Today Sven-Goran Eriksson claimed he accepted an approach from Manchester United to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson in 2002. It’s an intriguing admission. Firstly, it suggests Eriksson was willing to break his contract with the FA as England manager in order to take the helm at Old Trafford. Not only does this bring […]
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Manchester United’s youth policy requires examination
Many fans at Old Trafford have spent the past week rueing Sir Alex Ferguson’s decision to allow two of the club’s finest youth players to leave the club last year. Although questioned at the time, these decisions are under the spotlight again. Last weekend, Ravel Morrison put in a match-winning display for West Ham after […]
2020 vision not needed to assess the reasons behind Tokyo’s Olympic victory
Common sense has finally prevailed. I have previously written about sports bodies’ poor track record of selecting host cities for major events. On this occasion though, IOC officials, perhaps weary of criticism, have made the right decision. Yesterday, they announced Tokyo will host he 2020 Olympics, ahead of rival bids from Madrid and Istanbul. It […]
Willian signing will test Mourinho’s mettle
Upon his return to Chelsea, Jose Mourinho recognised he had inherited a young, talented but unbalanced squad. Signing Willian from under the noses of Tottenham is undoubtedly a coup, but it remains to be seen whether he was the right signing at a time when owner Roman Abramovich is tightening the purse strings to adhere […]
Competition to host international sporting events has lost all credibility
It is idealistic to believe that politics and sport can ever be separated and the competition to host a major international event will always be fraught with intrigue. But when the months and years leading up to these heralded events spark such widespread anger, the manner in which the bids are selected needs to be […]
Del Potro well placed for return to the elite
As Novak Djokovic licks his wounds in the aftermath of his defeat to Andy Murray in the Wimbledon final, another player will also be wondering what might have been. For while Djokovic lost in three, admittedly tortuously tight sets, Juan Martin del Potro would have been playing in the final himself had he been able […]