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Five Potential Candidates to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United Manager

Five Potential Candidates to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United Manager

With growing pressure mounting on current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with results of late being under par, rumours of his dismissal are at an all-time high.

His side currently sits seventh in the Premier League, with four wins from nine.

They have also lost three of their last five, with a 4-2 away loss to Leicester being followed up by a humiliating 0-5 home loss to rivals Liverpool.

With the writing on the wall for Ole, here are five managers who have been named as Solskjaers apparent successors.

Five Potential Candidates to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United Manager

1. Antonio Conte

The former Chelsea boss was one of the first names touted for the United job after Saturday’s defeat to Liverpool.

It has been reported that Conte does not normally take up a role mid-way through the season but he would be tempted if United made strong contact.

If Conte were to get the job, United would be getting a serial winner, winning the league numerous times with Juventus, Chelsea and Inter, but his hot head temperament and short-termism might sway United owners away from his appointment after his public fallouts with the each club’s hierarchy.

His time at Chelsea ended after winning the FA Cup in his second season, and a year prior he dominated the Premier League, winning it at a canter.

Conte is available after leaving Inter Milan in the summer and if the results for Ole worsen, he is the obvious choice.

2. Zinedine Zidane

Along with Conte, Zizou is the only big-name manager currently without a job after Zidane left his role at Real Madrid for a second time after leaving last summer.

His name has always been rumoured for the United role and would be the ideal candidate to take over from Solskjaer. He has a European pedigree, winning the three-peat in his first spell with Madrid along with two league titles.

With former Madrid stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane wearing the famous red shirt, it could be a reunion of sorts. If he were to get the job he would bring a much-needed lift and name value to a club in disarray.

Now rather or not he would be interested in the job is up for debate.

3. Erik ten Hag

The Dutchman has made a name for himself as Ajax manager, currently in his fifth season with the European giants. He made a sleeping giant like Ajax into a well-oiled machine capable of beating anyone on their day.

His highlight as Ajax manager was bringing his side to the semi-finals of the Champions League where a last-minute goal from Lucas Moura saw Tottenham advance.

He is known for his free-flowing football and high attacking philosophy which would compliment how United fans would like their side to play.

If United were keen on his signature they would need to pay Ajax for his services as ten Hag recently extended his contract with Ajax through to the end of the 2022–23 season

4. Mauricio Pochettino

United fans first choice to take over from Jose Mourinho not so long ago, the former Tottenham manager was one of the most sought after managers during his time in the Premier League.

After losing in the Champions League final to Liverpool he was sacked by Spurs a few months later.

Taking over the PSG job in January 2021, he failed to win the Ligue 1 title in his first season and has come under some scrutiny with the squad he has.

His side currently sits top of the Ligue 1 table, 7 points clear after 11 games.

It seems unlikely that United would try to obtain a manager at another club, especially with the hefty buy-out clause they would have to pay the French giants.

5. Roberto Martinez

The current Belgium manager is a longshot for the job, with his position among Belgium FA officials still positive after his side were eliminated from the Quarter-final stage during Euro 2020.

The appointment of the former Wigan and Everton manager would not go down well with the Manchester United faithful, with his ultimate failure with Belgium’s golden generation being a major sticking point for many.

While he did spend a few years in the Premier League, he relegated Wigan and got sacked by Everton. If his handling of the Belgium job is anything to go by, a massive job like Manchester United may be a step too far for the Spaniard

Five Potential Candidates to replace Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United Manager

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

 

Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton elated after full debut

Liverpool youngster Tyler Morton has spoken of his joy at making his full debut for the club against Preston North End in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

Morton played all 90 minutes of the match, the only midfielder to do so, and further impressed after his 45-minute debut against Norwich City in the previous round.

His passing and vision were on display once again as he opened up the chance for Takumi Minamino’s opener.

“It’s very emotional,” Morton told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.

“My whole family are here and people who have supported Liverpool for years like my mates, they were here watching me and it gets emotional.

“Clapping the fans at the end, it’s just a boyhood dream and one I’ve dreamed of since I was born really because I’ve been coming to the games since I was three or four. I can’t really express the feeling.”

Morton made his debut for the senior team against Norwich last month alongside underage teammates Conor Bradley and Kaide Gordon and played alongside Harvey Blair tonight.

The Wirral-born midfielder has made 13 appearances for the Liverpool underage sides this season and has impressed in the UEFA Youth League under Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.

He had previously been on an exceptionally talented underage club side Greenleas JFC before he joined the academy.

Morton relishes the step-up to the senior level: “Yeah because I’m not used to first-team football and I’ve just come into it.

Hopefully, I can get more chances to prove myself. At the start of the game, it’s not like U23s or U18s football [because] you can’t really hear yourself think.

“The fans are loud and it’s a tough test but that’s what I like, a tough test.”

He noted that he is focused on taking his budding career game-by-game rather than dreaming of a Carabao Cup quarter-final appearance.

“I just take every game in my stride really, whatever game it is, and see how it goes. If I am in his plans or if I’m not I am always going to be happy to be part of the club and that’s what I’m like.”

Ronald Koeman Sacked by Barcelona

Ronald Koeman has been sacked as head coach of Barcelona after a mere 14 months in charge of the Spanish giants.

This decision is coming off the back of a 1-0 away defeat to Ray Vallecano on Wednesday. That defeat was Barca’s fifth defeat so far this season and fourth defeat in six games in all competitions.

They currently sit 9th in La Liga, with 15 points from a possible 30 and sit 3rd in their Champions League group.

Koeman’s sacking has been spoken about for months, with defeat to Rayo Vallecano following their 1-2 home defeat to Real Madrid in Sunday’s El Clasico.

After their defeat on Wednesday night, a brief statement was released on the club’s website and social media accounts confirming Koeman’s sacking with President Joan Laporta confirming the news.

The statement read;

”FC Barcelona has relieved Ronald Koeman of his duties as first-team coach. The president of the club, Joan Laporta, informed him of the decision after the defeat against Rayo Vallecano. Ronald Koeman will say goodbye to the squad on Thursday at the Ciutat Esportiva.  

FC Barcelona wishes to thank him for his service to the Club and wishes him all the best in his professional career.”

The pressure had been building on the Dutch manager after the club made their worst-ever start to a Champions League campaign.

Sitting 3rd and three games, winning one but losing to Bayern Munich and Benfica 3-0 in consecutive matches and hold a -5 goal difference.

Their 2-1 home loss to Real Madrid on October 24th was Koeman’s third straight El Clasico defeat, with fans attacking his car after the final whistle.

A search for a new manager is underway with reports circulating out of Spain that former midfielder Xavi will take charge.

For more News and Stories on all things Football, click here.

Paralympian Niamh McCarthy announces retirement

The Paralympic silver medallist and European champion Niamh McCarthy announced her retirement from Paralympic Sport today

Niamh McCarthy has called time on her Paralympic career at the age of 27. The Cork woman was best known as Ireland’s leading discus throwers.

She competed in the F40/41 classification as an athlete with reduced stature.

The discus thrower first broke onto the international scene in 2013 and progressed quickly on the world stage. She secured her first major medal at the World Championships in Doha where she won the Bronze medal.

The Carrigaline native never looked back after that first taste of podium success and replicated it with a World Championship medal in 2017 and again in 2019. McCarthy has also triumphed at the European level as she won silver in 2016 but better was to follow in 2019 when she became European champion for the first time.

Her crowning moment came in 2016 when she competed for Team Ireland at the Rio 2016 Games.

McCarthy certainly saved her best for the biggest stage as she produced a staggering throw of 27:05m to record a new personal best in the event which secured the Cork
woman the silver medal.

She now finishes her career with many medals and records under her belt;  two European golds, one silver; one World silver, two bronze; and one Olympic silver. She also owns the European record for discus throw since August 2018 with a distance of 31.76 meters.

To read more from this writer, click here.

And to read more in-depth and up-to-date Paralympic and Irish sports news, click here.

Davy Fitz has no hard Feelings towards Galway Job

Davy Fitz has no hard Feelings towards Galway Job

Manager Davy Fitzgerald has stated that he has no hard feelings about losing out on the Galway job to Henry Shefflin.

The former Clare and Waterford manager was in talks for the role with Galway county officials during their process to replace Shane O’Neill but opted for the Kilkenny legend.

Fitzgerald admitted to having a phone call with Galway executives saying;

“They rang me for the chat. I talked to them, we had one or two chats, and it just didn’t work out,”.

“They decided to go with Henry, and that’s it. I’m driving on. I’ve a lot of things to look forward to, and that’s it. It’s very simple for me. It was probably made a lot more out of than it needed to be. But all I can do is wish Galway and Henry the very best of luck.

“Henry got the job at the end of the day. He’d won an All-Ireland club with Ballyhale and was an unbelievable player. This is probably a lot different but I think he’ll do really well. I wish him nothing but the best, there’s no animosity here towards Henry from my side without a shadow of a doubt. I only wish him the best.

“I know they might have said ‘would you not wait for Kilkenny’, but Brian Cody is doing a pretty good job I think. He’s won Leinster again, he’s doing pretty well. You can’t just get rid of someone that’s doing OK so why not let Henry go and do something different?”

Fitzgerald fully understands why Shefflin decided on joining Galway rather than waiting for the Kilkenny job;

“Henry is doing this because he loves hurling and he wants to challenge himself to be better,” he said.

“I think Henry is right to go and do this. He has a very talented team that will be there or thereabouts.

“If you see the amount of Clare players that come and shake my hand after games, it’s incredible. The amount of Kilkenny fellas that will have respect for Henry and know what he has done… They don’t expect Henry to sit on his behind and wait for years [until Brian Cody steps down]. Why should he if he can be involved and do something?

“Is it harder when you come across your own county? Of course. I’m a Clare-man, I loved playing for Clare. But you have a job to do for the day and you do it.

“After that, I’m sure Henry will be shouting for Kilkenny, no matter who they’re playing apart from Galway.”

The 2022 Hurling season will be the first year Fitzgerald will not be involved in a Senior inter-county set-up since he joined up with the Clare panel as a player in 1989.

“I think with me, the appetite will always be there if something takes my fancy,” he said.

“Whether I go back into county management or any management, I don’t know. I probably will.

“If the right opportunity comes up, maybe yeah. I’d love to tell you, I’d love to have a crystal ball and tell you exactly what’s going to happen. Will I miss it? I’ve been involved since 1989 at senior level and this is my first year not in it. I don’t know what the next few months are going to bring and how much I’ll miss it. I might, I might not. I don’t know.

“Whatever happens, happens. I’ve had a great time though, I’ve had an unbelievable time.

“But I just want to take this time and enjoy going to games, and not having to worry about what’s coming next week. It’s been a long time since I got to do that.”

For more News and Stories on all things GAA, click here.

Davy Fitz has no hard Feelings towards Galway Job

Shortlists announced for Camogie Players’ Player of the Year 2021

The Camogie Association has announced the shortlist for the GPA Players’ Player of the Year Awards across the three categories

The Players’ Player of the Year Awards honours the outstanding achievement of an individual player. This extends to players in the All-Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Premier Junior Championships.

Speaking about the announcement Camogie Association President Hilda Breslin said:

“Congratulations to the Players’ Player of the Year Nominees, it is a wonderful honour to be nominated and recognised by your peers for your outstanding contribution in 2021.

“The Camogie Association are delighted to continue our collaboration with the GPA this year on these awards and we look forward to celebrating all the players achievements.”

This year’s nominees are as follows:

Senior Players’ Player of the Year Shortlist:

Aoife Donohue (Galway), Niamh Kilkenny (Galway), Hannah Looney (Cork)

Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year Shortlist:

Sarah Crowley (Kilkenny), Maeve Kelly (Antrim), Roisin McCormick (Antrim)

Premier Junior Players’ Player of the Year Shortlist:

Aideen Brennan (Wexford), Chloe Cashe (Wexford), Ciara Donnelly (Armagh)

 

Players who are members of an intercounty panel and participated in this year’s Championship can vote based on the shortlists.

The Camogie Association will announce the overall winners on the night of the Camogie All-Stars Awards on November 26th.

Speaking in advance of the awards GPA CEO Tom Parsons said:

“The GPA are delighted to collaborate with the Camogie Association once again to acknowledge individual excellence from the 2021 Camogie Championship.

“I want to salute the efforts of every one of the players nominated for an All-Star Award and thank them for their commitment and for the entertainment provided for us all. To be recognised for your individual performances within a team environment is undoubtedly an honour for all involved, so I want to extend my congratulations and best wishes to all of the Player of the Year nominees.”

To read more in-depth and up-to-date intercounty and club camogie news, click here.

Man City v Crystal Palace – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Man City v Crystal Palace – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Man City and Crystal Palace will go head-to-head on the Gameweek 10 of the 2021/2022 Premier League season.

This game will be an interesting game for both teams. The last time these two sides met was last May where City came out 0-2 victors at St James’s Park. With City picking up 6 points from 6 against Palace Newcastle in the 2020/2021 season.

Man City Retrospective

City are steadily improving with each game, the champions sit 3rd, behind leaders Chelsea and Liverpool, two points of the top after 9 games. Like Chelsea, they have only lost one game all season and boast an impressive defensive record, conceding 4 goals.

In their last game, their hammered Brighton away from home 1-4 with goals from Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and two from Phil Foden.

Crystal Palace Retrospective

Palace currently sits 16th, with 1 win, 2 losses and 6 draws. 9 points from a possible 27 were to be expected after a change of manager, especially from a manager like Patrick Vieira.

They could count themselves as unlucky in a handful of the games they eventually drew, throwing away leads has been their Achilles heel thus far this season.

Date, kick-off time and venue

This game between Man City and Crystal Palace will kick off at 3 pm BST (British Summer Time) on Saturday, 30 October 2021, at The Etihad Stadium.

Where to watch Man City v Crystal Palace

The game will not be televised live on any UK platforms.

Man City v Crystal Palace team news

For Palace, Nathan Ferguson is out with a shin injury with no return day. While Eberechi Eze is suffering from lower leg problems and will be ruled out long-term.

Raheem Sterling is out with a lower back injury, while Ferran Torres will not be in action until November with an ankle injury.

Man City v Crystal Palace prediction

Man City will be coming into this game buoyed with confidence after their demolition job of in-form Brighton away from home, picking up all three points with a 1-4 win.

Palace will be more than up for this game after squabbling away a crucial 3 points in their last game against Arsenal and letting Newcastle gain a point at Selhurst Park last week.

If Patrick Vieria’s side does get something away at Man City, it would be a great achievement.

However, I can only see a comfortable Manchester City win here.

Prediction: 3-0 Man City

Predicted Line-Up

Crystal Palace Predicted XI – (4-3-3)

V. Guaita, J. Ward, J. Andresen, M. Guehi, T. Mitchell, C. Kouyaté, J. McArthur, J. Ayew, O. Edward, Conor Gallagher, C. Benteke.

Man City Predicted XI – (4-3-3)

Ederson, J. Cancelo, R. Dias. A. Laporte. K. Walker, I. Gundogan, Rodri, K. De Bruyne, J. Grealish, P. Foden, B. Silva

Man City v Crystal Palace – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Betting Odds

Manchester City To Win: 1/7

Draw: 7/1

Crystal Palace To Win: 16/1

For more news and stories on all things, Premier League click here.

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United will go head-to-head on the Gameweek 10 of the 2021/2022 Premier League season.

This game will be an interesting game for both teams. The last time these two sides met was last April where Ole Gunnar Solskjaers came out 1-3 victors away from home. This is a far cry from their first encounter when United got thrashed 6-1 at Old Trafford in October.

Tottenham Hotspurs Retrospective

Tottenham currently sits 6th in the Premier League, winning 5 and losing 4 of their 9 games so far this season., although they have lost 3 out of their last 5 and are in desperate need of a win here.

Manchester United Retrospective

After high promise at the start of the season, United have hit a massive decline in form as of late. In the last outing, they lost 0-5 at home against Liverpool, fortunate to not have lost by more with the number of chances they gave Salah and company.

After their first nine games, they sit seventh in the table, having only won 4, drawing 2 and losing 3, picking up 14 points out of a possible 27.

Date, kick-off time and venue

This game between Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United will kick off at 5:30 pm BST (British Summer Time) on Saturday, October 30th, 2021, at The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Where to watch Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United

The game will be live on Sky Sports Premier League and subsequent channel Sky Sports Main Event with coverage starting at 5:00 pm.

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United team news

Spurs will be without Ryan Sessegnon with no specific date set for his return.

Paul Pogba will miss the game through suspension after being sent off for a nasty tackle on Liverpool’s Naby Keita.

Anthony Martial could play some part after picking up a knock. While Raphael Varane has a 50% chance of returning after a serious groin injury.

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United Prediction

This is a close one to call, with both sides and especially their managers in dire need of a much-needed 3 points here to avoid any more mounting pressure on their positions.

With more pressure on Ole to pick up a win to ease the pressure, some of the players at his disposal look like they don’t want to play for him.

While Nuno Espirito Santos side has looked woeful so far under his management, with striker Harry Kane looking disinterested, scoring one league goal this campaign against relegation stricken Newcastle.

I can see it going either way but I am going for a Spurs win here.

Prediction: Tottenham 2-0

Predicted Line-Up

Tottenham Hotspurs Predicted XI – (4-2-3-1)

H. Lloris, Regulión, E. Dier, D. Sánchez, Emerson, G. Lo Celso, P. Hojberg, H. Son, T. Ndombele, Lucas, H. Kane

Manchester United Predicted XI – (4-2-3-1)

D, Gea, L. Shaw, H. Maguire, V, Lindelof, A. Wan-Bissaka, D. Van De Beek, Fred, P. Pogba, B. Fernandes, M. Rashford, C. Ronaldo

Tottenham Hotspurs v Manchester United – Preview, Lineups, Betting, TV Coverage

Betting Odds

Tottenham Hotspurs To Win: 15/8

Draw: 5/2

Manchester United To Win: 13/10

For more news and stories on all things, Premier League click here.

Ex-Munster’s James Coughlan takes charge of Toulon

The former Munster back-row James Coughlan will take temporary charge of French club Toulon after head coach Patrice Collazo parted with the club

James Coughlan, who only joined the French team as defense coach last summer, will now have to prepare Toulon for the weekend. They have a crucial Top 14 clash against fellow strugglers Biarritz this Saturday afternoon.

Toulon has spent a lot of money to ensure success this summer. They recently signed World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe but still have endured a wretched start to the season, with five defeats from eight games, which ultimately cost the former boss, Collazo, his job.

Coughlan played 137 games for Munster before finishing his career in Pau. The former forward has since been working his way through the ranks of French club rugby.

The 40-year-old began his coaching career with the Pau Academy before he joined Aix as forward’s coach. That job subsequently led to a move to Brive, before Toulon secured his services last summer.

Coughlan is not the only Irishman to be a part of the Toulon squad. Former Connacht and Ireland lock Quinn Roux is part of the team. He will be hoping to help the side now languishing second from the bottom of the Top 14 table.

Ex-Clermont boss Franck Azema is expected to be appointed as Toulon’s new head coach at a press conference on Friday.

Toulon’s next match will be at home to Biarritz at 14:00 on Saturday, 30th October.

To read more in-depth and up-to-date Irish provincial and international club rugby news, click here.

Preston v Liverpool – Preview, Team News, Odds, Where To Watch

Preston North End will welcome Liverpool to Deepdale for the first time in 12 years on Wednesday evening when the two teams meet in the fourth round of this season’s Carabao Cup.

Liverpool are expected to play a rotated squad in the fixture, as they had done in January 2009 under Rafa Benitez.

Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are currently one point off the top of the English football pyramid while Preston sit 19th in the EFL Championship.

Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Ljinders has revealed that Caoimhin Kelleher is likely to miss the side’s upcoming game.

The Irish goalkeeper had trained with the squad after missing the 5-0 win over Manchester United due to illness but it appears that he has suffered a setback.

Kelleher has made two appearances for the Reds so far this season, including playing the full 90 minutes against Norwich in the third round of the league cup.

James Milner is ruled out until the November international break after sustaining a hamstring issue at Old Trafford last weekend, while Naby Keita is recovering from the injury that forced him off in the same game.

Fabinho (knee) is targeting a return for the next match, at home to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, and Thiago Alcantara (calf) is not yet ready to come back.

Kaide Gordon may not be in contention this time as the Academy forward only returned to team training on Monday.

Sepp van den Berg, who is enjoying his second spell on loan at Preston, will be allowed to play against his parent club after the Reds granted permission for the defender to feature.

However, they are set to be without Josh Murphy, Izzy Brown, Ched Evans and Connor Wickham.

They are, however, boosted by the return of Matthew Olosunde and Ali McCann following a spell on the sidelines.

Team News

Preston North End (5-2-3): Rudd; Rafferty, Van Den Berg, Lindsay, Hughes, Cunningham; Ledson, McCann; Potts, Maguire, Barkuizen.

Subs: Iversen, Bauer, Huntington, Storey, Earl, Whiteman, Johnson, Sinclair, Riis.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Adrián; Williams, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas; Morton, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Blair, Minamino, Origi.

Subs: Hughes, Pitaluga, Konate, Firmino, Jota, Dixon-Bonnar, Phillips, Beck, Bradley.

Odds

Preston North End 7/1

Draw 4/1

Liverpool 1/3

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 7:45 pm and will be available to watch live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League – coverage starts at 7 pm.

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