logo
Guardiola says he'd rather quit Man City than have a bloated squad as he plans rebuild

Guardiola says he'd rather quit Man City than have a bloated squad as he plans rebuild

Washington Post21-05-2025

MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola said he would rather leave Manchester City than have to work with a bloated squad next season.
The City manager has begun to rebuild his team after the club's first trophyless campaign since 2017.
But he said Tuesday he had told the club that he will walk away rather than oversee an oversized squad.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Liverpool goalkeeper set for loan transfer as defender turns down offer
Liverpool goalkeeper set for loan transfer as defender turns down offer

Yahoo

time28 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Liverpool goalkeeper set for loan transfer as defender turns down offer

Liverpool goalkeeper Harvey Davies is close to agreeing a season-long loan move to League Two side Crawley Town. The Reds are set to confirm a new long-term contract for Davies ahead of making the switch. Advertisement The 21-year-old goalkeeper was a regular training with Arne Slot's first team squad last season which was recognised by being awarded a medal during the Premier League trophy presentation after the final game of the campaign at home to Crystal Palace. Davies, who has come through the ranks at the Academy, has been on the bench for the senior side on 18 occasions including seven last term, the most recent of which was for the 3-2 Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven in January. READ MORE: Trent Alexander-Arnold 'disappointment' as former Liverpool defender suffers unexpected setback READ MORE: Alexander Isak to Liverpool only realistic on one condition as truth about Newcastle transfer clear Advertisement He has represented Liverpool under-21s in the EFL Trophy and spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Crewe Alexandra in League Two, where he made 32 appearances. James Balagizi, the 21-year-old Reds midfielder who previously had a loan spell at Crawley Town, is having a trial at Swedish side Osters IF. Meanwhile, Liverpool youngster Isaac Moran has turned down the offer of a scholars contract at the Academy and has left the club. The 16-year-old defender made his breakthrough with the U18s last season and has skippered England at youth level.

England dropping Pope would be 'remarkable'
England dropping Pope would be 'remarkable'

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

England dropping Pope would be 'remarkable'

England v India - first Test Venue: Headingley Dates: 20-24 June Time: 11:00 BST Coverage: Ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. In-play video clips and text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Today at the Test on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two each night. Advertisement England dropping Ollie Pope for Jacob Bethell would have been "remarkable" after the batter scored 171 against Zimbabwe last month, says captain Ben Stokes. Choosing between vice-captain Pope and 21-year-old Bethell was the major selection decision for England before the first Test against India on Friday at Headingley. England opted to retain Pope at number three, despite Bethell impressing in that position after being given his debut in New Zealand last year. "The 'big selection' [idea] did not come from us," Stokes said. "It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a 170, and that's pretty much all I need to say on that." Advertisement Bethell's opportunity at number three came when Pope stood in as wicketkeeper during Jamie's Smith paternity leave and moved down the order. Bethell scored half-centuries in each of the three Tests in New Zealand but then missed the Test against Zimbabwe because he was playing in the Indian Premier League. Pope went back to the position he has held since Stokes took over as captain in 2022 - he averages 43.06 at first drop despite also returning a series of low scores - against Zimbabwe and scored his seventh Test hundred in the role. "In this day and age it's very tough to not see all that kind of speculation and stuff around it just because of how easily accessible things are. You don't even have to go and hunt for it to see it these days," Stokes said of Pope. Advertisement "But I think scoring 170 in his last Test match has sort of shown how well he's handled that extra scrutiny." England have had 'honest conversations' around style With an Ashes series in Australia to follow in the winter, the start of the much-anticipated five-match series against India signals the beginning of a run of 10 Tests which will define Stokes' reign as captain. Stokes, though, was keen to refute any suggestion England would have an eye on Australia while playing India. "We will come to that when we come to that but for us right now it's about focusing on these five games that we've got coming up against India," he said. Advertisement The series also comes at an intriguing time for Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum with England having won four and lost four of their past eight matches. With their aggressive approach, they have reached remarkable highs - there were notable victories in their first year in charge against New Zealand, India and Pakistan - but series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand over the past 12 months have also been interspersed with awful defeats. Stokes says the squad have had "honest conversations" about how to improve. "I don't think defensive frame of mind is the right way of saying it," Stokes said. Advertisement "I think it's just being smarter in those situations when it's obvious that the opposition is on top of us at that moment and they have got the upper hand on us. "'What do we need to do to wrestle that momentum back towards us so then we can start putting the pressure back onto them?'." Teams to play for Anderson-Tendulkar trophy The teams will play for the new Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, named after legendary former players James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar. The trophy replaces the Pataudi Trophy, named after the Pataudi family. "It's a fabulous feeling," Tendulkar told the BBC. "When I got to know about the honour, I was ecstatic. Advertisement "I remember sharing this with my family and also spoke to Pataudi family as well. "I feel it's a reflection of what, not just me, but Jimmy and I have been able to contribute to our nation in Test cricket and it's all about Test cricket, which is the most challenging format." Anderson said: "It's pretty surreal. "You don't start playing cricket for things like this to happen, but when they do happen it's lovely, especially alongside Sachin. "I've not only played against him quite a few times, but growing up, watching him, seeing him play for Yorkshire as well, it's just an incredible feeling and I'm very honoured to be a part of it."

Xavier Legette On His Goal With Carolina Panthers This Season: ‘Get To The Playoffs'
Xavier Legette On His Goal With Carolina Panthers This Season: ‘Get To The Playoffs'

Forbes

time42 minutes ago

  • Forbes

Xavier Legette On His Goal With Carolina Panthers This Season: ‘Get To The Playoffs'

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is making quite the rounds these days. The 24-year-old wide receiver is notable for his thick Southern accent — he has ties to Mullins, South Carolina — and his name has grown in popularity in recent weeks due to his appearances at The Kentucky Derby and a recent Carolina Hurricanes hockey playoff game. His love for Southern culture and foods combined with his fun-natured personality has made him a popular fan favorite. However, he's also a great football player, having been a first-round pick in last year's draft. The 6-foot-3 Legette was Second-Team All-SEC selection during the 2023 season after posting 71 receptions for 1,255 receiving yards and seven touchdowns during his senior season. However, he disappointed during his rookie season, posting just 49 receptions for 497 receiving yards. Legette struggled with drops during his first year, posting seven drops, ranking among the top 22 in the NFL. "No problem's getting open," says Legette in a one-on-one interview. "I just had a couple drops. If I can just turn old negative plays into positive plays, it's going to go the way how I needed to go." Legette only caught 58.3% of the passes thrown his way, with 84 targets thrown his way. Those number of targets led the team by 22 targets — Adam Thielen was the next closest at 62 targets — as it was clear that young quarterback Bryce Young honed in on him as his favorite target. While Legette led the team with 49 receptions, he only had one more than Thielen, who finished the season with 48 catches for 615 receiving yards and five touchdowns, with the last two categories leading the team. "Hone into that ball," Legette says when asked how he can lessen his drops. Legette is 11 years younger than Thielen, who will turn 35 years old before the start of the season. The two-time Pro Bowl receiver is the oldest wideout in the league. Although he's only played a year with the veteran receiver, Legette has already learned a ton from Thielen. "It's a whole lot," says Legette of Thielen's influence. "Ways of how I'm going to read the defense, because the way I was taught, it's a different way of how he was taught. The way he talks about that, the way how he goes about taking care of his body, he's on a different level, he's doing everything. It's a lot that I learned from him." He says he's already using some of Thielen's techniques at the age of 24. "It's a lot of machines that he uses that I've never heard of," says Legette. "He does a good amount of stuff to keep his body right. If I can go ahead and get a head start on it, I'm going to jump on it now." One of the objectives for Legette this season is to make it to the playoffs. It's a sentiment that has also been echoed by his teammate, Chuba Hubbard. Hubbard recently said the Panthers are "sick and tired" of losing. Hubbard's been a member of Carolina since 2021 and they haven't made it to the playoffs or posted a winning season since 2017. "That's only thing I want to do for the team, we're just trying to work to get to the playoffs and potentially make it to the Super Bowl," says Legette when asked what his season objectives are. As Legette prepares for his second season, he's partnering up with Lidl US, a premium private-label meat line. Lidl US has 20 new items as part of their Butcher's Specialty meat line – which features beef, chicken and pork. The partnership makes sense considering Legette's Southern background and his affinity for good protein meats. 'The meat, high protein for the body, high quality meat,' says Legette of why he's partnering with Lidl US. 'Oh, I need it. I feel like it helps me. You can never go wrong with the steaks.' Legette names "tomahawk" steak as his favorite protein meat and says he's "frying" out the grill with the Butcher's Specialty. 'We're frying out the grill every cookout.,' says Legette. "They're helping me push that out to my people, so it's good vies and good times."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store