Leciester City have confirmed that they have parted company with Sven Goran Eriksson, with the Scandinavian leaving by mutual consent.
The former England head coach was appointed as The Foxes’ manager back in October 2010, and was given funding to sign a raft of new players over the summer.
With the King Power Stadium outfit’s ambitions of reaching the Premier League this term, the current position of 13th was deemed unsatisfactory and they will now look for a new man to lead the team going forward.
City have only won five of their 13 games so far this campaign, and are eight points behind division leaders Southampton; A 3-0 home defeat to Millwall last weekend was the final nail in the Swede’s coffin.
“Leicester City football club has confirmed today that, by mutual agreement, Sven Goran Eriksson has ceased to be the first-team manager, with immediate effect,” a statement on the club’s official website read.
“The process of recruiting a new permanent manager will begin in the coming days. There will be no further comments from the club or any comment on the recruitment process until an appointment is made,” it concluded.
Frontrunners for the position are former Leicester boss Martin O’Neill, Mark Hughes and Alan Shearer.
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Cast your mind back a little less than two years, when Roberto Mancini was unveiled as the new Manchester City manager in December 2009. With the remit of guiding City first into the Champions League, then towards the league title, Mancini had a tough job ahead with the team sat in 6th place. Nevertheless, with the players and funds available to Mancini the goals were certainly achievable.
The appointment seemed shrewd, with the Italian having clear pedigree following his successes at Inter Milan and Lazio. However, with expectations high, City would go on to miss out on the final Champions League spot to Spurs in the 2009/10 season.
A rethink was in order, and Mancini strengthened his squad with the summer signings of David Silva, Yaya Toure, James Milner, Mario Balotelli and Aleksandar Kolarov. While Edin Dzeko would go on to join the club in the January transfer window.
12 games into the season City sat 4th, and following a dour 0-0 draw with rivals Manchester United criticism of Mancini mounted. For a side that had went on such a lavish spending spree, as a team City seemed to distinctly lack in terms of attacking ambition. Although it seems hard to contemplate now, there were even some who argued Mancini could be sacked.
Yet, all the while Mancini remained calm, arguing that his side were consistently improving. Indeed, the 2010/11 season would become a historic one for the Manchester club. In the league Mancini guided the team to a 3rd place finish and the consequential Champions League qualification.
Perhaps even more significantly Mancini lead the club past rivals United in the FA Cup semi finals and to cup final success against Stoke City at Wembley, finally ending the clubs 36 year trophy wait.
The bandwagon for Mancini was well and truly rolling by now, and with the supreme talents of Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri just two of the summer additions, the club was suddenly being talked about as serious title challengers.
Now, in late October, Manchester City sit five points clear at the top of the table following their stunning 6-1 victory over fierce rivals Manchester United. Some will argue that Mancini has thus far achieved the very least that could be expected of any manager in the job given City’s vast resources. On the other hand, many have praised Mancini, the soave Italian coach has moulded City into a free flowing attacking unit that remains defensively responsible.
The player’s commitment to the cause in recent games has been significant. Indeed, it is clear following the Carlos Tevez debacle that Mancini has created a sense that the club is more important than any one player.
City still have a lot to prove, the winter months when the games come thick and fast have proved a stumbling block for countless Premier League contenders. Yet, Mancini, with his famous blue and white club scarf, will be confident the clubs squad depth will be able to see them through.
They may go on to win the title, they may not, either way Mancini should be applauded for the job he has done so far, even if it is far from complete.
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For now, Roberto Mancini should enjoy the praise he is receiving, after all it was a little over a year ago that the future was not so bright.
Comment below and follow me on Twitter @CamHumphries for cutting edge debate regarding all things sport.
With Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea all at home this weekend, many Fantasy managers will be licking their lips in anticipation of potential points. It shouldn’t be forgotten though that Chelsea are facing Manchester City at Stamford Bridge but this weekend is pivotal ahead of a very busy festive schedule.
The Captaincy Debate
Let’s start with Liverpool though who will be looking to get back on track after their defeat at Craven Cottage on Monday night. One man who’s been on a goal drought of late is Luis Suarez. The Uruguayan forward had a goal disallowed against Fulham but it’s surely only a matter of time before he nets again. Saturday’s encounter against QPR presents the perfect opportunity for Suarez to get back on track as he faces the 5th worst defence in the Premier League.
However, perhaps you want to plump for a more in form option such as Blackburn’s Yakubu. The man known as the Yak netted four in Rovers crucial victory over Swansea last weekend. His record this season is deadly in the Premier League with nine goals in as many games. Even though Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland are likely to improve on last week’s showing at Wolves, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Nigerian forward netted this weekend for Rovers. After all, Blackburn are second in the goal per game stakes, only behind league leaders Manchester City.
Wigan’s form on the road though is shaky at best which means it’s worth considering Shane Long amongst your captaincy possibilities. The former Reading striker has two goals in his last three games and is gradually adapting to the pace of the Premier League. The Latics defence can be generous at times and Long has been quick to pounce on defensive errors this season.
Then again, it is impossible to count out Robin van Persie. Still in a rich vein of form, he added to his tally for the season at the DW Stadium last weekend along with a pair of assists. Everton visit the in-form Gunners on Saturday and David Moyes’ side will have quite a job on their hands trying to keep the Dutchman quiet.
Captain: Robin van Persie – The Arsenal striker has proved to be a reliable option for goals and assists of late.
Vice Captain: Luis Suarez – He may be out of form now but Suarez will surely find his scoring touch again soon. It might just be this weekend against QPR.
Long Term Look
At the moment, he’s still priced reasonably. Should he continue to perform though, Gareth Bale’s price will escalate. The Welshman has four goals and five assists in his last five outings. Compare this to just a solitary goal in his first nine games and it demonstrates how much Bale’s form has picked up.
His pace is a constant menace to opposition defences. The power and accuracy he is able to generate from his left foot is tremendous. As a result, Bale has been to quick punish any shoddy marking by defenders. Spurs recent form should convince you that the Welsh international is worth a place in your team over the Christmas period.
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With recent reports linking Dirk Kuyt with a £10 million move to Turkish outfit, Galatasaray , many have contemplated whether now is the right time to let the Dutchman go. For me, if the amount of money quoted was being offered for Kuyt’s services, I would be happy to see him leave as long as he was replaced by a younger, more exciting talent.
Dirk Kuyt was undoubtedly one of the stars for Liverpool under the Rafa Benitez era, and has rightfully earned himself the status of kop hero. The Dutchman finished last season strong too, reaching his joint best goals total in a season with a tally of 15.
This season however has been a tough one for the former Feyenoord man. For probably the first time in his Liverpool career, Kuyt is struggling to hold down a place in the starting XI and at times seems like he doesn’t quite fit in with the quick, fluid brand of football Dalglish has introduced this season.
In seasons past, Kuyt has been much criticised by Reds fans for some of his performances, but always managed to win over the doubters with his efforts in the biggest games. Kuyt especially had a habit of scoring and making huge contributions in Liverpool’s big Champions League games and showed the world he was meant for the big stage when he played a vital part in Holland’s run to the World Cup Final in 2010.
At 31 years of age however, and with some lacklustre performances this season, I feel the time is right for Dirk Kuyt to move on to a new club to get his career back on track. He is no doubt still a big player, but with the direction Liverpool’s squad is heading in terms of style of play, I don’t see a long term future at Anfield for Kuyt unfortunately.
Under Rafa Benitez for example, Kuyt regularly made up for average performances by scoring vital goals in big games. This season however, there has only been one goal in the League Cup against lower league opposition to make up for his lacklustre performances while even the struggling Andy Carroll has outscored the Holland international.
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Selling the Dutchman would make sense for all parties. It would earn Liverpool some decent cash for a player who is past his prime, and it would be good for him to be able to refresh his career at a club where he would once again be one of the main men. Most importantly for Liverpool though, selling Kuyt would free up vital space up front for a top new talent who could help bolster the teams attacking options.
I had predicted during the summer that Kuyt would spend a fair amount of time on the bench this season, and the outcome hasn’t surprised many people. It is unfortunate for Kuyt who I appreciate has done so much for the club, but the acquisition which really made the Dutchman redundant for the Reds was Craig Bellamy .
The Welshman has been amazing so far this season considering he was a free transfer and unfortunately for Kuyt, he is also a forward who can play on the wings. This puts Bellamy in direct competition with Kuyt for a place in Liverpool’s team and it is fair to say that it’s the former Manchester City man who is winning the battle.
As for Kuyt, I admit there were times when I doubted his ability but time and time again he has proved his value to the team. Under the management of Kenny Dalglish however, Liverpool are adopting a brand of football which may not necessarily bring the best out of the Dutchman and I for one won’t be surprised if Kuyt makes way for an exciting new forward in the near future.
Article courtesy of Mark Wilson from Live4Liverpool
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Everton will be out to avoid a fourth game without a win when they welcome in-form Swansea to Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
The Toffee’s have experienced a mixed start to the season winning just five of their 15 games this season and sliding to within four points of the relegation zone. I doubt many will have expected David Moyes’ side to be languishing near the bottom three going into Christmas but they have ultimately paid the price for not being able to sufficiently invest in the summer. Moyes was once again forced to operate on a financial tightrope during the last transfer window having to scour the market for bargain basement signings. The acquisition of Royston Drenthe has proved to be extremely shrewd although the Dutchman has failed to end the Merseyside’s goal scoring problems. Everton have scored only 16 goals this season and it’s that profligacy that has cost them dearly in a number of games. Moyes’ preferred front pairing of Louis Saha and Tim Cahill continue to struggle in front of goal with the latter still yet to score in 2011. That won’t stand them in good stead when they come up against a Swansea side who have kept seven clean sheets so far during their debut campaign. The arrival of Landon Donovan can’t come soon enough for the Toffees supporters with the American returning for a second loan spell in January two years after his first
Luckily for Swansea the LA Galaxy forward won’t be sporting Everton blue until the New Year who will go in search of a ninth clean sheet of the season on Merseyside. Manager Brendan Rodgers has certainly confounded the critics in his debut campaign as a top-flight boss guiding the club to within a point of the top half. Whilst many predicted the Swans to be rooted to the bottom as 2011 comes to an end there is a sense that they can continue their ascent as the New Year approaches. The signing of goalkeeper Michael Vorm has been a masterstroke with the Dutchman turning in a series of incredible displays since his move from the Eredivisie. Vorm was on hand to thwart both Fulham and Newcastle in the space of a week ensuring Swansea took four points from games many expected them to get nothing from. Their stubborn performance at St James’ Park on Saturday highlighted their discipline and never say die attitude as they frustrated the Magpies with a solid defensive display. Welsh international Ashley Williams has made the step up from the Championship look easy and he will be confident of keeping Everton’s blunt strike force at bay. However there is still a negative side to their fairy tale season and that’s their away form. The Swans have yet to pick up a win on their travels and will need to start doing so quickly if they are to remain safe from danger.
Everton 14th : 17 points
Team news: Key midfielders Seamus Coleman and Jack Rodwell are both doubts for Swansea game and David Moyes is unlikely to risk either of them over the gruelling festive period if they aren’t 100%.
Key Player: Leon Osman
With Louis Saha and Tim Cahill proving incapable of scoring and creating goals the onus has been put on Osman to provide some inspiration in the final third. The midfielder did just that on Saturday scoring a cheeky equaliser to rescue a point against Norwich and Everton will be expecting more of the same from their playmaker.
Swansea 12th : 18 points
Team news: Nathan Dyer is ruled out until the New Year with an ankle injury although defender Angel Rangel could return after injuring his foot against Aston Villa last month.
Key Player: Michael Vorm
For a second successive week the goalkeeper was Swansea’s savour turning in another man of the match display to keep his eight shut out of the season against Newcastle. Vorm frustrated the Magpies and Demba Ba in particular making a number of superb saves and will be eager to keep his third clean sheet in a row on Merseyside.
PREDICTION
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Everton’s season continues to fluctuate and they’ll be desperate to avoid a fourth winless game against Swansea. The Welshmen have yet to win away from the Liberty Stadium but are looking stronger every game and should snuff out the Toffee’s weak attack with ease.
Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam has stated that his side are still in the mix to finish in the top four, and that he is enjoying life at Anfield.
The Merseysiders are currently five points behind Chelsea in fourth place, and the Scottish midfielder has confirmed that qualifying for the Champions League is Kenny Dalglish’s men’s top priority.
“Of course it is, it’s still there, there’s plenty of points to play for, you never know what is going to happen,” he told Sky Sports.
“We have been disappointed with the results as well but that’s expected, we are a new team gelling, it takes time but we’ll do everything we can.
“For us it’s trying to win every game and on the day it’s not always happened for us.
“But we’ll not stop working hard and keep doing the things that we know is right and trying to win as many matches as we can.
“The most important game is the next game, a difficult game away at Bolton, which we are looking forward to as we have to bounce back after last week,” he continued.
Adam signed for The Reds from Blackpool during the summer, and has revealed that he has settled in to his new environment well.
“It’s been great. When you join a new club sometimes it takes time to settle in but it’s been easy for me with the players that we’ve got here, they have made me welcome and I’m thoroughly enjoying it.
“Since I’ve walked into the door at this club I’ve enjoyed every minute.
“I’ve always been told to play with a smile on my face as I’m in a very fortunate position where I’m at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“For our national team manager I think he would expect his best players to be playing at the highest level, playing against the best players to improve.
“For me the Premier League is the best league in the world and it’s a top league. Now you see the number of English clubs going to the Scottish market as they know the value for money is there.
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“They don’t have to pay over the odds for players but they’re getting good quality for what they are paying for,” he concluded.
Some, you may be itching to get back to fitness, some, you may have forgotten even existed. Every season, Premier League players find themselves in the treatment room, but some far more often than others. Whilst their team mates are slaving away in a relegation scrap or a pining for a shot at the title, for the following stars, rehabilitation and gym work is the order of the day, every day.
Injury may strike a player once in a blue moon, but for these ten players, you are just cringing at any knock or tackle inflicted upon them once they return to the first team fold. Let us take a look at the ten Premier League footballers who have a distinct notoriety for being ‘made of glass’.
Click on Sean Davis to unveil the top 10 sicknotes
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So there you have it. The ten Premier League players you shouldn’t be expecting to see anytime soon. In all seriousness, we wish them the speediest of recoveries but their injury statistics truly fascinate fans and onlookers alike.
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With the football world bursting at the seams with breathtaking talent, who would make the cut for the ultimate XI?
Manuel Neuer
The German stopper was one of the most sought after talents last summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson openly stating his admiration for the former Schalke man. Eventually Bayern Munich convinced him to stay in his home country, paying 22 million Euros in the process.
And his performances at the 2010 World cup proved to be no flash in the pan, with the second most expensive goalkeeper in history appearing in every match for his country since. His presence in between the sticks as well as his exemplary shot shopping skills ensure he’ll remain an imposing obstacle for many strikers for years to come.
Dani Alves
It seems a little wrong to call Alves a right back, with the Brazilian providing more attacking threat than most wingers in every game he features in. He embodies not only the cavalier nature of Barcelona’s play, but also the way the modern footballer be. Athletic, technically sound and lightning fast, Alves is the blueprint for most up and coming starlets.
Thiago Silva
It’s no surprise Milan have endured an upturn in fortune since the Brazilian’s arrival. In under three years Silva has made nearly a hundred appearances, whilst last season he contributed to Milan’s first title win since 2004. Rumour has it the former Flumienese man could be on his way in the summer, with Barcelona and Manchester United both keen to part with a sizable amount of cash for his services.
Vincent Kompany
An absolute rock for City this season, the Belgian defender has proven himself as a consistent performer at the top level for a good few years now. His worth was no more apparent than during an unwarranted suspension in January, as City’s title bid momentarily stuttered without his intimidating presence at the back. Nobody would begrudge him if he were to be the player to hold aloft the Premiership come May.
Marcelo
At a time when most top sides have struggled to find a dependable left back, Marcelo has been a model of consistency for a ruthless Madrid side. Last season he started in every game, drawing praise from a variety of sources including Diego Maradona and Paulo Maldini.
After achieving a place in the Fifa World XI, Marcelo is now considered to be one of the most consistent fullbacks in the world, boasting frightening speed as well as more than worthy defensive capabilities.
Xavi
The Godfather of Spanish football has been manipulating midfield’s for years, and at 32 shows no signs of waning with an impressive 12 goals in 35 appearances this term. Can dictate the pace of a game like no other, and typifies the incredible success of the Spanish national side over the past four years. Will surely go down as one of the midfield greats.
Cesc Fabregas
At Arsenal Fabregas was always a well liked and admired figure. His guile and sumptuous passing impressed all in a country more used to seeing bruising tackles and bloodied shirts, and it’s fair to say Arsenal fans weren’t the only ones sad to see the back of the Spaniard.
With question marks over his ability to break into a star studded Barca midfield, the 24 year old has slotted in seamlessly, replacing a frustratingly injury prone Iniesta and scoring 15 goals in 35 appearances in the process.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Though a little too cock-sure at times, the Portuguese man continues to take our breath away. Perhaps the most well rounded footballer of his generation, he can dribble, shoot, head the ball and quite simply finds scoring goals easier than anybody on the planet.
David Silva
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Encapsulates all that’s good about the Spanish game, the tricky former Valencia man has been a revelation for City this season. At 26 Silva has yet to peak, and could yet match the achievements of compatriots Iniesta and Xavi in bringing total ticka tacka football to the masses. With a low center of gravity and subhuman vision, the midfielder has provided some much welcomed technical prowess to the battle field of the Premier League.
Lionel Messi
Nothing more can be said about the man who keeps pushing all the footballing boundaries. Will surely go down as the greatest player to have ever lived.
Robin Van Persie
His stunning performances this season have culminated in somehow dragging an average Arsenal team into fourth place this term, giving his side a real chance of Champions League football. His touch, technique, team play and ruthlessness in front of goal have been a joy to behold for years now, and would have produced many more magical moments if it wasn’t for some cruelly timed injuries.
Subs: Gianluigi Buffon, Gerard Pique, Andres Iniesta, Mezut Ozil, Arjen Robben, Luka Modric , Wayne Rooney, Neymar.
Chelsea defender David Luiz has stated that his side will field their strongest starting XI against Tottenham in the FA Cup this weekend, despite facing Barcelona in the Champions League three days later.
The London rivals go head-to-head in the last four of the cup on Sunday, before Roberto Di Matteo’s men host the European champions at Stamford Bridge the following Wednesday.
The Brazilian centre half has claimed that Chelsea will not prioritise either competition and are going for glory on more than one front.
“Chelsea want to win all the competitions. I think we will put the best team against Tottenham, the best team against Barcelona,” he told Mirror Football.
“It’s impossible to rest too much now! It’s a short time between games because Chelsea compete in three competitions.
“Other teams have more time as they are not in the competitions. It’s normal.
“We have the opportunity to win the FA Cup and the Champions League. This is football at the top level and we are prepared for the games,” he confirmed.
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Tuesday night’s home game against Derby wasn’t a pretty affair. Derby dominated the midfield and played with a relaxed free style which arose from their assured mid table position; Cardiff on the other hand were nervy, afraid of making a mistake, however the tense atmosphere on the pitch didn’t filter onto the terraces. The Bluebird supporters had taken it upon themselves to turn out in force to both bolster the team and to pay a personal old fashioned supporters informal tribute at the first opportunity to former manager and Cardiff City legend Eddie May who sadly passed away at the weekend.
The first twenty minutes were all Derby and they soon had the ball in the back of the net causing City fans to hold their breaths. The goal had been offside but decisions hadn’t gone Cardiff’s way, including what looked to be valid appeal for a penalty! A sigh of relief reverberated throughout the stands when the goal was disallowed.
Joe Mason, against the run of play opened the scoring for Cardiff pouncing on and slotting home a rebound off a Kenny Miller shot that had rattled the woodwork, chants of Eddie May’s Barmy Army resonated though Cardiff city stadium that could be heard in the houses on the Canton Road…. Derby however hadn’t read the script and continued to press and cause problems in every area of the pitch, they were the better team.
Nathan Tyson continued to run circles around the Cardiff midfield and defence – twice David Marshall denied him at point blank range..Now it wasn’t just the City players who were tense. The fans had started to live on their nerves, too sure it was only a matter of time before Derby equalised. Just as heads started to go down Cardiff managed a good counter-attack.
Mason got on the end of a Lawrence pass but when in a great goal-scoring position dithered and rather than taking his chance he passed the ball to Kenny Miller who took too long teeing up his shot to be sure so that the ball was stolen off his toes… The head shaking and muttering began amongst the Cardiff fans because this wasn’t the performance they wanted for Eddie and it certainly wasn’t the one needed to cling onto a playoff position. Half time couldn’t come quickly enough.
The second half started, Derby had made one change and within minutes they also brought on Steve Davies to a plethora of snooker related puns amongst the bored and restless City fans “Let’s hope he’s not in the frame to score from a break.” and “He’d better not be on cue to snooker us.” Being amongst the better ones!
Derby continued to dictate the play the Cardiff City players and fans were taking stress to a whole new level. All the haunting memories of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory etched across their faces, the fans frustration needed an outlet for release, they needed to lift their side out of the nervy tense style of play they were entrenched in. Fans revived another chant from the Eddie May era which involved chanting shoot, shoot every time a player they knew had a shot on him received the ball. It was this chant that was partly the catalyst for the moment of pure class and magic which followed.
Suddenly receiving the ball in his own half, Club captain Mark Hudson had the briefest of looks up and spotted the Derby goalkeeper had been slow to return to his line after a goal kick. With the chants of shoot ringing in his ears, Hudson took the ball forward two yards and unleashed a shot at goal as requested. Everyone stood in a amazement as a perfectly flighted, sweetly hit but powerful shot curved then looped over the flailing and furiously back peddling Derby keeper Frank Fielding , under his bar into the back of the net.
I, nor anyone else there had ever seen anything like it. Yes it was similar to the infamous David Beckham goal from the halfway line but this was further out and from an angle and what’s more scored by a defender! The goal was from some 68-yards struck with intent, Hudson absolutely meant it. There was a split second before the Cardiff City faithful dared to celebrate, unsure if we had actually just witnessed or imagined what we had just seen. When we did start celebrating it was of the like that had never been seen before at the Cardiff City Stadium…The cheering drowned out the radio and multi-media commentators, but it didn’t matter for the Cardiff commentators were screaming and celebrating too.
It was that sort of goal, for almost a minute, professionalism went right out of the window, even Cardiff City FC historian and lead commentator on Cardiff City Player, Richard ‘Shep’ Sheppard, a consummate professional seemed incapable of saying anything other than “Oh my word what a goal what a goal…”
But despite what has to be the goal of the season, Derby refused to roll over and play dead. Still they came forward, Tyson ever dangerous on the break and Marshall palmed away a goal bound shot Whittingham cleared off the line. As the game recommenced with the Cardiff supporters now in good spirits the shouts of shoot got ever more comical – One such chant was aimed at a David Marshall goal kick; the big Scottish keeper beamed and waved a hand dismissively before launching his kick in the direction of Peter Whittingham.
Overall, David Marshall and young Ben Turner were immense at the back. Turner getting back and putting in faultless tackle after tackle and Marshall pulling off at least four or five brilliant saves.
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Despite a somewhat nervy display by the Bluebirds, Derby running things and having 56% of the possession and more shots both on and off target along with double the amount of corners of Cardiff – thanks to some of the players coming forward, standing up and being counted adding to a miracle goal from the most unexpected sources, somehow Cardiff had come through.
They had dug deep and shown true Bluebird spirit They had done themselves and everyone connected past and present with Cardiff City football club proud with the three points making sure that this season things are now firmly in our hands, this time we aren’t going to blow things because we can’t, the supporters have become an extra man on the park and amongst the players the old heads some on young shoulders have responded yes it wasn’t a pretty display against Derby but at this point in the season all that counts is the three points…
Saturday sees the sombre dignified official tribute to for the man whom everyone connected with Cardiff City Football club regards as the Bluebirds greatest ever manager.