Latest news with #Catalans'
The Irish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Joel Tomkins pledges to end Catalans' ‘retirement home' tag after becoming coach
JOEL Tomkins has vowed to end Catalans' retirement home reputation as he looks to get them back to the top. And the dual-code England international will take bits from coaches he has worked with in union and league. Advertisement 2 Joel Tomkins has promised to look younger for NRL talent after landing the Catalans coaching job Credit: The 38-year-old has been handed the job of replacing Steve McNamara as boss until the end of 2027. Top of his list is turning around the Perpignan-based Dragons, who have spent big and delivered little. A big part of that is switching the way it will target stars from the NRL. Tomkins said: 'The recruitment model moving forward is changing quite a lot, we're looking at the younger generation. Advertisement 'It's quite obvious to see there are a lot of guys who've come from the NRL and are at the end of their careers, looking to play the last couple of years in France then retiring on the back of it. 'We're looking at guys who are still on the upwards slope, who are still climbing, who are coming over with a different mentality. MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE Exclusive Exclusive Exclusive 'They'd want to develop a reputation and either go back to the NRL as an NRL player or stay here long-term. 'The big one is we're avoiding those players who are coming to the end of their careers. We're looking at the other end. Advertisement Most read in Rugby League 'The average age of our top 20 players this year is over 31-years-old – we're looking at bringing that down to 26 or 27. 'You'll see that change over the coming weeks and months.' Tomkins will not have little brother Sam on his staff as he is going into the media after he re-retires at the end of the season. 2 Tomkins ended his own playing career with a stint at the Dragons Credit: Advertisement And after working with big name bosses in his playing days, he will use one trait that unites them all into his coaching career. He added: "I've spent a lot of time thinking about that over the last couple of years. 'I was really lucky to work under some of the top coaches in the world – Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane in league, Mark McCall and Stuart Lancaster in union. 'I also worked under Steve McNamara as a player and a coach and the thing the best coaches had was honesty and integrity. Advertisement 'I'll be honest and upfront with the players. I'll tell them when they're doing well but I won't be afraid of having those awkward conversations when they're not. 'The integrity side means it doesn't matter what someone's being paid or what they've done in their career. You pick your team on who's playing the best rugby – not names or pay packets.'
Scottish Sun
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Joel Tomkins pledges to end Catalans' ‘retirement home' tag after becoming coach
Dragons' new chief promises new attitude when it comes to recruitment OLD OFF Joel Tomkins pledges to end Catalans' 'retirement home' tag after becoming coach Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) JOEL Tomkins has vowed to end Catalans' retirement home reputation as he looks to get them back to the top. And the dual-code England international will take bits from coaches he has worked with in union and league. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Joel Tomkins has promised to look younger for NRL talent after landing the Catalans coaching job Credit: The 38-year-old has been handed the job of replacing Steve McNamara as boss until the end of 2027. Top of his list is turning around the Perpignan-based Dragons, who have spent big and delivered little. A big part of that is switching the way it will target stars from the NRL. Tomkins said: 'The recruitment model moving forward is changing quite a lot, we're looking at the younger generation. 'It's quite obvious to see there are a lot of guys who've come from the NRL and are at the end of their careers, looking to play the last couple of years in France then retiring on the back of it. 'We're looking at guys who are still on the upwards slope, who are still climbing, who are coming over with a different mentality. 'They'd want to develop a reputation and either go back to the NRL as an NRL player or stay here long-term. 'The big one is we're avoiding those players who are coming to the end of their careers. We're looking at the other end. 'The average age of our top 20 players this year is over 31-years-old – we're looking at bringing that down to 26 or 27. 'You'll see that change over the coming weeks and months.' Tomkins will not have little brother Sam on his staff as he is going into the media after he re-retires at the end of the season. 2 Tomkins ended his own playing career with a stint at the Dragons Credit: And after working with big name bosses in his playing days, he will use one trait that unites them all into his coaching career. He added: "I've spent a lot of time thinking about that over the last couple of years. 'I was really lucky to work under some of the top coaches in the world – Michael Maguire and Shaun Wane in league, Mark McCall and Stuart Lancaster in union. 'I also worked under Steve McNamara as a player and a coach and the thing the best coaches had was honesty and integrity. 'I'll be honest and upfront with the players. I'll tell them when they're doing well but I won't be afraid of having those awkward conversations when they're not. 'The integrity side means it doesn't matter what someone's being paid or what they've done in their career. You pick your team on who's playing the best rugby – not names or pay packets.'
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Liverpool could strike SENSATIONAL €100m swap deal with Barcelona
The future of Luis Diaz remains unresolved. The Liverpool winger is under contract until 2027 - but there is little prospect of him signing a new deal. Having signed from Porto for £37.5m back in 2022, Diaz remains on the same terms he agreed to back then. It's been reported that the Colombia international earns around £55k per week - a far cry from Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo or even Federico Chiesa. Advertisement Sporting director Richard Hughes is unlikely to meet Diaz's demands for a new contract - and so Liverpool have got a decision to make. Either they sell Diaz this summer while his value is high or they risk missing out on substantial transfer income. His price tag will plummet by 2026 if no new deal is agreed and right now the Reds value him around the €80m mark. Bayern Munich are willing to take Diaz off Liverpool's hands - but German reports suggest the Bavarians will only go as high as €60m. Could Liverpool consider Diaz swap? Barcelona sporting director Deco meanwhile is reported to be a big fan of the 28-year-old but the Catalans' precarious financial predicament means they will need outgoings before launching such an ambitious deal. Advertisement But perhaps there could be emerging a solution that suits all parties. A report in Fichajes claims Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is a big admirer of both Fermin Lopez and Andreas Christensen and could make a combined €100m offer for the pair this summer. Fermin is a midfield all-rounder who could provide cover in several positions - and also has a decent goalscoring touch. Christensen, meanwhile, could come in as a useful centre-back option as the Reds deal with the uncertainty over Ibrahima Konate. The deal values 23-year-old Fermin at €80m with Christensen making up the other €20m in the deal. Liverpool like Fermin Lopez and Andreas Christensen Lopez is under contract until 2029 while Christensen, 29, sees his contract expire in 2026. Advertisement Those valuations are on the high side for BOTH players in truth. Euro 2024 winner Fermin was previously thought to be worth around €60m while Christensen barely played last season owing to injury. A more sensible deal could price the pair at around €60m to €70m - bringing the prospect of a cash plus players deal into view.
NDTV
18-06-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Goalkeeper Joan Garcia Joins Barcelona From Local Rivals Espanyol
Barcelona announced on Wednesday they had signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia for 26.34 million euros ($31 million) on a six-year deal. Garcia, 24, had originally joined Barca's local rivals as a teenager and kept eight clean sheets in 38 appearances last season. He becomes the Catalans' first summer signing after Hansi Flick's side won four trophies last season including La Liga. "He has just completed a fantastic campaign in La Liga, playing a key role in Espanyol's survival," Barca said. "His outstanding performances, combined with his exceptional potential at just 24 years old, has made him a target for many top clubs around the world, Barca included," the 28-time La Liga champions added. On Tuesday, Garcia said his goodbyes to Espanyol fans in a video on social media. "I know this decision will not be easy for everyone to understand," Garcia said. "I don't ask you to do so. "But I want you to know that it has been a very well thought out decision, considering not only my career but also the best for the club, my family, and myself," he added. Garcia is set to compete with Germany's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Poland's Wojciech Szczesny and Spaniard Inaki Pena for Barca's number one shirt next season.
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Goalkeeper Garcia joins Barca from local rivals Espanyol
BARCELONA announced on Wednesday they had signed Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia for 26.34 million euros ($31 million) on a six-year deal. Garcia, 24, had originally joined Barca's local rivals as a teenager and kept eight clean sheets in 38 appearances last season. He becomes the Catalans' first summer signing after Hansi Flick's side won four trophies last season including La Liga. 'He has just completed a fantastic campaign in La Liga, playing a key role in Espanyol's survival,' Barca said. 'His outstanding performances, combined with his exceptional potential at just 24 years old, has made him a target for many top clubs around the world, Barca included,' the 28-time La Liga champions added. On Tuesday, Garcia said his goodbyes to Espanyol fans in a video on social media. 'I know this decision will not be easy for everyone to understand,' Garcia said. 'I don't ask you to do so. 'But I want you to know that it has been a very well thought out decision, considering not only my career but also the best for the club, my family, and myself,' he added. Garcia is set to compete with Germany's Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, Poland's Wojciech Szczesny and Spaniard Inaki Pena for Barca's number one shirt next season.
