Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag sack decision made trickier ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe talks

by thewebsitedesk | May 28, 2024 | Sports

Erik ten Hag’s rollercoaster reign at Manchester United could soon come to an end, despite the Red Devils beating Manchester City 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag’s rollercoaster reign at Manchester United could soon come to an end, despite the Red Devils beating Manchester City 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final Erik ten Hag’s rollercoaster reign at Manchester United could soon come to an end, despite the Red Devils beating Manchester City 2-1 in Saturday’s FA Cup final

Erik ten Hag is an FA Cup winner – but might not be in a job by the end of this week.

Despite producing a tactical masterclass to guide Manchester United to a shock 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday, the Dutchman’s future remains in real doubt. Ten Hag oversaw United’s worst-ever Premier League finish and the Red Devils also finished bottom of their Champions League group, putting pressure on his position even before Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover.

In the five months since, INEOS chairman has refused to back Ten Hag publicly and didn’t directly acknowledge the former Ajax boss during his message of congratulations after beating City. A decision is looming as the debate over his future continues.

Here’s a round-up of the latest news from Old Trafford.

FA Cup win increases Ten Hag’s compensation

Manchester United would have to shell out more compensation money to sack Erik ten Hag thanks to winning the FA Cup. United missed out on European spots thanks to their historically bad eighth-place finish in the Premier League but Saturday’s triumph means that the Red Devils are set to play in the Europa League next season.

ESPN report that had United missed out on Europe altogether, then Ten Hag would’ve been owed a smaller payout. The same report claims that sources close to Ten Hag fear a second trophy in two seasons won’t be enough to save him from Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s axe.

More details on Ten Hag’s situation here

Manchester United will play in Europe next season – with or without Erik ten Hag
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Your turn! Should Manchester United sack Erik ten Hag? Join the debate in the comments section

Support growing for Ten Hag

Erik ten Hag still has support from members of Manchester United’s new hierarchy – and the FA Cup win has bolstered their arguments. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS colleagues have done their fair share of reshuffling since his £1.3billion agreement to become a 27.7 per cent shareholder was agreed in December, and not all of them are opposed to Ten Hag staying.

The Independent claim Ratcliffe and co are well aware that sacking Ten Hag could prove to be an unpopular decision, but remain intent on making a cold and holistic decision. United’s new decision makers will make their call this week in a final review of the season.

Read the latest on what INEOS are planning here

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a big decision to make
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Europa League relegation concern

Manchester United could soon find themselves relegated from next season’s Europa League due to INEOS’ ownership of French club Nice. The Ligue 1 side finished fifth and have therefore qualified for the competition.

Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere recently admitted that ‘adjustments would have to be made’ in order for both Nice and United to play in the same competition due to UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.

See UEFA’s guidleines here

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Madrid to consider new ownership model – Pérez

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Madrid to consider new ownership model – Pérez

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has said he’ll propose a “corporate reorganization” of the club, with members to vote on whether a change in ownership structure is necessary to protect its financial assets. Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has said he’ll propose a “corporate reorganization” of the club, with members to vote on whether a change in ownership structure is necessary to protect its financial assets.

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Burley: Real Madrid making new signings is inevitable (1:24)Craig Burley says because of the problems Real Madrid have been facing of late, they will be making moves in the January transfer window. (1:24)

Nov 24, 2024, 07:37 AM ET

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has said he will propose a “corporate reorganisation” of the club, with members to vote on whether a change in ownership structure is necessary to protect its financial assets.

Madrid are one of just four Spanish clubs — with Barcelona, Athletic Club and Osasuna — which remain member-owned, and weren’t obliged to become public limited companies under a 1990 law.

In a 90-minute speech to the club’s annual assembly, Pérez claimed that a dispute with LaLiga over the CVC investment deal — which saw other clubs receive a total of €2 billion in exchange for future broadcast income — and the way the league collectively negotiates TV rights meant that a new structure was needed to guarantee the club’s independence.

“We’re working on defending ourselves on attacks on our financial wealth,” Perez said. “Our club should have a structure which protects us as an institution. We’ll do everything necessary so that the club belongs to its members, so that nobody can take away our financial assets.

“I can confirm that we’ll bring a corporate reorganisation proposal to an assembly, which guarantees members are real owners of our club. They wanted to take away our income to give it to LaLiga.”

Pérez did not give details of what the reorganisation would involve.

“I’ll keep you informed, we’ll have an assembly to explain it clearly,” he said. “You’ll understand it perfectly … I’ll give everything so that Madrid’s income continues to be Madrid’s, Barcelona’s continues to be Barcelona’s and Athletic Club’s continues to be Athletic’s. Our club should have a structure to protect us.”

The speech also saw Pérez criticize the decision not to hand Vinícius Júnior the 2024 men’s Ballon d’Or, reiterate his opposition to UEFA and support for the Super League, and dismiss concerns over lost revenue due to postponed concerts at the new Bernabéu.

“Rodri [Hernández] is a great player, he’s from Madrid, and he has our affection,” Pérez said. “He deserved a Ballon d’Or, but not this one. He deserved it the year before. This year, the Ballon d’Or should have gone to a Real Madrid player: Vinícius, or our captain Dani Carvajal, or even Jude Bellingham.

“Some of [the voters] didn’t even include Vinícius in the top 10. Can anyone understand journalists not thinking Vinícius is one of the best in the world? Nobody knows who [the journalists] are … The Ballon d’Or should be independently organized, and it should be in the hands of people who are recognized.”

In recent years, Pérez has used his speech at the assembly to repeatedly express his opposition to UEFA and the new Champions League format, and insist on the need for radical change in European football.

“We don’t want to go down in history like Blockbuster,” he said, referring to the once-dominant video rental chain, and comparing it unfavourably with Netflix. “We want to embrace new technology … There’s a real opportunity for a change of direction, to restore football’s greatness. This system doesn’t work. The moment is critical. It’s time to act.”

Pérez said the club’s decision in September to postpone all planned concerts at the rebuilt Bernabéu stadium after complaints from neighbors over noise levels was a minor issue in terms of its financial impact.

“The organization of concerts isn’t especially lucrative for the club,” he said. “We only rent out the stadium. The income is around 1% of our annual budget.

“But we understand this activity is important. It means that all the citizens of Madrid benefit [from the stadium]. We’re at the disposition of the local authorities.”

www.espn.com – SOCCER

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

LONDON, Nov 24 – A 17th-minute spot kick from winger Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with… LONDON, Nov 24 – A 17th-minute spot kick from winger Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with…

ByReuters

A 17th-minute spot kick from Guro Reiten gave Chelsea a 1-0 home win over Manchester United on Sunday that extends their winning start to the Women’s Super League season to eight games and keeps them top of the standings with 24 points.

The Blues dominated throughout against a lacklustre United but only had one goal to show for it despite a number of excellent chances. The visitors only managed a single shot on target over the 90 minutes, though Melvine Malard struck the woodwork in stoppage time.

The game was decided early in the first half when Chelsea striker Mayra Ramirez was brought down by United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Reiten made no mistake from the spot to put her side five points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

United’s first defeat of the season leaves them in fifth place, behind Arsenal on goal difference and one point behind third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday. Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

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Nicol: Leicester job not attractive for established managers (2:19)Steve Nicol expects Leicester City to turn to a manager with less Premier League experience after sacking Steve Cooper. (2:19)

Nov 24, 2024, 11:03 AM ET

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

The 44-year-old took over at King Power Stadium in the summer and leaves the club in 16th place in the Premier League after 12 games. He also led Leicester to the Carabao Cup round of 16, where they were beaten by Manchester United.

Cooper’s last game in charge was Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, who are managed by his predecessor, Enzo Maresca.

“Assistant manager Alan Tate and first team coach and analyst Steve Rands have also left the club,” the team said in a statement. “Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the club and with our best wishes for the future.”

The club said that first-team coach Ben Dawson and coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes will oversee training until they find a new manager.

Leicester began the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, but failed to record a win in their opening six league games.

Successive victories over Bournemouth and Southampton last month had eased the pressure somewhat before three defeats in their last four games led to Cooper’s downfall.

A stoppage-time penalty from Jordan Ayew in Saturday’s game at home to Chelsea gave them hope of snatching a draw, but another loss proved too much for the club.

Leicester’s next game is at Brentford on Saturday.

Cooper is the second Premier League manager to be sacked this season after Man United fired Erik ten Hag last month.

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Leicester City have parted ways with manager Steve Cooper, the Premier League club confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

Ramiro Enrique scored his first playoff goal six minutes before halftime and Orlando City SC set a new franchise high-water mark with a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal. Ramiro Enrique scored his first playoff goal six minutes before halftime and Orlando City SC set a new franchise high-water mark with a 1-0 victory over visiting Atlanta United FC in Sunday’s Eastern Conference semifinal.

ByESPN News Services

With a shutout of ninth-seeded Atlanta — which won both these teams’ regular-season meetings — No. 4 seed Orlando reached its first conference final since the club began MLS play in 2015.

The win also came one day after the Orlando Pride beat the Washington Spirit to secure their first NWSL title.

The Lions will host the seventh-seeded New York Red Bulls, who defeated New York City FC in Saturday’s East semifinal.

“First and foremost, just happy, right? Happy, happy for this team and for this club, and to be able to move on to this moment, and to have a part in that by scoring the goal,” Enrique said after the game. “I think, you know, being able to get to the conference finals, we’re just really happy. We’re happy to be there. This club is going to take it step by step to ultimately get to what our end goal is, which we all know. I’m just really happy to be able to score tonight.”

Pedro Gallese kept his third clean sheet of the postseason, this time without having to make a single save against an Atlanta side that had scored eight goals in its first four playoff matches.

Atlanta’s season ends with the club’s best postseason finish since reaching the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Atlanta midfielder Dax McCarty played his final MLS game, finishing a career that began in 2006 with 488 league appearances and 35 more in the postseason.

Orlando City players celebrate after scoring a goal against Atlanta United in the MLS playoffs.

The visitors won back-to-back matches just to qualify for the playoffs, then pulled off one of the biggest MLS Cup playoff upsets of all time in a three-game series triumph over Lionel Messi and Supporters’ Shield winners Inter Miami in Round 1.

But Orlando was the superior side throughout the first half Sunday and took a deserved lead through a set piece, an area that has given Atlanta trouble this season.

Enrique helped create the corner kick when he pressured goalkeeper Brad Guzan into spilling the ball over his own endline when trying to catch a high cross.

Martín Ojeda‘s ensuing outswinger dropped to the turf after deflecting off at least one body in the box, and Enrique was first to the loose ball to poke home a finish past Guzan from close range.

Interim Atlanta manager Rob Valentino removed injured striker Jamal Thiaré — who scored twice in the Game 3 win over Miami — moments after Orlando’s goal. His replacement Daniel Ríos then also had to exit after taking a ball to the head early in the second half.

The attackers that remained had more opportunities in the second half than the first, but rarely made Gallese work.

“We are obviously very excited and proud, but first from our players and our staff, we want to honor the fans that came today with such energy and helped us,” Orlando manager Oscar Pareja said. “It’s beautiful to see the stadium that way, see the culture and how this club has become one of the best in Major League Soccer.

“So, responding with this victory is great, and just having the boys in this moment with the way they’re playing as well.”

Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

by | Nov 25, 2024 | Sports

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton. Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

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Slot promises Liverpool won’t get carried away with eight-point lead (1:22)Arne Slot plays down expectations after Liverpool extended their Premier League lead to eight points with a comeback win over Southampton. (1:22)

Nov 24, 2024, 01:31 PM ET

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton when the Premier League leaders were in danger of losing to the bottom side before Mohamed Salah came to their rescue.

Liverpool were gifted the opener from a Southampton error but failed to capitalise in the first half before the home side took a shock 2-1 lead after the restart. Salah then grabbed a double that took Liverpool eight points clear at the top.

“In the second half I saw the intensity I was looking for in the first half. Southampton make it really difficult for many teams, including top clubs, and they made it difficult today, though we dominated the game completely,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“There was not enough urgency to arrive in the box [in the first half], we just kept the ball instead of attacking the box. Although we fell behind in the second half we showed more urgency and intensity.

“That led to numerous chances and eventually two goals. It is tough to create chances against a 4-5-1 low block but we know Southampton want to play out from the back so you have to be really aggressive, if not they have a really good game plan.”

Salah’s double took him to 10 league goals this season — two behind top scorer Erling Haaland — and the Egypt international has scored six goals in his last five league games.

His first goal took Southampton by surprise when all Salah did was take one touch outside the box to let the ball roll past the onrushing keeper and into the net before he scored the winner from the penalty spot.

“If you want to win you need to score goals and we know Mo can score,” Slot said.

“For me his first goal is the most important as we scored out of nowhere. Then after that it was just waiting for us to score another.”

Slot has now won 10 of his 12 Premier League games in charge of Liverpool in his debut season but he enters arguably his toughest week so far when they host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday followed by Manchester City next Sunday.

“They are two teams who have dominated football the last few years. So two big games and that’s why we needed to win today. That is what I am happy about,” Slot said.

www.espn.com – SOCCER

Liverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-half comeback in a 3-2 win at Southampton.

Man Utd news: Erik ten Hag sack decision made trickier ahead of Sir Jim Ratcliffe talks

FA Cup win increases Ten Hag’s compensation

Support growing for Ten Hag

Europa League relegation concern

Sign up to our newsletter! Wrexham is the Game is great new way to get top-class coverage

Madrid to consider new ownership model – Pérez​​

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top​​

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games​​

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL​​

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win​​

Madrid to consider new ownership model – Pérez

WSL: Chelsea beat Man Utd to extend lead at top

Steve Cooper out at Leicester after 15 games

Orlando advances in MLS day after Pride win NWSL

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win