Month: May 2023

Sean Dyche is nothing if not realistic and within minutes of achieving his sole aim of saving Everton from relegation he delivered his verdict on the state of the club – and it will have made for difficult listening for his bosses.

The 51-year-old has built a career on plain speaking and pragmatism but until another season in the top flight – the club’s 70th in succession – was secured he had to keep his own counsel, at least in public, on the state of affairs he inherited from predecessor Frank Lampard.

But in the immediate aftermath of the 1-0 win over Bournemouth which safeguarded the Toffees’ future, Dyche laid bare the extent of the problems he feels have riddled the club and outlined what needs to be done to change.

Whether owner Farhad Moshiri, whose £600 million-plus spend on players in just over seven years has almost hastened rather than failed to prevent back-to-back relegation scraps, will listen remains to be seen.

But Dyche knows throwing money at the problem is not the answer, especially as it has now effectively run out with the club making losses of over £430m over four years and facing sanctions next season for breaching profit and sustainability rules.

“The fans have been amazing, they want the club to be in the top end of the market but the club currently is not at the top end of the market,” he said.

“We need solid thinking going forwards. We are not ready to be up there yet, that is quite evident.

“It is going to be building and progress and I need the Evertonians to understand that. I’ll be very surprised if they (the club’s board) say ‘Here’s another war chest, sign who you like’.

“It’s not going to happen so we have to be wise, recruit wisely and recruit players who, if possible, understand this club.

“They have to be able to handle what it is to be part of Everton. I’m learning that all the time and we have to be able to get that heartbeat and also talent as well.

“I’ve tried to be realistic since I’ve been here but the problem with realism is not many people want it because it sounds boring.

“But at the end of the day it is time for that. There was a time when this club went from ‘Let’s just do everything’ but there is a time for realism, that’s what I’ve learned.”

Dyche is already starting to sound like his old self during his decade-long stay at Burnley before his sacking last season in a relegation scrap from which they failed to escape.

He worked miracles on a small budget at Turf Moor, making the club a Premier League regular against the odds, and believes he can turn things around at Goodison Park.

But he needs the people in charge – Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale – to accept his version of what the future should look like and abandon lofty but unrealistic ambitions fuelled by influential agents, the owner’s inexperience and a lack of joined-up thinking on a club ethos and recruitment strategy.

This is a club which are on their eighth permanent manager and third director of football since the billionaire took over in 2016.

Dyche, who admitted managing up was as much a part of his job as leading those below him, said on him being the driving force: “Someone has got to. That’s usually the manager.

“Now at least I can bring some of it to the fore and I can say ‘OK, I’ve given you the first step and it’s a big step’ but I need a bit of reality from fans that they don’t think next season we win the first 10 on the trot.

“That’s highly unlikely from a club which has been edging downwards.

“There’s that beautiful stadium down the road (at Bramley-Moore Dock) which someone has to pay for.

“There has to be a reality (about money) because we are trying to build a stadium, they are doing things in the community, and you have to get a team to win.”

On transfers, he added: “Fans want development but really they want first-team footballers who can play and win and that usually implies money.

“But we know about the financial stuff, that has to be realigned, so not yet, I don’t know but I will know at some point.

“Evertonians remember when they had an ‘earthy’ team, a team that gave everything – they are good things even in modern times. Let’s applaud it.

“And of course we want to play good, attacking, pleasing football that can win games. Not easy.”

Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday collide at Wembley today with a place in the Championship up for grabs. 

While the Owls finished 10 points ahead of the Tykes in League One, Michael Duff’s side will be keen to spring a surprise. 

Ahead of what promises to be an action-packed promotion decider, we analyse where it could be won and lost.

Comeback kings

Sheffield Wednesday produced a thrilling comeback against Peterborough to reach the final, overturning a 4-0 first-leg deficit to progress 5-3 on penalties after extra-time. 

Owls boss Darren Moore claimed the return fixture, which finished 5-1 after 120 minutes of football, was the pinnacle of his career as a boss.

He said: “For me, it’s my best moment in terms of management. 

“I couldn’t have wished for it to be at a better place, under the lights at Hillsborough. 

“We had a rallying call to get the fans to come out and be in full voice and they were. 

“When the boys were cramping up, the fans kept them going. The boys showed great character.”

Dangerman Bannan

Barry Bannan has been the Owls’ driving force this season. 

His low centre of gravity and tight control allows him to break pressure or shift between defenders before picking a pass. 

The Scot, 33, has scored seven goals and assisted 12, demonstrating his ability to threaten the opposition goal and conjure opportunities for team-mates. 

Given enough time and space, Bannan has the ability to pick Barnsley’s defence apart.

Do not doubt Duff

Duff was appointed after Barnsley were relegated from the Championship last season and is out to prove the doubters wrong.

He said: “We are playing against a team who have broken every record going. That will be a tough game. 

“But this group has broken quite a few records. Right at the very start, they got written off by everybody. 

“People said, ‘The club is rubbish, they have sold all their best players, what is the point of this season? We are just going to be mid-table mediocrity’.

“But we have got a day out at Wembley to hopefully prove the naysayers [wrong].”

Capable Connell

Luca Connell has been crucial for Barnsley. 

The midfielder, 22, arrived on a free after being released by Celtic last summer.

He has scored two and assisted nine this season, including setting up Liam Kitching for the decisive goal in the semi-finals against Bolton.

With Wembley calling, Connell could be Barnsley’s key man.

Firecracker final

Despite finishing below their opponents, Barnsley managed to beat the Owls in both league games this season. 

They claimed a 2-0 victory at Hillsborough and romped to a 4-2 win at Oakwell in March. 

Barnsley’s top scorer Devante Cole found the net in both games and will be keen to make it three out of three.

While Moore’s men come into the match on a high after their miracle comeback, Duff’s side could have the psychological edge given their recent success against them. 

Leeds boss Sam Allardyce apologised to the club’s fans after a 4-1 home defeat to Tottenham confirmed their Premier League relegation.

Allardyce, who the Elland Road outfit had turned to in desperation with four games remaining, also urged them to quickly resolve their ownership issue to aid their bid to bounce straight back from the Championship. 

The former England manager claimed he had no regrets about taking on the job and will sit down with the board next week to discuss whether he will stay in the role. 

Allardyce, 68, said: “I can’t say I’ve enjoyed it but I’m glad I came back. 

“I tried my best to get Leeds out of trouble but I can’t enjoy anything when I don’t win. 

“We didn’t leave a stone unturned and it’s really sad Leeds are in this position. To the fans, I apologise that I didn’t do better and the players didn’t do better.” 

Leeds issued a statement shortly after the game. It said: “We apologise to our fanbase that the performances this season have not seen the club consolidate our status as we had all hoped. 

“However, Leeds remain in a strong position to build a team that can challenge for promotion from the Championship next season. 

“We know things have not been good enough, we know we have to improve, but please be assured that behind the scenes we have worked hard to ensure that the past will not be repeated. 

“Our focus is now on how we get straight back to the Premier League.” 

Leeds majority shareholder and chairman Andrea Radrizzani is understood to have stayed in Italy as the club crashed out of the top flight. 

Harry Kane’s brace and goals from Pedro Porro and Lucas Moura ensured Leeds’ three-year stay in the top flight was over and Jack Harrison’s second-half effort was scant consolation for their fans, who vented their fury at the board throughout the match. 

Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped about the future of Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka but was pleased to see him get the appreciation he deserved after their 5-0 thrashing of Wolves. 

Xhaka, 30, netted a first-half double in what is expected to be his final appearance for the Gunners with a summer exit to Bayer Leverkusen in the works and left the pitch to a standing ovation in the 75th minute. 

It completes a remarkable turnaround for the Swiss international, who saw his relationship with the Emirates crowd reach an all-time low in the winter of 2019 during a home match with Crystal Palace where he chucked his shirt on the floor before subsequently being stripped of the captaincy. 

Arteta convinced Xhaka not to leave Arsenal during the following transfer window and his brace on the final-day saw him finish the campaign with nine goals, his best ever tally. 

Asked about Xhaka’s impending departure, Arteta responded: “You know that? “It’s news for me.” 

The Gunners boss was more forthcoming about the reception Xhaka received before, during and after the emphatic victory over Wolves. 

He added: “Well deserved. He’s had an incredible season. 

“I think one year back I spoke to him and I told him, ‘There’s a question mark on you, you have to deliver more, you have to be better, I’m going to challenge you to play here’. 

“He went back and I think he started to train the next day. He came back in pre-season lighter, fit, with this focused face and really willing to do it. He’s been exceptional. 

“He’s been a key part of the team, the success of the team and I’m so happy everybody is appreciating what he’s done.” 

While the final-day clash was not the league title celebration Arsenals fans would have hoped for back in April, when they held an eight-point lead over champions Manchester City, Arteta’s side still concluded their campaign in front of a party atmosphere. 

After Xhaka’s quickfire double, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kiwior netted to earn the hosts a 26th league win of the campaign. 

When Arteta addressed the packed Emirates crowd after full-time, he was repeatedly serenaded and the Spaniard expressed his delight at finishing on a good note.

He said: “It was really nice the way they transmitted their love and support to the team, to every player and to me.

“It’s been a really emotional year and a very special season. The team and our people deserved to end it in a good way so I’m really happy.”

Jurgen Klopp insists Liverpool will be Premier League contenders next season after ending an underwhelming campaign with a 4-4 draw at relegated Southampton. 

The fifth-placed Reds arrived at St Mary’s knowing they had already missed out on a top-four finish for the first time since 2015-16. 

Early goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino appeared to have put the in-form visitors on course for a straightforward success. 

But they were forced to come from 4-2 behind to stretch their unbeaten run to 11 games following Kamaldeen Sulemana’s brace and strikes from James Ward-Prowse and Adam Armstrong. 

Klopp, whose side avoided defeat thanks to a goal from substitute Cody Gakpo and Jota’s second, was happy to see the back of 2022-23 and confident next term would be far more memorable.

He said: “There were moments during the season when you thought ‘the season will be four years long’.

“Thank God for the last 11 games, that helped massively, gave us a real boost, gave us a perspective, gave us a basis for what we have to do. 

“That it didn’t turn into the best ever season, we see that, we know that, we are very disappointed about the fact we didn’t make it to the top four.

“But there are moments when you have to admit there were four teams that were better than us — that’s the truth. 

“We played a bad season, we come fifth, that is a message as well. 

“Imagine we were our normal self, which we absolutely will be again next season and will be a contender again. 

“That’s how is it. The last 11 games helped us to realise that again.” 

Gakpo and Jota struck in the 72nd and 73rd minutes respectively to prevent Liverpool slipping to a shock defeat, while Mohamed Salah hit a post late on. 

Klopp felt his players contributed to their own undoing during a “silly” period of a chaotic contest. 

He added: “I can make a list of things we weren’t and that led to the counter attacks they had. 

“Then it’s 2-2 and 4-2 and then we started doing the right things again. I think we could have scored a fifth and a sixth. 

“Top start, outstanding finish, in between just silly.” 

Wales will play South Korea at home in a September friendly.

It will be the first time the two nations have met at senior men’s level and will take place at Cardiff City Stadium on September 7, four days before Wales’ Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia.

South Korea, who are captained by Tottenham forward Son Heung-min, reached the last 16 of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Former Germany and United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann was appointed South Korea head coach in February.

“Many teams are tied up in Europe with qualifiers and it’s not always easy to get strong opposition during the few occasions we get the chance to play friendlies,” said Noel Mooney, chief executive of the Football Association of Wales.

“So to have the likes of Son Heung-min – Ben Davies’ teammate at Spurs – and many other high quality players coming to Cardiff is great for us.

“They had a really good World Cup getting to the knockout stage and it’s important we keep testing ourselves against different styles of football.

“South Korea offers us a really interesting chance to do that, and I’m sure we’ll have another great crowd to cheer on Cymru before the ‘Red Wall’ head for Riga a few days later.”

Wales plan to play an October friendly against Gibraltar at Wrexham’s Racecourse Ground.

A March 2019 friendly against Trinidad and Tobago is the only time Wales men’s senior team have played at the Racecourse – the world’s oldest international football stadium that still hosts matches – over the last 15 years.

Wales manager Rob Page announces his squad on Tuesday for next month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey having taken four points from their opening two games in March.

Leicester defender Jonny Evans does not know what the future holds following their relegation to the Championship.

The Foxes became just the second former Premier League champions to be relegated when their 2-1 win against West Ham was deemed meaningless by Everton’s victory against Bournemouth.

A large number of players, including Evans and Youri Tielemans, are out of contract while the likes of James Maddison and Harvey Barnes look set to be sold to help balance the books.

Evans revealed the squad had said their goodbyes in the dressing room ahead of a likely summer exodus.

Evans, 35, said: “It is a tough thing to take.

“There was silence for a long time in the dressing room afterwards. We know there are a lot of players out of contract.

“There are going to be a lot of changes in the football club.

“It was an opportunity for everybody to say goodbye really. A lot of us don’t know where we are going to end up.

“I said to the boys it has been an amazing five years but the club now have decisions to make.

“I don’t think they probably know what they are going to do.”

Defeat for West Ham concluded a disappointing Premier League campaign in which they finished in 14th, just six points above Leicester.

But their attention is firmly on next week’s Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina in what could be Declan Rice’s last game for the club.

The England midfielder looks set to be sold this summer and if the game in Prague is to be his farewell, boss David Moyes wants him to go out on a high.

“I thought he played great. It was another swashbuckling performance from him at times,” Moyes said of his performance at the King Power Stadium.

“I am really pleased how well he has played for us over the season, he has been exceptional and a credit to himself.

“And now he has the big moment to see if he can lift a trophy for West Ham and he needs to try and get ready to see if he can help us do that.”

Leeds were relegated from the Premier League on Sunday after a three-year stay in the top flight.

The Yorkshire club had needed to beat Tottenham on the final day and hope other results involving Everton and Leicester went their way — but they were beaten 4-1 at Elland Road.

The result meant Sam Allardyce’s side finished 19th in the table, five points behind 17th-placed Everton. 

Here, we look at some of the reasons why it went wrong.

Bielsa legacy casts shadow

Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani, former director of football Victor Orta and chief executive Angus Kinnear received huge acclaim when the club ended their 16-year Premier League exile in 2020. 

They played a masterstroke by appointing Marcelo Bielsa as head coach in 2018 but their legacy was always going to be defined by how they filled the vacuum after sacking the Argentinian in February 2022. 

The board felt they had to act after a poor run of results but, since then, they have got most of their key decisions wrong and the wheels have now fallen off.

What exactly did the board get wrong?

Bielsa’s successor Jesse Marsch was hailed as a natural replacement but performances and results did not improve. 

Leeds survived relegation last season on the final day and when Marsch was sacked in February, he left the club in a worse position in the table. 

The board’s failed, ill-conceived bids to hire Rayo Vallecano’s Andoni Iraola and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot led to accusations of panic and, after a fans’ backlash, they also reneged on appointing former Ajax boss Alfred Schreuder. 

So in came Javi Gracia for his ill-fated stint. The club admitted they had erred by parachuting Allardyce into Elland Road with four league games remaining.

Can relegation be blamed solely on the managers?

No. After Leeds defied the odds to finish ninth under Bielsa in their first season back in the top flight, they have failed to sufficiently strengthen their squad. 

A lack of cover for an injury-prone Patrick Bamford and midfielder Tyler Adams is a prime example. 

It has also been an imbalanced squad with wide players in abundance but no depth in other key areas. 

Some signings since promotion, such as Raphinha, Adams, Luis Sinisterra and Willy Gnonto, have been a success, but too many others have failed to make an impact, while the arrival of club-record signing Georginio Rutter has left fans scratching their heads.

Has the ownership issue muddied the waters?

The last-ditch appointment of Allardyce was symptomatic of Leeds’ mis-management and of a club in limbo since the investment arm of San Francisco 49ers increased its stake to 44 per cent at the end of 2021. 

They have option to own 100% by January next year and the ownership issue has not helped decision-making. 

Orta’s resignation in protest over Gracia’s sacking has left Leeds without a director of football and, if Allardyce departs as expected, they will be without a long-term head coach. 

How relegation will affect the takeover remains to be seen, while Radrizzani has been linked with a move to buy Sampdoria. The club’s future direction is not clear.

Frank Lampard said he believes the standards at Chelsea have dropped after he signed off as interim manager with a 1-1 draw against Newcastle.

The result means Lampard failed to register a single home victory during his second spell in charge, with his last win as manager at Stamford Bridge still a 3-1 triumph over West Ham in December 2020. 

It took a Kieran Trippier own goal, the defender deflecting the ball into the net midway through the first half, to cancel out Anthony Gordon’s early strike. 

This was at least an improved performance from Chelsea, particularly in the second half where they played with an attacking initiative rarely seen under Lampard. 

After a first half in which Newcastle had made Chelsea look ordinary, the young trio of Noni Madueke, Lewis Hall and substitute Carey Chukwuemeka played with the maturity to take charge of the game and drive their team on. 

That has happened too often this season, especially at home where there have been six Premier League defeats and only 20 goals scored — the same number as Bournemouth and three fewer than relegated Leicester. 

Lampard revealed he had recognised early in his tenure that leadership and cohesion were lacking among a bloated squad and hoped that a new manager, expected to be Mauricio Pochettino, would be able to slim down and galvanise the first-team group. 

He said: “The standards collectively have dropped. I can be honest about that now that it’s my last game, I might not see some of them that much anymore. 

“The standards of the collective for a club like Chelsea have to be at the maximum or you won’t be physically competitive enough, or you won’t be able to play at a high level in a way the Premier League demands. 

“If you’re not together in the dressing room and not vocal, driving each other and competitive, any top team has to have that. 

“When I came in very quickly I could see that wasn’t there enough. Of course, a very good manager will help that but everyone has to take responsibility — players and club alike.” 

Chelsea’s form has nosedived since Lampard was appointed on April 6, with problems that had been apparent under former manager Graham Potter having only been exacerbated. 

Todd Boehly’s whirlwind transfer activity during his first year of ownership has produced a squad of 34 first-team players that both managers have said proved hugely challenging to work with. 

It has contributed to Chelsea recording a first bottom-half finish since 1996 and a record low tally of points and goals scored in the Premier League era. 

As the Premier League season comes to an end, the summer transfer season is just beginning and Newcastle will have to fight to keep midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Barcelona. The Times says Barcelona believe it will cost them around £87million to sway Newcastle to let go of the 25-year-old Brazilian.

Chelsea will be looking to put this season behind them after securing former Tottenham and Paris St Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino on a three-year contract, according to the Guardian. The Blues finished 12th this season.

The Sun says promoted Sheffield United are looking at 24-year-old Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis O’Brien, who is currently out on loan to DC United in MLS, to help bolster their squad for the top flight.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: Liverpool have sights set on the Lazio midfielder with the Serbian’s contract set to expire in 2024, according to Goal.

Kim Min-jae: Manchester United and Newcastle are interested in signing the 26-year-old South Korean defender from Napoli, according to Spanish outlet Fijaches and Givemesport.