Category: Sport

Guillem Balague has revealed that Ruben Amorim could decide to snub Man Utd and wait for the Man City job, according to reports.

Erik ten Hag was dismissed on Monday, a day after Man Utd suffered their fourth Premier League defeat of the season at West Ham, dropping to 14th in the table. They have won only one of their last eight games in all competitions.

Within hours of that announcement being made, reports said the Old Trafford club were willing to pay the 10 million euros (£8.3million) release clause to secure 39-year-old Amorim, whose Sporting Lisbon side sit top of the Portuguese table.

Amorim has won two Portuguese titles and two League Cups with Sporting since joining the club in March 2020.

In recent weeks he has been suggested as a future Man City manager, with Sporting’s Hugo Viana, a close friend, due to move to the blue half of Manchester as the club’s new director of football next season.

And now Spanish football expert Balague has heard that Amorim could now wait for the Man City job with Man Utd making an approach for Fulham boss Marco Silva, who has also had a spell as Everton manager.

Balague wrote on X on Monday night: “I hear from Portugal a new possibility. Ruben Amorim might decide to wait for City if Pep leaves. But United pushing for a deal And Marco Silva has also been approached by Manchester United.”

MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365:
👉 Mailbox: Ten Hag problem is gone from Manchester United but who will sack INEOS and Ratcliffe?
👉 Man Utd interim appointment ‘raising eyebrows’ after RvN ‘private clashes with Dutch players’
👉 Man Utd ‘approach’ for Erik ten Hag successor revealed as they ‘try their luck’

The news that Ten Hag had been sacked didn’t take too many people by surprise with Man Utd legend Gary Neville insisting he “thought it was coming”.

Neville said on Sky Sports: “I thought it was coming. Looking at that Tottenham game a few weeks ago I felt I had seen this before. It was a bad day for Manchester United and a bad day for Erik ten Hag.

“It’s got worse form then, yesterday the missed chances were unacceptable, they should have been two or three up at halftime.

“Overall, the challenges of the results and performances have meant that the owners have decided to sack him. I don’t think anybody will be truly shocked this morning.

“I suspect the Tottenham game was probably a catalyst for them to start thinking about a new manager.

“You look at who is available then you try to think of the timing. You are half hoping the manager can turn it around but 99 times out of 100, the tide is against you and continues to do so.

“They have chosen a moment that was decided a few weeks ago. That has come yesterday.

“They would have started the process of finding Erik ten Hag’s successor.”

Tyson Fury reacted emotionally to the postponement of his rematch with Oleksandr Usyk to December 21, 2024. The British boxer said that the Ukrainian “has to pay for it” because of his ruined holiday plans.

Boxer Tyson Fury reacted emotionally to the postponement of his rematch with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, emphasizing that the Ukrainian "must pay for it." He said this in an interview with Sky News, UNN reports.

"I do the same thing, but I don't get a judge's decision in the ninth round, and I won the fight comfortably. Yes, I'm going to change the fact that I'm not getting knocked down," Fury said.

Fury jokes that being a contender and not a champion is terrible. Emphasizing that "all this glitz and glamor… it's all nonsense that goes along with boxing," and he's here to make money.

"He (Oleksandr Usyk – ed.) actually postponed the rematch, I was really looking forward to good preparation for Halloween, bonfire night, Christmas and New Year. But he ruined it for me, so now I'll only have three days for Christmas. He has to pay for that!" – said the boxer

Although he claims he's not interested in history, titles, or anything outside of boxing, another fight with Usyk would be significant. It would secure him a unique place in the history of the sport:

"I would rather have a trilogy with Usyk, and then it would be 1-1, and I would be the only heavyweight in history to have three trilogies. That would be pretty impressive.

Recall

The rematch between absolute heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury is scheduled for December 21, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

And last week, Usyk showed up dressed as "Hitman" for a press conference with Tyson Fury.

Ruben Amorim has ‘agreed in principle to become the next Manchester United manager’ after the Red Devils worked to convince the Sporting boss that rivals Manchester City are a ‘fading force’.

Erik ten Hag was given his marching orders on Monday after defeat to West Ham the day before, with Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping up to take interim charge while Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team draws up a shortlist of alternative options.

Reports suggested Van Nistelrooy could be handed the role on a permanent basis but it was confirmed later on Monday that United are in talks with Amorim and Sporting.

It was claimed that United are ‘ready to pay the €10m (£8.3m) release clause’ and that they’re in talks with Sporting ‘to finalise a deal’.

That report stated that Amorim was ‘open’ to the move and the Manchester Evening News has gone a step further by claiming the 39-year-old has ‘agreed in principle’ to become the new United boss.

The Red Devils ‘made contact with Sporting amid interest from Manchester City’ who had ‘earmarked’ Amorim as their ‘prime target to replace Pep Guardiola’, who’s out of contract at the end of the season.

The likelihood of that move appeared to increase following the announcement that sporting director Hugo Viana would be swapping Sporting for City at the end of the season but the report claims that ‘United tried to convince Amorim that City will become a fading force if Guardiola departs next year’.

And they appear to have been successful as Amorim has indeed ‘been convinced to take over as Erik ten Hag’s permanent replacement’ at Old Trafford.

Amorim played his cards close to his chest when asked about the vacant post at Old Trafford on Monday.

“I was expecting that question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment, so it’s not worth it, I won’t comment,” he told reporters.

“I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting, that’s all.”

MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365:
👉 Mailbox: Ten Hag problem is gone from Manchester United but who will sack INEOS and Ratcliffe?
👉 Man Utd interim appointment ‘raising eyebrows’ after RvN ‘private clashes with Dutch players’
👉 Man Utd ‘approach’ for Erik ten Hag successor revealed as they ‘try their luck’

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is also thought to be high on the United shortlist, and he too responded to those links on Monday.

“It is a delicate question. I have a big responsibility to Brentford, the fans, players and staff,” he said.

“We will focus on Sheffield Wednesday [in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday]. I am very happy here it’s one of the best clubs in the world. What happens in the future, who knows.

“I will repeat myself. I’m very happy here and can see myself being here for a long time. If something comes up, let’s see. Now? No. Very happy.”

Andriy Lunin was ranked third among the best goalkeepers by France Football. Emiliano Martinez received the Yashin Trophy for the second time in a row.

Ukraine and Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin is among the three best goalkeepers in the world according to France Football magazine, which presents the Ballon d'Or award. This was reported by the Ukrainian Football Association, UNN reports.

Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin was ranked third among the world's goalkeepers by France Football,

– the statement said.

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Manchester United fires head coach after a series of failuresOctober 28 2024, 01:51 PM • 10908 views

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the men’s Ballon d’Or and Barcelona playmaker Aitana Bonmati took the women’s award as a ‘disrespected’ Real Madrid boycotted the prestigious ceremony in Paris despite being named men’s club of the year.

Rodri beat the Real Madrid trio of Vinicius Junior, Dani Carvajal and Jude Bellingham to the top honour, and that verdict from the 100-strong panel of voters led the delegation from the Spanish giants to stay at home.

As a result, there was nobody on hand to collect the men’s club of the year award, Carlo Ancelotti could not accept the men’s coach of the year award, and Kylian Mbappe was not there to take his share of the Gerd Muller trophy alongside Harry Kane.

Not that Rodri cared about that as recognition came for the defensive midfielder at the end of a year in which he helped Spain to glory at the Euros while also lifting the Premier League trophy for a fourth consecutive season with City.

The 28-year-old was helped on to the stage on crutches after his season-ending knee ligament injury.

Speaking in Spanish, Rodri said: “I have so many things to thank people for. First of all to France Football and to UEFA for giving me this award. I would like to thank those who voted for me and put their trust in me. Today is a very special day for me and for my family, my country.

“I would like to thank the most important person in the world for me, my girlfriend Laura. Today is our anniversary and without her things wouldn’t have been the same. Thank you.

“Also my family, of course. The values they have taught me and all they represent in me, for having taught me the right steps to take and for helping be become the man I am…

“I don’t want to forget my team-mates, I understand it is a group game. Manchester City is so special, I know I wouldn’t make this without you. For me it is the best club in the world, and thanks to them things happen much easier.

“The national team and Luis (de la Fuente, coach), for trusting me for so long, I have to mention my team-mates with whom we won the Euros. This is not just for me but for Spanish football.”

Bonmati won the women’s award for a second year running as Barcelona, who lifted the Champions League trophy for a third time in four years, completed a clean sweep of the top three places, rounded out by Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo.

Ballon d’Or standings

1. Rodri (Manchester City)
2. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)
3. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
4. Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid)
5. Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
6. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
7. Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
8. Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)
9. Toni Kroos (Real Madrid)
10. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)
11. Phil Foden (Manchester City)
12. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
13. Dani Olmo (Barcelona)
14. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
15. Nico Williams (Athletic Club)
16. Granit Xhaka (Bayer Leverkusen)
17. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid)
18. Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
19. Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
20. Hakan Calhanoglu (Inter Milan)
21. Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
22. Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid)
23. Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
24. William Saliba (Arsenal)
25. Cole Palmer (Chelsea)
26. Declan Rice (Arsenal)
27. Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
28. Alejandro Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen)
29=. Mats Hummels (Roma)
29=. Artem Dovbyk (Roma)

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d'Or in 2024, beating three Real Madrid players. The ceremony in Paris also presented awards in other categories.

Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante has been named the best footballer of 2024 by the authoritative publication France Football, UNN reports.

Details

Spanish midfielder Rodri has officially received the 2024 Ballon d'Or, the world's best footballer, at a ceremony in Paris.

Among the finalists of the award, the 28-year-old midfielder was ahead of three Real Madrid players – Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Dani Carvajal.

For reference

Rodri is the 2024 European champion with the Spanish national team. At the club level, the midfielder won his fourth consecutive Premier League title with Manchester City last season.

During the ceremony, other football stars also received prizes. The awards went to:

• Aitana Bonmati – Women's Ballon d'Or
• Lamin Yamal – Raymond Kopy Trophy
• Emiliano Martinez – Lev Yashin Prize
• Harry Kane, Kilian Mbappe – Gerd Müller Prize
• Jennifer Hermoso – Socrates Prize
• “Real Madrid is the men's club of the year
• “Barcelona – Women's Club of the Year
• Emma Hayes, Carlo Ancelotti – Johan Cruyff Prize

Lunin is among the top three goalkeepers in the world: Martinez wins for the second time in a rowOctober 28 2024, 09:59 PM • 2585 views

Manchester United are ‘in talks to finalise a deal’ for Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim to become their new head coach.

Erik ten Hag was given his marching orders on Monday after defeat to West Ham the day before, with Ruud van Nistelrooy stepping up to take interim charge while Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS team draws up a shortlist of alternative options.

Reports suggested Van Nistelrooy could be handed the role on a permanent basis but The Athletic’s David Ornstein has now confirmed an earlier report that the Red Devils are in contact with Amorim.

The Sporting boss was heavily linked with both Liverpool and Chelsea in the summer and also travelled for talks at West Ham, before later apologising and calling the meeting “a mistake”.

Amorim has led Sporting to the Primeira Liga title on two occasions, including last season, and has also won the Taco da Liga three times, twice with Sporting and once with his previous club, Braga.

The report states that ‘sources in Portugal, speaking anonymously as they’re not authorised to discuss the matter, have told The Athletic the 39-year-old is open to taking up the opportunity after Erik ten Hag was sacked earlier on Monday’.

It’s claimed United are ‘ready to pay the €10m (£8.3m) release clause’ and that they’re in talks with Sporting ‘to finalise a deal’.

Amorim played his cards close to his chest when asked about the vacant post at Old Trafford on Monday.

“I was expecting that question and obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment, so it’s not worth it, I won’t comment,” he told reporters.

“I’m very proud to be the coach of Sporting, that’s all.”

MORE ON MAN UTD FROM F365:
👉 Mailbox: Ten Hag problem is gone from Manchester United but who will sack INEOS and Ratcliffe?
👉 Man Utd interim appointment ‘raising eyebrows’ after RvN ‘private clashes with Dutch players’
👉 Man Utd ‘approach’ for Erik ten Hag successor revealed as they ‘try their luck’

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is also thought to be high on the United shortlist, and he too responded to those links on Monday.

“It is a delicate question. I have a big responsibility to Brentford, the fans, players and staff,” he said.

“We will focus on Sheffield Wednesday [in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday]. I am very happy here it’s one of the best clubs in the world. What happens in the future, who knows.

“I will repeat myself. I’m very happy here and can see myself being here for a long time. If something comes up, let’s see. Now? No. Very happy.”

Asked for his thoughts on the departure of Ten Hag, Frank added: “Of course I feel for Erik. He is a great coach and has a great career. He did a good job at Man United, two trophies in two years.

“It’s a non-stop developing football world and that [record] is more than acceptable. At these big clubs, there are massive expectations but I also think there has to be a reality check. Clearly on paper, there are three clubs at the top of the table are in a better place [City Arsenal and Liverpool].

“When you are a head coach yourself, You always feel for guys who lose their jobs and I’m sure Erik gave everything.

“There are better people to judge that [improvement]. He had a very good first season and had more than a few injury problems that doesn’t help.”

Oleh Kiper, the head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, has been elected the new head of the regional football association. The decision was made during the VII Conference based on the results of the delegates' voting.

The Odesa Regional Football Association has a new head. It is the head of the Odesa Regional State Administration, Oleh Kiper, reports UNN.

Details

The keeper was elected chairman of the Odesa Regional Football Association during the VII Conference, following the results of the chairmanship of its delegates.

HelpHelp

Odesa Regional Football Association is a regional public sports union founded on November 21, 1991. It is a collective member of the Ukrainian Football Association. The main goal of its activities is to promote the development and popularization of football in Odesa region.

Man City midfielder Rodri seems set to win the Ballon d’Or after Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Vinicius Junior knows he will not win.

Vinicius Junior has been the bookmakers’ favourite for the award for months with it widely expected that the Brazil international would be crowned the winner on Monday evening.

The Brazilian won the Champions League and La Liga title last season at Real Madrid, contributing 21 goals and nine assists in the two competitions combined.

Rodri also had a stellar campaign for Man City and won the European Championship with Spain, and now Vinicius Junior’s unexpected defeat seemingly paves the way for the Citizens midfielder to win.

Transfer expert Romano revealed on Monday that, after hearing the news that Vinicius Junior won’t be crowned the winner, there will now be no Real Madrid representative at the event.

Romano wrote on X: “Vinicius Jr will NOT travel to Paris as Real Madrid know he will NOT win the Ballon d’Or. No one from Real Madrid will attend the ceremony. No Florentino Pérez, no Vini Jr, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham.”

And it will be welcome news to Arsenal legend Thierry Henry who was keen to see Man City midfielder Rodri win as people in his position often get overlooked.

“People forget about midfielders and what they do,” Henry told CBS. “They’re the heart of the team. He is the heart of Manchester City.

“I know he didn’t win the Champions League [last season], but he won the Euros [with Spain].”

MORE ON MAN CITY FROM F365
👉 Erik ten Hag makes his last Premier League winners and losers appearance
👉 Man City: Record-breaking offer ‘could change everything’ for Guardiola with decision date set
👉 Haaland inevitable, Villa forced to scrap, Brentford ridiculous and Wieffer whiffs – 3pm Blackout

Fellow pundit and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said his vote would go to Real Madrid attacker Vini Jr, he added: “I’d go for Vini Jr.

“They [Real Madrid] won the Champions League, which is the biggest thing in club football.

“It’s difficult for Rodri because of the position he plays…very few players probably win it in that position – whether you’re a defender or a holding midfield player.

“Of course, maybe he could win it, maybe he should win it, but it’s always the attacking players – that’s why they get paid the big bucks.

“They’re the ones who go for the big transfer fees, they’re the ones who excite people – get people off their seats.”

But Micah Richards agreed with Henry, he explained: “Rodri would still get my vote for last season.”

Henry continued: “Vini Jr didn’t perform at the Copa America. But is he [still] a worthy winner? Yes.”

Erik ten Gag has resigned as Manchester United's head coach after the defeat by West Ham United. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appointed as interim coach, and the club is looking for a permanent coach.

Erik ten Hag has resigned as head coach of English football club Manchester United, the club's press service reports, according to UNN.

We are grateful to Eric for everything he has done during his time with us and wish him all the best for the future

– the club said.

Details

Erik ten Hag was appointed in April 22nd and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the League Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

"Ruud van Nistelrooy will lead the team as interim head coach, supported by the current coaching team until a permanent head coach is hired," the statement said.

Addendum

According to BBC Sport, Manchester United has sacked coach Erik ten Gag after the club's troubled start to the season continued with a 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.

The defeat came three days after the club lost to Fenerbahce in the Europa League, a result that left United winless in Europe this season and in 14th place in the Premier League.