice centre-backs Micky Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have missed a large part of the season, while their backup Radu Dragusin is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Spurs had reportedly held advanced talks with AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori but the England international opted to remain in Italy. It was the second high-profile snub Spurs had suffered in the window after Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel also opted to stay put despite the agreement of a A$100m transfer fee.
Chelsea’s Axel Disasi is also reportedly on the verge of a move across London before Tuesday morning’s (AEDT) transfer deadline.
Manchester City roared back into form with a 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich, while Nottingham Forest’s unlikely title challenge goes on after a 3-2 victory over Southampton took Nuno Espirito Santo’s men level with second-placed Arsenal.
– ‘We are worst team in history of Man Utd’: Amorim –
Ruben Amorim made the astonishing admission that his Manchester United flops are the worst team in the club’s history after Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat against Brighton.
United crumbled to a sixth loss in 11 Premier League games since Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim said after his side’s wretched display at Old Trafford.
“I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.”
Man UTD legend passes away aged 84 | 00:39
Amorim’s side are languishing in 13th place and although they are 10 points above the relegation zone, they are far from certain to avoid being dragged into the survival struggle on the evidence of Sunday’s display.
Yankuba Minteh set the tone for United’s moribund performance with an early opener for Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes equalised with a penalty before half-time, but second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter left United in turmoil.
United have suffered six home league defeats this season, their most from their opening 12 matches of a season since 1893-94.
They have also lost 10 of their 22 league games this season, the earliest into a top-flight campaign that they have hit double figures for defeats since 1989-90.
“Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” Amorim said.
While United have not been dragged completely into the fight for survival just yet, Amorim must find a way to get results to avoid the pressure on him becoming intolerable.
The 39-year-old arrived at United in November, hailed as one of Europe’s brightest young coaches.
But his preferred 3-4-3 formation is not suited to the players in United’s squad.
Yet, while he admitted he is only thinking of avoiding relegation now, the Portuguese coach refuses to change his philosophy.
“I am not going to change, no matter what. I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now,” Amorim said.
United’s latest calamity came on the day the club paid a sombre tribute to Denis Law after their legendary striker passed away aged 84 on Friday.
Postecoglou: ‘Spurs need reinforcements’ | 01:11
– ‘Everybody is underperforming’ –
Law is immortalised in a statue of United’s ‘Holy Trinity’ alongside Bobby Charlton and George Best outside Old Trafford.
Fans laid scarves and flowers at the statue in tribute to the third highest scorer in United’s history and took part in a minute’s applause for Law prior to kick-off.
What transpired after that would have shocked Law to his core as Amorim’s team once again failed to live up to the storied history of the 20-time English champions.
“In nine games in the Premier League, we won two,” Amorim said. “Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances.
“We are underperforming and have to accept that. It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, for any Premier League club, imagine Manchester United.
“So it’s a really hard moment but we have to continue, we have to continue, there is no other way.”
United have lost six of their last seven league games against Brighton in an indication of how far they have fallen since last winning the title in 2013.
Amorim’s side host Rangers in their next game on Thursday in the Europa League, with the manager desperate for a positive result to change the mood.
“I knew it was going to be hard to put a completely new idea in the moment, but when you lose games and don’t win three games in a row it becomes really hard,” Amorim said.
“So that’s why I’m telling we are going to suffer because I will continue to do the same.
“I am just here to help my players, but we need to understand we are breaking all the bad records.”
Haaland signs monster deal with City | 01:21
– Foden stars as Man City hit Ipswich for six –
Phil Foden struck twice as Manchester City climbed to fourth in the Premier League with a 6-0 rout of struggling Ipswich on Sunday.
Foden netted either side of Mateo Kovacic’s eye-catching goal as City blew Ipswich away with three first-half goals at Portman Road.
Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland and James McAtee netted after the interval as City enjoyed their biggest league win this season.
Pep Guardiola’s side have won three of their last four league games as they begin the long climb back to respectability after a dismal start to the season.
Sterner tests lie in wait for City, including a vital Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and looming Premier League clashes with Chelsea and Arsenal.
But this was the kind of confident display City used to make look routine during their march to four successive English titles.
Winning is almost certain to prove beyond them as they trail leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
Guardiola will settle for restoring City’s pride this term as he rebuilds a team that suddenly grew old and inconsistent before his eyes.
Haaland, who has scored 112 goals in just 127 appearances for City, this week committed himself to the club until 2034 when he signed a new nine-and-a-half year deal.
But Kyle Walker was again absent from the City side amid reports that AC Milan are ready to bid for the unsettled England right-back.
In City’s first visit to Portman Road for 23 years, the champions emphasised how powerful they can still be at peak form.
– Ruthless City –
Haaland scored a hat-trick when City beat Ipswich 4-1 in August and he threatened to net in the opening moments in Suffolk.
Kovacic’s pass split the Ipswich defence and sent Haaland clean through on goal, but the Norway striker’s shot was pushed away by Christian Walton.
Kovacic fired wastefully over after a flowing move carved open the Ipswich rearguard again.
Omari Hutchinson almost put Ipswich ahead against the run of play with a stinging strike from just inside the area that hit Haaland and flashed just over.
But City’s pressure was rewarded in the 27th minute when Doku and Kevin De Bruyne combined to set up Foden for a clinical close-range finish.
Foden turned provider as ruthless City doubled their lead three minutes later. Kovacic strode onto Foden’s pass on the edge of the area and smashed a superb low strike past the flat-footed Walton for his first goal since October.
Guardiola’s men were rampant and they struck again three minutes before half-time.
Set free by Doku, De Bruyne raced into the area and cut the ball back for Foden, whose shot from five yards evaded Walton’s weak attempted save.
The England forward’s fifth goal in his last four games maintained his recent improvement.
City have scored 25 first-half goals in 22 games, more than any other team in the Premier League this season.
Ipswich were powerless to stem the tide. Doku danced through their defence to score City’s fourth with a low shot that hit Dara O’Shea on its way past Walton in the 49th minute.
City showed no mercy and Haaland joined the party in the 57th minute. Jack Clarke conceded possession and Doku teed up Haaland to drill past Walton for his 22nd goal in all competitions this season.
McAtee came off the bench to bag City’s sixth in the 69th minute, the 22-year-old looping a header over Walton from Kovacic’s cross.
Forest were equally rampant in the first 45 minutes to cut the gap on leaders Liverpool to six points and consolidate their lead in the race for a place in the Champions League next season.
Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood netted before the break. Southampton salvaged some pride in the second period through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu but they remain on course for an immediate return to the Championship, 10 points adrift of safety.
The Premier League is just over a quarter of the way through the 2024/25 season, and it’s been a mixed bag so far.
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Arne Slot has his Liverpool outfit firing, and they’re fixed atop the ladder after 11 games, while their rivals Manchester United are rebuilding with a new manager, again.
Elsewhere, Ange Postecoglou’s up and down campaign is continuing, while Manchester City slumpt to a career first under Pep Guardiola.
Read below for the biggest Premier League Talking Points!
ANGE’S SPURS ROLLERCOASTER CONTINUES
It’s been and up and down season for Spurs, seesawing between brilliant victories and horror defeats, with the latest coming against Ipswich Town.
Ange Postecoglou’s men conceded two first half goals and failed to chase down their opponents, despite Rodrigo Bentancur netting in the 69th minute.
The defeat resulted in ugly scenes post-match, with Postecoglou stopping in the tunnel after a fan was said to have yelled at him, however it’s unclear what was said.
Regardless, it’s a sign of a fan base that’s beginning to become frustrated, and in true Ange fashion he put the onus on himself.
“It’s just down to me. I’m not getting consistent performances from the players,” he said to BBC post-match.
“It’s something I need to address. I’m the person in charge so that’s usually the way it goes. I take responsibility when their performances don’t meet the levels that they should.”
He also labelled his team “passive”, an interesting word considering the high line press that’s instilled by the manager, which sees his players constantly on the move.
“There are different reasons (to why we lost). Today was a bit different to other times. We were way too passive.
“If you give the opposition that much of a head start it takes a lot to claw it back.”
What made Spurs’ loss even worse was it marked Ipswich’s first win upon return to the Premier League, their first victory in the top flight in 22 years.
Tottenham have now lost five of their first 11 Premier League games, and went down to Galatasaray in their most recent Europa League tie.
It’s fair to say Tottenham are out of the running for the title, sitting 12 points behind Liverpool despite Postecoglou’s success in second seasons at his past clubs.
Spurs are yet to win two games in-a-row in the Premier League, and their season has been a true rollercoaster.
For former midfielder Jamie O’Hara, there’s potential for the fans to begin to feel sour around Postecoglou’s position at the club, despite the red-hot start they enjoyed last season.
“Spurs are all over the place at the back… defenders crossing over, not tracking runners,” he said on Sky Sports.
“You watch it and go, so easy, so easy. That can’t carry on. Eventually the fans will turn. OK, we like exciting football, but we don’t want to come back from 2-0 down every week.”
Tottenham fans will be desperate to finish in the Champions League placings, but their next run of five games will be a big test.
Postecoglou’s men face Man City, Fulham, Bournemouth and Chelsea in the league before facing off against Roma in Europe.
To stop his runaway train, Postecoglou will be desperate to some strong wins, and City could spark what could be a monumental comeback for his out of sorts outfit.
EPL Wrap: Ipswich sink Ange’s Spurs | 02:55
ARE ARSENAL OUT OF THE TITLE RACE?
Over the past two seasons, it’s largely been a two-horse title race, with Manchester City the frontrunners and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal trailing closely behind.
However, with the emergence of Arne Slot’s Liverpool, and a horror run of results, the Gunners are quickly slipping out of contention.
Arsenal are without a win in their last four Premier League games, dating back to a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.
They’ve also drawn with Liverpool, which could be considered a decent result, while going down to Newcastle and also sharing the spoils with Chelsea in their most recent fixture.
Arsenal sit in fourth on the ladder, on 19 points equal with Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Brighton — tallying five wins and four draws.
At the same time last season, having played 11 games, Arteta’s side had won seven and drawn three, with only a single loss and five more competition points.
They trailed eventual premiers City by only three points. This season they’re behind current leaders Liverpool by nine, a margin that could be considered a mountain too high.
So where’s it gone wrong for a team that showed so much promise in their development towards a title? They have struggled to score goals without Martin Odegaard, who is clearly their most creative player in midfield.
Injuries, namely to Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, have also played a part alongside disciplinary issues including red cards to Rice, William Saliba and Leandro Trossard.
Odegaard’s been sidelined since September, and only returned against Chelsea over the weekend, having scored only five goals across their last five Premier League games, whilst also conceding six.
For former Bright boss Graham Potter, Odegaard’s presence is a huge bonus for Arteta’s side.
“Especially with Odegaard missing, problems with centre-backs, build-up not as clean, Odegaard is huge miss from creative aspect,’ he said.
“It’s not as simple as him being fit and playing 90 minutes but he gives confidence to everyone else.”
Arsenal have also had the most red cards by a considerable margin since Boxing Day 2019, with 18 players being sent off.
The next most being Wolves and Everton who have received 13 red cards each.
But outside of those issues, after a horror run of results, former Premier League striker turned pundit Troy Deeney believes one more loss and the Gunners can kiss the title goodbye.
“Lose one more time and I think Arsenal are out of it. They are going to have to beat Liverpool home and away and beat City as well,” he said.
Arsenal’s Belgian midfielder #19 Leandro Trossard reacts after missing a late chance during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 10, 2024. The game finished 1-1. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP).Source: AFP
HOW ARNE’S ‘SLOT’TED RIGHT IN
It’s a tale as old as time itself. A new manager joins a Premier League club, struggle in their first season before the game plan embeds itself into the squad and they see the fruits of their labour.
But not for Arne Slot, who has begun life at Liverpool with a bang and the Dutch manager is priming his side for a title charge in his first season in Merseyside.
Liverpool are sitting five points clear of title favourites Manchester City after 11 games, winning nine and only losing once so far.
In fact you have to go back to September 15th to find their last loss, going down to Nottingham Forest, who are having quite the season themselves.
That result is the only time they’ve tasted defeat since the Premier League began, also enjoying a faultless Champions League campaign, having only conceded a single goals in ties with Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzeg, Bologna and AC Milan.
So what’s the secret? Because Manchester United will be desperate for their new manager to have even half the success Slot’s had at Anfield so early in his tenure.
For Slot, he believes his tactical approach wasn’t too far removed from Jurgen Klopp, the man who led Liverpool for a decade.
“My expectations were not about the amount of wins or those kinds of things. When you come into a new club you want the team to play, as soon as they can, to the standards you want them to play, getting across your ideas as soon as possible,” Slot said on TNT Sports.
“I inherited a team that did really well last season and for so many seasons before, so there was not a reason to change lots of things, just keep the things they do really well.
“In general, I think the things Jurgen likes his team to do, and I like my team to do, is press really high. Sometimes in different formations, but the idea is the same – and we both like to score goals.”
Liverpool were clearly a tasty outfit to take over, and the former Feyenoord boss has a staggering amount of talent at his disposal.
Mo Salah and Virgil van Dijk are world class, while the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahim Konate, Luis Diaz, Alexis MacAllister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Diogo Jota are top tier Premier League players.
However, each and every one of those were players signed by Klopp, and it’s often the case a manager wants to stamp his mark on his new club with signings.
But instead, Slot’s used what he had at his disposal and Erik Ten Hag could potentially take some notes.
No manager has won more points than Slot after their first 11 games, and Liverpool have only equalled their current total once. That year, the 2019/20 season, they won the title.
Is that a sign of things to come? It sure looks that way.
Liverpool’s Dutch manager Arne Slot (L) congratulates Liverpool’s French defender #05 Ibrahima Konate (C) after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 9, 2024. Liverpool won the game 2-0. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP).Source: AFP
CITY’S WOES CONTINUE… BUT CAN THEY BOUNCE BACK?
Manchester City are one of the most dangerous teams in world football, and in recent years have been the most dominant force in England.
But now Pep Guardiola’s men have lost fair games in-a-row. It’s the first time this has happened since 2006.
That was two years before the club’s financial takeover and 10 years before Guardiola stepped foot in England as manager of the blue portion of Manchester.
But what’s more is it’s the first time in the history of Guardiola’s career he’s lost four games on the trot. That’s quite staggering.
Their most recent loss came against Brighton, while the remaining three saw the City powerhouse go down to Sporting Lisbon, Spurs and Bournemouth.
All four teams are solid in their own right, but should have been light work for a team of City’s quality.
Following the loss to Sporting, Bernardo Silva said his side were in a “dark place” and now
Guardiola has been asked if the dynasty has came to an end.
“It’s what the people want, right?” he said. “That’s normal — we won a lot. I would just like to have all the squad (available).”
But City’s problems could simply come down to injuries, and the sheer amount of football they’ve played so far this year.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri is sidelined with an ACL injury, and he’s pivotal in the defensive midfield role.
Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake were all also unavailable against Brighton, while Jeremy Doku, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Oscar Bobb and Kevin De Bruyne have also spent time sidelined.
With that amount of key players injured, any team in almost any sport would hit a rough patch.
“We cannot do it every three days, three days, four days, three days with the (injury) situation we have,” Guardiola said, before adding: “I would love to have the players (back).”
Dias, Stones, Walker, Doku and Grealish are all due to return in the coming weeks, while De Bruyne’s fitness will only build after the Brighton tie.
So with a host of big names nearing a return, City should be able to turn their current mess around. However, they’ve now got a five-point buffer to claw back on current ladder leaders Liverpool.
Brighton comeback sinks Man City | 00:50
HAVE CHELSEA FOUND THEIR SWEET SPOT?
Chelsea have been a peculiar outfit for a number of years now, purchasing a host of players for big money whilst not being able to deliver.
But now, under new manager Enzo Maresca, the Blues finally looked to have found a clear path and direction.
Chelsea have lost only one of their last 10 games and sit in third on 19 points, and Maresca has done what his predecessors have been unable to do.
He’s locked down a group of players he believes are his best, using them strictly in the Premier League and important games while youngsters and fringe players have been injected into their remaining Caraboa Cup and Conference League games.
Instead of chopping and changing, and attempting to keep everyone happy, he’s stuck to his guns and players like Moises Caicedo, Levi Colwill, Nicolas Jackson and Wesley Fofana.
Throw in the mix Cole Palmer, who is arguably the most in-form player in all of world football, and there’s finally some stability at Stamford Bridge after a long period of uncertainty.
“When you look at that squad, you’re thinking how are they going to get any continuity?” Former Liverpool gun Michael Owen said on Optus Sport.
“But he really has stuck to his guns, stuck to a group of players and he’s been pretty consistent with who’s been playing.
“That’s exactly what the doctor ordered for Chelsea at this moment of time so it’s been impressive so far, the stability he’s brought, it’s exactly what Chelsea needed.”
Meanwhile, club legend and former legend Frank Lampard also weighed in on Maresca’s tough stance, sticking with his group of preferred players.
“I worked with that squad for a short time when I went back and they had 30 players which you would call frontline players, internationals, and it’s harder when you try and juggle it,” Lampard said.
“You’re trying to keep everyone happy. Sometimes you do have to be a bit brutal and I think they got to a tipping point in the summer of, ‘this is the direction’.
“Now the players that are the strong core of this team, I think now are going to develop without that problem.”
Chelsea’s Portuguese midfielder #07 Pedro Neto (R) shoots to score their first goal during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in London on November 10, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) /Source: AFP
UNITED’S SHOPPING LIST IN AMORIM REVOLUTION
Ruben Amorim is the man tasked with turning around Manchester United’s fortunes, and he is set to arrive at Old Trafford this week amid problems with his working visa.
During his tenure at Sporting Lisbon, the Portuguese manager has implemented a 3-4-3 formation, but players are given a chance to roam.
While his striker is the main man, the wingers outside of him are given a pass to slot in behind and fill gaps, becoming makeshift attacking midfielders.
For goalkeeper Andre Onana, he believes his squad have what it takes to adapt to Amorim’s high intensity style of play.
“It’s a different system but my teammates are all pragmatic. I think everyone here is capable of playing in each system so I don’t think this will be an issue for us,” he said to the BBC.
“We have big players, they will step up.”
Amorim himself also said: I know how I am going to play in the beginning, because you have to start with a structure that you know.
“Then you will adapt with the players that you have, some injuries, or no injuries, what kind of players have the abilities to defend, attack, I will discover that in the next few weeks.
“We don’t have a lot of time to train, so I have to show something that I know very well. You can take whatever you want from that.”
So it’s fair to say Amorim will be implementing his tried and tested game plan, with Bruno Fernandes a perfect man to find gaps as his key No.10.
Another position that Amorim will desperately need to strengthen is the right wing slot, considering how important his wingers are in his formation.
Erik Ten Hang signed Brazilian Antony to fill that slot, however he’s endured a tough time at Old Trafford.
According to Teamtalk, United are keen on the services of Lisbon’s rising star Geovany Quenda who has been a revelation under Amorim.
Multiple clubs are also keen on his services, however the link to his former coach could be a crucial factor in any potential move for the 17-year-old.
However, the incoming coach has poured cold water on any moves in January for Sporting players, despite also hinting Pedro Goncalves could be another target.
The midfield gun has been a crucial figure under Amorim, and played a major role in the club’s pair of titles in recent years.
United have also been linked with Swedish marksman Viktor Gyokeres, however he’s also a target of a whole host of worldwide big hitters.
On the defensive end, reports emerging from Italy have claimed Amorim wants to recruit current Juventus captain Danilo, whose contract expires at the season’s end.
He’s on the lookout for a new club, and the Italian giants could be enticed to sell him to get a return before his time ends.
However, with Lenny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt being big money defensive signings this season, it remains to be seen whether more centre backs will be recruited.
Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim gestures during the Portuguese League football match between SC Braga and Sporting CP at the Municipal stadium of Braga on November 10, 2024. (Photo by Miguel RIOPA / AFP)Source: AFP
Ruben Amorim said Tuesday that “nothing is decided yet” after Manchester United made the Sporting Lisbon coach their top target to replace sacked manager Erik ten Hag.
United pulled the plug on Ten Hag’s two-year reign on Monday after a 2-1 defeat by West Ham left one of the world’s wealthiest clubs 14th in the Premier League.
Amorim quickly emerged as the leading contender to replace the Dutchman and a statement issued by Sporting to the Lisbon stock exchange said United were willing to meet his 10 million euro (£8.3 million, $10.8 million) release clause.
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Man United boss AXED in brutal sacking | 01:55
The 39-year-old was guarded when asked after Sporting’s League Cup win against Nacional on Tuesday night if that was his last match with the Portuguese club.
“Nobody knows whether this was my farewell match. Nothing is decided yet,” the Portuguese coach said, reported by sports daily A Bola.
Despite spending heavily in the transfer market in the summer, United have won one of their last eight games in all competitions.
Former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been named interim boss but United appear to be concentrating on Amorim, who is considered one of Europe’s leading young coaches.
He has won two Portuguese titles with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.
Amorim had dismissed the speculation when quizzed on Monday ahead of the League Cup match.
“I’m not going to talk about my future,” he said. “I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting Lisbon.”
Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, a young manager already making his way in the Premier League, was asked Tuesday what advice he’d give Amorim should he leave Portugal for Old Trafford.
Sporting Lisbon’s Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim gestures on the sidelines during the UEFA Europa league quarterfinal second leg football match between Sporting CP and Juventus at the Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on April 20, 2023. (Photo by PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / AFP)Source: AFP
“Thirty-nine and he’s eight years older than me,” said Hurzeler. “He’s already achieved great things in Portugal. I’ve seen some games of him, he plays incredible football.” Amorim was linked with the manager’s role at Liverpool following the departure of Jurgen Klopp this year, but Dutch coach Arne Slot headed to Anfield instead.
The position of Ten Hag, 54, had been repeatedly called into question after United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, who made overtures to other managers, retained him following an internal review at the end of last season when the club finished eighth in the league but won the FA Cup with a shock victory over Manchester City.
But United, who last won the Premier League in 2013, have shown little improvement this season.
The former Ajax coach, who joined United in May 2022, had fiercely defended his record, arguing he deserved respect for winning two trophies in his two full seasons.
United ended a six-year wait for silverware by beating Newcastle in the 2023 League Cup final.
However, in his second season, injuries to key players, the lack of impact from expensive signings such as Brazilian Antony and Ten Hag’s failure to implement a clear playing style put him on the road to failure.
Shortlist revealed for Man Unt top job | 03:50
United crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage and suffered a string of defeats at Old Trafford last season.
Ten Hag was backed in the transfer market, spending more than £600 million ($778 million) — nearly half of which went on former Ajax players.
Yet early hope this season evaporated as Liverpool and Tottenham both won with ease at Old Trafford in September.
In truth, Ten Hag oversaw just a small period of United’s more general decline since legendary former manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after the club were crowned champions of England for a record 20th time.
Five full-time managers have come and gone since then.
Speaking post-match on Sunday to preview United’s League Cup tie against Leicester on Wednesday, Ten Hag indicated he thought winning a trophy in his third season would make it a success.
“Definitely, it’s about trophies,” he replied in comments which were embargoed until Tuesday.
“If you win a trophy in pro football, that is most important because that is what the fans expect and what we expect, to win a trophy.”
When it comes to coaching drama, the African Cup of Nations is pure mayhem.
This year’s tournament has been no different.
Host nation Ivory Coast sacked their coach Jean-Louis Gasset after a 4-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea in the group stage – their heaviest-ever home defeat.
The hosts were on the brink of an ugly group-stage exit after two losses from three matches, before sneaking into the knockout stages as one of the best third-placed teams. And under interim coach Emerse Fae, they’ve pulled off an astonishing turnaround.
They beat reigning champions Senegal in the last 16 despite being a man down following a first-half red card, equalising late in normal time before progressing on penalties.
Then in the quarter-final, they overcame neighbouring nation Mali 2-1 with an extra-time goal.
“After Equatorial Guinea we were at the bottom of a hole. We had to wait and hope that we would qualify, which happened, and now we are not afraid of anything,” said midfielder Seko Fofana.
Now they’ll face Democratic Republic of Congo in the final four.
Ivory Coast’s French coach Jean-Louis Gasset was sacked mid-tournament – and it paid off for the team.Source: AFP
Gasset wasn’t the first coach to be sacked this tournament – nor was he the last.
Ghana coach Chris Hughton was the first to go after two draws and a loss saw his Black Stars dumped out in the group stage.
Tanzania coach Adel Amrouche was handed an eight-match suspension and a US $10,000 fine by the African Football Confederation (CAF) after comments he made about Morocco in a pre-tournament interview, where he claimed the nation’s football federation had undue influence over African football.
He said: “The Morocco federation is a proven power in the world of African football. Morocco manages African football. They also choose their referees and we remain simple spectators.
“For example, during the match between us and Morocco in the World Cup qualifiers in November we asked to play at 2pm, but CAF scheduled the match for the evening.”
Amrouche was surprisingly not sacked by Tanzania, but missed the remainder of the tournament due to his eight-game suspension.
Tanzania’s Algerian head coach Adel Amrouche copped a big suspension.Source: AFP
Gambia’s Tom Saintfiet then resigned after his team – the Scorpions – suffered a group-stage exit.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was hospitalised with stomach pain during the group stage, the 47-year-old being treated for a “benign infectious pathology” and kept overnight for testing before returning to the team.
Tunisia’s Jalel Kadri saw his contract end after failing to reach the semi-finals (in fact, they were dumped out in the group stage).
Djamel Belmadi then agreed to stand down from Algeria’s managerial position – having led them to the title in 2019 before back-to-back group stage exits.
Senegal’s popular head coach Aliou Cisse spent a night in hospital.Source: AFP
And the most recent coach to lose his job was Egypt’s Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria, who was sacked a week after their disappointing Round of 16 loss to Congo on penalties.
Egypt have won a record seven AFCON titles and were runners-up in 2022. But Vitoria’s ‘Pharaohs’ failed to win a game and the coach was dumped, despite his contract running until the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt drew all three group matches before losing to Congo in just the second defeat of Vitoria’s tenure.
So, all in all, AFCON has already seen one coach hospitalised, another cop a massive fine and an eight-game ban, and six coaches lose their jobs.
Australian manager Ange Postecoglou is in hot contention for a move to Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, with the Celtic coach among the favourites for the vacant managerial position.
Numerous reports from England have named Postecoglou a strong chance to take over at Spurs, with the Athletic saying the club is “strongly considering” the Australian and The Independent’s Miguel Delaney labelling him a “primary candidate.”
Postecoglou’s exceptional work in Scotland has won him plenty of suitors in England’s heavyweight sides, but whether the Australian would – or should – move to Tottenham is a contentious point.
The North London club has hardly been a fertile ground for silverware, with just one trophy this millennium, the 2008 League Cup.
It’s also been a harsh environment for managers, something on full display again this season. Antonio Conte departed in March, before his assistant-turned-interim-boss Cristian Stellini was bounced out the exit door soon afterwards.
Now 31-year-old Ryan Mason is caretaker coach, and wants to take over the full-time gig at season’s end – but three losses in five games in charge means that appears unlikely.
The club’s problems have become deeply ingrained down the years, and an overhaul is required.
Much of the issue can be traced to the club’s problematic hierarchy. The owner, Joe Lewis, is almost entirely absent, leaving things up to chairman Daniel Levy – a canny businessman who has seemed hopelessly out of his depth at times when it comes to the football side of running a club.
That was the case in 2018, when the club failed to sign a single player in the off-season – while Levy’s attentions were directed almost completely on the club’s new stadium.
Daniel Levy has long been a target for Spurs fans’ frustrations. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The club’s lack of leadership frequently seems to come down to a lack of an effective football director running the ship, leaving Levy holding the reins.
Managing director of football Fabio Paratici in January was handed a 30-month ban from any football activity within Italy, dating back to a financial scandal from his days as football director and managing director at Juventus (2019-21).
11 other officials (past and present) from the Turin club were also banned and the club handed a points deduction for the false accounting charges.
But in late March – just days after Spurs manager Antonio Conte was sacked – the Italian ban was extended by FIFA to become a worldwide ban.
Paratici, in the middle of searching for a new manager, was suddenly banned from the kinds of duties that make up a football director’s nine to five – transfer negotiations included.
The Italian is currently appealing the global ban, but for now he’s been sidelined, leaving Levy in complete control. Again.
There has been a significant change in recent weeks, however. A six-month review into Spurs’ structure resulted in them signing an Australian for a new role as the club’s chief football officer – effectively second in command behind Levy, and above Paratici should the Italian have his ban overturned.
Scott Munn spent ten years as the CEO of A-League side Melbourne City – from when it was founded as Melbourne Heart in 2009 – before taking over the Chinese operations for City Football Group. Like Postecoglou, Tottenham is a massive step up for him.
He doesn’t technically begin working at Spurs until July 1st, but there’s surely no doubt that he’s in talks with Levy about who should be Tottenham’s next manager.
And having been on the other side of Postecoglou’s brilliance, when the manager was dominating the A-Leagues with Brisbane Roar in 2011 and 2012, Munn might just prove decisive in bringing his fellow Australian to Tottenham.
Australian Scott Munn will commence work as Spurs’ chief football officer on July 1. Picture: Zak SimmondsSource: News Corp Australia
For now, however, the situation at Spurs closely resembles the one when Paratici first arrived in June 2021.
Jose Mourinho had been sacked on April 19 – and the search for a managerial replacement was bumbled to say the least.
Almost daily, a new manager was linked to the role. Former boss Mauricio Pochettino was linked to a return. Then came a parade of other names – Antonio Conte, Paulo Fonseca, Gennaro Gattuso, Brendan Rodgers, Julian Nagelsmann and Erik ten Hag.
Eventually, they ended up with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo, landing him on June 30 – a full 72 days after Mourinho’s sacking.
Nuno lasted just 17 games in total, including 3-0 defeats to Chelsea, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace, and a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal.
“Nuno, fresh from leaving Wolves that summer, had no authority or credibility from the minute he walked through the door,” Eccleshare wrote.
“The players knew it, the fans knew it, and he only lasted 10 league games in charge.”
However, BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty believes the managerial circus reflected worse on the club’s hierarchy rather than the recently-disposed boss.
“The sacking of Nuno Espirito Santo is the conclusion of a shambolic episode that arguably reflects more badly on Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and his boardroom cohorts than on the departing manager,” McNulty wrote. “Nuno has not lasted much longer than the time it took Spurs to decide to appoint him after a horribly botched and drawn-out managerial search in which potential candidates seemed to appear and disappear in the blink of an eye.”
Nuno was practically set up to fail at Spurs. (Photo by PETER POWELL / POOL / AFP)Source: AFP
As of publication, Tottenham’s managerial search has lasted 61 days and counting.
The worrying sign is it looks increasingly likely it will eclipse the 72-day wait before Nuno was appointed.
It spells danger for Postecoglou, should he get the gig.
However, Sky Sports News reporter Rob Dorsett believes Spurs’ lengthy wait for an appointment is different to the first time around.
“When Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed, it took Spurs 76 days before he got the job,” Dorsett said.
“It’s been exactly 60 days since Antonio Conte was sacked as Spurs manager. This isn’t happening quickly for Spurs – but that’s deliberate, from my understanding.
“They want to be thorough and do their due diligence in their process of appointing a new manager. They will take their time.
“I understand Spurs fans’ frustrations: they would like to know who their new manager is going to be so the club can start working out transfer plans. But there is no rush from Spurs’ perspective.”
Whether that is deliberate or not is up for debate.
But refusing to pay the reported €20m fee to Feyenoord for their top choice, Arne Slot, was an embarrassing mistake for Spurs – one that is far too similar to the chaos of two years ago.
Antonio Conte struggled to have any success at Spurs. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Although a large section of the Spurs fanbase have voiced their displeasure about the potential capture of Postecoglou, many pundits have taken a different perspective.
The Australian manager’s talents have been widely recognised and respected by the media, even if it has taken them quite some time to finally come around.
After all, who could forget that radio segment featuring talkSPORT’s Alan Brazil.
“He does not hold the required licence – oh, this has got to be a wind-up,” Brazil said.
Asked how he’d fare, Brazil sarcastically replied: “Oh, he’d be a great manager. Where do they come up with these guys from?”
But the perception from the UK media isn’t about whether Postecoglou could make the step up.
“And there’s a natural progression there, whether Celtic fans want to hear that or not. The Premier League is a natural progression.
“Celtic are a wonderful football club and nothing I’m saying is detracting from that, but the Premier League is the biggest in world football.
“Managers are going to want to find themselves in that space if they have anything about them. If he feels his time at Celtic has run its course – but going to Tottenham has its challenges. And not just because of (Spurs chairman) Daniel Levy, but because of Daniel Levy.
“Any manager looks in to there and thinks ‘I’m a Levy appointment, I’m going to have the same challenges any manager has had’.
“They would be rowing against a stream of great toxicity and negativity towards the ownership model of this football club.
“‘Do I want that? Or do I think there might be an opportunity if I keep winning everything with Celtic? Keep progressing Celtic and I might even get a bigger job than Tottenham’.”
Postecoglou’s continued success in Scotland has gained plenty of admirers in the Premier League. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
For Celtic great Chris Sutton, he’s taken note more and more clubs down south are taking a keen eye to what Postecoglou is doing in Glasgow.
But his eyebrow-raising moment has been the mere fact it’s taken this long for one of the bigger clubs to wake up and see what the Australian boss has been building for the past two seasons.
“I’m more surprised he wasn’t high up on it in the first place and it’s taken a few to drop out of the running for him to move up.
“I would love Postecoglou to stay at Celtic. It’s a huge job and there is unfinished business for him at Celtic Park, like the Champions League. But I am also a realist and I know Spurs would be a huge draw. We don’t know what Postecoglou is thinking but it’s not a leap to believe he would want to test himself in the English Premier League one day.
“He’s been linked with numerous jobs down south and there is a feeling clubs are starting to sit up and take notice of his achievements in Scotland, but also his CV from Japan and Australia. It’s clear they now know he’s a top class coach. Celtic fans are right to be concerned.
“I know Spurs have their issues but this is not a club struggling at the foot of the division in danger of relegation. Even after an apparently disastrous campaign, they have still been in the running for the Champions League places.”
Postecoglou has refused to entertain speculation linking hm away. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Sutton also touched on the attractiveness of Postecoglou’s style of football.
Having spoken with a number of disenfranchised Spurs fans on the radio who have vented their fury at the club’s dour style of play under Mourinho and Conte, Sutton feels Postecoglou fits the ball for what they’d want to see.
“I speak to a lot of Spurs fans on the radio and a lot of them are fed up with the way the club play,” Sutton said.
“They were sick of the style of football under Jose. They were sick of the defensive approach under Conte.
“There is a historical demand for entertaining, attacking football at the club – and Postecoglou ticks those boxes. I’m sure a lot of Spurs fans would be happy to see him come in, even if he might not be the big name appointment some of the other candidates might be.
“This is a club that is craving silverware – they’ve only won one trophy in 20 years. Postecoglou is a serial winner. But Postecoglou would back himself. Would he be tempted? Of course he would be.
“He has been in the game long enough to know you sometimes have to move when you are hot. Celtic will be aware of it as well.
“They know he won’t be around forever and I’ve got no doubt they will have a contingency plan in place. But I would think even Celtic fans would understand if he made that decision, even if they would be desperately disappointed.”
With Celtic’s season not over until June 4, Postecoglou’s focus remains firmly fixed on his team and the pursuit of the domestic treble.
But once that final whistle blows at the end of Celtic’s Scottish FA Cup final against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, questions regarding the Hoops boss’ immediate future will come thick and fast.
In trademark Postecoglou fashion, he’ll likely bat them away with a witty remark as we have become accustomed to throughout his managerial journey.
And even if Spurs elect to go in a different route for their new manager, this will almost certainly not be the only time a ‘Big Six’ team comes knocking for Postecoglou.
