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Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Premier League boss told 'f*** you' by own player in angry Club World Cup row
The Club World Cup saw stunning teams as Benfica boss Bruno Lage was seen in a furious row with his own midfielder following a substitution - despite the Portuguese side leading Former Premier League manager Bruno Lage was remarkably told 'f*** you' by his own player during Benfica's 6-0 win over Auckland City in the Club World Cup. The ex-Wolves was involved in an intense spat with midfielder Orkun Kokcu after he decided to replace the Turkish star with the Portuguese side already 2-0. Goals from Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis saw Benfica cruising and Lage opted to replace Kokcu with ex-Bayern Munich and Swansea ace Renato Sanches. Kokcu did not take kindly to the decision and made as much clear as he departed the pitch. The 24-year-old was furious as he made his way to the sidelines and refused to shake the hand of his manager. According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Kokcu shouted 'f*** you' at Lage as the row escalated with the Benfica star taking his seat among team-mates, while Lage fired back by telling his player to be quiet by shushing him. Lage was soon allowed a moment of smugness as Portugal international Sanches got on the scoresheet to add a third goal for Benfica, soon after his introduction. The 49-year-old coach made sure that Kokcu knew his decision paid off. The boss, in his second spell with Benfica, covered his mouth to share a few words with his player. It is suggested the 49-year-old told Kokcu that he had a better feel for game when deciding to make the substitution. The words did not land well however as Kokcu rose to his feet and vented his anger. The midfielder forcefully pointed towards his manager and was visibly furious. Kokcu needed to be restrained by team-mate Kerem Akturkoglu as Lage was again put his finger to his mouth. Unsurprisingly, Lage was asked about the situation following the game. "Orkun Kokcu wanted to win and score more goals, but we decided that Renato should come on," he explained. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. That's how it was today, too." "I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience," he added. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Former Premier League manager is told ‘f*** you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EX-PREM boss Bruno Lage has been embroiled in an astonishing touchline spat with his OWN player. The Benfica boss watched his side see off Auckland City 6-0 in the Club World Cup on Friday night. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Benfica boss Bruno Lage was involved in a furious row with Orkun Kokcu Credit: Getty 3 The ex-Wolves manager was seen shushing his player during the row Credit: Getty Benfica struggled to break down the Kiwi minnows, taking almost an hour to find the opener. Lage decided to shuffle his pack in the Orlando heat, replacing Orkun Kokcu with ex-Swansea City midfielder Renato Sanches. But Kokcu was furious at being subbed, refusing to shake Lage's hand as he skulked from the field. Portuguese outlet A Bola claims Kokcu turned and shouted "f*** you" at his manager before taking his place on the bench. READ MORE ON FOOTBALL MARC MY WORDS Guehi makes summer transfer decision between Arsenal and Liverpool WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN A furious Lage confronted Kokcu and was seen shushing him by placing a finger on his lips. And after Sanches netted Benfica's third, the boss headed back to the bench to carry on the feud. Kerem Akturkoglu was seen holding Kokcu back, preventing the incident from escalating as Lage again shushed his own player. Lage claimed after the match that Kokcu was guilty of only wanting to "win and score goals". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He said: "We decided that Renato should come on. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. Bayern Munich beat Boca Juniors 2-1 at the Club World Cup "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. "That's how it was today, too. I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. "I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." 3 Lage, 49, took charge of Wolves in the Premier League between June 2021 and October 2022. He won just 19 of 51 games at Molineux, but was hampered by an injury crisis to his strikers. Julen Lopetegui replaced Lage in the Midlands, with the Portuguese taking charge of Botofago in Brazil before joining Benfica for a second stint last summer.
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former Premier League manager is told ‘f*** you' by his own player before he shushes him in furious Club World Cup row
EX-PREM boss Bruno Lage has been embroiled in an astonishing touchline spat with his OWN player. The Benfica boss watched his side see off Auckland City 6-0 in the Club World Cup on Friday night. Advertisement 3 Benfica boss Bruno Lage was involved in a furious row with Orkun Kokcu Credit: Getty 3 The ex-Wolves manager was seen shushing his player during the row Credit: Getty Lage decided to shuffle his pack in the Orlando heat, replacing Orkun Kokcu with ex-Swansea City midfielder Renato Sanches. But Kokcu was furious at being subbed, refusing to shake Lage's hand as he skulked from the field. Portuguese outlet Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBALL A furious Lage confronted Kokcu and was seen shushing him by placing a finger on his lips. And after Sanches netted Benfica's third, the boss headed back to the bench to carry on the feud. Kerem Akturkoglu was seen holding Kokcu back, preventing the incident from escalating as Lage again shushed his own player. Advertisement Most read in Football Exclusive Lage claimed after the match that Kokcu was guilty of only wanting to "win and score goals". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He said: "We decided that Renato should come on. "Regardless of the players' form, I make the decisions. Advertisement Bayern Munich beat Boca Juniors 2-1 at the Club World Cup "In the last game, we started with Renato, and Kokcu came on later and helped us. "That's how it was today, too. I saw the behaviour of a consistently professional athlete. That was a unique experience. "He has always behaved very well both on and off the field. He has the desire to help the team. "I make the decisions I have to make, no matter who it is. I've proven that many times. Advertisement "I look at the player's current situation and make my decisions calmly." 3 Lage, 49, took charge of Wolves in the Premier League between June 2021 and October 2022. He won just 19 of 51 games at Molineux, but was hampered by an injury crisis to his strikers. Advertisement Julen Lopetegui replaced Lage in the Midlands, with the Portuguese taking charge of Botofago in Brazil before joining Benfica for a second stint last summer.
Sharjah 24
19-02-2025
- Sport
- Sharjah 24
Benfica hold off Monaco to reach Champions League last 16
Monaco twice led on the night and came close to forcing extra-time but Orkun Kokcu's 84th minute equaliser helped Benfica scrape through in Lisbon, with Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting in the next round. Kerem Akturkoglu put the hosts ahead against the run of play, with Takumi Minamino levelling for Monaco after 32 minutes. Eliesse Ben Seghir fired the visitors ahead but Vangelis Pavlidis struck from the spot to keep the score tied on the night. French youngster George Ilenikhena netted in the 81st minute for Monaco but Kokcu prodded home to send Benfica through. "It was a tough night, we knew Monaco would put pressure on us from the start and we felt it, we didn't play our best game," Kokcu told SportTV. "Still, we're happy to have progressed to the last 16, I'm happy to have contributed to the result." Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 on Saturday in the French top flight, sharpening their pencils ahead of their crucial exam at the Estadio da Luz. Both sides were without key players through injuy and suspension, with Benfica missing Angel Di Maria among others, while Monaco started with just one recognised midfielder. Wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Ben Seghir played more centrally than usual and both shone in Lisbon, despite ending up on the losing side. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a good save to deny Monaco's Krepin Diatta early on, as the Ligue 1 side looked to get back on level terms in the tie and had the better of the first half. However it was the hosts who took the lead after superb work by Benfica striker Pavlidis. The Greek attacker, who netted a hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage, turned provider on this occasion and, after darting into the area, crossed to the back post for Akturkoglu to turn home. Swiss international Breel Embolo almost levelled for Monaco but his header hit the post, although the visitors netted less than a minute later. Embolo did well to hold off veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing former Liverpool attacker Minamino room for a shot and he drilled home at the near post. Monaco should have taken the lead just before half-time but Embolo fired a glorious chance high over the crossbar after the impressive Akliouche surged through the middle and teed him up. A lot of fight Ben Seghir forced Trubin into a fine save early in the second half, before pulling Monaco level at 2-2 on aggregate after 51 minutes. The Moroccan winger produced a deadly accurate first-time finish inside the near post after Akliouche cut the ball back to him from the right. Bruno Lage's side struggled to find a foothold in the match but Thilo Kehrer handed the hosts a lifeline when he went to clear the ball but arrived late and kicked Fredrik Aursnes in the box. Pavlidis, who netted the only goal of the first leg, powered home from the spot for his seventh of the tournament. Ilenikhena put Monaco back ahead on the night mere seconds after coming on from the bench, with Trubin unable to keep his low rifled effort out despite getting a hand to it. Adi Hutter's side could not hold on for more than three minutes, with Alvaro Carreras firing in a dangerous cross which Benfica midfielder Kokcu flicked home. Benfica were awarded another penalty in stoppage time when Diatta seemed to bring down Samuel Dahl, but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review. "What made the difference today was 100 percent the team's spirit, with a lot of fight," said Dahl. "The game had its ups and downs, they attacked, we attacked... in the end, we scored three goals. "We also conceded three, but we advanced, which was the main objective."
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Benfica hold off Monaco to reach Champions League last 16
Benfica snatched a nailbiting 3-3 draw against Monaco on Tuesday to reach the Champions League last 16 with a 4-3 aggregate victory in the play-off round. Monaco twice led on the night and came close to forcing extra-time but Orkun Kokcu's 84th minute equaliser helped Benfica scrape through in Lisbon, with Barcelona or Liverpool awaiting in the next round. Kerem Akturkoglu put the hosts ahead against the run of play, with Takumi Minamino levelling for Monaco after 32 minutes. Eliesse Ben Seghir fired the visitors ahead but Vangelis Pavlidis struck from the spot to keep the score tied on the night. French youngster George Ilenikhena netted in the 81st minute for Monaco but Kokcu prodded home to send Benfica through. "It was a tough night, we knew Monaco would put pressure on us from the start and we felt it, we didn't play our best game," Kokcu told SportTV. "Still, we're happy to have progressed to the last 16, I'm happy to have contributed to the result." Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 on Saturday in the French top flight, sharpening their pencils ahead of their crucial exam at the Estadio da Luz. Both sides were without key players through injuy and suspension, with Benfica missing Angel Di Maria among others, while Monaco started with just one recognised midfielder. Wingers Maghnes Akliouche and Ben Seghir played more centrally than usual and both shone in Lisbon, despite ending up on the losing side. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a good save to deny Monaco's Krepin Diatta early on, as the Ligue 1 side looked to get back on level terms in the tie and had the better of the first half. However it was the hosts who took the lead after superb work by Benfica striker Pavlidis. The Greek attacker, who netted a hat-trick against Barcelona in the group stage, turned provider on this occasion and, after darting into the area, crossed to the back post for Akturkoglu to turn home. Swiss international Breel Embolo almost levelled for Monaco but his header hit the post, although the visitors netted less than a minute later. Embolo did well to hold off veteran defender Nicolas Otamendi, allowing former Liverpool attacker Minamino room for a shot and he drilled home at the near post. Monaco should have taken the lead just before half-time but Embolo fired a glorious chance high over the crossbar after the impressive Akliouche surged through the middle and teed him up. - 'A lot of fight' - Ben Seghir forced Trubin into a fine save early in the second half, before pulling Monaco level at 2-2 on aggregate after 51 minutes. The Moroccan winger produced a deadly accurate first-time finish inside the near post after Akliouche cut the ball back to him from the right. Bruno Lage's side struggled to find a foothold in the match but Thilo Kehrer handed the hosts a lifeline when he went to clear the ball but arrived late and kicked Fredrik Aursnes in the box. Pavlidis, who netted the only goal of the first leg, powered home from the spot for his seventh of the tournament. Ilenikhena put Monaco back ahead on the night mere seconds after coming on from the bench, with Trubin unable to keep his low rifled effort out despite getting a hand to it. Adi Hutter's side could not hold on for more than three minutes, with Alvaro Carreras firing in a dangerous cross which Benfica midfielder Kokcu flicked home. Benfica were awarded another penalty in stoppage time when Diatta seemed to bring down Samuel Dahl, but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review. "What made the difference today was 100 percent the team's spirit, with a lot of fight," said Dahl. "The game had its ups and downs, they attacked, we attacked... in the end, we scored three goals. "We also conceded three, but we advanced, which was the main objective." bur-rbs/bsp
