They are two of the most celebrated managers in the world. But both Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp have suffered major setbacks in their bid to win silverware this season. At the start of the month Arsenal were only one point behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League. After suffering from an almost perennial loss […]
Football
Sherwood failing to seize precious opportunity
When Tim Sherwood assumed responsibility for the Tottenham Hotspur first team on 16th December last year, many critics wrote him off as an easily replaceable interim appointment. I still do. Sherwood knew he would have to far surpass expectations to overcome the immediate apathy of fans and to prevent club chairman Daniel Levy casting covetous […]
FA should resist Januzaj temptation
The international tug of war continues between nations eager for Adnan Januzaj to pledge his allegiance in their favour. The 18-year-old is currently available to play for Albania, Belgium, Turkey and Serbia. He could also play for England from 2018 under current Fifa rules that require players to have five years of permanent residency in […]
Milan’s demise puts Moyes’ woes in context
Disgruntled Manchester United fans currently gnashing their teeth at their team’s lowly league position would do well to look at the plight of AC Milan. Following the sacking of Massimiliano Allegri, one of Europe’s most successful clubs sit 11th in Serie A after winning just two of their previous 10 games. The squad is filled […]
Will Bale prove the sceptics wrong?
At the start of the season a friend predicted Gareth Bale would score over 30 goals in his debut season at Real Madrid. Everyone scoffed, and as the first person to hear this assertion, I bet £10 that he wouldn’t accomplish the feat. As Bale initially struggled for match fitness and a position in the […]
Eriksson offer shows football at its most fickle
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 […]