Saturday's briefing: Ange Postecoglou sacked as Wales ease past Lichtenstein
Wales kept on course for World Cup qualification with a comfortable win over Lichtenstein.
Scotland's problems continued as they were humbled 3-1 at home by Iceland.
Postecoglou's two-year reign as Tottenham manager came to an end despite having ended the club's 17-year wait for a trophy with victory in the Europa League final.
Postecoglou delivered on his promise of 'always' winning in his second season thanks to the 1-0 victory over Manchester United in Bilbao on May 21.
It etched the head coach name into the history books as only the third Spurs boss to taste European success and the first since 2008 to lift silverware – provoking an outpouring of affection from a previously split fanbase.
A club statement read: 'We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the club.
'Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw.
'However, the board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the club for a change to take place.'
Wales claimed a routine 3-0 World Cup qualifying win over minnows Liechtenstein on a night overshadowed by an injury to Neco Williams.
Joe Rodon's first Wales goal – only his third in senior football – ended Wales' nervous wait to break the deadlock after 39 minutes.
Harry Wilson and Kieffer Moore were also on the scoresheet in the space of three second-half minutes as Wales moved to the top of Group J with seven points from three games.
But Wales will prepare for Monday's test against group favourites Belgium in Brussels with major concerns over the fitness of Williams.
The Nottingham Forest full-back, in trying to cross on the byline midway through the first half, landed awkwardly and was in obvious pain as the Welsh medics ran to treat him.
Williams attempted to get to his feet on two occasions before slumping to the turf and eventually left the pitch on a stretcher.
Cieran Slicker had a debut to forget as Scotland's World Cup qualifying warm-up friendly ended with a 3-1 defeat by Iceland at Hampden Park.
The 22-year-old Ipswich goalkeeper replaced the injured Angus Gunn in the first half, minutes after which he conceded possession before Andri Gudjohnsen beat him with a terrific drive.
John Souttar levelled in the 25th minute from a corner but Slicker and his defenders struggled collectively when the visitors regained the lead from a corner, just before the break, with Scotland midfielder Lewis Ferguson putting through his own goal.
Slicker was again found wanting in the 52nd minute when he was beaten by a Victor Palsson header, which added the gloss for the visitors.
Laget sitt det😍🇳🇴 pic.twitter.com/aeKBdTCn5D
— Fotballandslaget (@nff_landslag) June 6, 2025
Italy's bid to qualify for a first World Cup since 2014 began in horrendous fashion as they were hammered 3-0 by an impressive Norway side in Oslo.
Coach Luciano Spalletti was already under pressure following his team's Nations League quarter-final exit in March, which came off the back of a hugely-underwhelming display at Euro 2024 when the holders were eliminated in the last 16.
His position now looks increasingly uncertain following a comprehensive humbling in their opening Group I match as goals from Alexander Sorloth, Antonio Nusa and Erling Haaland in the first half left them trailing Norway by nine points, with only the group winners assured of a spot at the 2026 finals.
Taking in tomorrow night's stage 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/LEGzDA2ECJ
— England (@England) June 6, 2025
England will look to uphold their perfect start to Thomas Tuchel's reign when they travel to face Andorra in Catalonia in World Cup qualifying.
Northern Ireland go to Copenhagen to play Denmark in a friendly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
35 minutes ago
- BBC News
Livingston closing in on 'two exciting prospects'
Livingston are closing in on signing "two really exciting prospects", manager David Martindale has who has guided the West Lothian side back to the top flight, is keen to strengthen his squad but is also hoping to retain one or two who are out of season's captain Jamie Brandon is one player whose deal is set to expire, with Kilmarnock reportedly battling with Livingston to sign the full-back. "I can't tell you about [the players we are looking to sign] yet," Martindale told BBC Scotland. "But I'm looking to bring them into the building and I'm not a million miles away from that."I'm also speaking to a couple of players who are out of the contract that I'd love to keep, but they've got options elsewhere as well."It's just football, it's just a typical pre-season, you'll lose players and you'll bring players in, but it's fairly normal for me."I'd done probably two or three players before the season ended, but the club haven't announced them yet."I expect to be doing a wee bit more work in the next 48 hours, and [if we manage that] we won't be a million miles away from having a really good squad."As well as bringing new faces in, there will be a new artificial pitch laid at Livingston for the season on that starts on Monday and Martindale hopes it will take no more than three to four weeks.
Scottish Sun
36 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Frank Warren leads tributes as iconic boxing trainer James Cook dies just months after tragic cancer diagnosis aged 66
He was even awarded an MBE 'A true gentleman' Frank Warren leads tributes as iconic boxing trainer James Cook dies just months after tragic cancer diagnosis aged 66 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANK WARREN has led the tributes to boxing trainer and former champion James Cook - who has passed away at 66. Cook - who won the British and European super-middleweight titles during his career - was diagnosed with bladder cancer this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Ex-boxing champion James Cook has passed away aged 66 Credit: Rex Features 3 MBE Cook passed away after a short cancer battle Credit: Rex Features And after a short battle, he has sadly passed away as boxing mourned the respected coach and former fighter. Promoter Warren posted: "Incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of James Cook MBE. "A true gentleman of our sport who achieved incredible things inside and outside of the ring. "The work he has done for youths in East London will live on forever and he will be hugely missed. READ MORE IN boxing BOILED OVER Azim fight called off hours before start over rival's illegal weight-cut method "Our condolences to his family and loved ones for their sad loss RIP." Eddie Hearn added: "Rest in peace a wonderful man and one of the most selfless you could ever find." Cook turned professional in 1982 after a successful amateur career and fought British greats in Michael Watson and Herol Graham. He won the British and European titles in the space of a year and retired after losing to Cornelius Carr in 1994. Cook later became a coach and was awarded an MBE in 2007 for services to youth justice in Hackney. At Buckingham Palace he received the honour directly from Queen Elizabeth II. In later years, Cook joined Anthony Yarde's camp before the light-heavyweight's rematch win over Lyndon Arthur in 2021.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Terrorism police deployed amid violence fears for World Cup qualifier
Tensions are high in Tirana as Albania host Serbia in England's 2026 World Cup qualifying group almost 11 years on from infamous abandonment because of drone carrying flag An estimated 2,000 police officers including an anti terrorism unit are bracing for trouble ahead of Albania and Serbia's World Cup qualifier in Tirana on Saturday night - after their most recent meeting in 2014 was abandoned because of an infamous drone row. The teams are facing off in Group K, the same pool as England, with visiting fans banned from attending the 22,500-capacity Arena Kombetare. But tensions will remain high throughout the weekend after the Serbia squad were escorted to their hotel by armed officers from the RENEA anti-terrorism unit. When the Balkan rivals met for a first time in October 2014, Serbia fans were heard chanting 'Kill the Albanian' before a drone carrying the flag of Great Albania flew over the Partizan stadium in Belgrade with the match still scoreless. It was dragged down by Serbia player Stefan Mitrovic, who was then subsequently surrounded by angry Albania players. From there ugly scenes erupted in the stands, leading to the game being abandoned. Months later the Court of Arbitration for Sport awarded Albania a 3-0 win. Serbia won the reverse fixture but it was held in a high-security bubble and passed off without major incident - despite rioting on the streets beforehand. Now they have been paired together with tonight's game coming under heavy scrutiny - especially since UEFA have awarded the nations joint hosting rights for the 2027 Under-21 Euros because they feel that can help build a relationship between the fierce rivals. And Armand Duka, president of the Albanian Football Federation, called on his compatriots to see the match as a sports event 'where the team gets support and positive energy from the fans to achieve the goal.' 'We want to give the message: let's live it as a sport festivity,' Duka told reporters, adding that Serbia supporters being banned "will contribute to a quieter environment.' He added: 'Players do not bear the burden of history or of the political tensions. They compete on the pitch to win, to give the best for the jersey they represent and, above all, to build the bridge of respect through the game.' Elseid Hysaj, the only member of Albania's present squad who was in the 2014 team, struck a peaceful note too, saying: 'We should be calm and be conscious that we are football players. We are here to please the fans and give our best for the victory.'
