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Wales Online
4 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
Nathan Jones signs new contract to end Cardiff City links as options now appear to point one way
Nathan Jones signs new contract to end Cardiff City links as options now appear to point one way Cardiff City's managerial search has now seen one man officially ruled out Charlton boss Nathan Jones (Image: Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images ) Nathan Jones has signed a new long-term contract with Charlton to end all links with Cardiff City. Jones, a boyhood Bluebirds fan, has been heavily linked with the vacant post at Cardiff City Stadium over the past 10 days but has now agreed fresh terms with the club he has just taken back up to the Championship. The 52-year-old's name was thrown into the mix following the Addicks' play-off final win but a move for the Rhondda-born man always looked complicated due to the Wembley win and the south London club's reluctance to let their manager leave. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here. Jones said in a statement on Friday morning: "I'm very proud and delighted. "I still had three years left but for the club to come to me and want to continue that journey meant a lot to me because it's a club that I love. "We've just taken one big step, but that's only one big step, we still have a long way to go to achieve our goals and I'm glad that I'll continue to work towards that." Article continues below Club chairman Gavin Carter said: "We have a really cohesive group forming at Charlton - from the players and coaching staff to the wider team behind the scenes and of course our supporters. "Nathan has been a key part of that unity and our success on the pitch this season means we are ahead of schedule in our long-term planning for the club. Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire. ) "Nathan understands the values of this club and shares our ambition for where we want to go. We're thrilled to have him on board for the long term.' Managing director James Rodwell added: "Nathan has done an incredible job since returning to the club last year. His leadership has been crucial in developing a culture and structure that has enabled us to progress. His vision, energy and commitment to the club are clear to see, and we're delighted he'll be leading us forward. "This long-term commitment enables us to plan, creates stability and allows us to develop a strategy that can only benefit the football club." Article continues below All roads at Cardiff now seem to lead to Aaron Ramsey taking up a position he held as interim for the final three games of the season on a full-time basis. Bookmakers have placed the 34-year-old as strong favourite for the role, ahead of the likes of Brian Barry-Murphy, Des Buckingham and Ian Evatt. Ramsey has one year to run on his playing contract and although handing a rookie the reins in a brutal division is a risk, he will no doubt have a galvanising effect on a fractured fanbase desperate for a return to successful ways.
Extra.ie
7 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Popular pastry chain now open in Belfast's Titanic Quarter
Popular British pastry giant Greggs has opened their sixth store in just six months in Northern Ireland. The latest store is offering its extremely popular range of sweet and savoury treats for visitors to Belfast's Titanic Quarter, a move that is sure to be a hit with the thousands of tourists and locals who visit the busy hub every week. Greggs has described the move as a 'key milestone' in their expansion into Northern Ireland and one which has created 16 new jobs in this newest flagship store, as well as 14 new positions in their Antrim branch, which opened just last month. Popular British pastry giant Greggs have opened their sixth store in just six months in Northern Ireland. Pic: MI News/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock Greggs says it is part of a plan to create over 100 new roles in its stores across Northern Ireland. Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Retail Operations Director at Greggs, Gillian Long said, 'Northern Ireland is a key focus in our wider growth strategy, and this latest opening reflects our commitment to expanding our presence in the region.' The Titanic Quarter in Belfast. Pic: Shutterstock The new store at the Titanic Quarter will offer the full Greggs' menu of items, including their famous sausage roll, steak bake and a variety of vegan options.
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Manchester United 'nowhere near good enough', admits Harry Maguire
'Not good enough' Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has admitted the club have not been good enough this season as they prepare to take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilboa on Wednesday. Photo: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Harry Maguire admits Manchester United have been "nowhere near good enough" as his troubled side look to salvage their season by winning the Europa League final against Tottenham. United face Tottenham in Bilbao on Wednesday hoping to secure the first trophy of Ruben Amorim's reign as manager. But Amorim's side are languishing in 16th place in the Premier League and, with one game left in the top-flight season, they are destined for the club's worst finish since relegation in 1973-74. England centre-back Maguire is well aware that is unacceptable for a club of United's stature. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "As players, we have to take responsibility for the position in the Premier League and the money we have generated this season through that finish, which is nowhere near good enough," he said. "It shouldn't be like that. Two months ago, we should have been in a better position, fighting for a Europa League position or the Champions League positions." United are 27 points adrift of the Premier League's top five — the positions that guarantee qualification for the Champions League. But they will still be able to compete in the Champions League next season if they win the Europa League. That would be a major boost for Amorim, whose debut season in charge has gone from one calamity to another in the Premier League. United's bid to win the sixth major European trophy in the club's history has kept the season alive for their frustrated fans, who have largely remained supportive of Amorim despite the struggles. "We've disappointed them far too much. We've given them some good times in the Europa League and some great memories in terms of winning the derby at the Etihad, but overall it's even surprised me. They are great fans and this year they've proved that," Maguire said. "We believe in ourselves. We have got to make sure we put the percentages in our favour in terms of turning up, giving absolutely everything and performing on the day." Maguire, 32, has his own motivation to leave Bilbao with the trophy after missing United's 2021 Europa League final against Villarreal through injury. "Missing that game was the big one for me. That hurt a lot," he said. "I was captain of the club at the time and a big part of that team. Maybe the result would have been different if I'd been fit. That's what I felt." AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
02-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Eddie Howe urges Newcastle to be ruthless in transfer market
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe Newcastle manager Eddie Howe wants the club to be ruthless in the transfer market ahead of next season. Photo: MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Image: MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Eddie Howe has urged Newcastle to be ruthless in the summer transfer window as their Premier League competitors attempt to comply with strict spending rules. Twelve months ago the Magpies found themselves reluctantly having to sell Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton in order to comply with profitability and sustainability restrictions (PSR). This time around they are in a significantly stronger position ahead of the June 30 deadline, having not made a major signing in three transfer windows. With suggestions that clubs such as Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Forest may have to sell players in order to comply, Howe wants the club to be ready to pounce. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ "The PSR deadline plays a huge role for clubs, both those clubs with PSR issues and those without, because those without may potentially look to try to sign players. "They will look to take advantage of other clubs, as clubs did to us last year, quite rightly. "It's a really interesting dynamic and one that we're really aware of and that we'll try to use to our advantage if we can. "I can't go into the details of that, but no doubt we've got people at the club who are working very hard behind the scenes on it." Newcastle head for Brighton on Sunday sitting third in the table and knowing Champions League qualification remains in their hands, although they have a difficult run of fixtures to come. After Brighton they take on top-five rivals Chelsea before playing Arsenal and Everton. Newcastle will have European football next season regardless of what happens during the remainder of the campaign as their League Cup final success guarantees a Conference League place. But qualifying for Europe's biggest club competition would help attract summer targets and could persuade their biggest names to remain on Tyneside. Howe has addressed speculation over Alexander Isak, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon throughout the campaign but said he remains committed to adding to, rather than depleting, his squad. "I don't have a crystal ball, I can't sit here and say what's going to happen. I can only say what my determination is and it is to build a team, the best team possible and to do that, you can't consistently lose your best players." Howe confirmed that midfielder Joelinton is unlikely to play again this season after visiting a knee specialist. AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Forest face 'biggest games of careers' in Champions League chase, says Nuno Espirito Santo
Forest in battle to qualify for Champions League With six games left in the Premier League season, Nuno Espirito Santo's Nottingham Forest are in a battle to secure UEFA Champions League qualification. Photo: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Image: Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via AFP Nuno Espirito Santo says the last five games of Nottingham Forest's Premier League campaign are the "biggest of our careers" as they battle to secure a Champions League spot for next season. Forest are within touching distance of a return to Europe's top club competition for the first time in more than four decades but face fierce competition. Liverpool are already champions and second-placed Arsenal have a significant points cushion but just five points separate third-placed Newcastle from Aston Villa in seventh spot. Manchester City and Chelsea are also pushing to finish in the top five, which will guarantee Champions League qualification. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Forest, in sixth spot but with a game in hand, host Brentford at the City Ground on Thursday, four days after the disappointment of losing their FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City 2-0. The two-time European champions looked comfortable in the Premier League before consecutive defeats by Villa and Everton earlier this month but they ended their mini-slump by beating Tottenham last week. "All the games are going to be very, very important for a lot of teams in this fight. We have one more, let's try to perform well," Forest manager Nuno said on Tuesday. "We are back in the City Ground in front of our fans, it's a big help. "We have never stopped believing, no matter what happens. Throughout the competition, we have had good moments and bad moments and we have been able to react and again it is up to us to react again. "All the games are the biggest games of our careers, this is how we approach it." Forest have not played in Europe's elite competition since the 1980/81 season, when they were two-time defending champions under former manager Brian Clough. Nuno said his side, who finished 17th in the Premier League last season, still control their own destiny. "We are only thinking about Brentford now, that is the only thing we have to consider now in our minds, is to compete against them," he said. "It's in our hands, that's a big advantage." After the Brentford game, Forest face Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham and end with a match against Chelsea. AFP
