Archive November 2, 2025

Refusing to do what your manager asks you to do in an office or on a football field is not a good look.

Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence, both of whom played for Tottenham, gave the statement to Spurs manager Thomas Frank on Saturday.

When Frank encouraged his players to do a lap of applause around the stadium shortly after half-time in their 1-0 home defeat against Chelsea, as he does after every home game, he did it again.

Van de Ven and Spence were caught on camera bashing their manager and going straight down the tunnel as his players were being booed off the pitch.

Is such a reaction understandable in the present, given that the emotions and frustrations were high following such a disappointing loss? Or should a manager’s request always be honored?

Frank downplayed the incident after the game, saying, “All the players are obviously frustrated.”

I am aware that they would like to do well, win, and perform well, as stated in their respective statements.

Spurs are understood to be satisfied that Frank was not hurt, but rather a result of frustration with the way things had changed and the amount of negativity that had been generated by fans at their home stadium over the past few weeks.

However, it was unfortunate to publicly reject Frank’s request.

Nedum Onuoha, the former defender for Manchester City, thinks it is understandable that the players were frustrated, but believes Van de Ven and Spence should at least acknowledge Frank.

You experience frustrations as players,” he declared live on BBC Radio 5. Simply nod your manager and listen.

You may have to do this joyful little dance at times. You are aware of the fans’ clapping. If those two make amends when they come out, I wouldn’t be surprised.

Tim Krul, the former Newcastle goalkeeper, said, “I can see both sides in this one.

“You’ve just lost against your biggest rivals, but the manager obviously wants all the players to cheer up and cheer.”

They played a terrible game, and Micky van de Ven was to blame for one of the goals. They weren’t clapping enough, so they shouldn’t have. They show no sign of concern, but they did so improperly.

Football is a sensitive game, and players may not always react the best way when things don’t go their way.

What followed from previous instances of players snubging their managers, along with what follows:

Eric Ten Hag and Cristiano Ronaldo

What transpired: Cristiano Ronaldo, a Portugal star, left the stadium before half-time when he refused to play as a late substitute for Manchester United in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham in October 2022.

How it turned out: Ronaldo was dropped from the squad for the following game, and he claimed in a TV interview that he felt “betrayed” by the team the following month. He left the club by mutual consent a week later.

Oliver Glasner and Marc Guehi

What transpired: Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who was at the time linked with a move to Liverpool, appeared to ignore Oliver Glasner as the Eagles manager called him out on the pitch shortly after half-time in a draw with Chelsea.

How it turned out: Guehi and Glasner haven’t changed since that incident, and the defender has continued to play for the Eagles regularly. However, it was announced last month that he would leave the organization next year.

Maurizio Sarri and Kepa Arrizabalaga

What transpired: Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga refused to be substituted for him during the defeat by Manchester City in the 2019 Carabao Cup final.

How it turned out: Kepa apologized but received a pay fine for a week. Then, according to Blues manager Sarri, the situation is now closed.

Glenn Roeder and Paolo di Canio

What transpired: Di Canio yelled at Roeder on the touchline after being informed that he would be substituted for a game against Tottenham in September 2002. After he calmed down, Di Canio was eventually released.

In a dramatic photo finish, Benson Kipruto defeated Alexander Mutiso to claim victory in the men’s race in New York, making his marathon debut as a British man.

In the final stages of the race, Kipruto and Mutiso broke through to the top four-man group, which included Preston Harrier Dever, who completed in two hours, eight minutes, and 58 seconds.

When Mutiso almost overtook his fellow Kenyan on the line, Kipruto held him to victory in 2:18. In 2:08.57, their compatriot Albert Korir came third.

Eliud Kipchoge, a Kenyan who might have completed his most elite marathon, placed 17th overall in 2: 14.36.

Hellen Obiri, a 35-year-old Kenyan woman who won the women’s race in New York in 2:19.51, set a course record.

Margaret Okaya had set the previous record in 2003, setting it at 2:22.31.

In contrast, Jessica Warner-Judd, who made her distance debut in 2: 24.45, placed seventh, with Sharon Lokedi coming in second in 2: 20.07 and Sheila Chepkirui, who is also a Kenyan, finishing third in 2: 20.24.

In the men’s wheelchair race, David Weir of Great Britain came second (1: 34. ), ahead of Marcel Hug of Switzerland (1: 30. 16).

With a 3-2 victory over Brighton on Sunday, Manchester United continued their women’s super league unbeaten run with a strong performance.

With their fifth victory of the campaign, Marc Skinner’s side is now two goals away from leaders Chelsea and Manchester City, but many people couldn’t possibly overlook the most profound moment.

Right-back Hannah Blundell made a substitute debut shortly after Jess Park scored for United.

It appears to be just one of Skinner’s three adjustments made at the hour mark.

In reality, Blundell’s performance marked the start of a remarkable comeback, with her first appearance in more than a year following Romi’s birth.

She became the first United player to play after giving birth on the final day of the 2023-24 season in a 6-0 defeat to her former side Chelsea on the same day.

After her half-hour cameo, Blundell wrote on Instagram, “That felt good.”

“First minutes of the WSL after giving birth to my son Romi. Without my team-mates, physiotherapists, coaches, and of course my daughter and husband, who would have traveled a long way, we wouldn’t have arrived.

The 31-year-old replaced Canada international Jayde Riviere, who helped United hold on for a victory in a frantic finish.

It’s a fantastic story in itself, according to Skinner, to welcome back Hannah after giving birth.

“I think I’ll feel it in my own pride on the way home. She has worked extremely hard and has been anticipating it for a while.

Blundell, who left Chelsea in 2021, started for United for the first three seasons before helping the club win their first FA Cup in May 2024.

The club made the announcement that she was expecting her first child four months later.

Blundell’s contract was in its final year when it was announced, but the club triggered a retention clause to allow her to receive maternity pay and medical care.

Prior to the start of the 2014-15 campaign, Skinner immediately became aware of the pregnancy and began recruiting defenders.

Blundell gave birth to her daughter via caesarean section on March 31 of this year.

Romi and her baby were present for her first official run on July 4th, when she arrived at Carrington.

Being told to do nothing for six weeks was a real challenge for a football player who has always been active, Blundell wrote on Instagram after returning from training.

Knowing what my body had just gone through in order to give birth to my child, I had to accept it mentally.

Being able to run again and begin getting ready to play football after three months makes me feel happy and excited. But now my little girl is the one who needs me even more.

Blundell took a different approach in September when he appeared for United’s under-21 team.

I finally stepped back on the pitch after 16 months of playing in a competitive match, according to Blundell.

“Re-applying this shirt felt good. My love for football never wavered despite the journey that has involved patience, sacrifice, and resilience.

Before making her comeback on Sunday, she made the team for Chelsea on October 3 and continued to play for Valerenga, Everton, and Atletico Madrid unassisted.

The full-back impressed her former United teammate Nikita Parris, who currently plays for the London City Lionesses.

She has worked so hard to return and join a United squad that is strong on all fronts, according to Parris, who spoke to Sky Sports.

However, you must take an opportunity when given one, as Hannah has done.

The family believes that the United team sprit has been successful. The girls really stand by one another and fight for one another in the amazing dressing room.

A United team hoping to place in the top three in the WSL, believes former Scotland captain Rachel Corsie, who believes Blundell’s return could be a boost.