AP PHOTOS: Fans watch as Paris Saint-Germain wins the Champions League for the first time
Fans of PSG cheer for their team during the Champions League final soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
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Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Liverpool's New No 2? Mamardashvili Eyes Alisson's Throne After Kelleher Exit
Caoimhin Kelleher's Farewell and the Goalkeeping Transition at Liverpool Beyond the Backup Label Liverpool has rarely paused to grieve the departure of a second-choice goalkeeper. Yet Caoimhin Kelleher was never your average understudy. His £18million ($24.3m) move to Brentford may seem routine in modern football finance, but the emotional reaction surrounding it tells a deeper tale — of a player who defied the typical backup narrative to carve out a reputation of substance and style. Advertisement Kelleher arrived from Cork's Ringmahon Rangers in 2015 with promise, but not prestige. What followed was a steady rise into Ireland's standout goalkeeper, a trusted custodian for club and country. Though he remained in the shadow of Alisson for much of his Liverpool career, he stepped out when called upon and never looked out of place. Photo IMAGO With only 25 Premier League starts across six seasons, it's tempting to view his contribution as peripheral. But in truth, Kelleher's presence often proved pivotal. His calm demeanour, sharp reflexes, and quiet confidence became integral whenever Liverpool's No 1 was unavailable. He earned the mantle of the Premier League's best backup goalkeeper — a moniker both complimentary and limiting. Championship Contributions and Final Flourish Kelleher's timing, in both his saves and career moments, has always been notable. That he played a bigger part in Liverpool's 2024–25 Premier League title win felt deserved. Injuries to Alisson opened the door, and Kelleher walked through with assured hands and unshakeable poise. He featured ten times during the title run-in — three appearances in the Champions League and seven in the Premier League — as Alisson recovered from a hamstring issue. Advertisement His standout performance came in the 2-0 Champions League triumph over Real Madrid. That evening under the lights, he denied Kylian Mbappe from the penalty spot and made a series of crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet. He showed again what many already believed — that he could be a No 1 elsewhere. Even his mistake in the 3-3 draw against Newcastle United at St James's Park became a talking point spun into affection by Liverpool supporters. 'Without that draw, we wouldn't have won the league at Anfield,' some joked, pointing to the reshuffled fixture list that ended so gloriously in front of the Kop. But humour could not hide reality. 'For years, he's made it clear that he wants more,' the original piece from The Athletic noted, and rightly so. Sitting in Alisson's shadow was never going to satisfy a goalkeeper of Kelleher's ambition and ability. Brentford offers him the minutes he craves and a platform to prove he's more than a reliable reserve. Mamardashvili's Moment Arrives While Kelleher departs with admiration and applause, Liverpool's attention turns toward his successor. Giorgi Mamardashvili, a £29million recruit from Valencia, is already in place. Though he remained in Spain last season, the Georgian is now poised to step into the Liverpool squad for pre-season under Arne Slot. Advertisement Mamardashvili is no stranger to expectation. His performances for Georgia at Euro 2024 caught widespread attention. Liverpool acted swiftly, aware they were not the only ones watching. There were whispers of Alisson interest from Saudi Arabia, and though that pursuit has cooled, contingency planning was a necessity. At just 24, Mamardashvili is entering the most defining stretch of his career. He has been learning English, integrating into the club's culture from afar, and mentally preparing for the competition ahead. He wants to play, not just participate, and while Alisson remains Liverpool's No 1 for now, there is an unspoken inevitability to the transition ahead. 'Injury concerns over Alisson's record persist,' notes the original report. Last season's three-month layoff was not an isolated issue. Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes, understood the risks and retained three senior stoppers for depth. That gamble paid off. Now, with Vitezslav Jaros eyeing a loan in one of Europe's top five leagues and Harvey Davies stepping up as third choice, the structure is clear. Should Alisson suffer another setback, it will be Mamardashvili who takes the gloves. A Future in Safe Hands Liverpool believe Mamardashvili has the temperament, talent, and technical prowess to one day replace Alisson outright. He thrives in possession-based systems, where quick distribution and positional intelligence are key. His stint at Valencia may have been marred by inconsistency — they finished 12th in La Liga — but he was often let down by a struggling defence, not his own shortcomings. Advertisement In fact, the environment at Liverpool could play to his strengths. A higher line, fewer shots faced, and a more dominant team structure may allow Mamardashvili to flourish. The club views him as a project worth investing in and believes he will become one of Europe's top stoppers. Whether that transition happens this season or in the next few years will depend on performance, patience, and perhaps pragmatism from both player and manager. For now, Mamardashvili is expected to challenge, not displace. Alisson's status remains intact, but his heir is no longer hypothetical — he's here, waiting. And that's the great paradox of modern football's goalkeeping hierarchy. Only one can start, but the depth behind must be of elite standard. Liverpool had that in Kelleher and hope to maintain it with Mamardashvili. The dynamic between them and Alisson will shape much of what unfolds in the new season. Legacy, Loyalty and Looking Ahead Kelleher leaves with five major medals and memories to match. His League Cup contributions in 2022 and 2024 were vital, even if he watched on for the 2019 Champions League and the 2022 FA Cup latter stages. His legacy is not in quantity of games, but quality of character and performance. He stood tall when Liverpool needed him most. Advertisement 'Might have crumbled without their first-choice goalkeeper,' the article rightly stated. But they did not, and in many ways, that was down to Kelleher's calming influence. As Arne Slot begins his reign, decisions over who starts in goal will be as critical as any tactical tweak. Alisson is the proven champion, Mamardashvili the emerging contender. The balance of experience and potential is finely poised. One leaves, one arrives, but the thread connecting them is clear — Liverpool have prioritised their goalkeeping future with the same rigour they have applied across the pitch. Kelleher departs with dignity and gratitude. Mamardashvili steps forward with belief and ambition. And Alisson, still one of the finest in the world, remains the benchmark both must reach. In the goalkeeping union, respect is paramount. For Liverpool, the changing of the guard has begun, but the standard will not drop. It never does.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Report Vieira has given availability for Inter job
Reports in Italy claim that Genoa head coach Patrick Vieira has given his availability to take over from Simone Inzaghi at Inter, despite an ongoing attempt to lure Cesc Fabregas away from Como. Inter are searching for a new head coach following the confirmation that Inzaghi left his job via mutual consent on Tuesday. Advertisement The 49-year-old left three days after the 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final, and is now expected to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. epa12148298 Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi walks past the trophy after losing the UEFA Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Internazionale Milano, in Munich, Germany, 31 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANNA SZILAGYI According to various reports over the last two days, Inter have been targeting a move for Como's Fabregas to replace Inzaghi. However, Como remain adamant that the Spaniard 'will not leave', while the coach himself claims that he is happy with the project in his current job. Other reports suggest that Inter are also looking at former midfielder Vieira and former Nerazzurri defender Cristian Chivu, currently head coach of Parma, as alternatives to Fabregas. Reports Vieira willing to take on Inter job GENOA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 24: Patrick Vieira, head coach of Genoa, looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa and Cagliari at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on November 24, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) According to reports from Inter have already held initial talks with Vieira over their vacant head coach position. Advertisement Wednesday's update claims that the Frenchman has already shown a willingness to take over in San Siro. Gianluca Di Marzio, meanwhile, adds that there is a release clause that stands at €500,000 in Vieira's contract with Genoa. Vieira only joined Genoa as head coach in November, taking over from Alberto Gilardino with the team sitting one point above the relegation zone at the time. Crystal Palace's manager Patrick Vieira reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace in Manchester, Britain, 04 February 2023. EPA-EFE/ADAM VAUGHAN EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. The former Arsenal, Juventus and Inter midfielder guided the Grifone to comfortable safety, ending the 2024-25 season in 13th place, 12 points clear of the drop zone. Vieira also has coaching experience with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Crystal Palace in the Premier League, OGC Nice, and NYCFC in MLS. He also spent four years with Manchester City in various roles, including as manager of the club's Elite Development Squad.
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Tom Brady reveals how he's kicking off summer vacation with kids in new photos
Summer vacation is sweet when your dad is Tom Brady. The retired quarterback took his and ex-wife Gisele Bündchen's kids, Benjamin, 15, and Vivian, 12, on a European trip, which included taking in the 2025 Champions League final between PSG and Inter Milan, as seen in Instagram photos he shared Wednesday. 'A quick stop in [Germany] then kicking off summer break in [France],' Brady, 47, wrote, including a carousel of snapshots featuring the family exploring museums in the Netherlands, among other activities. 'Making memories that will last forever while experiencing these different cultures and LEARNING while we're at it! Keep an eye out for my graffiti across Europe the res together way 😉.' Brady, a minority owner of Birmingham City Football Club and chairman of the club's advisory board, and his kids took in the match from a suite at Allianz Arena in Munich, where PSG beat Inter Milan, 5-0, on May 31. 6 Tom Brady with his son, Jack and daughter Vivian at a PSG match in Europe. Instagram/Tom Brady 6 Tom Brady and his son Benjamin and daughter Vivian at the Straat Museum for street art and graffiti in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Instagram/Tom Brady Other photos showed them riding a boat in Amsterdam — where they made stops at the Anne Frank house museum, the Straat Museum for street art and graffiti and the Van Gogh museum. Brady also included a snapshot of him and Virgil van Dijk, centre-back and captain for both Liverpool FC and the Netherlands national team. 6 Tom Brady and his son Benjamin during a Europe trip to kick off summer 2025. Instagram/Tom Brady 6 Tom Brady on a Europe trip with his kids to kick off the summer of 2025. Instagram/Tom Brady Jack and Vivian are on summer break from school while their dad is enjoying time off before his second season as Fox Sports' top NFL analyst. Brady has a son, Jack, 17, from his previous relationship with actress Bridget Moynahan. He and Bündchen were together for 13 years before they finalized their divorce in October 2022. 6 Tom Brady at the Fox upfronts in New York on May 12, 2025. Ben Hider/PictureGroup for FOX/Shutterstock The Brazilian supermodel and her boyfriend Joaquim Valente welcomed their first child together in February, a year after she confirmed their relationship. In a March 2024 interview with Robin Roberts, she opened up about co-parenting with Brady and how their kids were adapting to 'different rules' in their households. 'I think there are easier days than others but I think it's amazing that the kids — they're super smart children. They know what they can get away with,' Bündchen said with a laugh of co-parenting with Brady. 6 Gisele Bündchen and boyfriend Joaquim Valente ride water bikes in Miami on March 30, 2025. MEGA 'So I think it's natural that [our houses] have different rules and then kids just adapt. And they're going to try to do what they want. And I can only control what I do. And, I think, for me, now is really about the balance,' she said. Bündchen and Valente, who was her ju-jitsu instructor, were first spotted together with her kids in Costa Rica in November 2022.
