Latest news with #Al-Ahli
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ivan Toney's England recall set to propel his status to Saudi Arabia poster boy
England boss Thomas Tuchel gave Ivan Toney a call-up despite joining Saudi side Al Ahli and his decision has given the Middle East league a huge PR lift amid claims players only join them for the money Ivan Toney is set to become a poster boy for the Saudi Pro League. Toney's shock return to the England squad for next week's World Cup qualifier against Andorra in Barcelona and the friendly with Senegal at the City Ground is seen as a landmark moment for the Saudi dream of one day eclipsing the Premier League as the biggest domestic football competition in the world. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the star attraction in the desert - and could now be joined by his Portugal team-mate Bruno Fernandes. But Thomas Tuchel's decision to bring Toney back into the Three Lions pack has given the Arab nation a massive PR lift as they look to clear themselves of the accusation that any player moving to Saudi is motivated by money. It was thought that the 29-year-old striker had sacrificed his international career when he decided to cash in on a three-year contract with Al-Ahli worth a staggering £63million when he left Brentford in a £40million deal last summer. Jordan Henderson was ruthlessly axed from Gareth Southgate 's plans after chasing riches in the desert with Al-Ettifaq - and even a return to Europe with Ajax after just six months later did not prevent the midfielder from missing the cut for last summer's Euros. New Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has no such concerns. The German recalled Henderson to his first squad - and now Toney is back in the fold after a productive first season in Saudi. Tuchel's first squad, named for the opening qualifiers against Albania and Latvia, included Dan Burn, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Marcus Rashford and Dominic Solanke as well as Henderson. Ollie Watkins has now been added alongside Toney as the England boss looks for alternatives for skipper Harry Kane. Toney scored 28 goals in 42 games in all competitions as Al-Ahli lifted the Asian Champions League and was on target 23 times in 30 league games. He is being touted for a possible return to the Prem, but that now appears unlikely following his return to the England set-up. Toney won the last of his six caps when he came on as a substitute against Spain in the Euro 2024 final - and he will now be looking to add to his solitary international goal after being given the nod by Tuchel. Al-Ahli now want Fernandes to join Toney at the club. Landing the Manchester United captain when manager Ruben Amorim has made it clear that Fernandes is key to his Old Trafford plans would represent another piece of astute business - even if it comes at the cost of a £100million transfer fee and wages of £650,000-a-week.
Arab Times
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Al-Ahli opens negotiations with Xavi Hernández
RIYADH, May 25: Media reports reveal that Al-Ahli Saudi Club has made a surprising move at the close of the current season by approaching Spanish coach Xavi Hernández with an offer to take over as head coach starting next season. The decision comes as the club plans to part ways with current German manager Matthias Jaissle. Al-Ahli, currently sitting fifth in the Roshen League and recently crowned AFC Champions League winners, is reportedly eager to secure Xavi's services after he departs from FC Barcelona in June 2024. However, negotiations could prove challenging due to the substantial financial terms reportedly being sought by the 45-year-old tactician.
Powys County Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Saturday's briefing: Tuchel defends Toney call while Slot seeks Trent support
England boss Thomas Tuchel defended the inclusion of Ivan Toney in his latest squad and Liverpool's Arne Slot called on the club's fans to support Trent Alexander-Arnold at their Premier League trophy presentation. Arsenal Women boss Renee Slegers said her side was not just making up the numbers in their Champions League final against heavy favourites Barcelona. And Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou hinted at a third season in charge during the club's Europa League trophy parade. Toney deserves England place – Tuchel Tuchel says Toney deserves his place in the England squad after surprisingly recalling the Saudi Arabia-based striker. After kicking off his reign with World Cup qualification wins against Albania and Latvia, the head coach is preparing for June's Group K game against Andorra and City Ground friendly at home to Senegal. Tuchel plumped for a 26-man selection for his second camp in charge, with Toney, 29, called up for the first time since leaving Brentford for Al-Ahli after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final. 'Ivan deserves to be with us, I think,' Tuchel said. 'I'm convinced because he scored over 20 goals for Al-Ahli this season. He's won a major title with the Asian Champions League, had a big involvement in the team with goals and assists and a huge contribution.' Slot urges fans to support TAA Liverpool head coach Slot has called on fans to put their grievances over Alexander-Arnold's departure to one side for the Premier League champions' coronation. Former captain Alan Hansen will hand over the trophy to current skipper Virgil van Dijk after Sunday's final match of the season against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. It will be 35 years and 24 days since Hansen himself lifted what was then the Division One trophy in front of a full Kop, and the first time fans will have seen it in person since then as the 2020 ceremony took place in an empty stadium because of Covid regulations. Slot said: 'Everyone in the stadium deserves to be there: the fans, the staff but also the players. And one of my players is Trent, so he definitely deserves to be there as well because he has been part of an incredibly successful season and incredibly successful few years at this club.' Slegers: Arsenal here to win Slegers insisted underdogs Arsenal 'are here to win' and called for bravery from her side ahead of their Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday. Barca have lifted the trophy on three out of the last four occasions, while there has not been an English winner since the Gunners did it themselves to seal a quadruple in the 2006-07 season. Just 90 minutes now stand between the Women's Super League runners-up and what that competition's serial winners Chelsea – Champions League runners-up to the Spanish giants in 2021 – have yet to achieve. Slegers said: 'We want to show courage. We respect Barcelona as a team. They're a really, really good football team, so we're very humble for the occasion, but also we are here to win and we have to find ways to win.' Postecoglou teases third season at Spurs bus parade Postecoglou teased a potential third season at Tottenham as thousands of fans serenaded him and the club's Europa League heroes at a euphoric open-top bus parade. Two days after Brennan Johnson's 42nd-minute winner in Bilbao fired Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, the players to end a 17-year trophy drought were back in north London. A white double-decker bus with 'Europa League winners' written across the front started in Edmonton Green at 5.30pm before it moved down the High Road to chants of 'glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' from supporters young and old. Postecoglou hailed his players and told fans: 'They did it all for you, because you deserve it. This club deserves it. And I'll tell you something, I'll leave you with this – all the best television series, season three is better than season two. Thank you.' What's on today? Underdogs Arsenal hope to cause an upset in the Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon. Celtic will bid to complete another treble and a third straight Scottish Cup final win when they take on Aberdeen at Hampden Park and Sheffield United go head-to-head with Sunderland for Premier League promotion in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
South Wales Argus
24-05-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Saturday's briefing: Tuchel defends Toney call while Slot seeks Trent support
Arsenal Women boss Renee Slegers said her side was not just making up the numbers in their Champions League final against heavy favourites Barcelona. And Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou hinted at a third season in charge during the club's Europa League trophy parade. Toney deserves England place – Tuchel Ivan Toney, currently playing in Saudi Arabia, has been recalled to Thomas Tuchel's England squad (Adam Davy/PA) Tuchel says Toney deserves his place in the England squad after surprisingly recalling the Saudi Arabia-based striker. After kicking off his reign with World Cup qualification wins against Albania and Latvia, the head coach is preparing for June's Group K game against Andorra and City Ground friendly at home to Senegal. Tuchel plumped for a 26-man selection for his second camp in charge, with Toney, 29, called up for the first time since leaving Brentford for Al-Ahli after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final. 'Ivan deserves to be with us, I think,' Tuchel said. 'I'm convinced because he scored over 20 goals for Al-Ahli this season. He's won a major title with the Asian Champions League, had a big involvement in the team with goals and assists and a huge contribution.' Slot urges fans to support TAA Liverpool boss Arne Slot has called on the club's fans to back Trent Alexander-Arnold (PA) Liverpool head coach Slot has called on fans to put their grievances over Alexander-Arnold's departure to one side for the Premier League champions' coronation. Former captain Alan Hansen will hand over the trophy to current skipper Virgil van Dijk after Sunday's final match of the season against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. It will be 35 years and 24 days since Hansen himself lifted what was then the Division One trophy in front of a full Kop, and the first time fans will have seen it in person since then as the 2020 ceremony took place in an empty stadium because of Covid regulations. Slot said: 'Everyone in the stadium deserves to be there: the fans, the staff but also the players. And one of my players is Trent, so he definitely deserves to be there as well because he has been part of an incredibly successful season and incredibly successful few years at this club.' Slegers: Arsenal here to win Arsenal Women head coach Renee Slegers insisted her side was in it to win it (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Slegers insisted underdogs Arsenal 'are here to win' and called for bravery from her side ahead of their Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday. Barca have lifted the trophy on three out of the last four occasions, while there has not been an English winner since the Gunners did it themselves to seal a quadruple in the 2006-07 season. Just 90 minutes now stand between the Women's Super League runners-up and what that competition's serial winners Chelsea – Champions League runners-up to the Spanish giants in 2021 – have yet to achieve. Slegers said: 'We want to show courage. We respect Barcelona as a team. They're a really, really good football team, so we're very humble for the occasion, but also we are here to win and we have to find ways to win.' Postecoglou teases third season at Spurs bus parade Ange Postecoglou won the Europa League in his second season in charge of Tottenham (Bradley Collyer/PA) Postecoglou teased a potential third season at Tottenham as thousands of fans serenaded him and the club's Europa League heroes at a euphoric open-top bus parade. Two days after Brennan Johnson's 42nd-minute winner in Bilbao fired Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, the players to end a 17-year trophy drought were back in north London. A white double-decker bus with 'Europa League winners' written across the front started in Edmonton Green at 5.30pm before it moved down the High Road to chants of 'glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' from supporters young and old. Postecoglou hailed his players and told fans: 'They did it all for you, because you deserve it. This club deserves it. And I'll tell you something, I'll leave you with this – all the best television series, season three is better than season two. Thank you.' What's on today? Underdogs Arsenal hope to cause an upset in the Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon. Celtic will bid to complete another treble and a third straight Scottish Cup final win when they take on Aberdeen at Hampden Park and Sheffield United go head-to-head with Sunderland for Premier League promotion in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
Glasgow Times
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Saturday's briefing: Tuchel defends Toney call while Slot seeks Trent support
Arsenal Women boss Renee Slegers said her side was not just making up the numbers in their Champions League final against heavy favourites Barcelona. And Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou hinted at a third season in charge during the club's Europa League trophy parade. Toney deserves England place – Tuchel Ivan Toney, currently playing in Saudi Arabia, has been recalled to Thomas Tuchel's England squad (Adam Davy/PA) Tuchel says Toney deserves his place in the England squad after surprisingly recalling the Saudi Arabia-based striker. After kicking off his reign with World Cup qualification wins against Albania and Latvia, the head coach is preparing for June's Group K game against Andorra and City Ground friendly at home to Senegal. Tuchel plumped for a 26-man selection for his second camp in charge, with Toney, 29, called up for the first time since leaving Brentford for Al-Ahli after helping England reach the Euro 2024 final. 'Ivan deserves to be with us, I think,' Tuchel said. 'I'm convinced because he scored over 20 goals for Al-Ahli this season. He's won a major title with the Asian Champions League, had a big involvement in the team with goals and assists and a huge contribution.' Slot urges fans to support TAA Liverpool boss Arne Slot has called on the club's fans to back Trent Alexander-Arnold (PA) Liverpool head coach Slot has called on fans to put their grievances over Alexander-Arnold's departure to one side for the Premier League champions' coronation. Former captain Alan Hansen will hand over the trophy to current skipper Virgil van Dijk after Sunday's final match of the season against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. It will be 35 years and 24 days since Hansen himself lifted what was then the Division One trophy in front of a full Kop, and the first time fans will have seen it in person since then as the 2020 ceremony took place in an empty stadium because of Covid regulations. Slot said: 'Everyone in the stadium deserves to be there: the fans, the staff but also the players. And one of my players is Trent, so he definitely deserves to be there as well because he has been part of an incredibly successful season and incredibly successful few years at this club.' Slegers: Arsenal here to win Arsenal Women head coach Renee Slegers insisted her side was in it to win it (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Slegers insisted underdogs Arsenal 'are here to win' and called for bravery from her side ahead of their Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon on Saturday. Barca have lifted the trophy on three out of the last four occasions, while there has not been an English winner since the Gunners did it themselves to seal a quadruple in the 2006-07 season. Just 90 minutes now stand between the Women's Super League runners-up and what that competition's serial winners Chelsea – Champions League runners-up to the Spanish giants in 2021 – have yet to achieve. Slegers said: 'We want to show courage. We respect Barcelona as a team. They're a really, really good football team, so we're very humble for the occasion, but also we are here to win and we have to find ways to win.' Postecoglou teases third season at Spurs bus parade Ange Postecoglou won the Europa League in his second season in charge of Tottenham (Bradley Collyer/PA) Postecoglou teased a potential third season at Tottenham as thousands of fans serenaded him and the club's Europa League heroes at a euphoric open-top bus parade. Two days after Brennan Johnson's 42nd-minute winner in Bilbao fired Spurs to a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, the players to end a 17-year trophy drought were back in north London. A white double-decker bus with 'Europa League winners' written across the front started in Edmonton Green at 5.30pm before it moved down the High Road to chants of 'glory, glory Tottenham Hotspur' from supporters young and old. Postecoglou hailed his players and told fans: 'They did it all for you, because you deserve it. This club deserves it. And I'll tell you something, I'll leave you with this – all the best television series, season three is better than season two. Thank you.' What's on today? Underdogs Arsenal hope to cause an upset in the Women's Champions League final against holders Barcelona in Lisbon. Celtic will bid to complete another treble and a third straight Scottish Cup final win when they take on Aberdeen at Hampden Park and Sheffield United go head-to-head with Sunderland for Premier League promotion in the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
