Have Manchester United reached peak noodle partner? Why the club’s status as football’s commercial kings may be under threat February 11, 2017 Manchester United’s commercial power could be plateauing. Figures revealed this week in the club’s second quarter report suggest United, who have been more effective at selling their brand to sponsors than any other football club in the world in recent years, may have finally reached peak noodle partner. United’s commercial income came in virtually unchanged compared [...]
Football Association warned by MPs it is in “Fergie Time” over calls for reform February 9, 2017 Football Association chiefs have been warned they are running out of time to reform voluntarily after MPs approved a motion of no confidence in the body’s ability to modernise on Thursday. The FA could lose at least £30m of Sport England funding unless it introduces reforms including greater diversity among board members, more transparency and [...]
We can still catch Chelsea in Premier League title race, says Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino February 9, 2017 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists his team can still make up a nine-point deficit and snatch the Premier League title from the clutches of Chelsea. Second-placed Spurs head a pack of five teams left trailing by the Blues but Pochettino believes that, with more than a third of the season remaining, Antonio Conte’s men can [...]
Manchester United plan to wind down transfer activity as Jose Mourinho is content with his squad, says Ed Woodward February 9, 2017 Manchester United plan to curb their activity in future transfer windows after executive vice chairman Ed Woodward said manager Jose Mourinho was content with his current squad. The Premier League giants have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann as part of another big spending summer to mirror last year’s capture of [...]
West Ham striker Andy Carroll could face West Brom despite missing training all week, says Slaven Bilic February 9, 2017 West Ham manager Slaven Bilic admits he has had to take extraordinary measures to keep injury-plagued striker Andy Carroll in contention to continue his scoring streak. Bilic has kept Carroll out of training every day this week due to a groin problem but still hopes to pick him for Saturday’s Premier League visit of in-form [...]
Arsenal fans can lift team in “sensitive” moment after back-to-back defeats, says Arsene Wenger February 9, 2017 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has called for the club’s supporters to rally round the team as they look to bounce back from damaging consecutive Premier League defeats. The Gunners host relegation-threatened yet resurgent Hull on Saturday lunchtime, eager to reverse their momentum following two losses in the space of five days to Chelsea and Watford. [...]
Manchester United finances: Plunge in value of pound post-Brexit sees club’s debt hit record levels February 9, 2017 Manchester United blamed the post-Brexit weak pound for a large increase in the club's debt, revealed in the club's second quarter accounts. The richest club in the world's net debt increased by £87.2m last year – just shy of the £89m the club paid for midfielder Paul Pogba in the summer – to £409.3m by [...]
Leicester City 3, Derby County 1: Relief for Claudio Ranieri as Foxes ease pressure on under-fire boss with FA Cup victory February 9, 2017 Under-fire Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists the gloom engulfing the club has started to lift after his side navigated their potentially treacherous FA Cup fourth round replay with Championship side Derby. Extra-time was needed after Derby’s Abdoul Camara cancelled out Andy King’s opener, but substitute Wilfred Ndidi, with his first goal for the Foxes, and [...]
Bill Gates ignored opportunity to buy Liverpool ahead of 2010 FSG takeover February 8, 2017 World's richest man, tech pioneer, philanthropist…football club owner? Bill Gates, the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world's wealthiest people, passed up on the opportunity to add the latter title to his resume after being offered Liverpool Football Club in 2010. Intermediaries trying to find a buyer for the Premier League club from [...]
Leicester owe me for Premier League title, insists Claudio Ranieri after Foxes hand Italian vote of confidence February 7, 2017 Under-fire Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists he is owed the chance to stay at the club even if a turbulent season ends in relegation after being handed a vote of confidence. The Foxes are in danger of becoming the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938. They have won only two of their last [...]