Month: March 2023

Antonio Conte’s departure from Tottenham was the 11th in the Premier League this term, a record for in-season managerial changes.

The Italian’s exit by mutual consent was announced by the club on Sunday evening, with his assistant Cristian Stellini placed in charge until the summer.

Here, we look at this season’s departures and how the tally compares to past seasons.

Timeline of trouble

August: Scott Parker took Bournemouth to promotion last season but did not even see out their first month back in the Premier League after a 9-0 defeat to Liverpool.

September: A shock Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb prompted Chelsea to dismiss Thomas Tuchel. Brighton boss Graham Potter was lured to replace him.

October: Wolves moved on from Bruno Lage early in the month, before Steven Gerrard was dismissed by Aston Villa.

November: Southampton’s struggles saw Ralph Hasenhuttl sacked and replaced by Nathan Jones.

January: Everton’s ongoing relegation fears cost Frank Lampard his role at Goodison Park.

February: Leeds ended Jesse Marsch‘s unhappy spell in charge before, a week later, Jones became the second Saints casualty of the season after just three months in charge.

March: Crystal Palace sacked Patrick Vieira after a 12-match winless run before Conte‘s increasingly fractious relationship with Spurs came to an end.

Sacking season

Eleven in-season departures breaks the record of 10, set on three previous occasions in the Premier League era.

The 2013-14 campaign was the first to hit double figures, with Fulham contributing two to that total as first Martin Jol and then Rene Meulensteen were shown the door.

West Brom and Tottenham’s in-season appointments, Pepe Mel and Tim Sherwood respectively, lasted only until the end of the season and Spurs then lured Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton, taking the season’s final total to 13.

There were a record 15 in total in 2017-18, with again 10 coming during the season including two each from Southampton (Claude Puel and Mauricio Pellegrino) and West Brom (Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew).

West Ham, Everton, Stoke and Swansea each made a second change when the season concluded, while Arsene Wenger resigned from his long reign at Arsenal.

Last season was the other to see 10 managers jettisoned during the season, including both Xisco Munoz and Claudio Ranieri being flung off the ever-erratic Watford roundabout.

An 11th departure came at the end of the season as Manchester United’s interim boss Ralf Rangnick, appointed in November to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, left Old Trafford.

There have been three separate instances of nine in-season departures, in 1994-95 — when there were still 22 clubs in the Premier League — 2004-05 and 2008-09.

Thomas Tuchel will be a success at Bayern Munich, according to Germany international Thilo Kehrer.

Tuchel, who had been out of work since he was sacked by Chelsea in September, replaced Julian Nagelsmann on Friday.

Nagelsmann was relieved of his duties despite Bayern having reached the Champions League quarter-finals and sitting just a point off top spot in the Bundesliga.

Tuchel’s first game in charge will come against Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund, who he coached between 2015 and 2017, in Saturday’s Klassiker, and having worked under him at Paris Saint-Germain, Kehrer feels his former boss is the right pick for Bayern.

“I had a very successful time in Paris under Thomas Tuchel,” Kehrer told reporters at a pre-match news conference ahead of Germany’s friendly with Belgium on Tuesday.

“He’s a coach from whom I’ve learned a lot and also developed a lot, so I can only say positive things about him – as a coach and as a person. I have always felt his trust and support.”

Tuchel has led some of Europe’s biggest clubs, claiming two league titles and a Champions League trophy along the way, and Kehrer believes the 49-year-old’s experience with big-name players will serve him well in Munich.

When asked how he dealt with the superstar squad he inherited at PSG, Kehrer said of Tuchel: “On the one hand he solved it with his tactical expertise and meticulousness. On the other hand, he is very intelligent in his dealings. Where do you demand discipline? Where do you give players a certain amount of freedom?

“He did that very well in Paris, although it’s not an easy situation for a coach. I’m also confident that he will do well at Bayern Munich.”

Harry Redknapp believes Antonio Conte’s post-match outburst at Southampton left Tottenham chiefs no choice but to part ways with the Italian.

Conte left the club by mutual consent on Sunday night, ending his 16-month tenure in North London.

Redknapp, who guided Spurs to a Champions League quarter-final during his three full seasons at the club, told BBC Radio 5 Live: “He really did let them have it.

“I’ve never seen anyone go off quite like that.

“When you are like that and you’ve had a bad day you sometimes do say things you regret. 

“And once he did that rant it was only a matter of time before he went.”

Ex-Juventus and Chelsea coach Conte hoped to bring silverware back to a Tottenham team that last lifted a trophy in 2008.

But FA Cup and Champions League exits earlier this month dampened the mood.

And Redknapp can understand why Conte lost patience with his employers.

The 76-year-old added: “I think he has had enough.

“He is used to winning things as he has been at top teams like Juventus and Chelsea. 

“But he probably thought he was still three or four players away from that at Tottenham and just flipped a bit.

“He wasn’t happy with the transfer window, he didn’t get the players he wanted.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and he went. He was frustrated.”

Attention now turns to who will succeed Conte, with many top managers in contention to fill the vacancy.

But Redknapp believes a reunion with former boss Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely.

He said: “I thought Pochettino would go in there. 

“He is not working but they haven’t taken him so that makes me think he won’t get the job.

“[Julian] Nagelsmann has just lost his job at Bayern Munich so maybe they think he is the answer.”

The Women’s Super League title race took another twist at the weekend as Manchester City beat champions Chelsea 2-0 at the Academy Stadium. 

With Arsenal and Manchester United also picking up impressive wins, we take a closer look at the teams in the frame to lift the trophy.

Who is in the mix?

Matchday 16 results showed the title race is truly alive with four teams firmly in the mix.

League leaders United put four past West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday, while Filippa Angeldahl and Lauren Hemp’s first-half strikes saw City leapfrog Chelsea to go second yesterday. 

Arsenal also kept their title hopes alive after a Caitlin Foord brace helped the Gunners claim bragging rights over Tottenham with a 5-1 win in the North London derby. 

Tight at the top

United and City are currently tied on 38 points, with Marc Skinner’s side at the summit on goal difference. 

Defeat to Gareth Taylor’s in-form team spoiled Chelsea’s chance to return to the top and they sit just one point below on 37 points. 

Crucially, however, the Blues have a game in hand over their Manchester rivals. 

A rocky start to 2023 means Arsenal are slightly behind in fourth with 35 points but they could make up ground courtesy of a game in hand. 

With just three points separating the top four, the title race is set to go down to the wire. 

Can United win it for the first time?

United are chasing their first WSL title having finished fourth for the last three seasons. 

Skinner’s team face a tricky run-in, with two title rivals in their remaining six matches. 

They kick off April with a trip to relegation candidates Brighton, while two tough tests against Arsenal and Aston Villa follow. 

The next two matches are at home to Tottenham and rivals City before they finish the season at Liverpool on the final day. 

City building momentum

City encountered a shaky start to the season after losing their opening two league games to Villa and Chelsea but their response has been incredible. 

They have gone 14 games undefeated in the WSL since that 2-0 defeat to the Blues last September, meaning the momentum is firmly with them in the hunt for the title. 

Where can the race be decided?

As the home stretch approaches, there are plenty of games where the title race could throw up more twists and turns. 

Arsenal have the toughest fixtures ahead of them, having to play all three title rivals in their remaining games. 

A Manchester derby is also on the cards in the penultimate round of fixtures but Chelsea and the Gunners have a game in hand following postponements due to frozen pitches in January. 

Those rescheduled fixtures mean Emma Hayes’ side will host Liverpool on May 3, while Jonas Eidevall’s side travel to Brighton a week later.

Chelsea put losses of £121million in their latest financial records down to sanctions on former owner Roman Abramovich by the UK government.

The Blues posted their annual accounts, covering the 2021-22 season, showing significant losses in a period that included having to work under a special licence.

Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, believing he had close ties with president Vladimir Putin and freezing the assets of several individuals as a result.

That saw Chelsea forced to operate under a special licence, which restricted the club from selling tickets, accept event bookings and signing contracts with players until Todd Boehly’s takeover was completed on May 30, 2022.

In a statement on Monday, Chelsea added that these sanctions would be felt again “in the following years”.

“The results for the year have been impacted by the sanctions placed on the club’s previous owner on 10 March 2022,” the statement read.

“As a result of the sanctions, the club was required to operate within the limitations of a special licence issued by the UK government. These restrictions were in place until the completion of the Club’s sale on 30 May 2022.

“During this period, the Club was restricted in a number of areas including, but not limited to, its ability to sell matchday and season tickets, sell merchandise, accept event bookings, as well as sign contracts with players and commercial sponsorship partners, which collectively resulted in extraordinary expenses and loss of revenue.

“Furthermore, some of these limitations are also expected to have an impact on the financials in the following years due to the long-term impact from restrictions on entering into new contractual arrangements.

“Towards the end of the sanctioned period, the club was permitted to sell certain matchday tickets, with the Premier League committing to donate all revenue from these sales to charity. The restrictions were lifted following the change in ownership, and all operations have now resumed.”

The Blues announced an overall net loss of £121.3m, though they confirmed they continue to meet the Premier League and UEFA’s financial regulations.

Steven Gerrard can understand what Harry Kane might be thinking as he weighs up whether to leave Tottenham in pursuit of silverware.

Aside from a series of loan spells as a teenager, Kane has spent his entire club career at Spurs.

He is now Tottenham’s record goalscorer, also becoming England’s leading marksman during this international break.

But Kane remains without a major honour to his name, losing three finals with Spurs and one with England.

That wait for glory will not end this season, with Tottenham eliminated from the FA Cup and Champions League before Antonio Conte departed on Sunday.

With Manchester City dominant, Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United rejuvenated and Liverpool and Chelsea likely to improve next season, the window in which Spurs can succeed may be closing.

That has prompted plenty of debate around Kane’s future, but Gerrard is in a good position to consider the England captain’s options.

Gerrard spent all but the final 18 months of his career at Liverpool.

Although he did win silverware – most notably the Champions League in 2005 – the Reds favourite never lifted the Premier League trophy and surely would have enjoyed greater success elsewhere.

Gerrard, appearing on Channel 4, said of Kane: “He’s got a big decision to make career-wise.

“I’ve been there myself, where you’re thinking: ‘Is my team good enough to get me the medals? Am I going to get out of my career what I want to get?'”

Gerrard’s emotional ties to Liverpool meant he stuck by them in pursuit of a long-awaited league triumph, but he believes a potential move will be playing on Kane’s mind.

“It’s different for me,” Gerrard added. “I knew winning one trophy more with Liverpool would have meant a lot more to me than being anywhere else.

“He’s got a big decision to make. I can’t give him any advice on that, but I bet you every single day of his life now moving forward, it’s going to be on his mind.”

Kane pushed for a move to Man City in 2021, but Tottenham stood firm. City went on to sign Erling Haaland last year.

Man United appear more likely suitors for the 29-year-old this time, looking for a big-name striker to pair with Marcus Rashford following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure.

Robin van Persie backed Arsenal to fend off the threat of Manchester City and win the Premier League for the first time since the 2003-04 season.

The Gunners entered the international break with an eight-point lead over Pep Guardiola’s defending champions, who have a game in hand, and are just 10 games away from clinching glory.

A tough month lies ahead for Arsenal in April, with trips to face Liverpool and City as well as a home clash with Chelsea, while high-flying Newcastle United await in May.

Arsenal have fallen short in their quest to end their Premier League trophy drought and the side’s inexperience in such situations raises concern, though former captain Van Persie sees no such issues.

“Arsenal are doing really well, they play consistently. They play really good football that is nice to watch,” he said after the Rangers’ Match of Legends game.

“It’s intense, defensively and attacking wise, it looks very good. In my opinion, they do deserve to win the league.

“It will still be tough because City will push Arsenal until the last day.

“If you look at this period of time, this is where every single point really counts. There have been a couple of difficult games but they got the three points there, which is what a champion team is made of.

“They have been proving that but the last stretch is always a difficult one. It will be interesting to see but my personal opinion is that they will go for it and they will win the league.

“It has been a while, so I’m happy for them to win it.”

Xavi Simons is lighting up the Eredivisie and Europe’s elite clubs are paying attention.

The forward is enjoying a stellar season with PSV Eindhoven as they bid to chase down league leaders Feyenoord.

His performances merited a spot in the Netherlands’ squad at the World Cup in Qatar, where he made his international debut as a substitute against the USA.

Tonight’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Gibraltar is another opportunity for Simons to show Ronald Koeman what he can bring to the Oranje as he looks to cement his place in the national team.

French fancy

Simons joined PSV on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer in search of more playing time — a move which paid off handsomely and has Les Parisiens exploring his return.

It has been reported that PSG have the option to bring back the 19-year-old for as little as £10million.

However, the dynamic talent is said to be happy in Eindhoven, while moving to the French capital would not necessarily guarantee a step forward in his career path.

And PSV director of Football Marcel Brands was bullish when discussing the situation earlier this month.

He said: “I don’t think he [Simons] 100% returns to PSG. I am confident that he will just play here next year.

“We will work with him and see if we can get that PSG clause out. And it’s not only PSG, I think he also dreams of [the] Premier League.”

Performing for PSV

It is clear to see why Simons has plenty of suitors — the teenager has registered 13 goals and six assists in just 26 league appearances this term.

PSV’s No7 has completed 57 take-ons in the Eredivisie, 81 carries into the final third and 37 into the penalty area, reflecting his direct dribbling when in possession.

Despite his young age, he also understands the importance of working hard off the ball.

Simons is a relentless defender, who is eager to press his opponents into mistakes — recording an impressive 38 tackles, 24 blocks and seven interceptions in the Dutch top flight to date.

Premier League interest

Simons’ performances are starting to attract significant interest from abroad, most notably the Premier League.

Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester United are all reported to be among the teams assessing a move for the Amsterdam native.

United’s potential interest should not come as a surprise. After all, Erik ten Hag has already signed some of the Eredivisie’s best players in Lisandro Martinez, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.

Simons could be next on the club’s shopping list as the Red Devils aim to bolster their attacking options but they will have to contend with PSG to secure his services.

Ultimately, any move is in the hands of the player — as Simons himself has stated.

He said: “True, PSG have an option to bring me back but the decision is up to me. I’m the one who will decide.

“I like Paris, it’s a special city. But I signed a five-year deal with PSV Eindhoven, I’m so happy.”

Gunning for Gibraltar

The Netherlands faced Gibraltar twice in their World Cup qualifying campaign for Qatar 2022, winning 7-0 and 6-0 respectively.

So tonight’s encounter presents the perfect opportunity for Koeman’s outfit to bounce back from Friday’s heavy 4-0 defeat to France.

Simons was one of the Oranje’s brighter performers in that game after the illness-enforced absence of Cody Gakpo opened up a spot in the starting XI.

Should he perform like former team-mate Gakpo did during the World Cup, he may well follow in the Liverpool attacker’s footsteps and earn a move to one of Europe’s elite clubs.

Simons is now starting to realise his full potential and will be looking to prove himself on the international stage this evening.

Ademola Lookman’s career has taken off since he moved to Serie A.

The Nigerian forward showed glimpses of promise in England and Germany — but few anticipated that he would scale the heights he has this season.

His quick feet and fine finishing have helped Atalanta into sixth place in Italy’s top tier, with just three points separating La Dea from the Champions League spots.

And Lookman is now aiming to be the difference-maker in today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash with Guinea-Bissau after switching international allegiance to the Super Eagles last year.

Finally At home

Lookman has spent much of his career searching for the right club.

The Wandsworth native came through Charlton’s academy ranks before earning a move to Everton, where he made 48 appearances for the Toffees.

His potential attracted the attention of RB Leipzig but he failed to nail down a first-team berth with Die Roten Bullen, so was loaned out to both Fulham and Leicester.

Lookman appears to have finally found a home in Bergamo and recently explained his decision to join Atalanta last summer.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: “I had a few offers in England and I was thinking, ‘What do I really need next season?’

“I sat down with my family and with Atalanta coming in, we just made up our minds that this was another stage in the journey that we need to go through, because we felt like it was important that there was another layer added to me.”

On the goal trail

Lookman is a versatile attacker and has been deployed across Atalanta’s forward line this season.

He has bagged 12 league goals — nine from open play — and registered four assists.

The 25-year-old has been particularly clinical in the final third — hitting the target 23 times, scoring eight big chances and dispatching all three of his penalties. He falls inside Serie A’s top five players for each of those metrics.

La Dea’s No11 also consistently gets into dangerous areas and ranks joint-seventh in the competition for touches in the opposition box (116).

Gasp of delight

Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini has undoubtedly been pleased with the impact that Lookman has had in Bergamo.

The Italian veteran said: “He [Lookman] played right away, he was always involved in matches. He immediately showed that he has experience, he had significant growth in clubs where they know football.

“He was at Leipzig, then he played in England. There he was employed a bit distant from goal, but I immediately realised that he had the right characteristics for what we’ve been looking for for some time.

“[Atalanta sporting director] Lee Congerton was very good, he had already seen the team play from February-March.

“There were important negotiations with other players, but he was always convinced of the characteristics of Lookman and how I played and how I wanted to use him.”

More strings to his bow

Where Lookman truly shines is on the ball and he lays on plenty of scoring opportunities for his team-mates.

This term, he has completed 31 take-ons in Serie A — the ninth-most in the division — as well as creating a commendable 33 chances and nine big opportunities.

And Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro believes that is what sets him apart from another of their key forwards in Victor Osimhen.

He said: “Ademola is more technical than Osimhen, more inclined to create the game and who is now also scoring.

“He is performing very well this year. He grew up with Gasperini, now he is always playing. We are happy with him, high level, he too can aspire to do great things.”

Wings clipped in Abuja

Lookman is currently in a scoring rut after his red-hot start.

He has failed to find the net in his previous seven league matches and was surprisingly benched for La Dea’s last two top-flight fixtures.

That run of blanks continued on Friday when Nigeria lost 1-0 to Guinea-Bissau in Abuja.

But the Super Eagles have an immediate opportunity for revenge as they prepare to face Baciro Cande’s men for the second time in four days.

With the support of Osihmen — who leads Serie A’s Capocannoniere race — and Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho in attack, Lookman will be desperate to head back to Bergamo with a goal and victory under his belt.

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Jack’s backing

Former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere has urged Declan Rice to join the Gunners.

Rice is under contract at West Ham until 2024 but is subject to much transfer speculation with the Hammers in the Premier League relegation zone.

The 24-year-old has excelled in East London and at international level and now Wilshere believes it is time for him to make a step up.

Wilshere, 31, said: “I have had conversations with Dec and told him what he is doing is unbelievable, he is captain of a big Premier League club and is always learning.

“You have to be respectful to West Ham, that is his club, but his future is in his hands and it’s very exciting for him because he’s got everything with him now and he’s picking up more and more, he’s growing into this man who could play anywhere.

“I’m looking forward to wherever he goes. I hope it is Arsenal, it would be a massive signing and a perfect fit.

“If I’m talking from a selfish point of view, in North London, I think he would be very good under Mikel [Arteta]’s watch.”

Buzzing Bee

Brentford striker Ivan Toney hopes he has done enough to earn further opportunities with England after making his international debut.

Toney replaced Harry Kane inside the final 10 minutes at Wembley as the Three Lions secured a 2-0 victory over Ukraine.

And having had his first taste of action under manager Gareth Southgate, the 27-year-old is eager for more.

He said: “Three of four years ago I was fighting for promotion at Peterborough and now I’m making my cap for England.

“It’s been a massive, long journey but to finally get my first England cap is a massive achievement. The hard work starts now.

“I hope I keep performing and keep myself in and around the mix. 

“There are other strikers around the Premier League that are doing well as well. I’ve just got to keep doing me and hopefully it’s enough.”

No stopping Saka

Ukraine captain Oleksandr Zinchenko lauded Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka for his display on Sunday afternoon.

Saka teed up Harry Kane for England’s opener before bagging his eighth international goal with a sweet left-footed strike from the edge of the area to wrap up the points.

Zinchenko and Saka will return to domestic duties when the table-topping Gunners host Leeds on Saturday.

The 26-year-old defender said: “He is an amazing player, we know that.

“He is on fire at the moment, there are no friends on the pitch and unfortunately he beat me.

“In these kind of games, big players decide the game.

“I hope he is on this form for the rest of the season because he is such an important player for Arsenal as we have 10 more finals to go.”