Gabby Agbonlaho: Amorim refused to have pints with me during our coaching course
A FEW beers down the pub was a highlight of the day for Gabby Agbonlahor and his pals at Uefa coaching sessions in Belfast.Yet there was one man who shunned the prospect of a few pints because he was only there to learn. A FEW beers down the pub was a highlight of the day for Gabby Agbonlahor and his pals at Uefa coaching sessions in Belfast. Yet there was one man who shunned the prospect of a few pints because he was only there to learn. Even then, Ruben Amorim stood out from the crowd. Manchester United’s new manager took his Uefa badges in Northern Ireland because he was able to take part in a super-intense, fast-track course. Amorim quit his first job at Casa Pia in 2019 after initially being suspended because he did not have the necessary qualifications to coach in Portugal. But having taken his B Licence in Belfast that same year, he was handed a job with Braga’s B team and his career then took off in spectacular style. Ex-Aston Villa star Agbonlahor, 38, said: “In Belfast, you can do a fast-track course. In England, it takes a year but for this one, you go for a week and each day lasts from 8am to 8pm. “I did my Uefa A and B badges there. It cost a few thousand pounds. “I was last there in 2020. I remember enjoying the days, although the weather was always rubbish. “Amorim first came to the course in 2019 after he resigned from his first job because he did not have the right qualifications. That is why he did the fast-track course. “There were about 20 on the course. Benjani, Chris Samba, Lee Cattermole, Craig Gardner and Alex Bruce were among the others on it. “Amorim was very well-liked but you did not see him after 8pm when the course finished. “Each night we’d go to the Irish pub but he was not like that. We were there to do our badges after retiring but it was very much a box-ticking thing. It certainly was for me. “I had finished playing and had free time, so it was just the sort of thing you would do — but for him it was different. “Even then, he just spoke well. I remembered him as a player and he was a year older. “During the course, we all had to put on training sessions and his sessions were good. “We put them on for a load of 18-year-old lads from Belfast and I was nervous. “But Amorim came in and was completely prepared. Then it was a case of boom, boom, session done. “You could obviously tell then he had something. He was desperate for the qualifications.” Former Benfica midfielder Amorim made an instant impression at Braga B and was appointed first-team manager at the start of 2020. After leading the club to a League Cup success, he was snapped up by Sporting Lisbon two months later. Agbonlahor, now a talkSPORT pundit, said: “What I love about him is that he went to Braga, won a trophy and within a few months Sporting paid €10million for him. “That is crazy money in Portugal. Sporting must have seen something in him at Braga. “From being around him, I felt he had an aura. He is also no-nonsense. For me, Manchester United have got the right man as they need someone with the right philosophy. “I know Erik ten Hag had said he could not do it with these players. Amorim knows he has to bring some sort of style of play. “I could tell when a team is playing for their manager and I felt United were not under Ten Hag. “Amorim’s lucky he has Portuguese players in Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes and will lean on them. “He will want money to spend. I am not sure he will want the likes of Antony and Casemiro. He will want some legs in midfield.”
Jamie Redknapp blasts Man Utd fans creating as much atmosphere as Covid times
JAMIE REDKNAPP has called out Manchester United fans for giving their players the silent treatment against Chelsea.The Sky Sports pundit savaged the subdued atmosphere during Super Sunday's broadcast from Old Trafford. JAMIE REDKNAPP has called out Manchester United fans for giving their players the silent treatment against Chelsea. The Sky Sports pundit savaged the subdued atmosphere during Super Sunday's broadcast from Old Trafford. Redknapp was far from impressed by the noise levels as Ruud van Nistelrooy's side drew a blank in the first half. Marcus Rashford came closest to breaking the deadlock at the Theatre of Dreams, crashing a volley onto the crossbar. But the game remained scoreless at the break, with Redknapp baffled by the lack of energy in the home support. Redknapp told his Sky colleagues: "It's like watching a game in Covid. "There's no crowd, there's no atmosphere, no energy. "The players have got to do more [to get the crowd going]." One fan agreed on X: "Old Trafford feels more like a library than the Theatre of Dreams lately." Another wrote: "It's disappointing to hear that about Old Trafford. A lively atmosphere makes all the difference in the game. Fans need to bring that energy back!" But a third argued: "Redknapp baiting as usual. Crowd is immense."
Boss pushes Marcelo back to bench after Brazil legend refuses his pre-sub tactic
REAL MADRID and Brazil legend Marcelo was stopped from coming on by his OWN MANAGER after appearing to argue with the coach's tactics.The five-time Champions League winner, 36, left the Bernabeu in 2022 after 15 hugely successful years in the Spanish capital. REAL MADRID and Brazil legend Marcelo was stopped from coming on by his OWN MANAGER after appearing to argue with the coach's tactics. The five-time Champions League winner, 36, left the Bernabeu in 2022 after 15 hugely successful years in the Spanish capital. He joined Olympiacos for one season, before returning to his home country last year when he signed for boyhood club Fluminense. Marcelo has played 68 games for the Brazilian side - who sit 12th in the top flight. But he was denied another appearance on Saturday after an incredible touchline spat with manager Mano Menezes. The left-back was stripped and ready to come on in the 90th minute with Fluminense holding onto a 2-1 lead over Gremio. Marcelo was preparing to enter the fray as part of a double substitution which also included the introduction of Marquinhos - the winger on loan from Arsenal. But as Menezes gave Marcelo instructions on the sideline, the ex-Real Madrid man seemed to disagree with what he was being told. This led to the manager becoming furious, before he pushed Marcelo and told him to sit down again. Marcelo walked to the bench and pulled his bib back on. And he ended up watching his team concede a stoppage-time equaliser as Fluminense drew 2-2 with Gremio. Reacting to Marcelo's altercation with Menezes, journalist Tancredi Palmeri said: "I have never seen anything similar in elite football." While one fan replied: "Respect to the coach for not backing down!" Another added: "This is so disrespectful." And a third said: "As it should be, he’s not bigger than the coach or the club."
Erik ten Hag is seen taking in a top-flight match in Holland
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been spotted back in a football stadium for the first time since his sacking earlier this week.The Dutchman's reign as United boss ended on Monday morning following their controversial 2-1 defeat by West Ham. Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been spotted back in a football stadium for the first time since his sacking earlier this week. The Dutchman's reign as United boss ended on Monday morning following their controversial 2-1 defeat by West Ham. Ten Hag's two-and-a-half years at Old Trafford yielded FA Cup and Carabao Cup honours but his side underperformed in the league, especially in his final full season, which ended with club finishing eighth - their lowest-ever position in the Premier League. Ten Hag swiftly jetted back home to the Netherlands following his dismissal and he has now been spotted attending a match in the Dutch Eredivisie between Heracles Almelo and NAC Breda. The 54-year-old was on hand to witness the home side claim a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Brian De Keersmaecker at the Erve Asito stadium. His sighting comes just a day after the former Ajax manager drew a line under his time as United boss by penning a heartfelt message to supporters. In it, he thanked his backroom staff, and insisted he wishes the club nothing but success going forward. 'Dear fans, Let me start by thanking you.' He said. 'Thank you for always being there for the club. Whether it was at a game far away or a tough match at Old Trafford, your support has been unshakeable. 'The atmosphere at Old Trafford has always been electrifying, thanks to you. I felt it many times. Also in away games, it gave the team and me an incredible feeling to hear the United chants taking over the opponents stadiums, whether the game was in England. Europe or during the summer tours. 'I always enjoyed meeting Manchester United fans throughout the world. Walking the streets and being able to chat with fans in England, Europe, Asia, Australia, the USA - you inspired me and radiated a strong sense of unity. That's what makes United supporters so special. 'I want to thank you for giving me this feeling and for your support. I also want to thank the staff in every department of the club for their unwavering support in good times and bad. 'We won two trophies - achievements that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Of course, my dream was to bring more trophies to the cabinet. Unfortunately, that dream has come to an end. 'I wish all Manchester United fans nothing but success, trophies and glory. Your support and the warmth I received from everyone at the club helped me feel at home. Thank you for this chapter in my life.' United moved quickly to appoint Sporting CP manager Ruben Amorim, with the club confirming his signing on Friday. The 39-year-old penned a two-and-a-half year deal with an option for a further 12 months. He is set to start work at Old Trafford later this month once a negotiated notice period has ben served with his current club. In the meantime, United are being led by Ten Hag's former assistant and Red Devils legend Ruud van Nistelrooy. The Dutchman claimed an emphatic 5-2 win in his first game of temporary charge against Leicester. United welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, looking to recover from their worst-ever start that sees them languishing in 13th place.
Maresca drops Fernandez from Chelsea's XI ahead of Man Utd clash after split
Enzo Maresca has revealed why Enzo Fernandez has lost his place in the Chelsea starting line-up in recent fixtures.It comes after Fernandez, 23, split from his childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes to live on his own - despite them having a daughter and son together. Enzo Maresca has revealed why Enzo Fernandez has lost his place in the Chelsea starting line-up in recent fixtures. It comes after Fernandez, 23, split from his childhood sweetheart Valentina Cervantes to live on his own - despite them having a daughter and son together. Fernandez has had to settle for a seat on the bench in Chelsea's last two Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle. It remains to be seen what his involvement will be against Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. The midfielder has copped flak ever since Chelsea signed him from Benfica for a British record £107million in 2023. TalkSPORT host Rory Jennings claimed recently that he should 'never play for Chelsea again' and that he is potentially the 'worst' signing in Premier League history. But Maresca has great sympathy for Fernandez's struggles to live up to his price tag, not least given the turmoil in his personal life. ‘They are human beings and if you pay £100m that is not my problem,’ Maresca said ahead of Chelsea's clash with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon. ‘You want to buy me then you pay that money. That does not mean that every game you have to be the best. At the end of the day they are football players and they cannot always be at the top level. ‘At this moment Enzo is not playing but there is no problem with Enzo. The noise about Enzo is because clubs pay so much money for them, people expect they will always be the best. That is not so. ’The only reason he is not playing is just because the physicality I prefer is from (Moises) Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.' Fernandez captained the Blues during the opening weeks of the season but has lost his place. Caicedo and Lavia have become Maresca's main partneship while Fernandez has had to settle for starts in the Carabao Cup and Europa Conference League recently., though he has come off the bench in the Premier League. It has been a turbulent time for the Argentinian star due to his split with long-term girlfriend Cervantes. Cervantes followed Fernandez to Benfica when he joined the Portuguese club in 2022, and then moved to London to join her partner when he signed for Chelsea in a deal worth £107m last January. But a little over 18 months on, the couple have decided to go their separate ways. Announcing the end of their relationship on Thursday, Cervantes wrote on Instagram: 'With Enzo today we say distance from each other. But we will always be family and support each other through everything. Because there are two kids in the middle that need a lot of our love for them. 'I know the person and excellent father Enzo is, and the heart he has. And that's enough for me. They don't want to create wars where there aren't any.' Cervantes's statement indicates that it is an amicable split, while an Argentinian journalist has provided more details on the break-up on X. Julieta Argenta wrote: 'He told her he wants to live life on his own. They’re still family, but he feels the need to experience the stage he skipped by choosing family early on.' Fernandez now faces a battle to get back into Chelsea's strongest XI after failing to live up to expectations since arriving in England. He currently has a modest return of just seven goals and six assists in 74 Chelsea appearances.
Bayer Leverkusen chief doubles down over Xabi Alonso exit rumours
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso remains on the radars of Real Madrid and Manchester City for 2025.The former Spanish international saw his stock rise at the back end of last season as he guided Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title. Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso remains on the radars of Real Madrid and Manchester City for 2025. The former Spanish international saw his stock rise at the back end of last season as he guided Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title. Following that success, an extension was agreed with the German giants, as Alonso opted against a return to Liverpool. However, rumours over him being offered another top European job have resurfaced, with interest from Manchester and Madrid. Pep Guardiola is out of contract at the end of the campaign with rumours of Carlo Ancelotti being under pressure in the Spanish capital. Ancelotti and Alonso are both under contract until June 2026 and Bayer Leverkusen Sporting Director Simon Rolfes has claimed the latter is fully committed to his project in at the BayArena. “Xabi Alonso’s chances of staying until 2026 are 100% certain. He has a contract and shows no signs of going in another direction”, as per quotes from RTL, via Diario AS. Alonso has endured a mixed start to his Bundesliga title defence as they trail league leaders Bayern Munich by seven points after nine games played.