Author: Oluwaseun samuel

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has shed light on why previous coaches struggled to replicate Sir Alex Ferguson’s success at the club. Amorim, who recently took charge of the English giants, faces the daunting task of reviving their fortunes. Since their last Premier League title in 2013, the 20-time English champions have experienced a significant decline, despite hiring some of the world’s most renowned managers. According to reports cited by the Daily Mail, Amorim believes the key issue lies in post-Ferguson coaches being “stuck in his shadow” rather than instilling his “spirit” into their teams. The former Sporting CP boss…

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Maresca Navigates a Tight ScheduleChelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is facing a challenging task as he prepares his team to take on Leicester City at the King Power Stadium. The game marks his return to his former club and the Blues’ first outing after the November international break. The break saw many Chelsea players away on national duty, with key figures like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo enduring long-haul travel and intense matches. Despite this, both players are likely to feature in Maresca’s plans this weekend. Balancing Player Fitness and AvailabilityMaresca acknowledged the uncertainty around players’ fitness after international duty,…

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Manchester City have confirmed that manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new contract at the Etihad Stadium. Guardiola was nearing the final six months of his initial deal, and in May, his comment that he was “closer to leaving than staying” raised concerns about his future. The speculation grew after the departure of his close friend and sporting director Txiki Begiristain, who is set to step down in the summer. Many anticipated that Guardiola would follow suit, but a subsequent interview hinted at the possibility of an extension. Fresh terms were agreed earlier this week, and City have now confirmed…

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Peru striker Paolo Guerrero has criticized the match officials following his country’s 1-0 loss to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Guerrero expressed frustration that the referees wouldn’t even allow a light touch on Lionel Messi without immediately awarding a free-kick. He claimed the referee made it difficult for Peru’s defenders marking Messi, calling fouls on any contact, even the slightest. Lautaro Martínez scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute at La Bombonera on Tuesday. Argentina now leads the CONMEBOL standings with 25 points from 12 games. In a post-match interview, Guerrero suggested that…

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted he is not proud of his emotional outbursts in the dressing room, acknowledging his struggle to keep his composure in high-pressure moments. Guardiola’s fiery side is showcased in the upcoming documentary Together: 4-In-A-Row, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at City’s historic pursuit of their fourth consecutive Premier League title. In one clip, the 53-year-old passionately addresses his team, exclaiming, “That’s why no one has done four Premier Leagues in a row! Because it’s so difficult!” The documentary highlights several moments when Guardiola’s frustrations boiled over, including matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.…

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that captain Reece James is back on the sidelines after suffering another hamstring injury earlier this week. James, who was limited to just 11 appearances across all competitions last season due to injuries, missed the start of Maresca’s debut campaign with a hamstring problem. However, he had managed three starts and one substitute appearance before the international break. Unfortunately, his return has been cut short by another hamstring issue, which Maresca hopes is only minor. “We have just one injured player, and that is Reece,” Maresca said ahead of Saturday’s match against Leicester City.…

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FC Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has disclosed that he once came close to joining Manchester United during his time at Borussia Dortmund. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the Polish forward shared details of a conversation he had with legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2012. “I remember having a talk with Sir Alex Ferguson,” Lewandowski recalled. “It was 2012. He called me, and I was considering a move to the Premier League at the time.” When Ferdinand asked if he nearly signed for United, Lewandowski confirmed, saying, “I decided to join Manchester United at that moment.”…

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Former Arsenal star Anders Limpar has expressed his desire to see Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres join the Gunners, describing the potential move as “crazy.” Gyökeres, who has been in sensational form, is reportedly attracting interest from top European clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, and Paris Saint-Germain. He has also been linked with a potential reunion with Ruben Amorim at Manchester United next year. Speaking to FotbollDirekt, Limpar shared his admiration for the Swedish striker and their personal connection. “I know Gyökeres very well personally; I acted as a bit of a mentor for him when he played…

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Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi has boldly claimed that Nigeria surpasses the United Kingdom when it comes to food and football legends. Speaking in a recent interview, Awoniyi praised Nigeria’s rich culinary culture and celebrated the nation’s football icons, highlighting their significant impact on the sport globally. “For me, Nigeria has the best food in the world,” Awoniyi stated. “Our dishes are rich, diverse, and full of flavor—nothing compares. And when it comes to football, we’ve produced incredible legends who have made a mark on the global stage.” Awoniyi’s remarks reflect the pride many Nigerians feel about the country’s contributions…

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A DNA test has revealed that Vinícius Jr., the star winger for Brazil and Real Madrid, has ancestral roots in the Tikar tribe of Cameroon. The test, conducted by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) in collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com on November 19, 2024, at Fonte Nova, traced the player’s lineage to the prominent Cameroonian tribe. To commemorate the discovery, a certificate of recognition was presented to Vinícius Jr., accompanied by a video detailing the legacy of his Tikar ancestors. This initiative is part of the CBF’s “Roots of Gold” campaign, which celebrates the heritage and pride of Afro-Brazilian communities with a…

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Chelsea will resume Premier League action this Saturday with an away match against Leicester City following the international break. The Blues head into the fixture with strong momentum, currently sitting third in the league and firmly in the race for a Champions League spot. Maintaining this form will be crucial as they navigate the challenges of a long season. Amid ongoing transfer rumors, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen remains a frequent topic of speculation. Reports indicate that Chelsea made a late attempt to sign the Napoli forward during the summer transfer window but were unsuccessful. Now on loan at Galatasaray, Osimhen…

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Manchester United is reportedly preparing a €100 million bid for Ademola Lookman, the Atalanta and Super Eagles forward, as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2025 season. Since joining Atalanta in 2022, the 27-year-old has been in exceptional form, playing a pivotal role for both club and country. Lookman was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final and contributed significantly to Atalanta’s success, including a Coppa Italia final appearance and a historic UEFA Europa League victory, where he scored an impressive hat-trick. His stellar performances have earned him widespread recognition, including…

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Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has reportedly identified Xabi Alonso as the ideal candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti as head coach. According to Fabrizio Romano, Pérez believes Alonso possesses the necessary qualities, including the right style of football, to lead the La Liga giants. This season, Real Madrid has already suffered more defeats (3) than they did throughout the entire previous campaign (2), and the retirement of Toni Kroos has left the team lacking a clear midfield identity. Additionally, the arrival of Kylian Mbappé has disrupted the attacking chemistry. These factors have fueled discussions about Ancelotti’s future, despite his past…

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Ademola Lookman has been nominated for Serie A Forward of the Year at the prestigious Gran Gala del Calcio Awards. This recognition underscores his standout performances in Italy’s top division. The 27-year-old Nigerian winger faces tough competition from Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and AC Milan’s Rafael Leao, all of whom have played key roles for their respective teams this season. In addition to Lookman’s individual nomination, Atalanta’s manager, Gian Piero Gasperini, is also in the running for the Coach of the Year award, reflecting both the club’s success and the impact Gasperini and Lookman have had this season.…

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Lionel Messi will have a new manager next season as Gerardo “Tata” Martino has stepped down as head coach of Inter Miami CF. According to ESPN, Martino resigned for personal reasons, leaving with one year remaining on his contract. The former Barcelona and Mexico coach is scheduled to address the media on Friday, joined by co-owner Jorge Mas and president of football operations Raúl Sanllehí. Martino’s departure comes weeks after Messi and Inter Miami were eliminated in the first round of the MLS playoffs, losing to No. 9 seed Atlanta United FC in a best-of-three series. Appointed in June 2023…

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Chelsea will bid farewell to long-serving coach Henrique Hilario, who is set to join former Blues boss Thomas Tuchel in the revamped England staff starting in the New Year, according to reports. Hilario has been with Chelsea for nearly 20 years, having joined the club as a backup goalkeeper under Jose Mourinho in 2006. He made 39 appearances over eight seasons, with a significant number coming during his debut campaign when both Petr Čech and Carlo Cudicini were sidelined. The Portuguese goalkeeper stayed on as a player until his retirement in 2014, at the age of 38, before returning to…

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Lyon are reportedly set to demand around €30m (£25m) for midfielder Rayan Cherki amid interest from both Liverpool and Chelsea. Following Lyon’s financial struggles and their provisional relegation at the end of the season, Liverpool quickly emerged as a potential suitor for the 21-year-old, with reports later suggesting that Chelsea had reignited their interest in the talented Frenchman. Cherki was close to a €15m (£12.5m) move to Paris Saint-Germain over the summer, but Lyon president John Textor recently made it clear that the midfielder is no longer available at such a low price, even with the club facing relegation. According…

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The roster for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now complete, with Mozambique securing the final spot after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau. Scheduled to kick off in December next year, the tournament will take place in Morocco, which qualifies automatically as the host nation. This prestigious event will showcase a mix of established giants and rising stars, all vying for continental glory. Among the qualified teams are former champions Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, and current titleholders Côte d’Ivoire, who impressed throughout the qualifiers. Iconic sides such as Nigeria, Tunisia, and South Africa also booked their tickets, ensuring…

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Ruben Amorim’s first training session as Manchester United head coach received a boost with the return of center-back Leny Yoro to full training. United secured the 19-year-old’s signature for an initial £52m in the summer, beating Real Madrid to the deal, but his pre-season was derailed by a foot injury that has sidelined him until now. As a result, Yoro missed the Erik ten Hag era but now seems set to play an important role under Amorim. Having previously worked on his fitness through lighter sessions, he was spotted fully involved in Amorim’s first session. Yoro lined up in a…

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Former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira is set to return to management with Serie A side Genoa. The Frenchman, who managed Strasbourg for just one season before being dismissed during pre-season, is now poised for the fifth senior managerial role of his career. According to Fabrizio Romano, Vieira has reached an agreement to take over at Genoa following the departure of Alberto Gilardino on Tuesday. An official announcement is expected soon. Genoa currently sit 17th in the Serie A standings, and Vieira’s arrival will see him reunite with former Manchester City teammate Mario Balotelli, who joined the club in the summer…

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