Sir Alex Ferguson’s trusted ally blasts Man Utd for ‘encouraging negativity’ with PR mistake​

by | Nov 24, 2024 | Sports

Rene Meulensteen believes former employers Manchester United should have issued a statement explaining why they were axing club legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract when they made the surprise call in October

​Rene Meulensteen believes former employers Manchester United should have issued a statement explaining why they were axing club legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract when they made the surprise call in October Rene Meulensteen believes former employers Manchester United should have issued a statement explaining why they were axing club legend Sir Alex Ferguson’s ambassadorial contract when they made the surprise call in October   

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen has hit out at Manchester United for the way they handled the termination of the Old Trafford icon’s ambassadorial contract.

The 82-year-old will step down from his £2.16million-a-year role at the end of the season after being axed by INEOS in mid-October as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ruthless cost-cutting measures.

And Meulensteen, who operated as Ferguson’s first-team coach between 2007 and 2013, thinks United should have at least issued a statement explaining the decision to prevent the “negativity” that has followed.

Meulensteen told Egyptian news channel Al Qahera: “I find it surprising that Ferguson’s contract as an ambassador has been terminated, given his history. However, I understand that this was discussed between the club and Sir Alex.

“It would have been wise for the club to issue a statement on the reasons so that it was clear to everyone.

“It would also have stopped any negative speculation and publicity surrounding this decision.

“As far as I know, he is still a member of the board and therefore still important to the club. In my opinion, it is essential to honour the contributions of such a pivotal figure in the club’s history.”

Meulensteen also offered his assessment of United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim, who leads his first match on Sunday away to Ipswich in the Premier League.

Rene Meulensteen with Sir Alex Ferguson
Rene Meulensteen (right) helped Manchester United win four Premier League titles during his time working with Sir Alex Ferguson (left)
(

Image:

John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

The 60-year-old said of the Portuguese: “Amorim emerged as a promising coach at Sporting Lisbon, but whether or not he is the right fit for Manchester United will depend on his ability to adapt to the pressures of the Premier League. His tactical approach may be refreshing, but experience at a club of United’s stature is crucial.”

Amorim is the sixth permanent United boss since Ferguson retired back in 2013 after guiding the Red Devils to their last Premier League title.

Meulensteen feels the decision to sack Erik ten Hag was warranted, however, concluding: “In my opinion, Ten Hag faced significant challenges, including squad depth and injuries, and while he showed tactical intelligence, a lack of performance and inconsistent results hampered his success.

“The first season showed promise but he was never able to build a cohesive team during his second season. Despite winning the FA Cup, he was unable to improve the team during this season and the poor start in the league and Europe made the club decide to sack him.”

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Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Wrexham cruise to 3-0 win with dominant display​​

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

​Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One. Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.   

ByESPN

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

Max Cleworth opened the scoring after just seven minutes before Ollie Palmer doubled the hosts’ advantage on 25 minutes.

Oliver Rathbone netted the third with a header from a James McClean.

It moves Wrexham into second place with 31 points after 16 games, four points behind league leaders Wycombe who have a game in-hand.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Wrexham earned a comfortable 3-0 home win over Exeter City on Saturday, moving the Welsh side up to second place in League One.

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Milan, Juventus play out dour, scoreless draw​​

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

​AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances. AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.   

ByReuters

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

Juventus remain the only unbeaten side in Serie A but their seventh draw of the season means they remain sixth in the standings and are now three points behind leaders Inter Milan. Milan stay seventh, six points behind Juve, though they have played one game fewer.

Juventus, missing injured top scorer Dusan Vlahovic, opted to start without a recognised striker, with midfielders Weston McKennie and Teun Koopmeiners leading the line and while they were the more positive side, they never really threatened to score.

The visitors’ manager Thiago Motta left it late to make any changes and the introduction of forward Timothy Weah 10 minutes from time failed to spark the game into life, with the final whistle greeted by a chorus of boos from the crowd.

Juventus were the livelier side in attack in the opening half but their only shot on target was a Federico Gatti effort from distance which did not trouble keeper Mike Maignan.

Milan’s only real chance before the break came after the first corner of the match in added time, with Emerson Royal heading wide of the near post.

“We have to continue to play with patience,” Motta told DAZN before the start of the second half, and his side remained true to his words.

Last month, Juventus came away from the San Siro with a point after a spectacular 4-4 draw with Inter but this match was the complete opposite as neither side ever really threatened to break the deadlock.

Khephren Thuram tried a curling shot from distance which fell into the arms of Maignan, and shortly afterwards Theo Hernández played a Milan free kick short to Tijjani Reijnders who blasted a wild shot high over the bar.

A weak Hernandez header straight at the keeper in added time will count as Milan’s only effort on target and the reaction from the crowd at the end summed up the game, a frustrating watch for both sets of fans.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

AC Milan and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw in their Serie A meeting at the San Siro on Saturday, in a game light on entertainment and low on chances.

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Atléti mark Simeone’s 700th game with late win​​

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

​Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday. Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.   

ByReuters

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sørloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

Alaves took an early lead from the penalty spot but Antoine Griezmann equalised in the 76th minute with a spot kick of their own before second-half substitute Sørloth bagged his fifth goal of the season to seal all three points.

Atlético provisionally moved up to second in LaLiga, four points behind leaders Barcelona who have two games in hand, while Alaves dropped to 16th.

“It’s an incredible amount, 700 games. Congratulations to him. The result is for him and the supporters,” Simeone’ son Giuliano, who livened things up in the second half and earned the man-of-the-match award, said.

“Alaves came here to compete and they fought hard, they made it difficult for us. That’s the way they are, that’s how they always play.

“I’m happy for what I was able to do when I came on but what’s more important is that we won the game.”

Atlético found themselves on the backfoot in the seventh minute when Javi Galan conceded a penalty with a handball when he had his arm raised to block a cross and Jon Guridi made no mistake from the spot when he sent Jan Oblak the wrong way.

The Metropolitano crowd fell silent after going 1-0 down but they found their voice when Griezmann set up Samuel Lino, who saw his shot smash into the crossbar before the visitors cleared the ball.

As Alaves stood firm in defence, a few boos and whistles could be heard as Atletico failed to make better use of their possession and played wasteful passes in the final third while Antonio Sivera was alert to danger and made several saves.

Simeone made two halftime substitutions with Giuliano and Sorloth coming on while Julian Alvarez was introduced at the hour mark, but Alaves’ disciplined defence kept the home side at bay.

Giuliano galvanised their attack and he seemed to be everywhere, popping up on both flanks, and he nearly scored an equaliser from a counter-attack when he raced through on goal, only to see his shot saved by the outstretched leg of Sivera.

Atletico received a lifeline in the 74th minute when Sorloth’s header hit the arm of defender Abdel Abqar to earn a penalty and although Sivera dived in the right direction, Griezmann’s spot kick found the back of the net.

With a draw on the cards, Rodrigo De Paul spotted Sørloth making a run in behind and the Norwegian’s thunderous strike squeezed in at the near post to give Atlético the win.

“We’re very sad, we played very well in the first half and started well in the second. We knew we’d be under constant pressure and the penalty hurt us,” Alaves defender Nahuel Tenaglia said.

“We just have to turn the page and put this result behind us.”

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Diego Simeone’s 700th game in charge of Atletico Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves in LaLiga after Alexander Sorloth rescued the home side with an 86th-minute winner at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday.

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss​​

Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.

​Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN. Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.   

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Former Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a multi-year deal with St. Louis City SC to be the team’s next manager, sources tell ESPN.

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

by | Nov 24, 2024 |

10-man Barça surrender late 2-goal lead at Celta​​

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.

​Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday. Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.   

ByReuters

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.

It looked like Barça were cruising towards victory after they opened a two-goal lead thanks to strikes by captain Raphinha in the 15th minute and by Robert Lewandowski in the 61st, but the script changed after their midfielder Marc Casadó was sent off due to a second-yellow card for a foul in the 82nd minute.

With Barca down to 10-men, the home side piled on the pressure and managed to score twice with strikes by substitute Alfonso González and Hugo Álvarez in the 84th and 86th minutes respectively.

Barça top the LaLiga standings with 34 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid in second and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand.

“We had the game under control, but the red-card really affected us,” said midfielder Gavi, who was making his first start since suffering an ACL tear with Spain national team over a year ago.

“Celta put us away in two very specific actions, if you loose focus, this is what happens… We can’t allow ourselves to have a player sent off because then those things happen.”

“Their first goal was stupid. We have to clear the ball away. And with one man down it’s difficult to get the three points. It’s football and we have to learn…”

Gavi was referring to Barca defender Jules Koundé mishandling the ball on the edge of Barca’s box that allowed Gonzalez to pounce and steal it before firing Celta’s first past goalkeeper Iñaki Peña.

Barca capitalised on a couple of bad mistakes by Celta defenders to score their goals in a game where the home-side were the dominant force.

Óscar Mingueza missed a header while trying to clear away a long ball from Koundé, allowing Raphinha to pounce and fire in the opener in the 15th minute.

Barca goalkeeper Pena made a string of saves to deny an equaliser and they were lucky not to go into the break a man down after Celta captain Iago Aspas was fouled with a tackle from behind by defender Gerard Martín, who already had a yellow card.

Celta players and coach asked for a second-yellow, but the referee only gave a verbal warning to the Barca academy player, while flashing a yellow to Aspas for complaining. A fuming Aspas had to be held back by his manager and team mates.

Another mistake by Mingueza allowed Barca to extend their lead in the 61st minute.

The distracted fullback lost possession to Raphinha, who passed to Lewandowski and the Polish striker eventually scored Barca’s second.

However, Casado’s two yellow cards in a seven-minute spell handed Celta an opportunity, with 21-year-old Alvarez equalising from close-range to rescue a point for the home side.

The result meant Barcelona are now winless in their last two games, following their 1-0 defeat at Real Sociedad before the international break.

 

​www.espn.com – SOCCER

Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday.