Exclusive: Powerleague chief on price rises and making the ‘tinder of grassroots football’ November 18, 2022 On the eve of the World Cup, grassroots football is the focus for Powerleague boss Christian Rose, who has dragged it out of red and through pandemic with a metaphorical Cruyff Turn. The CEO has been in post for four years after being brought in during 2018 when the company was “not in great shape.” [...]
Ed Warner: If Liverpool’s owners want to sell, expect more American buyers November 17, 2022 Ed Warner addresses why American investors are the most likely purchases of any Liverpool shares on the market, why England’s Rugby World Cup defeat was good for the women’s game, and cricket song choices with a sense of humour. Forty-three days without the Premier League. Three days in and already I’m suffering withdrawal symptoms. Yes, [...]
Exclusive: Tougher Brexit transfer rules not helping English players in Premier League November 8, 2022 Brexit has drastically shrunk the pool of footballers available to English clubs without having any clear benefit to the prospects of homegrown talent in the Premier League. The findings are revealed in a major new study by football consultancy Analytics FC and law firm Fragomen shared with City A.M. and due to be published this [...]
Liverpool FC up for sale: Fenway Sports Group hire bankers amid boom in valuations November 7, 2022 Liverpool FC’s owner, Fenway Sports Group, has hired bankers with a view to selling the Premier League football club. FSG has retained Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley and produced a sales presentation for potential suitors. The American group, which also owns baseball’s Boston Red Sox, confirmed it was open to offers for a shareholding in [...]
Ad build-up to Qatar World Cup is ‘oh so quiet’ October 26, 2022 The World Cup is a little over three weeks away but it’s oh so quiet. At least when Björk sung those words, the accompanying music video by Spike Jonze showed people spontaneously spilling into the street in a Busby Berkeley-style choreographed celebration. But it’s increasingly hard to shake the feeling that there isn’t quite that [...]
Premier League: Newcastle in top four, Arsenal draw and Villa impress October 23, 2022 Was it the day Tottenham saw their, admittedly unlikely, title challenge come to an end or was it the day Newcastle United knocked on the door of the Big Six’s office and asked for a seat around the undoubtedly extravagant table? A 2-1 win for the Toon in north London moved United into the top [...]
From Liverpool’s Under-18s coach via Rangers to Aston Villa: What is next for Steven Gerrard? October 21, 2022 Steven Gerrard’s sacking at Aston Villa leaves the former England and Liverpool midfielder having to consider what comes next. After all, the football star is just 42 years old. Considering the route Gerrard has taken – from Liverpool’s Under-18s coach, via Rangers to Aston Villa – it is evident he is no drop-in celebrity manager. [...]
Blues cruise: How Potter’s serene start could prove pivotal for Chelsea October 21, 2022 It has been six weeks since two 47-year-olds took on the biggest jobs of their careers and it’s fair to say that it has gone better for Graham Potter than Liz Truss. While Truss was forced out of Downing Street after 44 catastrophic days as Prime Minster, new Chelsea manager Potter has enjoyed a serene [...]
Once, twice, goald: Maradona ‘Hand of God’ ball to go under hammer October 13, 2022 The ball which became the infamous victim of Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ fist in the 1986 World Cup is set to go under the hammer next month. The ball, used for the entirety of the match between Argentina and England in Mexico, is being sold by the man who refereed the match – Ali [...]
Ralph Hasenhuttl on thin ice as Southampton head to free-scoring Manchester City October 6, 2022 The irony will probably not be lost on Ralph Hasenhuttl if his last match in charge of Southampton proves to be Saturday’s trip to Manchester City. The Premier League champions are the team that Saints’ new regime has looked to more than any other in recent months as it has sought to shake up the [...]