Jamie Carragher delivers a stark warning to Manchester United
Dream on, United
Jamie Carragher insists Manchester United will not be knocking Manchester City off their perch any time soon.
The Liverpool legend has been embroiled in a war of words with Erik ten Hag this week, having criticized the Red Devils’ tactical approach in their 2-1 loss to Fulham.
New co-owner Jim Ratcliffe spoke last month about wanting to see United overtake neighbours City again during his time at the club.
However, writing in his Telegraph column, Carragher has warned the billionaire to temper his expectations while Pep Guardiola remains in charge of the Citizens.
Carragher said: “United can change owners, headhunt the best chief executive and sporting director in the world, revamp their recruitment department, rebuild Old Trafford and appoint their best manager since Alex Ferguson.
“It doesn’t matter. So long as Guardiola is around, City will lose no sleep.
“United will never be the most dominant club in their city, let alone the rest of the country, until City are in the process of hiring a new coach.”
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Extreme measures
Dwight Yorke thinks he may only get to manage in English football if he buys a professional club himself.
Ex-Manchester United striker Yorke, 52, has had one spell in charge of a club since hanging up his boots — a six-month stint with A-League side Macarthur FC, where he lifted the 2022 Australia Cup.
But he believes the lack of black managers across the Premier League and Football League means he would need to go to extreme measures to coach in England.
Speaking to the Mirror, Yorke said: “It’s been talked about heavily in previous years. The people that I come across in football, we’ve spoken about it.
“Forming a consortium, trying to get a football team to get the right backing from maybe black ownership, black millionaires or billionaires, so to speak, to embrace it.
“We keep reverting back to the facts about the struggles of black managers to get into these high positions. So, the only way forward, maybe, is to buy a football team.”
Jose Peseiro has confirmed he has left his role as Nigeria manager.
The Portuguese, 63, guided the Super Eagles to the Africa Cup of Nations final less than three weeks ago but will not extend his 22-month spell as their head coach.
Writing on X, Peseiro said: “Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honor to coach the Super Eagles.
“It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfilment.”
Read more: Premier League press conference highlights
Bellingham is back Jude Bellingham will return for Real Madrid against Valencia this weekend, Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed.
The England ace, 20, netted twice in Real’s crucial 4-0 victory over Girona on February 10 before limping off with an ankle sprain.
He has subsequently missed Los Blancos’ last three outings but is set for a return to action tomorrow evening.
Ancelotti said: “Jude is 100 per cent.
“The truth is that he hasn’t trained much with the team but on an individual level he’s doing very well with his ankle.
“He is at full strength and tomorrow he will play.”
Jude Bellingham has bagged 20 goals for Real Madrid this season
Jude Bellingham has bagged 20 goals for Real Madrid this season
EXCLUSIVE: Faes certain Foxes still on course for Premier League
Saudi bid unveiled
Saudi Arabia has formally launched its bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
The Gulf Kingdom effectively discovered their fate last year when all other prospective hosts pulled out of the running, though formalities are still to be completed later in 2024/
The tournament’s slogan has been announced as “Growing. Together.” — something the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (Saff) believe “captures the bond between the Kingdom, its people and football”.
Saff president Yasser Al Misehal said: “Telling our football story to the world is of massive importance.
“We’ve made unprecedented progress in both the men’s and women’s game and our bid is an open invitation to the world to join us on this exciting journey.”
EXCLUSIVE: Brown says United must play the perfect game to beat Pep’s City
Man of the people
Kenny Dalglish believes striking up a strong bond with Liverpool supporters quickly will be crucial for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Dalglish is one of the Reds’ all-time greatest players and managed the club on two occasions, helping him form a formidable relationship with the Anfield faithful.
And the 72-year-old reckons whoever is chosen to replace the departing Klopp this summer will need a similarly strong rapport to succeed on Merseyside.
Kenny Dalglish has given his thoughts on Liverpool’s manager hunt
Kenny Dalglish has given his thoughts on Liverpool’s manager hunt
He said: “It is a great job to take on. I’d like to see the new manager be somebody who knows what Liverpool is all about.
“You can’t think about trying to emulate Jurgen Klopp, you have to be yourself. The relationship he has with the fans is so important and if the next guy can build the same relationship, then he’s off to a great start.”
Dalglish’s comments could be interpreted as an endorsement for former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso, with the Bayer Leverkusen boss the current favourite to land the Anfield hotseat.
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