Noble 'shocked' by West Ham's popularity in U.S.
West Ham sporting director Mark Noble joins Paul Burmeister, Tim Howard, and Danny Higginbotham to discuss West Ham's upcoming Premier League Summer Series tour and how much the club has risen in popularity overseas.
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16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Everton manager David Moyes learned of OBE at grandson's nativity play
Everton manager David Moyes said he was at his grandson's nativity play when the Home Office called to say he would be made an OBE. Moyes, 62, had not been checking the post because his mother-in-law was in poor health. The former centre back was formally made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by avid football fan the Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday. Moyes managed West Ham from 2017 to 2024, and under his tenure the team secured its first major trophy in 43 years in the 2023 Europa Conference League. The Glaswegian, 62, managed Everton from 2002 to 2013 and returned to the Merseyside team in January. Aston Villa-follower William congratulated him during the ceremony on Everton's success, Mr Moyes said. The father-of-two told the PA news agency: 'They actually congratulated me on Everton and was praising for especially the way things have turned around in the second half of the season. 'I had said that I thought his side were doing remarkably well.' Aston Villa finished sixth in the Premier League, with Everton in 13th place after coming back from being just one point above the relegation zone when Moyes took over in January. The Prince of Wales often attends Villa games and has been photographed with his son Prince George at their matches. Moyes added: 'He actually commented that it's great that he's seen them, and he's trying to enjoy all the good times at the moment with Aston Villa. 'He takes his sons, which is great – I think in many ways it shows that the royal family are very much part of the people as well, and want to do normal things in life'. The former Celtic and Preston player, who also managed Manchester United, said he learned of the honour in December. Moyes told PA: 'I was actually at my grandson's nativity and I'd got a call from the Home Office. 'My mother-in-law wasn't well, she was dying at the time, and we hadn't opened up the mail for a wee while – you know, we'd been concentrating on my mother-in-law. 'I had to say to my wife, 'can you check and see if I've had a message here?' 'I didn't believe them. I can sometimes get quite a lot of phone calls which you don't always believe. 'I went back, we checked, and I've got to say it was a big moment for both me and my wife. It was emotional.' He suspected his success at West Ham was a key part of him making the New Year Honours list. 'Bringing a trophy to West Ham, I think was huge, and I've been really fortunate that I've been able to manage and stay in the game for a long time, which in itself is something which is not easy to do in the league which is seen as the best league in the world – it's not easy to have longevity in it'. Moyes has the third-most Premier Leagues matches as a manager, behind Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
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Jordan's long road to World Cup qualification took a strange diversion
Would Harry Redknapp have taken Jordan to the World Cup had the 2018 tournament featured 48 teams instead of 32 and Asia had eight spots instead of four? It is an interesting question but the former West Ham manager's short time in charge in 2016, not long after Ray Wilkins had the job, is not a subject anyone in the capital, Amman, is much focused on at the moment. 'Redknapp and Wilkins? Now is not the time to talk about that,' said a smiling Jordan Football Association official on Monday. The reaction given the country has just qualified for a first World Cup and is in serious party mode is understandable. Advertisement Related: Socceroos taken from brink of disaster to automatic World Cup 2026 qualification | Joey Lynch Before Tuesday's game at home to Iraq the sky above Amman's International Stadium came alive with drones displaying images of King Abdullah II, crown prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II and then a fighter jet, a tank and '2026'. It was impressive, and it is doubtful many of those present were also contemplating an image of Redknapp driving away from Jordan's training, winding down the windows to chat about the World Cup with waiting journalists before turning past the shisha bars and restaurants on Al Shahid Street and heading back to his hotel. In March 2016, Redknapp was brought in for two World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Australia. It was a short-lived rollercoaster, more of a gyro drop really, an 8-0 win followed by a 5-1 loss. There cannot be many international coaches with a higher goals per game average. Redknapp wanted to extend his contract if the team reached the third round of qualification but Jordan were fifth of the eight best group runners-up and only the top four went through. These days, they would be in the final stage. Wilkins had been appointed in September 2014, taking his former Manchester United teammate Frank Stapleton with him. His five-month contract was not extended after Jordan did not make it out of their group at the Asian Cup the following January, finishing third behind Japan and a talented Iraq team. A year later Redknapp followed. Advertisement Hiring English coaches was the doing of the Jordan FA president, Prince Ali bin al-Hussein, who challenged Sepp Blatter for the Fifa presidency in 2015. None of it really worked out. Wilkins and Redknapp were not around long enough to do much. 'I haven't got a magic wand. I can't come here and suddenly go: 'We're going to play like Brazil,'' Redknapp said. 'If I can get another 5% to make the difference I'll be delighted.' He was right. There isn't a magic wand and although the expanded World Cup helps, Jordan's qualification is not all about that either. 'This achievement comes after years of hard work from players and the Jordan FA,' said the team's Moroccan coach, Jamal Sellami. 'This historic qualification is for all the people who believed in us.' The improvement has been slow and steady. A solid mid-ranking team that long enjoyed being a stubborn underdog and giving more illustrious opponents a bloody nose in Amman have become something more. The 2023 Asian Cup was testament to that. Jordan won their first knockout games at the tournament and outclassed Jürgen Klinsmann's South Korea in the semi-final before losing to the hosts, Qatar. Related: Vinícius books Brazil's place at World Cup as Ancelotti plays with four forwards Advertisement The coach Hussein Ammouta had much to do with it. The FA appointed the Moroccan in June 2023 instead of looking to Europe. He had a fine résumé, if one little known outside the Arab world, having secured continental prizes at club and country level as well as domestic trophies. Under him Jordan were happy to let opponents have possession and ready to take advantage of mistakes and be devastating on the counter. Attackers such as Yazan al-Naimat and Rennes' Musa al-Tamari, a rare Europe-based player, though that may change soon, lit up the tournament. Ammouta left in June 2024, citing family reasons, and there was some annoyance when he was appointed by the UAE club Al Jazira a few weeks later and much stronger feelings when it looked as if he might take the Iraq job in April. This was not only down to rivalry but also because the two were fighting it out for the second 2026 World Cup automatic qualification spot in Group B behind South Korea. Ammouta decided against it. His successor, Sellami, sealed the deal last week with a 3-0 win in Oman. Five days later, Iraq came to town for the final group game, a dead rubber. The party was alive, flags flying from cars heading to the stadium, billboards showing congratulations and fans talking of who they want at the World Cup. Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Spain were mentioned. England were high on the list too and, if it happens, then it will be a perfect time to talk about Redknapp, Wilkins and their Amman adventure.
Yahoo
3 days ago
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West Ham wait to make decision on Antonio's future
Michail Antonio began his career with non-league Tooting & Mitcham United before signing for Reading in 2008 [Getty Images] West Ham have delayed a decision on Michail Antonio's future as the forward continues his recovery from a serious car accident in December. The 35-year-old's contract expires on 30 June but the club say his "unique situation" means no formal decision will be made until the time is "right and appropriate". Advertisement Antonio's Ferrari skidded off the road and struck a tree in Epping Forest six months ago, resulting in a broken leg which required a three-week stay in hospital. In a statement, West Ham said the Jamaica international will be listed as a free transfer for the purposes of Premier League procedure. The club added supporting Antonio through his recovery period was their "absolute priority". Antonio joined West Ham from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee, reported to be £7m, in 2015. He is the club's record Premier League goalscorer, scoring 68 goals in 268 top-flight appearances. Advertisement Meanwhile, France international Kurt Zouma, 30, who joined the the club four years ago and is on loan at Al-Orobah FC in the Saudi Pro League, will leave West Ham at the end of the month. The club announced last month that defenders Aaron Cresswell and Vladimir Coufal, goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and striker Danny Ings will leave when their contracts expire this summer.
