Archive May 4, 2025

By confirming that Daniel Farke is “my man,” Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe has “turned the page” on the future of the club.

The Whites won the Championship title with a 2-1 victory at Plymouth on Saturday and were relegated from the Premier League two weeks later.

Despite a stellar campaign that led to 100 points, there were rumors the club was thinking about changing manager this summer.

Marathe told BBC Radio Leeds, “I’m very excited to work with Daniel to return it and do it together.”

“I have no illusions that it will be simple.” The three promoted teams have come right back after the previous two seasons, but Daniel Farke comes first.

Marathe responded, “I have ended the speculation,” when asked whether he had put a stop to the manager’s question marks. He is the man I am.

Farke, who has two years left on his contract, won the title for the third time this season, having previously twice placed second with Norwich.

Although his only full season there ended in a bottom-placed finish, he has since found life much harder in the Premier League before being fired in November of his second season with Norwich in the relegation zone.

Prior to this time, Marathe had previously stated that Farke had not received the financial support needed to compete.

The American stated, “Together we are going to build the best squad we can, with every dollar we are allowed to spend,” adding.

Following a run of just one victory in their previous six matches, Leeds won the title.

After two seasons in the Championship, Marathe praised Farke’s temperament in regaining the club’s leadership.

Marathe claimed that “he is such a calming force.” It would be an understatement to say that.

That is how he really has a superpower. After the draw with Swansea, he assured you that he was completely certain that we would be playing in the Prem, and I love him for it.

After failing to earn a Champions League spot, interim Manchester City manager Nick Cushing claims his team have “been short of standards and expectations.”

City, who were fourth in the table, needed to defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford to maintain their hopes of playing in European football next season, but they were unable to draw 2-2 after leading by 2-0 at the start.

Following Gareth Taylor’s sacking in March, Cushing assumed charge of City until the end of the season and was tasked with leading the team to a top-three finish in the Women’s Super League.

He said, “When I took this role, it was about winning trophies and qualifying, and we haven’t been able to deliver that.”

“During my time here, we have consistently delivered trophies over a seven-year period.” This team should consistently be winning in the Champions League and delivering trophies.

Although the league position is far below what I anticipate, we are not far off.

In the event that City came within one point of United in the table with a victory over United, it would have been a thrilling season-ending finale. On May 10, City hosts relegierte Crystal Palace, while United travel to second-placed Arsenal.

Chelsea was pushed all the way by City last year, finishing second only in goal difference, but they will end the season without silverware and no European football.

United also knocked them out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals, while Chelsea knocked them out of the Champions League semifinals and beat them in the League Cup final.

With captain Alex Greenwood, winger Lauren Hemp, forward Vivianne Miedema, and top goalscorer Khadija Shaw all enduring lengthy absences on the sidelines, their campaign has been hindered by injuries.

With one piece missing, “We’re trying to build a puzzle here,” added Cushing. Even with all the injured players, it has been difficult for us to finish it.

Due to the injury issues, City defender Laia Aleixandri has frequently played out of position this season. “Difficult circumstances, a lot of injuries, but that’s not a reason to give up.” We made an effort until the very last second; we must continue and improve.

Cushing, who helped City win their first and only WSL title in 2016 along with four other significant trophies, is no stranger to living outside of the Champions League.

He acknowledged that it was painful. This is in line with the expectations we set at the start of the season and what we can expect, but it’s football, and it’s a challenging situation, I told the group.

The club has stated they are willing to do whatever, but it’s not yet known whether the 40-year-old will stay at City after the end of the current season.

The former New York City FC boss returned to Manchester to try to instill some stability, and there were encouraging signs, but he ultimately did not have enough time to make a change.

Because of how deeply ingrained this team is in me, I’ll be involved in the review process. When asked about his City future, Cushing declared, “I will be involved unless they tell me otherwise.”

“I will always have a strong bond with this team.” It means something to me emotionally. I have always followed this organization while I’ve been in America.

After recovering hurt on day three of Essex’s County Championship match against Somerset, Batter Jordan Cox appears to be out for a Test against Zimbabwe.

After he fell to the ground with his left side and a single that gave him a run that made the score 99 in Essex’s second innings, the 24-year-old needed medical attention.

Cox resumed his innings by hitting a boundary off of Jack Leach to reach his century with 156 balls, but he was unable to join Somerset in his innings.

The former England international was chosen for their one-time Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on May 22 and 25.

Cox has played five white-ball games for his country despite having broken his thumb and being withdrawn from England’s winter tour of New Zealand. He is not capped at the Test level.