Antonio Conte’s tactical tinkering at Chelsea is a reminder of a good manager’s worth October 25, 2016 Chelsea’s Antonio Conte has done coaches everywhere a huge service in a fortnight that has not only revealed his influence but also reminded us that the job is not just about man-management. After a decent start to his tenure, Conte lost his way with back-to-back Premier League defeats to Liverpool and then Arsenal, the latter [...]
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte refuses to curb touchline passion despite Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s tantrum October 25, 2016 Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists he will not curb his touchline passion despite incurring the wrath of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho during his side’s 4-0 thrashing of the 20-time top-flight champions on Sunday. Mourinho took exception to Conte gesticulating towards the Stamford Bridge crowd in order for them to show appreciation for a slick [...]
Mino Raiola: Juventus reveal staggering sum pocketed by Paul Pogba agent as part of Manchester United transfer October 25, 2016 Paul Pogba agent Mino Raiola made an incredible €27m (£24m) from the French midfielder's transfer to Manchester United, Juventus have revealed. The staggering commission negotiated by the super-agent who also counts United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan amongst his clients, was revealed by Juventus chief executive Beppe Marotta at the club's AGM on Tuesday. Marotta said that the Italian champions would take [...]
Saracens winger Chris Ashton agrees Toulon transfer that will rule him out of England selection October 25, 2016 Saracens winger Chris Ashton looks to have called time on his England career after agreeing to join Toulon next season. The 29-year-old international will join the French heavyweights following five successful seasons with Saracens, a move that will likely rule him out of future consideration for the Red Rose. Ashton, who has scored 19 tries in 44 [...]
Watford under investigation by Football League over fabricated HSBC letter and could face fine or points deduction October 25, 2016 The English Football League (EFL) are investigating Watford for allegedly supplying forged financial information to the governing body. EFL officials were contacted by the Daily Telegraph who claim to have a fabricated bank letter from HSBC that was sent to the EFL as proof that Gino Pozzo had enough funds to become the club's principal owner when [...]
Howard Webb: Technology undoubtedly helps referees, but video replays won’t be a panacea for football October 25, 2016 A whistle, a red and yellow card and the strength of your personality – those were the tools of the trade when I began a 25-year refereeing career in 1989. In the late 90s we were given these chunky radios that sat in the middle of our backs with a big earpiece looped over your [...]
IAAF opt against investigation into allegations of Qatari bribes October 25, 2016 Allegations of corruption during the bidding process to stage the 2017 World Athletics Championships will not be investigated further, governing body the IAAF has confirmed. UK Athletics chairman Ed Warner said in January that a “senior person within the IAAF”, later confirmed as current president Lord Coe, had advised him that Qatar officials had offered [...]
Mauricio Pochettino turns up heat on Jurgen Klopp by insisting odds are stacked in favour of Liverpool progressing in EFL Cup October 24, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has piled the pressure onto his opposite number Jurgen Klopp by insisting the odds of progressing from Tuesday's EFL Cup fourth round tie are firmly stacked in favour of eight-time tournament winners Liverpool. Pochettino already appears to be feeling the strain of combining a Premier League title charge with Champions League [...]
A week in rugby: Anthony Foley super-charges Munster, Danny Cipriani suffers from lack of kicking duties, and Leicester Tigers rediscover their bite October 24, 2016 Thomond Tribute Glasgow had no chance of winning against Munster on Saturday; the men in red could never have allowed it. The electricity of Thomond Park flowed with a current even more vigorous than has come to be expected from one of the sport's most iconic venues in Munster’s 38-17 win, a week after the [...]
Portugal Masters win shows why Ryder Cup captaincy can wait for Padraig Harrington October 24, 2016 It’s never a bad year when you’ve managed to win a tournament. There are plenty of years when you don’t win and you start to wonder if you will do again, and if you go more than a year then it can really start to play on your mind. Padraig Harrington may be a prolific [...]