Month: October 2021

Barcelona: Head coach Ronald Koeman sacked after Rayo Vallecano loss

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Koemanโ€™s tenure at the Camp Nou only lasted 14 months

Ronald Koeman has been sacked as head coach of Barcelona after just 14 months in charge of the Catalan giants.

Barca have collected just 15 points in their 10 La Liga matches and have already lost twice in the group stage of this season’s Champions League.

They currently sit ninth in La Liga, six points behind league leaders Sevilla after falling to defeat against Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.

The loss was Barca’s third in their last four games and it followed defeat in Sunday’s Clasico to Real Madrid.

In a club statement, the Spanish club said: “The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him [Koeman] of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano.

“Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday.”

The former Netherlands, Everton and Southampton boss, 58, could only guide the five-times European champions to third place finish during the 2020/2021 campaign.

Koeman has not been helped by the club’s financial issues, which saw Lionel Messi exit the club and later sign for French side, Paris St-Germain in mid-August.

Barcelona couldn’t spend any money on new signings in the summer, with Memphis Depay, Sergio Aguero and Eric Garcia all arriving as free transfers and striker Luuk de Jong joining from Sevilla on a season-long loan.

Speaking after Wednesday’s defeat in Madrid, Koeman said: “It [Barcelona’s league position] says we’re not well.

“The team has lost balance in the squad, lost very effective players, which shows. In recent years other clubs have strengthened every season and we haven’t, which also shows.”

It marks the first time since September 1987 that Barca have lost three away games in a row without scoring – a run that subsequently resulted in the sacking of English manager Terry Venables.

Koeman won the Copa del Rey at the end of his first season, however Barca finished behind Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in La Liga with their lowest points tally since 2008.

The former Netherlands centre-back played for the Spanish giants from 1989 to 1995, guiding them to four league titles and the European Cup in that time.

He was brought back to the Camp Nou on 19 August 2020 as head coach by former president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

Newly appointed president Laporta, in the mean time, frequently made it clear the Dutchman was not appointed by him.

The duo had a troubled relationship, and Koeman released a statement in September asking to be given time to rebuild after losing Messi and fellow forward Antoine Griezmann in the summer.

After the defeat to Real Madrid on Sunday, Koeman’s car was surrounded by some Barcelona supporters, who he later brushed off as “uneducated people”.

Watch: Koeman’s final interview as FC Barcelona head coach

Newcastle United: Steve Bruce leaves club by mutual consent

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Bruce leaves St James’ Park just three days after reaching the milestone of 1,000 matches as a manager

Manager Steve Bruce has left Newcastle United by mutual consent almost two-weeks after the Saudi Arabia-backed ยฃ305m takeover of the Premier League side was confirmed.

Bruce’s only game in charge under the new ownership was Sunday’s 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham Hotspur– in what was his 1,000th match as a manager in a 23-year coaching career.

Graeme Jones, who was Bruce’s assistant manager will be in charge of the North-east based side on an interim basis.

Newcastle have begun “the process of recruiting a new head coach” and an appointment will be made at a later date.

The Tyneside club are winless in the current Premier League season and sit second from bottom after eight matches.

Bruce was appointed Magpies manager in July 2019 and achieved finishes of 13th and 12th in his two full campaigns in charge.

“I am grateful to everyone connected with Newcastle United for the opportunity to manage this unique football club,” said Bruce.

“I would like to thank my coaching team, the players and the support staff in particular for all their hard work.

“There have been highs and lows, but they have given everything even in difficult moments and should be proud of their efforts.

“This is a club with incredible support and I hope the new owners can take it forward to where we all want it to be. I wish everyone the very best of luck for the rest of this season and beyond.”

A Newcastle statement said the club “would like to place on record its gratitude to Steve for his contribution and wishes him well for the future”.

Steve Bruce – 1,000 games
Games in chargeWonDrawnLostGoals ForGoals AgainstWin percentage
Newcastle9728284111515228.87%
Sheffield Wednesday18783271738.90%
Aston Villa10246253113710745.10%
Hull City20182447524823040.80%
Sunderland9829284112213529.60%
Wigan Athletic76261931799034.20%
Birmingham City2691006910031732437.20%
Crystal Palace181125422561.10%
Huddersfield Town66251625807637.90%
Sheffield United55221518898140.00%

Watch: Steve Bruce’s final interview as Newcastle United manager

Ashes: England tour of Australia set to go ahead ย ‘subject to conditions’

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England, led by Joe Root (left), fell to 4-0 defeat on their most recent tour of Australia in 2017-18

England men’s Ashes series in Australia this winter will go ahead “subject to several critical conditions”, the England and Wales Cricket Board have said.

England had doubts over their families being allowed to travel, quarantine and ‘bubble’ arrangements amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The five-Test series is expected to commence on 8 December and conclude on 18 January.

The ECB said that “over recent weeks we have made excellent progress in moving forward” regarding the men’s Ashes tour.

A statement read: “To facilitate further progress and allow a squad to be selected, the ECB board has met today and given its approval for the tour to go ahead. This decision is subject to several critical conditions being met before we travel.

“We look forward to the ongoing assistance from Cricket Australia in resolving these matters in the coming days.”

England will name an Ashes squad in due course.

Australia has some of the strictest Covid-19 protocols in the world, a situation complicated by the fact the five Tests are due to be played in five states, each of which have their own ruling.

Cricket Australia sent plans for the Ashes tour to the ECB in late September, with England’s players presented with the arrangements on Sunday and the ECB holding a board meeting on Friday.

Australia hold the Ashes after keeping hold of them thanks to a 2-2 draw in England in 2019.

Australia celebrate retaining the Ashes after the final test at the Oval in 2019

How it all unravelled

  • July: England players hold talks over plans for families to travel to Australia.
  • 22 Aug: England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler says he is “open to saying no” to taking part in the Ashes tour.
  • 28 Aug: The Times reports that up to 10 England players could pull out of the tour because of quarantine conditions.
  • 19 Sept: England pace bowler Stuart Broad says he is “happy to get on a plane to Australia”.
  • 23 Sept: Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison says there will be “no special deals” for England players’ families.
  • 28 Sept: England captain Joe Root says he is “desperate” to play in Ashes but does not confirm he will travel.
  • 3 Oct: England players presented with proposed travel arrangements and conditions.
  • 8 Oct: Australia captain Tim Paine says he expects a “really strong” England to tour.

Newcastle United: ย Saudi Arabian-backedย takeover deal complete

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The ยฃ300m takeover of Newcastle United is now formally done, with a Saudi-led consortium concluding Mike Ashley’s 14-year ownership of the North-East based outfit

The Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle United has been completed, the Premier League have confirmed.

The Premier League has rubber-stamped the takeover after receiving “legally binding assurances” that the Saudi state would not control the club.

Alternatively the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which will provide 80% of funds for the ยฃ300m deal, is seen as separate to the state.

The sale was approved after the deal passed the Premier League owners’ and directors’ test.

The takeover closes Mike Ashley’s 14-year tenure as Newcastle United owner.

In an official statement, the Premier League said: “The Premier League, Newcastle United Football Club and St James Holdings Limited have today settled the dispute over the takeover of the club by the consortium of PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.

“The legal disputes concerned which entities would own and/or have the ability to control the club following the takeover. All parties have agreed the settlement is necessary to end the long uncertainty for fans over the club’s ownership.

“The Premier League has now received legally binding assurances that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will not control Newcastle United Football Club.

“All parties are pleased to have concluded this process which gives certainty and clarity to Newcastle United Football Club and their fans.”

It was believed that an outcome was reached after Saudi Arabia settled an alleged piracy dispute with Qatar-based broadcaster beIN Sports, which own rights to show Premier League matches in the Middle East.

The Saudi Arabian state has been accused of human rights abuses, but with the majority owner PIF deemed a separate entity, that, and any piracy issues, were no longer an impediment to the takeover, in the Premier League’s view.

Andorra V England: All-female refereeing team to oversee World Cup Qualifier

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Kateryna Monzul became the first female referee to take charge of a Ukrainian top-flight game in 2016.

An all-female team of on-field officials will oversee Saturday’s World Cup qualifier between Andorra and England.

Ukraine’s Kateryna Monzul will be the referee while compatriots Maryna Striletska and Svitlana Grushko have been named her assistant referees.

Furthermore, Stephanie Frappart of France is the video assistant referee.

It will be the first time a senior England men’s international match has had all women officials at the helm.

Two men are part of the extensive officiating team, with Denys Shurman the fourth official and Viktor Matyash the assistant VAR.

Monzul, 40, also refereed the Nations League match between San Marino and Gibraltar last year, the first time an all-female refereeing team had taken charge of a senior men’s international.

Kateryna Monzul gives Dante Carlos Ross a talking to during the 2020 Nations League game between San Marino and Gibralter.

In 2016, she became the first woman to officiate a men’s top division match in Ukraine and has refereed at Women’s World Cups, The Olympics and European Championships.

Watford: Claudio Ranieri appointed new manager of The Hornets on a two-year deal

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Watford is the 21st club that Ranieri has coached in 35-years of management

Watford have named Claudio Ranieri as their new manager after sacking Xisco Munoz on Sunday.

The Italian, 69, returns to the Premier League which he is renowned for winning with Leicester in the 2015-16 season, having departed Serie A side Sampdoria in the summer.

Ranieri’s appointment is the 14th managerial change under Watford’s owners, the Pozzo family, since they assumed control of the Hertfordshire-based side in 2012.

Ranieri has been tasked with improving their league form as they sit 14th after taking seven points from seven games.

Watford’s first match with their new manager at the helm will be at home against unbeaten Liverpool on Saturday, 16 October.

Ranieri has an abundance of experience with Watford being his 21st club in a 35-year managerial career, that began in 1986 at Italian lower league side, Vigor Lamezia. In that time he has won eight trophies, including the 1995-96 Coppa Italia with Fiorentina, 2004-05 Super Cup with Valencia and the 2015-16 Premier League title with Leicester.

He is well known with the English top flight having previously coached Chelsea, Leicester and Fulham.

Ranieri is highly thought of at The King Power Stadium but was sacked with the Foxes just one point above the relegation zone with 13 matches left in the 2016-17 season.

The moment Watford announced Ranieri as their new manager

After leaving Leicester he took a season away from England, with French Ligue 1 side Nantes, before returning to the Premier League in 2018 as he was named manager of a struggling Fulham side. He only lasted 17 matches as the Cottagers sacked him with the club staring relegation in the face.

He now returns to the league in the first managerial change in the English top flight during the 2021/22 campaign .

Munoz’s untimely exit came just 10 months after the Spaniard joined Watford and having guided them to automatic promotion from the Championship in the 2020/21 season.

The former Dinamo Tbilisi manager, left his position after the club’s 1-0 defeat by Leeds on Saturday.

Xisco Munoz: Watford sack head coach after less than 10 months in charge

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Xisco Munoz replaced Vladimir Ivic as head coach at Vicarage Road in December 2020

Premier League newcomers Watford have dismissed head coach Xisco Munoz after less than 10 months in charge, with the Hornets 14th in the league standings.

The Spaniard replaced Vladimir Ivic on 20 December 2020 and guided the Hertfordshire-based side to automatic promotion from the Championship last season.

Watford have picked up seven points in their opening seven league matches, with Munoz’s last game at the helm being a defeat against Leeds at Elland Road on Saturday – which was described as a “1-0 battering” by goalkeeper Ben Foster.

A statement released by the club read: “The Board feels recent performances strongly indicate a negative trend at a time when team cohesion should be visibly improving.

“The Hornets will always be grateful to Xisco for the part he played in securing last season’s promotion and wish him well for his future career in football.

“No further club comment will be available until the imminent announcement of a new Head Coach.”

WATCH: Highlights from Leeds’ win over Watford at Elland Road in the Premier League, which proved to be Xisco Munoz’s final game in charge of the Golden Boys.

Munoz, who becomes the first manager to be relieved of his duties in the Premier League this campaign, started the new season with a 3-2 win against Aston Villa at Vicarage Road.

But, four defeats in six league games have followed, with their only other victory coming at fellow newly-promoted side Norwich.

Watford also departed the Carabao Cup at the third round stage after falling to defeat against Championship club, Stoke City last month.