Category Sports News

Son Heung-min, the manager who was fired from Tottenham, claims Ange Postecoglou is a “legend” who has “changed the trajectory of this club.”

Postecoglou, 59, was fired on Friday, less than two weeks after the club’s 17-year quest for silverware with a victory in the Europa League final.

After losing 22 of their 38 matches, Tottenham finished 17th in the Premier League.

“Gaffer. Son wrote on Instagram, “You’ve changed the course of this club.”

You have always backed yourself and the others, and you never looked back. Even when it was the case elsewhere.

You were aware of our capabilities from the beginning. You succeeded in every way. And you made it the best night this club hasn’t had in a long time. These memories will endure forever.

You gave me assurances about the captain’s position. one of my career’s highest distinctions. It’s been a truly amazing privilege to study your leadership directly. You helped me become a better player and person.

You will forever be a Tottenham Hotspur legend, Ange Postecoglou. I appreciate it, mate.

The South Korean winger was among those who paid homage to the Australian Postecoglou.

Boss, I just want to say a huge thank you for everything you have done for me and all of us, as the goalkeeper Vicario once said.

You consistently had such a strong belief in me from the beginning, right from the beginning.

Giving me the chance to join the leadership group, among other things, will be forever associated with that moment.

You are a fantastic leader, a mentor, and someone I’ll always look up to in addition to being a top manager.

What we accomplished collectively will remain etched in history.

“I only wish you success because I know you will succeed,” the message continues.

“Thank you, Boss,” “Forever grateful, Vic. “

Gaffer, Thank you for everything, defender Micky van de Ven said.

“Bed me from the moment I arrived at the club. You have seen a lot of ups and downs over the last two years, but you have always supported us.

I’m forever grateful that you made me a part of the club’s success this year and forever grateful for it.

I wish you the best.

Forward Dominic Solanke thanked the club for welcoming me and for giving us a wonderful trophy.

“Won’t ever forget the dream we had before I signed and realized!” I wish you the best of luck on your upcoming adventure.

The vast majority of fans will “love Ange forever,” according to Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust, despite the league’s results being far beyond what was anticipated.

The supporters’ group demanded that Postecoglou’s replacement be “fully supported” by the club’s board in order to build on Ange’s cup success.

At Hampden Park, Steve Clarke’s Scotland made their final auf Wiedersehen before heading off to give Germany, Switzerland, and Hungary what they had at Euro 2024, kicking off with a long drive of 165 miles.

By the time they had finished their farewell following a disappointing and occasionally chaotic 2-2 draw, those watching could probably predict what would happen in the coming weeks.

At the previous Euros, they had already witnessed it all. The sticker album and the T-shirt had been purchased by them.

That same feeling persisted in the air in Glasgow once more after a year. Clarke’s Scotland was bleak, weak, and meek against the blazing average Iceland.

The snarling Scots who had stung Spain’s noses were nowhere to be seen. No whiff of the streetwise duo that sucked Croatia and Poland into one day last November.

More questions than answers have been left over from another Hampden night.

Although Clarke may have won two major championships, there have also been some real raw alarm moments that have given it a dose of gravity and reality.

The most recent one was a sucker in the area. Don’t be cocky boys; remember that you’re from Scotland and that you’re not eligible for World Cups. You go down.

Although Scotland’s preparations for the 2026 global showpiece do not begin until September, this was intended to be the first step in the right direction.

The Scotland head coach didn’t arrive until an hour after full-time on Friday to comment on what had just happened.

Clarke maintained his tone and mood, as usual.

A lackluster start led to disappointment. Cieran Slicker, who had already experienced his worst nightmares after Angus Gunn’s premature departure, was clearly insecure, so there was sympathy for him.

There was a low-key optimism that Liechtenstein on Monday will be better the next time.

It couldn’t possibly have been much worse, in all fairness. In front of the world’s 74th-best team, Scotland were unoriginal and obliterate in defense.

Slicker, Ipswich Town’s backup, will be cursing his shoddy kick-out seconds after coming on that caused the opener. He will undoubtedly be replaying the goals two and three that he was unable to grasp.

This was a Scotland team that could not inspire enough to defeat an Icelandic team that lost 3-1 to Kosovo at home in March, including two Serie A champions, a Coppa Italia final hero, and one other Premier League champion.

Yes, it was a friendly encounter, but a warning is sounding.

The Scots stopped any kind of momentum that had come from three victories on the spin three months prior when Greece defeated them 3-3 at home.

In reality, Clarke’s side has struggled more frequently than not in recent years, despite occasionally receiving more praise for their performances.

Their final 21 games resulted in four victories. In that time, 42 goals were scored and 42 against. resides in Iceland, Finland, Greece, and Northern Ireland.

It doesn’t evoke the charisma of a Scotland team that can do the job quickly. a team that is progressing.

Former Scotland international Steven Thompson said on BBC Scotland, “Steve Clarke could do no wrong if you go back only a very short while.”

Where are Scotland under Clarke, Thompson is correct in this regard.

The former Kilmarnock and West Bromwich Albion manager, without a doubt, has had the best qualifying campaign for Scotland since the 1990s. After all, there are only two European Championships remaining.

Given how whimpering the Scots were each time, there was still a hollow feeling after both finals.

Germany’s fifth goal in Munich’s gruesome opening game had worn off as a result of the novelty of being there.

Clarke, who claimed there is a “75% chance” that he won’t renew his contract with the Scottish FA after the finals of the summer, is still eluded by a World Cup.

Some people are clamoring for that to be a 100% chance, according to a quick search on social media. Lastly, But after a friendly defeat, is that rational?

Scotland now has a group of players who are capable of playing in a qualifying group that includes Belarus, Greece, and Denmark. Would you subsidize their ability to get the job done with your mortgage?

Both Scotland’s forward James McFadden and Scotland’s Lyndon Dykes discussed momentum and its significance after the game. After three defeats, Clarke’s Liechtenstein team are now gearing up for their first game in Denmark.

Former Scotland defender Willie Miller said, “I think Steve Clarke will admit that it’s not good enough.”

You have to be honest with the fans, everyone, that that’s unacceptable, but I don’t see him changing any of his support for the players.

In reality, Clarke is unlikely to be able to guide Scotland through a qualifying campaign because nothing will ever happen in Liechtenstein. Despite the possibility of a second defeat, that opinion may change.

However, he should have enough credit in the bank, and he should have the desire to lead Scotland to their first World Cup since 1998.

We are likely moving into his final chapter, Clarke admits. How his team ends this international window and how he handles the upcoming days might have a significant impact on shaping his legacy as Scotland manager.

Would Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez swap the mariachi music of hometown Guadalajara for a tune from Barnsley’s brass bands?

Or maybe the Mexican superstar would prefer to sip a bitter ale, rather than tequila, while listening to cricketing tales from the town’s legendary umpire Dickie Bird?

For British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Callum Simpson, a fight against undisputed king Alvarez at the home of his beloved Barnsley Football Club isn’t as far-fetched as many might think.

“I’ll show him the town during fight week. Barnsley Town Hall is a beautiful building. For me, it’s the ninth wonder of the world,” the 28-year-old says with a grin.

“But seriously, two years ago, I did an interview saying I want to fight Canelo at Oakwell Stadium and people laughed, saying ‘you’ll never fight at Oakwell let alone Canelo’.

“But on Saturday I’m fighting at Oakwell for the second time in 10 months, having sold thousands of tickets, so why not Canelo at some point?”

Realistically, sharing the ring with Alvarez – who will defend his crown against American icon Terence Crawford in September – is a fair way away. And it is unlikely the 34-year-old has heard of Barnsley, let alone able to point it out on a map.

But Simpson, undefeated in 17 fights, is confident he will land a world-title shot next year.

First, though, he must overcome unbeaten Italian Ivan Zucco – who has 18 stoppages in 21 wins – for the vacant European title on Saturday.

Simpson was cheered to domestic honours by 7,000 fans when the hometown hero beat Zak Chelli at a limited-capacity Oakwell last August, but promoters Boxxer expect close to 15,000 on Saturday.

“I’ve done 3,500 tickets on my own – just from family, friends and messages on social media,” he says.

Being a huge ticket seller can take you far in the sport, and Simpson has built his own fortress of fans in south Yorkshire.

The secret is a genuine connection with his local community through personal interactions.

Simpson spends evenings at his local pub, personally handing out tickets.

“None of this is artificial. I’d like to think I’m just naturally a nice, hard-working person with a good heart, and people from Barnsley want to back me,” he adds.

Speaking to BBC Sport via video call while parked up in his car, Simpson is on his way to volunteer for a foodbank at a local supermarket.

“I try to give back to my community and I try to get to every charity event or local football game I can,” he says.

Simpson has a “new-found perspective” on boxing after his sister, Lily Rae-Simpson, tragically died aged 19 in a car accident in Greece last year.

“I always wanted to make my little sister proud, when she was with us and even now when she’s not,” he says.

“She’s still in the ring with me and I feel her presence there. When I’m training I can hear her voice and I can dig that little bit deeper.”

Simpson says he has watched videos recently from his win over Chelli, with Lily chanting his name and smiling in the Oakwell stands.

“That was the last fight she saw me in and it’s [Saturday] going to be an emotional night for my family,” he reveals.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy says he is “concerned” by his form heading into the US Open next week after struggling with driver issues at the Canadian Open.

The 36-year-old missed the cut at the Canadian Open on Friday, finishing nine over par and 149th in a 153-man field.

The Masters champion shot an eight-over-par 78 during his second round as he struggled to get to grips with a new driver.

McIlroy’s previous driver was ruled non-conforming on the eve of last month’s US PGA Championship, with the Northern Irishman going on to finish 47th in North Carolina.

With a new 44-inch driver in hand, McIlroy found just 13 of 28 fairways in Toronto and he made a quadruple-bogey eight on the par-four fifth hole after a disastrous tee-off.

“Of course it concerns me,” said McIlroy.

“You don’t want to shoot high scores like the one I did today. I felt like I came here, obviously with a new driver, thinking that sort of was going to be good and solve some of the problems off the tee, but it didn’t.

With play starting on 12 June, McIlroy has little time to iron out his issues from the tee.

But the five-time Major winner says he will test several drivers in the coming days to find the right one.

“I’m going to have to do a lot of practice and a lot of work over the weekend at home and try to at least have a better idea of where my game is going into next week,” said McIlroy.

“I went back to a 44-inch driver this week to try to get something that was a little more in control and could try to get something a bit more in play. But if I’m going to miss fairways, I’d rather have the ball speed and miss the fairway than not.

We previously discussed who will play for them at the World Cup. He is, in my opinion, the biggest Trump card.

After the Republic of Ireland’s 1-1 draw with Senegal, Dietmar Hamann, a former Liverpool and Germany midfielder, praised Caoimhin Kelleher.

Kelleher, who had three big saves to keep the African side out of Dublin in the 81st minute, finally lost her composure.

The 26-year-old left Liverpool to join Brentford for an initial £12.5 million, which could rise to £18 million with additions. This has been a busy week for him.

In the current economic climate, former Premier League goalkeeper Shay Given claims that he is “worth every penny, if not more.”

No disrespect is shown to Brentford, but Given’s comment on RTE Sport surprised that there weren’t many more significant clubs.

Let’s take a look at him at Brentford, “unless clubs have gone.” Let’s see him as number one for a year or two because we know they are a selling club.

Given said, “I would have gone in and got him,” and that he had thought about the situation with Chelsea and Manchester United’s goalkeepers.

After Kelleher’s three impressive saves against Senegal, he was speaking. The first goal appeared to be headed for the back of the net when Krepin Diatta scored it early in the second half with a tip over the crossbar.

After making a significant deflection on the post, Kelleher made another save to push the ball off the line with his foot before Ismaila Sarr drilled home the rebound in Dublin.

When asked about the crucial role Kelleher could play for the Irish ahead of World Cup qualifying in September, Hamann said, “I don’t think there is a keeper in the group who is anywhere near as good as he is.”

He is considered one of the top five keepers in the Premier League, as I stated last year.

“One of those better than him, [Liverpool’s Alisson], was undoubtedly playing for the same club.”

Given, a former stopper for Manchester City and Newcastle United, thinks that Kelleher will have a point to prove when he joins Brentford as their first choice goalkeeper after replacing Alisson at Anfield.

Since making his Premier League debut five years ago, Kelleher, who signed for Liverpool as a 16-year-old, has participated in 25 games.

On Kelleher’s time at Liverpool, Given said, “He would have benefited, but he would have missed so many games as well.”

He won’t receive that right away. He’ll want to play every week and achieve success on his own.

His patience paid off,” he said. He has a Premier League medal and has made no substitute appearances since, according to reports.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 369 days.

England will play a friendly against Senegal on Tuesday before moving on to the next stage of their quest for glory with a qualifying game against Andorra on Saturday.

In an effort to win the World Cup for England in the following year, boss Thomas Tuchel has sent his squad to Spain for a training camp before the games in order to maximize the number of days he has with his players.

The Three Lions are top of Group K having defeated Albania and Latvia in their opening two World Cup qualifying games under Tuchel.

However, with the current international window, Tuchel has only five camps in which to pick his preferred XI and implement a playstyle.

There are still many positions with significant question marks over them, even though the likes of Harry Kane, Jordan Pickford, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka appear safe bets to debut the following summer.

The majority of central midfield selections in England are made by themselves. If Tuchel continues to play in the 4-2-3-1 formation he used in his first two games, who will become the third player to join Bellingham and Rice?

In the first game of his career, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones played a more advanced role before Morgan Rogers was given a chance to play a more advanced role in the win over Latvia, similar to the one he does at Aston Villa.

After Crystal Palace’s success in the FA Cup and his time training with the England senior team, many believed Adam Wharton would be the player to add to the duo.

However, Wharton, who had a medical issue, was once again chosen by Lee Carsley for their European Championship.

Tuchel has argued that his teams have featured runners who are both powerful and physically fit, and that he enjoys the physicality of the English game.

After missing out on Tuchel’s first squad, Conor Gallagher has been called up this time around for Atletico Madrid.

Gallagher and Jones both fall under the midfielder category, making them more likely to contribute to Bellingham’s development.

As a result of Myles Lewis-Skelly’s transition into the international set-up, he can play left-back as a substitute while England are in possession. This will allow Bellingham to play a deeper starting position, allowing Tuchel to add another forward-thinking player to his squad.

John Stones is being considered by Tuchel because he spent a few days with the England squad in Spain despite his injuries and lack of playing time for Manchester City.

Tuchel has also recalled Trevoh Chalobah, who made his Premier League debut at Chelsea, and the England manager is familiar with the 25-year-old.

Ezri Konsa has impressed since joining Aston Villa’s international lineup, and the right-sided centre-back slot seems to be his current position.

Dan Burn, Levi Colwill, Marc Guehi, and now Chalobah square off in the left-hand corner.

Since Luke Shaw was the only natural player in the left-back slot, which was a problem for England in the past, Gareth Southgate has chosen him as the only natural player for the position.

Lewis-Skelly looked extraordinarily at ease at international level as he continued his excellent breakthrough at Arsenal and scored on his England debut.

As previously mentioned, Lewis-Skelly also gives Tuchel a weapon by allowing him to play midfield, which has the potential to free up Jude Bellingham.

Although Lewis Hall had good form for Newcastle United, he injured himself and will miss the two games against Senegal and Andorra.

Tuchel has mentioned him as someone he would like to look at, and the England manager also discussed how Shaw’s return to fitness might have an impact on the future of the country.

For the past few years, nobody has been able to establish themselves as a left-wing.

Southgate sought an answer at the Euros last summer by trying Phil Foden and occasionally Bellingham in that capacity.

Marcus Rashford had always been the favorite player, but Tuchel called him back in March after he was recalled due to form and fitness.

However, Rashford is not a part of this squad because of injury.

Anthony Gordon, who won the FA Cup with Newcastle, is also in the squad, but his performance for his club side has slowed.

The England manager is a fan of the Palace forward and Eze scored his first goal for England last month for Tuchel.

At the tail end of the season, he was excellent, scoring seven goals in his final eight games, including the cup final.

As England approaches the 12-month drew period before the World Cup, Harry Kane’s place as England’s starting striker is probably the most secure.

In the semi-final of Euro 2024, England defeated Portugal 3-2 in the title match. Ollie Watkins had accepted the challenge of playing Kane’s deputy.

However, he and Kane are a very different player, and Tuchel chose to surprise recall Ivan Toney as the starting striker.

Tuchel mentioned Toney’s impressive scoring record in Saudi Arabia, which included scoring 30 goals in 44 games across all competitions, and his Asian Champions League victory.