Real Madrid have finally announced what everyone suspected – Rafa is a goner. The Spanish superclub confirmed on Monday evening that Rafael Benitez had been relieved of his first-team duties. He had only been in post for seven months. Benitez has been replaced by the legendary Zinedine Zidane, who is promoted from his role as coach […]

11 years ago

Poor Rafa. Even his dismissal as Real Madrid manager lacks dignity. With the football world waiting with bated breath on Monday, all eyes were on the Bernabeu as many expected Rafa Benitez to be relieved of his duties. But if the former Liverpool manager was hoping for a quick and painless execution, he was sorely […]

11 years ago

No one wants to catch Van Gaal-itis. That tends to happen when things aren’t going well. Guilt spreads by association and no one wants to be tarred with the same brush as a coach in peril. The thing about success having many fathers and failure being a bastard is always true in football. It is […]

11 years ago

You can say what you like about Gary Neville, but he certainly doesn’t mince his words. Just a month into his first management role at Valencia, the former Sky Sports pundit has admitted to his former employees that he doesn’t see his long-term future in management. He has already ruled himself out of taking charge of […]

11 years ago

Slow news day? Maybe. But Tom Daley has cooked up a Twitter storm over his use of frying utensil. England’s most celebrated diver (after Ashley Young) probably had no idea of the mass debate he was about to ignite with his innocent brekkie Instagram snap. But his full English turned into a full-on furore as folk […]

11 years ago

All this talk of floods and famine – but why can’t someone think of multi-millionaire footballer Cristiano Ronaldo? There is no doubting that being a footballer is not all fun and games. There’s the incessant and intrusive scrutiny of your personal life for starters. And it can’t be fun having a tens of thousands in […]

11 years ago

One of the Netherlands greatest ever players is concerned about compatriot Memphis Depay throwing his talent away. Ruud Gullit stresses that he has not given up on a player who was seen as one of Europe’s hottest prospects last season at PSV Eindhoven, but worries that he’s in danger of losing sight of what’s most […]

11 years ago

Prior to the weekend, he had scored two winners in the last two games, but a lot of his own fans are thoroughly sick of him. Despite netting seven times in his fledgling Anfield career, in a side very much in transition, Christian Benteke is leaving many Liverpool supporters utterly dismayed by his languid performances. His standing […]

11 years ago

He didn’t, did he? I mean, it’s Neymar so…but how?! Any other player and we’d assume this was pure serendipity. A joyous moment of blessed fortune. But with Neymar, being the player he is and enjoying the season he has, there’s every chance it was intended. And if so, f*ck! It was ridiculous both in […]

11 years ago

It was one of the most memorable moments of the footballing year – both the news and the reaction. Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry were on punditry duty on the day Brendan Rodgers was sacked as the manager of Liverpool in the first week of October. Their reaction at the shock news was of course […]

11 years ago

Where will he end up? The man most synonymous with the almost mythical figure of ‘The Stig’ says he would happily rejoin BBC’s Top Gear – or else be willing to defect to Jeremy Clarkson’s new show. Ben Collins was revealed to be the Stig in 2010, during a court battle over his autobiography, titled The […]

11 years ago

The flood damage that Britons continue to suffer is heartbreaking. Homes and valuables have been water-damaged, and some local businesses may never recover from the loss of income, stock and equipment. Absolute devastation in Hebden Bridge this morning & it's still rising. pic.twitter.com/E7aLpWkChc — Steve Dyson (@StevenJDyson) December 26, 2015 Whilst everyone tries to chip […]

11 years ago

Of all the examples to use… As the world awaits his post-Top Gear venture with old allies/foes James May and Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson is showing no signs of nerves – in fact he is incredibly relaxed about it all. You’d think after the way he lost his job at the BBC, and the controversy around his alleged use […]

11 years ago

Sorry, a bit of sick just came up. When Jeremy Clarkson sits down with Jeremy Paxman, you don’t expect the conversation to turn to who they do or don’t fancy. Or perhaps you do. Either way, they did. The Jeremys enjoyed a nice Italian meal together whilst having a chat for the FT, and one […]

11 years ago

Is this just desserts or small time behaviour? Fans of a certain age will recall Liverpool’s glory days of the 70s and 80s. Back then, Man United were experiencing a drought of success, only satiated by the occasional cup win. Whilst their Scouse neighbours were winning titles at home and abroad, domestic supremacy eluded the Red Devils. […]

11 years ago

He may have nodded home West Ham’s winning goal against Southampton, but Andy Carroll’s head was big news for other reasons. The big Geordie centre-forward was sporting a novel new platted look during the game, and it was certainly a daring do… Andy Carroll has now scored 50% of his 36 Premier League goals with his […]

11 years ago

Saving face, rather than a point, looked to be the aim. Manchester United were at home and had an unimpressive Chelsea under the cosh. There were still 20 minutes of the game to play. The Red Devils’ subsequent substitutions said it all. Louis van Gaal brought on Memphis Depay for a tiring Juan Mata, and two defenders. His usual go-to […]

11 years ago

No resignation. Louis van Gaal was bullish after his side’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea, and stressed that he would not be falling on his own sword. When asked on BT Sport about his mention of the R word in his post-match comments over the weekend, the Man United manager refuted the suggestion. He pointed to the […]

11 years ago

Look at the conviction in the eyes. You can tell by his steely gaze that he really means it. This chappy is so ruddy sick of Louis van Gaal and his shenanigans that he took angrily to a piece of cloth and felt-tipped the sh*t out of it. Hark at the two-tone splendour of his […]

11 years ago

Louis van Gaal has around 90 minutes to salvage his Old Trafford career and this is the team he has chosen to save his skin. Memphis Depay makes way for captain Wayne Rooney stars, whilst Morgan Schneiderlin comes in for Marouane Fellaini… #mufc XI: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Young, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Herrera, Martial, Rooney. […]

11 years ago

This is the last thing they need. Whenever there is tragedy or misfortune, you can always rely on Sky News’ Kay Burley to be there interrogating people who are rather preoccupied with more important issues. And just as predictable is the sheer annoyance she inspires in viewers who find her behaviour and general demeanour rude, […]

11 years ago

Out-f*cking-standing. Piers Morgan using every possible opportunity have a go at Arsene Wenger is tedious in the extreme. Any time the Gunners experience any form of setback, you can bet your bottom dollar that Morgan will be the first to aim a jibe at the legendary manager. After they slumped to a 4-0 defeat at […]

11 years ago

Oh dear. Both Sir Bobby Charlton and the dearly missed Sir Bobby Robson are giants in the history of English game. But most football supporters can tell them apart. Sadly one Man United fan had a bit more difficulty, and went as far as accusing Sir Bobby Robson (rather than Charlton) of being conspicuously silent about […]

11 years ago

Arsenal fans? Wanting someone to blame after a defeat? Never! We know it sounds hard to believe but there’s some Gooners out there who are taking defeat to Southampton very badly indeed. In fact they want yet another Premier League official banned from taking charge of their games. You may recall earlier in the season […]

11 years ago

Now then, is something afoot at Man United? Sky Sports report that training at the club’s Carrington training complex ahead of Monday’s game with Chelsea was taken by assistant coach Ryan Giggs, and that Louis van Gaal was conspicuous by his absence. It is an extremely rare occurrence as Van Gaal insists on taking each […]

11 years ago

Much ado about nothing? Anyone associated with Louis van Gaal or the management at Man United know that anything they say, tweet or Instagram at the moment is going to be scrutinised. Everyone is desperate for clues as to the immediate future of the club’s current manager, and so everything is dissected and analysed for any sort […]

11 years ago

He is so often characterised as arrogant and nasty, but it’s rarely so black and white. It is certainly true that Jose Mourinho can be ruthless and something of a bully, but he also evokes love and adulation from so many fans, players and peers across the world. Speaking to Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara […]

11 years ago

Is he having a laugh? We all know about Steve McManaman’s Anfield allegiances, but as with the likes of Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, you expect a bit of neutrality to his punditry. His most recent comments about Louis van Gaal’s immediate future suggest he is either somewhat biased about Man United’s current woes, or he […]

11 years ago

We already know that Louis van Gaal is openly talking about resignation for the first time, now we hear that his replacement could be sorted. Following Man United’s 2-0 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, the assumption is that the Dutchman will either jump or be pushed in coming days. Jose Mourinho has of course […]

11 years ago

End game. Many Man United fans remain steadfastly fond of Louis van Gaal the man, but they have all but given up on Van Gaal the manager. Sometimes the stars align in a bad way, and it is such at Old Trafford. That Saturday’s damning 2-0 defeat was at Stoke City was apt. For so long the […]

11 years ago

Sh*tting hell. We don’t know what he did to the poor bloke asking the questions, but he scared the bejesus out of us. As per the TV rules, Louis van Gaal was made to face the cameras following his side’s abject 2-0 defeat to Stoke City. The Sky reporter charged with the job of negotiating the […]

11 years ago

Stoke fans certainly know how to wind the opposition up. They’ve been at Arsene Wenger’s neck for years, and always make the Britannia Stadium a fearsome cauldron to visit. With Louis van Gaal teetering on the Man United precipice, they weren’t about to let the moment pass without banging the final few nails in his coffin. […]

11 years ago

It’s over. He’s gone. At least that’s what Twitter would have you believe. Louis van Gaal went into the Stoke City game knowing his Man United future was perilous. Within half an hour, Stoke were leading 2-0. Strikes from Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic put the home side firmly in control of the game, and the […]

11 years ago

It’s opposite day. For most fans, the hope that their own team actually loses a game of football is an alien concept. It simply does not compute. But it’s not really an impossible scenario. For instance, there have been numerous cases in the final few games of a season when a team essentially has nothing to play for […]

11 years ago

What a call to make. Louis van Gaal is acutely aware that the Premier League away game to Stoke may well be his last as a Man United manager if his team were lose again, but he has gone balls out with his decision to drop club captain Wayne Rooney. Some may suggest that Rooney […]

11 years ago

Brilliant. Let this be a lesson to all of us – never think you can mock your mam on Twitter, because mothers see all – even on the internet. Joseph Murray, like many of us, is clearly used to getting uninspired gifts from his relatives. It’s easy when you’re a kid, you ask for a toy […]

11 years ago

God we love Boxing Day. Of course there’s the slight feeling of anti-climax now that Christmas Day has come and gone, but there’s nothing like a rare FULL set of Premier League fixtures on the same matchday to get you up and raring to go. Even rarer for the Premier League is THREE televised games […]

11 years ago

Poor Ashley Young. The Manchester United winger-come-wingback decided to take to Twitter on Christmas Day to wish everyone a very merry festive day. Surely he’d be greeted with similar salutations of the season? Wrong. Merry Christmas to you all, have a great day 🎄 #dontwatchtheshirt 😂 pic.twitter.com/TwzuL0Qkwo — Ashley Young (@youngy18) December 25, 2015 In fairness, […]

11 years ago

Tis the season of good will to all men. And Instagrams to all good followers. Some footballers were out training on Christmas morning, whilst others were enjoying domestic breaks from action. But they nearly all got to spend at least some time with their nearest and dearest on the Jesus’ 2,015th birthday. As is now […]

11 years ago

It’s one of the great traditions of Christmas Day. Inevitably everyone has far too much to eat. Obviously everyone has a little too much to drink. When you add a stressful morning and a toasty warm house, it can only mean one thing – a Crimbo nap. Except beware, because there’s always sneaky relatives about […]

11 years ago

This 30 seconds of video will remind you exactly what’s important this Christmas. Anthony Morse from Lamar, Colorado in the US tweeted it out on Christmas Day and it has quite understandably gone viral. It shows Anthony’s father opening his present from the whole family, and rather than the customary pair of socks or wallet that […]

11 years ago

Is this the most predictable set of events of Christmas 2015? For many, the most blingiest, fanciest and exciting gift they could hope to give or receive was what is commonly referred to as a ‘hoverboard’. Of course they aren’t the Marty McFly variety, but they’re incredibly popular. The whole year has been littered with […]

11 years ago

Fancy watching Iron Man 3 on Netflix tonight? Well you can’t. Because it just got deleted from their service. That’s right, if you don’t keep a track of your favourite shows, you may just realise they’ve been erased without you realising. There’s going to be a mass cull of films and telly shows from the […]

11 years ago

This is brilliant. When Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Choir decided to record their charity single, A Bridge Over You, they had no idea quite how big it would become. Their main intention was to raise as much money as possible for health charities including Carers UK and Mind – and to highlight their healthcare colleagues’ sterling work. But at lunchtime on […]

11 years ago

Memphis Depay doesn’t get it – why does what he chooses to wear attract so much ridicule? This week he defended his rather unique style to Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, stressing that his attire is just an extension to his personality, and undeserving of mockery. “Why should I change? Some people collect postage stamps; I like fashion […]

11 years ago

This is why football clubs should never attempt banter. Ever. On Christmas Day of all days, Manchester United’s official Twitter account tried to board the banterbus, destination Lolsville, but instead they were quite rightly lambasted for their shocking efforts. A Twitter user, quite fittingly called @KillingJoke, asked the club account the random question ‘Batman or Superman?’ – what […]

11 years ago

Whoa! He didn’t…did he? Some of you may remember the infamous moment before Real Madrid’s game with Apoel Tel Aviv in 2011, when legendary keeper Iker Casillas picked his nose and shamelessly wiped the subsequent bogey onto a young mascot’s cheek… Well it seems that we may have a #snotgate of our own, as footage has emerged […]

11 years ago

Oh isn’t he just the zaniest guy! Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel is better known for eyeballing opposition strikers and going in hard with his challenges, rather than his madcap sense of humour, but this Christmas he’s shared another side of his personality. Yes – despite the shaven, tattoos and expression like a clenched fist, Martin is […]

11 years ago

Those crazy Dutch, they just love being controversial. Renowned former hardman (he probably still is) Edger Davids could have expressed his festive salutations in a plethora of ways, but instead felt his compatriot and former boss Louis van Gaal said it best. The Man United manager did not mince his words when he faced the media […]

11 years ago

‘Tis the season to be jolly – and show the fans you care. Each Premier League club has their own way of expressing the good will of the season. We decided to run the rule over how they’ve communicated their Christmas cheer this year… Leicester City Snow, uncomfortable looking players, textbook stuff. 8/10. Merry Christmas to all #lcfc […]

11 years ago