- All Sports
Quick Sports
Caught Off-Side Publication (English Premier League Soccer)
Latest News & Results
After Norwich City’s 4-0 thumping of Leeds United at Elland Road on Thursday night, manager David Wagner has been fired by the club.
The Championship team has sacked its manager, according to the BBC.
In the second leg of their play-off semi-final, Leeds defeated the Canaries 4-0 at Elland Road, bringing the hosts closer to a return to the Premier League.
Prior to a third consecutive season in the second division, the Norfolk club has decided to part ways with Wagner after he led them to a sixth-place finish and a chance at promotion.
The club is anticipated to make an official statement later on Friday.
After Dean Smith was replaced in January 2023, Wagner assumed leadership but found it difficult to compete in the Championship.
Even though they were ranked 17th in November, Norwich won eight straight games at home to finish sixth and secure the last play-off position.
After leading Huddersfield to the Premier League in 2017, the manager was hired in January 2023 with the intention of repeating the feat at Carrow Road.
Ben Knapper, Norwich’s sporting director, will oversee the hiring procedure now.
Knapper, who formerly managed loans at Arsenal and had a good working relationship with Edu, will also have to handle anticipated bids for important players like Jonathan Rowe and Gabriel Sara, who are both highly regarded by Premier League teams.
Norwich City could appoint Arsenal coach
Wagner joined the Championship club after leaving Huddersfield and spending time with Schalke and Young Boys.
In addition to Steve Cooper and Liam Rosenior, Norwich has been linked to Arsenal coach Carlos Cuesta as they look for Wagner’s successor.
Having spent three years in the Championship, Norwich have to make some tough decisions now if they are to get promoted to the Premier League.
The post Norwich City sack manager David Wagner after play-off defeat against Leeds appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/norwich-city-sack-manager-wagner/
Aston Villa have had a taste of Europe this season, and whilst their Europa Conference League campaign was ultimately in vain, their football domestically has given them the platform to take things up a notch on the continent.
After Tottenham Hotspur failed to defeat Man City, it meant that Villa were guaranteed to be in next season’s Champions League.
It’s a just reward for all of the hard work that Unai Emery, Monchi and the first-team squad have put in over the past 18 months, though there is one note of caution to be sounded.
Collymore: Villa have to go for it
Newcastle United’s sojourn into the premier European competition could be said to have been as much to blame for the incredible amount of injuries to their players as much as anything else.
A deeper squad is required if Villa want to make a splash in the competition, but that costs money and in the current climate a bunch of new signings is therefore unlikely.
What Emery doesn’t want either is for the Champions League commitments to derail their Premier League aspirations.
Regardless, former Villa hit-man, Stan Collymore, has suggested that the club need to grab their chances in Europe with both hands.
“Purely as an ex-pro, I don’t buy into this ‘I’d rather play in the Europa League or the Conference League’ because that’s usually an excuse for clubs worried about taking more than baby steps. Eighteen months ago under Steven Gerrard Villa were heading towards relegation so European football is great, but make no mistake – the financial uplift, the global stage, the ability to be able to get better players, to tie down your better players – all of a sudden becomes it infinitely easier,” he said in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside.
“When you’re in the Champions League players don’t need to look around elsewhere. What’s the point unless they’re going to Manchester City who are virtually guaranteed to win a trophy? Why would players want to go to a Liverpool or a Man United? Some clubs can’t offer Champions League football next season and are in transition too.
“I think that it’s really important for Aston Villa to get into the Champions League and if we’re using this awful phrase of ‘branding and marketing,’ the club can reconnect with Asia, Australasia, the Americas, Europe etc. People will go ‘Aston Villa? I know them. That’s the club that Tom Hanks supports.’ It makes a massive difference.
“Villa have got top four money in terms of the ownership but you can’t just go and blow half a billion pounds, which Villa would if they could. I’d like them to look around and buy three, four or five players that know what the Champions League is all about, but we’re not talking about 37/38 year olds like Thiago Silva et al.
“I’m very comfortable with Monchi and his staff who have done a fantastic job, obviously, in terms of recruitment but they’re gonna have to go up a level now. If you get one chance as a club to get in the Champions League, take it and run with it. I’m very excited.”
It’s well known that Unai Emery is forensic in every aspect of his management, and no stone will be left unturned by him or his backroom team once their opponents in the Champions League are known.
With the likes of Prince William and Tom Hanks recently attending matches at Villa Park, which is now full to bursting for most home matches, it’s clear that Villa are a team and a club that are on the up.
A good run in the Champions League next season will be the icing on the cake.
The post Exclusive: Villa must grab UCL chance with both hands says Collymore appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/villa-grab-ucl-chance-collymore/
Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he is leaving the German club amid rumours of a move to Manchester United.
The German manager had decided to leave the club in February but the Bundesliga giants started talks with him to extend his stay.
After reportedly getting rejected by Xabi Alonso and Ralf Rangnick, Bayern Munich decided to hold talks with Tuchel in order to convince him to stay at the club.
But Tuchel made it official on Friday that this Saturday’s game against Hoffenheim will be his final one as Bayern Munich’s manager.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano on his X account, the former Chelsea manager confirmed his decision to leave the German club.
He said:
“This is my last press conference as FC Bayern manager”.
“There were talks, but we didn’t reach an agreement… so the decision of February still stands.”
BREAKING: Thomas Tuchel will NOT stay as Bayern manager, no change of mind.
“This is my last press conference as FC Bayern manager”.
“There were talks, but we didn’t reach an agreement… so the decision of February still stands”, Tuchel says. pic.twitter.com/nd8C35cLES
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2024
Should Manchester United choose to fire Erik ten Hag in the summer, Tuchel has been mentioned as a possible successor.
However, the Red Devils have not made any contact with the former Premier League manager.
Man United are expected to make a decision on the future of Erik ten Hag after their FA Cup final against Manchester City.
Tuchel is one of the candidates for the Man United job
Along with Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi and Graham Potter, Tuchel has been named as Ten Hag’s potential successor.
The German manager has a point to prove in the Premier League after being sacked by Chelsea.
He won the Champions League title with the London based club but after a poor run of games, he was fired by them.
A section of Chelsea supporters was unhappy with the club’s decision to sack him, but Man United could now provide him the opportunity to come back to England.
The post Man United manager target confirms he is leaving his club after failed talks appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/man-united-target-confirms/
Ruben Amorim’s hopes of a move to Liverpool may not have been ended in the way fans think.
The Sporting Lisbon boss was thought to be keen on a switch to the Anfield-based outfit, with Jurgen Klopp set to call time on a nine-year stay in Merseyside.
It has now emerged that the Primeira Liga side’s president, Francisco Varandas, may have played a starring role in blocking his head coach’s departure.
“I found out why the transfer of Ruben Amorim (Sporting Lisbon) to Liverpool FC fell through in the end. Everything had already been negotiated and the contracts were ready to be signed,” Christian Falk shared in his exclusive Fact Files column with CaughtOffside.
“Sporting Lisbon would have received a transfer fee of €10m, as had been agreed. However, the president of Sporting Lisbon, Francisco Varandas, is said to have changed his mind at the last minute. Suddenly, the president demanded €20m and spontaneously doubled the price.
“Liverpool did not want to play the game. That was bitter for Amorim, who would have loved to become Jürgen Klopp’s successor.”
The Leões have since been crowned league champions for the second time under the 39-year-old’s watch.
MORE: What Falk heard about ‘stronger than Haaland’ Sesko & Arsenal and Man Utd interest
Why isn’t Ruben Amorim going to Liverpool?
There had been suspicions that the Reds’ hierarchy had not taken well to attempts to pressurise decision-makers with his trip to London for talks with West Ham United.
There were also genuine concerns over the Portuguese head coach’s playing philosophy, tactics and long-term fit.
All perfectly reasonable reasons why CEO of Football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes might have been given pause.
Liverpool may fans may not mourn the death of this opportunity a great deal, however, given how promising an appointment Feyenoord’s Arne Slot appears.
Only time will tell whether the Merseysiders secured the right man to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
The post Christian Falk just exposed real reason why Ruben Amorim isn’t going to Liverpool appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/falk-real-reason-ruben-amorim-not-going-liverpool/
After this weekend the Jurgen Klopp era at Liverpool will be over, and an official announcement will then be expected to announce the arrival of Arne Slot.
The Dutch coach has garnered a reputation for playing bright, attacking football and that could be said to be ostensibly why the Reds targeted him in the first place.
Klopp has enjoyed a fine period of success with the Anfield based outfit by playing the style of football that he classed as ‘heavy metal football,’ or Gegenpressing to give it it’s proper name.
If Liverpool are attempting to have a ‘Klopp lite’ in the dugout thanks to their hiring of Slot, whilst understandable, it’s not necessarily the best move.
Slot will suffer from being the first after Klopp
Former Reds striker, Stan Collymore, believes that the Dutchman is on a hiding to nothing in any event.
“Arne Slot can speak English in the dressing room – big tick. A coach in a Dutch league that’s far from vintage – big red cross,” he said in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside.
“Slot’s perspective will be to look at things and go ‘if I do half as well and keep these in the top four…’ and his ambition will likely be to win a League Cup or FA Cup and that’s it. Then in season two, he’ll look for Liverpool to be more competitive.
“I think Liverpool Football Club have taken a pragmatic approach and decided that they’ll never get anyone like Jurgen Klopp and gone ‘let’s get somebody in that is at least competent and confident enough to be able to maintain the status quo and keep the club competitive.’
“Slot really believes he can do the job or else he wouldn’t say yes, but just like when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, David Moyes came in and everybody thought he’d do well. Moyes was very capable too but quickly realised that he couldn’t quite hit those high notes. I don’t think Slot will necessarily hit those high notes either. Why? Because it’s difficult following a Sir Alex, a Frank Sinatra, a Michael Jackson, a Muhammad Ali…
“He’s going to be known in Liverpool history as the man that took over from Jurgen Klopp, a big, powerful and strong character and persona who had the personality, attachment and connection to the scousers that afforded him that ability to go the extra mile. It transcended just being the manager of the football club.
“For me, honestly, Slot could go on and consolidate what Liverpool have, then once he has his feet properly under the table, he’ll need Michael Edwards to go and find two or three more signings like the Mane’s and the Salah’s of this world. Players in a decent price range but that won’t trouble the bank balance.
“If that happens, he’s got a chance, but I just think that sometimes in football there are characters who are very difficult to follow.”
The comparison to the Sir Alex/David Moyes situation is a fair one.
It’s often forgotten that Moyes was highly rated at the time he took over at Man United, and was believed to be the personal request of the outgoing manager.
Moyes’ Everton sides were renowned for playing good football, but that impression subsequently changed after the United debacle, and he has struggled to shake off that experience.
For Slot the world is effectively his oyster and whilst he will be given time, he still needs to hit the ground running.
He has to have the strength of personality to deal with matters arising head on, and to prove to the Liverpool squad that he has what it takes to be a worthy successor to a man whose memory will live long at the club.
It could go one of two ways for Liverpool, and they’ll be hoping that fortune once again favours the brave.
The post Exclusive: Arne Slot is on a hiding to nothing at Liverpool according to former Reds hit-man appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/arne-slot-liverpool-former-reds-hit-man/
Chelsea are reportedly keen on signing the Manchester United defender Raphael Varane at the end of the season.
They are looking to bring in a quality replacement for Thiago Silva, who will be a free agent in the summer.
Varane’s contract with Manchester United expires in the summer and the Red Devils have decided not to offer him an extension. The 31-year-old French international will leave Manchester United on a free transfer, and it is no surprise that clubs like Chelsea are keeping tabs on him.
According to Fichajes, Chelsea believe that he could be the ideal candidate to replace Silva. The 31-year-old has the quality and the experience to replace the Brazilian and he should prove to be a quality addition to the Chelsea defence.
Chelsea will have to compete with Italian club Juventus and Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Nassr as well.
Chelsea need someone like Raphael Varane
The Blues have looked vulnerable defensively and they need to tighten up at the back if they want to compete for trophies and return to the Champions League. The French international has proven his quality at club level and with his country. The 2018 World Cup winner has the ability and the experience to play for the biggest clubs in the world and he could be tempted if Chelsea come calling.
Although the Blues have had disappointing seasons in recent years, they are one of the biggest clubs in the world and they have a formidable squad. They could easily bounce back next year and compete for trophies once again.
Signing Varane on a free transfer would represent an excellent bargain for the Blues, and it would help them improve the other areas of their squad as well.
Chelsea cannot hope to spend freely this summer, especially after missing out on Champions League qualification. They will have to comply with the Premier league’s PSR regulations and they will have to be diligent with their transfer business.
The post Chelsea looking to sign 31-year-old World Cup winner on a bargain appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/chelsea-want-raphael-varane/
West Ham United defender Thilo Kehrer has completed his permanent transfer to Monaco when the French team exercised an option in his loan deal.
The Premier League club announced the transfer of the defender on their official website.
Despite failing to start in the Premier League for the first half of the season, Kehrer joined Monaco in January and has since developed into a vital member of the Ligue 1 team.
Kehrer’s purchase option was exercised by Monaco, who paid a reported £9.5 million for his services.
In the January transfer window, Kehrer joined the Ligue 1 team on loan from the Premier League club.
Since the move, the German international has made 14 league starts.
Monaco concluded the season with great form, finishing second behind Paris Saint-Germain and guaranteeing their spot in the Champions League next season.
In a statement, the club said: “Everyone at West Ham would like to thank Thilo for his efforts during his time in Claret and Blue, and wish him all the best for the future.”
The departure of the German defender is not surprising.
During the first half of the season, he received little playing time under David Moyes, indicating that the manager did not view him as a key component of his plans.
He has fallen down the pecking order at the London Stadium and his exit from the club seemed like the only suitable option for the Hammers.
West Ham United’s decision to sell him shows that he is not in the plans of the incoming manager as well, who is most likely going to be Julen Lopetegui.
West Ham have made a wise decision
It was important for the club to recoup money for him as that would help them in their transfer business this summer.
The Hammers are expected to be active in the transfer window as they look to make additions to their squad under a new manager.
They are planning to strengthen their attack and defense this summer and Kehrer’s departure means they need to sign a central defender and a full-back.
The post West Ham United confirm deal for 27-year-old defender appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/west-ham-united-confirm-deal/
Benjamin Sesko’s star has risen high as far as clubs in England are concerned.
The 20-year-old has struck 17 times this season in 41 games (across all competitions), helping guide RB Leipzig into the Champions League places.
Christian Falk now reports that the Slovenian is particularly appreciated by Arsenal and Manchester United ahead of the summer window.
“Benjamin Sesko is the hottest Bundesliga stock in England at the moment. Arsenal FC and Manchester United are particularly interested in the striker.
“In Leipzig they say: Sesko is physically even stronger than Erling Haaland (Manchester City). Both strikers were trained at Red Bull Salzburg. Like Haaland, Sesko also demanded an exit clause for a move to the Bundesliga. This clause amounted to €50m. But due to his strong performances and many appearances, the clause has now been increased to €75m for this summer.
“Arsenal and United now know what they have to put on the table for Sesko. Sesko’s advisor has already appeared in the stands at a United game. That’s part of his game. He has also had his picture taken in the stands at an AC Milan game. Milan are also interested in Sesko.”
MORE: ‘Unbelievable’ £55.3m player could now leave Man Utd if Tuchel stays at Bayern
Not a signing that fits Manchester United’s needs
There’s no question that Sesko is destined to ply his trade for one of the major players in Europe.
Whether that move should be to the Red Devils, however, is up for debate.
Erik ten Hag’s men already acquired quite the prodigy in 21-year-old Rasmus Hojlund. The suggestion has been that a more experienced striker would be necessary to alleviate some of the pressure on the Dane’s shoulders.
Signing a player a year his junior, then, would run counter to that logic.
Arsenal need a reliable centre-forward
Goals have been flowing from the wide areas – most notably from Bukayo Saka this term.
Elsewhere, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard have been chipping in quite reasonably in 2023/24.
That said, Arsenal are still arguably lacking a killer centrally. Gabriel Jesus has shone in moments outside of the treatment room, but Mikel Arteta’s men need availability.
The good news for Edu and Co.? Sesko hasn’t spent any time on the treatment table since suffering a torn muscle fibre in 2021/22.
The post What Falk heard about ‘stronger than Haaland’ Sesko & Arsenal and Man Utd interest appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/falk-benjamin-sesko-manchester-united-arsenal-interest/
Man City are on the verge of enjoying another incredible trophy-laden season.
Pep Guardiola’s side are just two wins away from claiming a double of Premier League and FA Cup, and were they to beat West Ham at the weekend, it would mean City landing an unprecedented fourth successive English top-flight title.
It’s a feat that’s not been done before in English football and deserves high praise indeed. It simply isn’t enough to say that the club has all the best players so what do you expect. A team still has to be blended together and the manager also has to be at the very highest level to be able to continue to motivate his playing staff.
All the while they have charges outstanding against them, however, their achievements will continue to be tarnished.
Former professional, Stan Collymore has really gone to town on the Premier League themselves for allowing such a situation to fester.
Man City’s charges needed to be dealt with sooner
“Apparently (Premier League chief) Richard Masters is going to the Arsenal game this weekend to avoid having to give the Premier League trophy to a club that’s got 115 charges against it,” he said in his exclusive column for CaughtOffside.
“The argument over the charges that we’ve had from Manchester City Supporters groups – who will undoubtedly have been briefed by the club – is that the charges are too serious and too hefty over a number of different domains, to be dealt with quickly. Okay, I can go with that. 115 charges, take some more time…
“However, the fact is that no one expects a weekly digest from Richard Masters. I fail to see how the Premier League could not have taken one of Manchester City’s charges, perhaps the most serious and focused on that as the headline grabber, then just get to the other 114 as and when.
“I believe that Premier League have got it wrong because they haven’t dealt with one single charge and you can’t honestly tell me it couldn’t have been done in the same timescale as Everton’s and Forest’s punishments.
“They could’ve then said to people ‘this is the gravity of the club’s situation.’ Whether it would be a three point, six point or 10 point deduction, that would have had clear ramifications for this season’s title race.
“It would then be a template for dealing with clubs in the future because I’m sure that other clubs will fall foul of FFP sooner or later. Villa aren’t far off, and Newcastle may not be far off either.”
Collymore certainly has a point. It’s almost as if the powers that be at the Premier League are running scared.
By the time the charges are dealt with City might have even more silverware in the trophy cabinet, but there’ll be a hollow feeling if a number of the club’s titles won during the period concerned, are then taken away from them.
It could even lead to a mass walkout of players who will all be tarred with the same brush.
“I don’t know what the outcome is gonna be because Manchester City’s lawyers are the best in the business, and when you have the best in the business you tend to get tangible results,” Collymore added.
“Remember that Everton and Forest could’ve gone down this season but haven’t because they still had enough in the tank despite the points deductions. The point is that they could have gone down – this season – because their cases were dealt with. Manchester City cannot not be champions of England if they’re found guilty, but they will be if results go as expected because the Premier League haven’t got their collective fingers out.
“Richard Masters looks older every time he goes on TV and I think that the Premier League are under massive strain, dealing with a situation that has very significant complexities. I’ve got no confidence in them at all and therein lies the problem.
“If the stuff around Roberto Mancini apparently being paid off the books is found to be the case, for example, that should be a demotion in itself. Every single player and manager is paid like any other employee in the business. If it’s proven that he was getting paid a contract worth £1m via PAYE and HMRC, but was getting £8m sent to a business in Abu Dhabi… that should be worthy of significant sanction.
“I think that’s what a lot of football fans feel is unfair and that’s when you get into all of this sort of conspiracy theory territory. I know that clubs will try it on, so the Premier League need to fire a warning shot across clubs to flex their muscles and so everyone knows that they really do mean business.”
The longer the situation is allowed to continue, the more embarrassing it becomes for the Premier League and its stakeholders.
Let’s remember too that even if some of the charges manage to stick, Man City’s lawyers will appeal, thus delaying the process even further.
The post Exclusive: Premier League have bottled it in relation to Man City charges says Collymore appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/premier-league-charges-collymore/
Tottenham Hotspur are keen on signing Morgan Gibbs-White from Nottingham Forest at the end of the season.
According to Football Insider, they have already held talks regarding a potential move and it will be interesting to see if they submit an official offer to sign the 24-year-old midfielder.
Gibbs-White has been in impressive form this season scoring five goals and picking up 10 assists in the league. He could prove to be an exceptional acquisition for Tottenham and he will add some much-needed creativity and goals to the side.
Although Tottenham have James Maddison at their disposal and the former Leicester City midfielder in a similar role, Spurs have been overly dependent on him and they need more depth in the squad.
They will be hoping to secure Champions League qualification next season and they will want to do well in the domestic trophies as well. Adding more quality will help them perform at a high-level across multiple competitions.
Morgan Gibbs-White could fancy Tottenham move
Morgan Gibbs-White is already well settled in the Premier League and he could make an immediate impact at Tottenham if the transfer goes through. The 24-year-old will certainly fancy the opportunity to play for the North London club. It would be a major step up in his career.
He has been fighting for survival with Nottingham Forest this season and joining an ambitious club with an exciting squad will be quite attractive for him.
Ange Postecoglou did well to nurture talented young players at Celtic and he could play a key role in the development of the 24-year-old midfielder as well. He could help the Nottingham Forest star develop into a key player for Tottenham.
The North London outfit have a free-flowing attacking approach and the midfielder could thrive in their system. The report from Football Insider claims that a £60 million valuation could be slapped on the midfielder, and it will be interesting to see if Tottenham are willing to pay that much for him.
The post Tottenham open talks for midfielder with 15 goal contributions in the PL this season appeared first on CaughtOffside.
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/05/17/tottenham-open-talks-morgan-gibbs-white/
