Meet the new boss......
Hello! It's June 12th, and today we're talking Erik ten Hag's non-firing firing, football boots, and Christiano Ronaldo looking happy with himself. Oh, and a FREE EURO 2024 wall chart. Enjoy!
So much for that managerial merry-go-round then….. Manchester United’s new leadership under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have finished their thorough review, conducted interviews with potential new managers, and decided that they’ll stick with Erik ten Hag after all….
The media was pretty much convinced that the Dutchman was heading for the axe after United’s worst ever Premier League finish with, let’s remember, Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Frank and Kieran McKenna all rumored to be taking over.
So what happened?
Jamie Jackson in the Guardian reports that: Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s season review concluded that a record of two trophies in two seasons, his development of Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, plus the Dutchman’s professionalism and dignity meant he deserved the chance to continue. Negotiations over a new contract for the Dutchman have already begun.
The Times ($) says: The United hierarchy have been impressed by the way in which Ten Hag has integrated young players into the first team, including Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, while they accept that last summer’s signings Rasmus Hojlund and André Onana need time to bed in.
Ok, so we’ve got the briefing from United - Ten Hag ‘developed’ Mainoo and Garnacho. Got it.
What do the Daily Mail have to say?
Ten Hag has been lauded for his development of young players, with Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho two standouts of the 2023-24 campaign.
Ok….ok….we get really get it now.
The Mail’s Mike Keegan does add a bit more though: Mail Sport understands that United officials want to see how Ten Hag operates under what they believe will be a new structure aimed at ensuring he is given the best opportunity to succeed.
But is this really a long-term commitment to Ten Hag or are we going to have another round of speculation if/when United get off to a disappointing start next season?
Jason Burt in the Telegraph ($) says: It will also raise the suspicion that United actually cannot get their ideal candidate at present – potentially England manager Gareth Southgate – and are prepared to bide their time and see whether Ten Hag can turn around their fortunes.
Southgate said yesterday that he is probably going to leave the England job if/when they don’t win Euro 2024. His contract with the FA runs until December…….
But the real reason Ten Hag may have got the nod was the ‘astoundingly low wage’ according to one candidate on the shortlist, and the ‘unimpressive transfer budget’, which is approximately £35m according to another. (The Times $)
Your Daily Soccer Round-up….
EURO 2024: For our American readers with a Kinko’s (now FedEx) nearby, get yourself down there to print off this wall chart courtesy of the BBC.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored more goals for Portugal after turning 30 than Pele scored for Brazil in his entire career (78 v 77) (@will_jeanes)
Holland: In a tale as old as time, Ian Maatsen found himself stuck off the coast of Mykonos on a yacht when he found out about his last minute call-up to the Netherlands squad. Unfortunately, he was without kit, and such is the plight of the modern player, he had to hot-foot it to Wolfsburg from Greece while his father hot-wheeled it from Rotterdam to meet him there with his boots. If only the BBC hadn’t cancelled Top Gear. (ESPN)
Apparently, 2014 is now considered retro as Adidas rehash revive its Predator and F50 boots again. (YahooSports - sneaking in an advertorial)
Nations that can’t play matches at home:
There are one or two that aren’t too good away, either
The Daily Soccer Quote of the Day
"I've been able to live with him for a year and have often had to wonder if he's really only 20 years old. He seems much more mature, especially off the field. He has the personality to be the hope of England.”
- Toni Kroos on Jude Bellingham crashing out of the Euros in the group stage