Latest news with #BobbyRobson
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Alan Shearer on the Premier League's US growth: ‘I've seen fans queue for miles'
Alan Shearer was nearly 30 when he experienced for the first and only time something that is now commonplace, and at much younger ages, for most global football stars: Playing in the United States. It was, to say the least, a completely different scene than today. Shearer's Newcastle United, then led by Sir Bobby Robson, played DC United in a friendly at RFK Stadium in July 2000 – a game the local United won 3-1 thanks to goals from Jaime Moreno, Carlos Llamosa, and 'Sneaky' Pete Marino. Shearer, who came on as a second half substitute, recalls the game as 'not too serious,' but it's a moment he looks back on as he considers the remarkable growth in popularity of football in the US in the intervening quarter-century. Particularly, he notes, for the Premier League. 'I've seen them queueing for miles along the block at silly o'clock in the morning, whether that's to look at the Premier League trophy, whether that's to come and meet the ex-players or the people at the football clubs that are that are there or whether it's to watch the games with everyone else,' Shearer says. 'It really is a brilliant atmosphere and I've seen it grow from years ago to what it is now and it's been great to play a small part in that.' These days, Shearer's stateside trips are far more common, as he travels to promote the Premier League's annual Summer Series. The pre-season friendlies rotate through a selection of US cities each year, and this time around they include Manchester United, Bournemouth, West Ham United and Everton playing in Chicago, Atlanta, and the New York/New Jersey area. 'I understand that it's going to be very difficult for it to be the No 1 sport [in the US] and maybe it never will be, but I think from where football was in the 2000s when I went … it is phenomenal, it really is,' Shearer says. 'Sport is something … that brings everyone together. I guess you've got a lot more sports in your country for your people to look at than we have over here, but that hasn't stopped football growing exponentially.' Whereas Newcastle's friendly aginast DC drew about 17,000 to the cavernous RFK Stadium, summer friendlies between European teams of all types have drawn much larger US crowds in recent years. Recent attendance figures for the summer friendlies represent a dip from their heyday in the late-2010s, but many of the largest attendances in the last five years have come from Arsenal – who have finished second in the last two Premier League seasons and are looking for a way to hit another level under Mike Arteta. 'I mean, it doesn't take a genius to work out that every attacking stat in terms of shots, goals, xG, everything for Arsenal in four positions is down from what it was last year when they finished second. Then they finished second again,' Shearer says. 'Whoever's decision it was, whether it was the manager, or whether it was the top brass whose decision was it to go into the season without having a striker, it's cost them dearly because they've never really put up a serious fight to Liverpool. Sign up to Soccer with Jonathan Wilson Jonathan Wilson brings expert analysis on the biggest stories from European soccer after newsletter promotion 'Is it as simple as buying a striker? It's not as simple as that, but it wouldn't not have helped them if they were to get someone who's going to get them 25 goals. When you look at Erling Haaland, apparently he's had a really poor season. He got 31 goals. And you look at Liverpool with Mo Salah and what he's done in terms of assists and goals, something along the lines of 47 goal involvements. Arsenal never had that.' Assuming they do improve their attacking output, Arsenal will be among an unprecedented nine teams in the Premier League to take part in European competition next season – all of whom Shearer believes have a chance to make a deep run in their respective competitions. Naturally, he believes Newcastle could turn heads in their return to the Champions League. 'Newcastle know that they got to Champions League two years ago, but then really struggled with injuries. Having said that, they got some great results. They sampled what it can be all about,' he says. 'St James' Park is a really tough place to come for anyone. I don't care how good you are, how experienced you are. PSG found that out two years ago when they came to Newcastle and got done, big style.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'A fantastic ambassador' - Howe granted freedom of Newcastle
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is joining the likes of Alan Shearer, Sir Bobby Robson and Jackie Milburn in being granted freedom of the city status after leading the Magpies to their first domestic trophy for 70 steered his team to a historic Carabao Cup triumph in March and this honour means Howe will have his name inscribed in the wall of the Banqueting Hall at the Civic Centre, alongside the names of other recipients."Eddie Howe will forever be a hero to Newcastle United supporters for his achievements during his time at the club so far," council leader Karen Kilgour said."I'm thrilled members [of the council] recognised the significance of his contribution to our city by approving to bestow upon him the Honorary Freedom of Newcastle."For a city that lives and breathes sport with a football club around which so many lives revolve, the wait to see black and white shirts lift a trophy at the home of football had long felt it would go on forever."More than being the man who brought silverware back to Tyneside, Eddie is a fantastic ambassador for our city."He is passionate yet calm, inspiring and polite, and handles himself with grace in the face of both success and defeat."Read more about Howe receiving the highest civic honour the city can grant
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
‘It wasn't meant to end this way': Gary Lineker signs off with his final Match of the Day
Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage. There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to 'go gallivanting' from Gazza. 'You don't believe it but you will be missed,' said Pep Guardiola . The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC's top sports programme after 26 years of hosting. Only a sniffle betrayed his deeper feelings as he signed off for the last time. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work and I got the plaudits,' he said. 'It's been utterly joyous.' READ MORE Lineker has often described the opportunity to be a custodian of a programme he himself had grown up watching as 'a privilege'. In truth, the former England captain's stint as presenter dwarfs that of every other host. From David Coleman to Des Lynam, the host of Match of the Day has also been the face of the BBC's sports programming and Lineker continued that tradition, but only his presence has been consistent across an entire generation. After an initial stint as a pundit, Lineker's presenting debut came on August 7th, 1999. He introduced himself with a Lynam-esque moment of fourth-wall breaking. 'Hey, tell you what, football's back,' he said, before adding: 'Any good? Did I get the job?' [ The full-time whistle blows for Lineker Opens in new window ] His first match was Chelsea at home to promoted Sunderland, a thrashing led by Gianfranco Zola; his punditry panel Alan Hansen and Trevor Brooking. Twenty-six years later and Lineker saw out his last 90 minutes of action and analysis in the company of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Both men are bigger, louder and snappier than their predecessors. They also work with Lineker all week long as part of The Rest Is Football, the hit podcast produced by Lineker's Goalhanger studio. There, their personalities are given looser rein and banter gushes freely. The more mannered versions of the trio on MOTD can seem a little awkward by comparison. Over the years Lineker found a distinctive voice as a broadcaster, conveying his enthusiasm for the game while adopting an avuncular approach to the athletes he was watching. He also indulged his fondness for wordplay and made many deprecating references to the achievements of his career. His boyish looks endured for decades, his ageing betrayed only by his whitening hair. In 2015 he agreed to present MOTD in 'just my undies' if the team he had once played for and always supported, Leicester City, won the Premier League. The Foxes duly pulled off the miracle and Lineker half-honoured his commitment: the white bloomers were more shorts than pants. At that point in his career it was as close to controversy as Lineker had come. The player who never received a yellow card had become the good guy host, even-handed in his observations and gentle in his humour. But his pants pledge came via a post on Twitter and Lineker's social media activity was to change the perception the public had of him. He used Twitter to articulate his personal political views. His support for refugees brought attacks from the press and strangers into his home. Two years ago, criticism of the previous government's language on asylum led to debates over impartiality and a brief suspension, only for Lineker's pundit peers to walk out in solidarity. Scrutiny of Lineker's activity away from the studio has only grown since, at the same time as his independence from the BBC has deepened. The decision that Lineker would begin to step away from his BBC responsibilities was made last autumn, with the promise of a last dance at the men's World Cup next summer. Lineker's decision two weeks ago to repost content relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol then put an end to plans for an extended farewell. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' was how Lineker opened his final show, but there was to be no confessional. Of course it was a set up for a joke. 'With the title race over, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,' said Lineker as Richards grimaced keenly, but the camera didn't linger. As ever with a show that is edited with military precision, the match action had to be cued up. 'We'll take it in table order,' Lineker said. The show rolled on. There were little chuckles at the prospect of free pints at Shearer's Bar at St James' Park and a recital of law 12 relating to the control of the ball in a goalkeeper's hand. The Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was compared to a 'prime Lineker in the box' by Richards and giggles were had over unrevealed remarks relating to Sunderland made by Shearer in the green room. Gary Lineker presenting his final Match of the Day with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Photograph: BBC News There was a graphic that got the West Ham manager wrong and Lineker momentarily confused Brighton and Bournemouth. It was all as familiar and as comforting as a warm bath. Then, finally, the plug was pulled. - Guardian
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Everton farewells to spark transfer flurry as Anthony Gordon 'dive' gets perfect reaction
Old master Moyes Back when David Moyes visited St James' Park for the first time in 2002 as the top flight's youngest manager, the 38-year-old was given a rude awakening to away days at places like this at the highest level. Despite Duncan Ferguson firing Everton into an early lead, the Blues suffered a chastening 6-2 defeat to home manager Bobby Robson, the former England boss who would be knighted later that year and was 30 years the Scot's senior. Speaking to this correspondent in an exclusive interview in 2022 to mark the 20th anniversary of his appointment at Goodison Park, Moyes told the ECHO: 'I remember him coming out and saying: 'That result is a welcome to the Premier League for David Moyes'. When I heard that I thought: 'Oh… you've got me now, the challenge is on.' 'Sir Bobby was a great man and a great manager but for a young coach it was like: 'You think you're doing okay, you're going to find this tough', and he was right in what he said. READ MORE: David Moyes responds to Carlos Alcaraz transfer question after Everton heroics READ MORE: What Carlos Alcaraz did seconds after Everton goal as strongest possible transfer case made 'In the end we stayed up quite comfortably without it being too big an issue.' Some 23 years on and Moyes, now the competition's elder statesman himself at 62, has once again guided Everton to staying up comfortably, despite taking on the role in January when they were just a single point clear of the bottom three. This was his fifth away win in as many months since returning to the Blues and a confident, assured performance that dislayed all the hallmarks of an old master in the dugout who has now taken charge of more Premier League games than any other manager other than serial title winners, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger. Going out on a high? One thing that Everton's expert handling of the occasion demonstrated was Moyes' steely determination to never let standards slip. On paper, the Blues looked like the perfect opponents for Newcastle United as, having lifted the Carabao Cup to end their 70-year domestic silverware drought, they looked to produce a rampant display against visitors who were now safely ensconced in mid-table with no room to manoeuvre either up or down from their 13th spot in the table. But on a day when unseasonal winds swirled around the country from Merseyside to Tyneside, rather than the baking sunshine that can often make final day of the season matches in late May, tepid affairs, the action on the pitch was like the weather – bracing and blustery. Everton's players were never going to be allowed to put their flip-flops on here by a manager who quite rightly demands 100% commitment from all of them, no matter what the circumstances. Some of them, like Ashley Young – more on him shortly – and substitute Abdoulaye Doucoure knew they were playing their final games for Everton with their departures already announced. For the likes of match-winner Carlos Alcaraz and fellow loan man Jack Harrison, plus other out-of-contract stars Idrissa Gueye, Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, we'll have to wait and see, but regardless of where their futures lie, they were all totally dedicated to their tasks here as they successfully did a number on the Toon in their own back yard. Young at heart Ahead of the announcement that his two-year stay at Everton was coming to an end, Ashley Young – who can be almost as spiky on social media as he is on the pitch – took an online commentator to task who suggested he was heading for retirement. He might be just a few weeks shy of his 40th birthday but the former England international, who has won a treasure trove of honours throughout his long and distinguished career – including league titles in both England and Italy – takes no prisoners. It's that ruthless streak, plus incredible fitness levels and football intelligence that have enabled the Stevenage-born star to keep playing at the highest level for a timespan that stretches back to just a year after Moyes was first prowling the touchline for the Blues. Young, who is Everton's oldest-ever outfield player – and goalscorer, thanks to his strike in the 4-0 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers on December 4 – had Goodison's fallen idol Anthony Gordon in his back pocket for most of the first half. When Young was adjudged to have fouled the winger, who moved to Newcastle United for £45million in January 2023, it looked like his opponent had dived and the Blues ace certainly reacted like he thought so and it was not surprising to see the lacklustre Scouser hauled off at the break. Young's reaction to that incident and his incredible ability – whether feigned or genuine – to look astonished whenever a decision goes against him is yet another string to his bow. People talk about Mikel Arteta's Arsenal but Young, in the best sense of the word, is also a master of football's so-called 'dark arts.' Many in the home crowd – including one fella just behind the Press Box who bore a striking resemblance to Marcelo Bielsa – were going apoplectic as their team headed towards defeat, but Young's facial gestures on the touchline in the face of such outrage were worth the entrance fee alone for ecstatic Evertonians.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘It wasn't meant to end this way': Lineker signs off from Match of the Day
Gary Lineker bade farewell to Match of the Day and his career at the BBC on Sunday night in the only appropriate manner: with a montage. There were deep breaths, noises off, the checking of notes. There were tears and celebrations. There was Bobby Robson and Johan Cruyff. There were tributes from colleagues, peers, friends and family and an invitation to 'go gallivanting' from Gazza. Advertisement 'You don't believe it but you will be missed,' said Pep Guardiola. The 64-year-old largely held it together as he was taken down memory lane and ushered towards the exit door of the BBC's top sports programme after 26 years of hosting. Only a sniffle betrayed his deeper feelings as he signed off for the last time. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did the hard work and I got the plaudits', he said. 'It's been utterly joyous.' Lineker has often described the opportunity to be a custodian of a programme he himself had grown up watching as 'a privilege'. In truth, the former England captain's stint as presenter dwarfs that of every other host. From David Coleman to Des Lynam, the host of Match of the Day has also been the face of the BBC's sports programming and Lineker continued that tradition, but only his presence has been consistent across an entire generation. After an initial stint as a pundit, Lineker's presenting debut came on 7 August 1999. He introduced himself with a Lynam-esque moment of fourth-wall breaking. 'Hey, tell you what, football's back,' he said, before adding: 'Any good? Did I get the job?' Advertisement His first match was Chelsea at home to promoted Sunderland, a thrashing led by Gianfranco Zola; his punditry panel Alan Hansen and Trevor Brooking. Twenty-six years later and Lineker saw out his last 90 minutes of action and analysis in the company of Alan Shearer and Micah Richards. Both men are bigger, louder and snappier than their predecessors. They also work with Lineker all week long as part of The Rest Is Football, the hit podcast produced by Lineker's Goalhanger studio. There, their personalities are given looser rein and banter gushes freely. The more mannered versions of the trio on MOTD can seem a little awkward by comparison. Over the years Lineker found a distinctive voice as a broadcaster, conveying his enthusiasm for the game while adopting an avuncular approach to the athletes he was watching. He also indulged his fondness for wordplay and made many deprecating references to the achievements of his career. His boyish looks endured for decades, his ageing betrayed only by his whitening hair. In 2015 he agreed to present MOTD in 'just my undies' if the team he had once played for and always supported, Leicester City, won the Premier League. The Foxes duly pulled off the miracle and Lineker half-honoured his commitment: the white bloomers were more shorts than pants. Advertisement At that point in his career it was as close to controversy as Lineker had come. The player who never received a yellow card had become the good guy host, even-handed in his observations and gentle in his humour. But his pants pledge came via a post on Twitter and Lineker's social media activity was to change the perception the public had of him. He used Twitter to articulate his personal political views. His support for refugees brought attacks from the press and strangers into his home. Two years ago, criticism of the previous government's language on asylum led to debates over impartiality and a brief suspension, only for Lineker's pundit peers to walk out in solidarity. Scrutiny of Lineker's activity away from the studio has only grown since, at the same time as his independence from the BBC has deepened. The decision that Lineker would begin to step away from his BBC responsibilities was made last autumn, with the promise of a last dance at the men's World Cup next summer. Lineker's decision two weeks ago to repost content relating to the Gaza conflict that contained an antisemitic symbol then put an end to plans for an extended farewell. 'It wasn't meant to end this way,' was how Lineker opened his final show, but there was to be no confessional. Of course it was a set up for a joke. 'With the title race over, the Champions League was all we had left to talk about,' said Lineker as Richards grimaced keenly, but the camera didn't linger. Advertisement As ever with a show that is edited with military precision, the match action had to be cued up. 'We'll take it in table order,' Lineker said. The show rolled on. There were little chuckles at the prospect of free pints at Shearer's Bar at St James' Park and a recital of law 12 relating to the control of the ball in a goalkeeper's hand. The Chelsea defender Levi Colwill was compared to a 'prime Lineker in the box' by Richards and giggles were had over unrevealed remarks relating to Sunderland made by Shearer in the green room. There was a graphic that got the West Ham manager wrong and Lineker momentarily confused Brighton and Bournemouth. It was all as familiar and as comforting as a warm bath. Then, finally, the plug was pulled.
