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Van Nistelrooy on Vardy, 'clarity' on his future and fan 'support'

Van Nistelrooy on Vardy, 'clarity' on his future and fan 'support'

BBC News23-05-2025

Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth (kick-off 16:00 BST).Here are the key lines from his news conference:There are no fresh injury concerns and the travelling squad should be "similar" to last weekend.It was Jamie Vardy's last day at Seagrave Training Ground earlier this week, with today marking "the first day of the post-Jamie Vardy era" at Leicester City. He added: "Jamie made sure he collected everything. He went past all of the departments for a chat and a thank you. Of course he will be welcome back whenever he feels like it."When questioned on how they will approach the game without their preferred striker, he said: "It's clear for the 10 players that play around the striker how we want to play, on and off the ball. I don't think filling in that position with another striker will require a lot of change."He likened Patson Daka to Jamie Vardy because he is able to "make deep runs and be quick in transitions".Bournemouth are a "very direct, quick, strong and physical team" that like to "change positions" in-game. He highlighted Justin Kluivert and Evanilson as two players the Foxes will need to control because of their "dynamic" down the wing.He had a message for the Leicester City fans travelling down to Bournemouth this weekend: "I would like to thank them for their ongoing support, both away and at home. What we have to do, and what we want to do, is give them something to cheer about again. That's the most important thing."After a turnaround in form in recent weeks, he admitted that "it would be good to find out" about his future at the club beyond this season, but there haven't been "any other conversations" between him and the club.When asked about reports this week that suggested his managerial fate has already been decided, he responded: "I read them and go back to my job because that's what I'm here for. That's what my responsibility is. That's where my drive is - to prepare for the games with the players."On whether he is frustrated that it has taken so long to see the fruits of his labour, he admitted: "Of course it is. But that is obviously the time it needed to show through. It is true that it has come too late."He believes a change of mindset has turned the tide for Leicester City in recent weeks: "Six weeks ago, I came into this room and changed the narrative on the season. I turned it to shaping the future and bringing in academy players. Those six weeks have been with development and results, so it's something I want to continue with the players."Early relegation could have been "an opportunity to start planning early" for next season in the Championship. He added: "For me, that is in the club's interest. It's not about me and my future, it's about the good of the football club. I always share that with the board and the chairman, and then of course it is up to them how they want to deal with it."It is "important" to get clarity not only for himself, but also for the club and the supporters. He explained: "We will all find out, hopefully sooner rather than later. I think it's important, for the club and the supporters, for it to be clear what the plan for next season is. It is going to be a big one."Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Surrey suffer first defeat as Bears beat Durham
Surrey suffer first defeat as Bears beat Durham

BBC News

time34 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Surrey suffer first defeat as Bears beat Durham

A 92-run opening stand followed by taking early wickets in the reply helped The Blaze end Surrey's 100% start to the women's T20 Blast at The Kelly and Georgia Elwiss got the visitors off to a lively start after being put in to bat by the leaders and they never looked back despite their innings falling Wyatt-Hodge threatened to lead an unlikely Surrey victory charge after the loss of three wickets in the opening 10 balls but her dismissal for 60 ended any hopes of a fifth successive the day's other game Mady Villiers made an unbeaten 85 for struggling Durham but was powerless to prevent the impressive Bears from cantering to a seven-wicket win in the North scorecardsWith four wins under their belt, Surrey were expected to be tested by the second-placed Blaze in the capital and so it proved as the visitors raced out of the blocks with Kelly smashing 46 from 29 balls in a 92-run opening stand with five fours and two sixes should have precipitated a run-fest for The Blaze but after Elwiss' well-constructed 61 only Josie Groves (19 not out) reached double figures as they finished on may have fancied their chances of chasing down that target but were rocked back on their heels as Bryony Smith, Kira Chathli and Paige Scholfield were all dismissed without Wyatt-Hodge's fourth half-century in five innings gave them hope of a recovery but when she was dismissed for 60 to reduce the home side to 85-5, The Blaze, led by captain Kirstie Gordon's 3-35, were able to get over the line and reduce the gap at the top to just one point. Villiers' career-best knock in vain as Bears ease home Durham suffered a fourth defeat in five outings despite a T20 career-best 85 not out from England all-rounder Mady winning the toss and choosing to bat the home side were soon in trouble when they lost former New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates to the third ball of the innings - clean bowled by England's Issy Wong without Dobson (8) quickly became Wong's second scalp but Villiers, who was dropped early in her innings, crashed 11 fours and one six while finding useful support from skipper Hollie Armitage (15) and Bess Heath (27) to keep the scoreboard ticking over and set a challenging return of 2-19 was well backed up by Hannah Baker's 2-22 from her four overs with the Bears bowling attack standing-up well to Villiers' visitors made light work of their victory target with openers Meg Austin and Davina Perrin sharing a stand of 62 from the opening six overs to set a platform for them to ease home with 10 balls to eventually perished for 49 from 31 deliveries only for wicketkeeper Nat Wraith to take the Bears to the brink of victory with her 56 containing seven fours before she became Villiers' sole victim with the ball."I don't think we should go away from how well Mady (Villiers) played first half - it was a great innings and if you're doing things like that, you shouldn't be losing games of cricket," said Durham head coach Dani Bears remain in third place while Durham are second from bottom. Thursday fixture Chelmsford: Essex v HampshirePlay starts 14:30 BST

Annie Kilner puts on a brave face as she joins her sister Sian for dinner in Mayfair - after it was revealed her relationship with Kyle Walker is 'as bad as it's ever been'
Annie Kilner puts on a brave face as she joins her sister Sian for dinner in Mayfair - after it was revealed her relationship with Kyle Walker is 'as bad as it's ever been'

Daily Mail​

time37 minutes ago

  • Daily Mail​

Annie Kilner puts on a brave face as she joins her sister Sian for dinner in Mayfair - after it was revealed her relationship with Kyle Walker is 'as bad as it's ever been'

Annie Kilner put on a brave face as she joined her sister Sian for dinner in Mayfair on Wednesday - after it was revealed her relationship with Kyle Walker is 'as bad as it's ever been'. The 33-year-old wife of the footballer headed to Sexy Fish in the fancy area of London and beamed while posing for some snaps. She cut a chic figure in an oversized black blazer which she teamed with wide leg jeans and a strapless top. The brunette beauty accessorised her look with large silver hoop earrings and dark shades. Sian meanwhile wore high-waisted jeans, a navy T-shirt and added to her look with a Louis Vuitton bag. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. It comes after it was revealed earlier this month that Annie and Kyle's relationship is 'as bad as it's ever been', as the England international ponders his next move following an unsuccessful spell at AC Milan. The full-back is back in the UK and according to pals is 'barely speaking' with Annie, who is still unable to forgive him and move on from the footballer's affairs with Lauryn Goodman, 34, the mother of two of his six children. Kyle hoped his stint in Italy with the seven-time Champions League winners would trigger a fresh start for himself and Annie. Being away from the 'noise' of his sex scandal was a major reason behind his hasty departure from Manchester City in January. But the Rossoneri have declined the opportunity to sign Kyle for an extra year, meaning he will now have to find another club with City boss Pep Guardiola indicating the defender has no future at the Etihad, despite having one year left on his contract. And insiders have told MailOnline his inner circle view his stint in Milan as a 'wasted opportunity', not only for his football career but getting his marriage back on track with Annie. A friend said: 'Kyle really enjoyed his time with Milan, especially off the pitch. The full-back, 34, is back in the UK and according to pals is 'barely speaking' with Annie, who is still unable to forgive him and move on from the footballer's affairs with Lauryn Goodman, 34 (pictured), the mother of two of his six children 'Having played under Guardiola for so long, which is exhausting having to meet his lofty standards, he felt the shackles were off when he joined Milan and made the most of his new lifestyle, perhaps eating and drinking what he wouldn't ordinarily consume, as well as socialising more. 'That impacted him on the pitch which is why he didn't perform to the levels he's become accustomed to over the years. 'That disappointed his parents who flew over to watch him for the last game of the season and he didn't even make the bench.

Palace chief 'sets price' to sell stake as club sweat on Europa League fate
Palace chief 'sets price' to sell stake as club sweat on Europa League fate

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Palace chief 'sets price' to sell stake as club sweat on Europa League fate

Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor is ready to offload his stake in the Londoners in order to ensure they are able to compete in the Europa League next season John Textor is said to be prepared to sell his stake in Crystal Palace for less than market value in a bid to ensure that the FA Cup winners are able to compete in the Europa League next season. The American, 59, holds a 43 per cent stake in Palace via Eagle Football Holdings but the company also holds a stake in Lyon, who have also qualified for Europe next term. Textor's involvement at both clubs has led to scrutiny from UEFA, who are set to rule on whether or not the Eagles can feature in the competition later this month. ‌ Textor and Steve Parish, the Palace chairman, met with Uefa officials last week in a bid to persuade them that the former's 25 per cent voting rights means he is not, in fact, a person of influence at Selhurst Park. ‌ But with Palace still facing the threat of missing out on Europe altogether it has now emerged that Textor is willing to offload his stake in the club for a lower price. The Times report that Textor offloading his stake is seen as the most viable way to resolve the matter with a potential sale to his Palace cohorts a possibility. American co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer have matching 18 per cent stakes and a sale to them, if viable, is seen as the 'simplest outcome' for all parties. The report adds that sources close to Textor feel the outlined price of £170million is significantly less than he would stand to recoup otherwise given the club's current market value. Textor's involvement at both Palace and Lyon has caused unrest in the Premier League, too, in light of Uefa's recent meeting over the former's Europa League fate. ‌ It emerged earlier this week that Nottingham Forest have written to the authorities to express concern given the multi-club ownership rules that are in place. Forest would stand to profit if Palace were expelled from the Europa League; they are currently set to participate in the Europa Conference League as a reward for their stellar 2024-25 campaign, where they finished seventh in the Premier League. Even if Textor is successful in selling his stake there are concerns that the case could make its way to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, further muddying the waters surrounding Palace and their fate. Textor did attempt to put his shares into blind a trust to enable Palace to compete in Europe next season - an act other club chiefs have done - but Uefa ruled their attempts were too late, citing a deadline of March 1.

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