Compassionate, competitive, Polish league obsessive: the real Bruno Fernandes.
What would Manchester United have been without him these last 6 years? Always produces, always provides, almost never injured - and when you meet him you understand why he's their leader
www.thetimes.com/article/3382...
Brexit stopped his move from Stockport to...Real Madrid but typically Andy Mangan bounced back.
Now scouting for Brazil while assisting the 'mini Jürgen Klopp' at Swansea he has quite a story to tell.
PS lovely to find out what a gent Snoop Dogg is
www.thetimes.com/article/1620...
👀 Today's peep inside our World Cup special, which is out now:
📖 @jnorthcroft.bsky.social Takes us behind the scenes at the 7 World Cups he's covered, from sublime play to fists flying in the media room.
🛒 Read the full story and 20+ more by ordering yours here: tiny.cc/rgrz001
The abrupt departure of James Ellis means only Mikel Arteta is left from the brains trust that transformed Arsenal
In 16 months a sporting director, his deputy, the de facto CEO, the academy head and now the technical director have gone
The inside story
www.thetimes.com/article/98b2...
Arne Slot's biggest problem at Liverpool? He's just not Jürgen Klopp.
He's a winner, is handling big obstacles like squad transition/PL's style change and signs are it's coming together. Yet some won't give it time.
A delayed reaction to losing a great leader.
www.thetimes.com/article/66f9...
When Scotland set off for 1978 World Cup there was much optimism that they would ‘shake them up’ but as 6-year-old @jnorthcroft.bsky.social documented it didn’t last too long
Find out more here -
bit.ly/49SL93e
The best intro ever to the Transfers Podcast? 😂
Listen to and watch The Transfers Podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Spotify, Acast + more:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
open.spotify.com/episode/65wp...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTP1...
@jnorthcroft.bsky.social @duncancastles.bsky.social
good morning
Dwight Yorke v Steve McClaren for a place at the World Cup.
Caught up with Yorke about his coaching journey - he's driven, driving standards and creating a buzz about his team. Chats with Fergie and little old ladies feature too.
#MUFC #AVFC #Concacaf
thetimes.com/sport/football…
As a big fan of chicken shops and nights out in Liverpool (though has been a while) I loved this. Written by a mate. He captures the scene perfectly - and why we keep coming back, against our better judgement, for "chicken roulette"
open.substack.com/pub/liverpoo...
Thanks Sachin (for the first part of your message!)
Amazing privilege to receive an Honorary Doctorate from #DeMontfortUniversity even if it meant wearing Dundee United colours and looking a bit like Henry VIII. There's a particular energy to DMU - seen in how students celebrated getting their degrees :) Thanks @leemarlow.bsky.social and @dmu.ac.uk
Good on Vitinha for being too embarrassed by that pathetic VAR penalty to take it properly
Don't think you've read the piece
Arne Slot's success raises an awkward question for those (like me) who thought Jurgen Klopp did an incredible job. Was Klopp not the man we thought?
Or...did what he hand on, and how and why he did it, show how good he was?
www.thetimes.com/article/df2b...
...but what were Real Madrid doing with their wall?!
Even better from Rice #horse
Remember David Moyes telling me years ago: "Dec - he's got a kick like a horse"
Feels like there are fewer brilliant free kick goals these days but that was one of the best you'll see from Rice.
The pieces may look like an attack on Guardiola but are not. He's a genius. But believe he (and copiers) went too far down the road of positioning and control, leading to football less effective/attractive than before.
His recent comments/changes at City suggest he may even partly agree.
Our paywall is down this weekend and all Times and Sunday Times content is free 🧵
I wrote these two pieces in December about football losing variety and flair through coaching that takes the agency away from players.
This on the general theme 👇
www.thetimes.com/sport/footba...
😄👍
He's right up there with Henry, I think. And his record when it counts is so good - he's not the guy who knocks in the 3rd and 4th goals in a 4-0 win. He scores /creates when it's important and gets better in the big games. I love that.
Salah could do a Rubik's cube with the outside of that foot
Cheers Eck. Loved the trip. Leverkusen may be the Aberdeen (1980s) of Germany. How well did your team play last night???!
Great trip to Leverkusen, getting to understand the rise of a clever but grounded club - and the Xabi Alonso effect.
My god he's good.
Wouldn't mind watching that football for €17/game.
Xabi loves details and the bashed up bin in the away dressing room is one.
www.thetimes.com/article/5142...
yes except Madrid suddenly became Ali circa 1965 in the last ten minutes, as they somehow do
City v Real Madrid: great entertainment but essentially because it's so ragged.
Both sides poor versions of themselves at the moment.
