Latest news with #Shearer
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer reach agreement on Mo Salah's Ballon d'Or chances
Mohamed Salah has enjoyed another stunning season at Liverpool, but Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer believe Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele is favourite to win the Ballon d'Or Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer agree that Paris Saint-Germain's Ousmane Dembele should be this season's Ballon d'Or favourite. The pair believe the award should go the way of the Frenchman as opposed to Liverpool's Mohamed Salah. PSG strode to Champions League glory with ease this term, dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final and cutting through a trio of English clubs, including Arne Slot's Reds, whom they edged out on penalties in March, on their way to the final in Munich. With their blistering counterattacks, Luis Enrique's outfit dazzled, and the likes of Achraf Hakimi, final sensation Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and the lethal Dembele have all starred. Sporting an impressive tally of 33 goals across competitions, Dembele has been a cornerstone of his side's domestic and European triumphs, and Lineker and Shearer believe he currently trumps Premier League golden boot and title winner Salah in the race for the Ballon d'Or. "We have to come to the inevitable question these days about the Ballon d'Or," began Lineker, speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside co-host Shearer. "It's obviously hugely influenced by the side that wins the Champions League final, but in some way, because of the nature of PSG's teamwork, it doesn't come down to one individual. "I mean, you could probably give it to quite a few of their particular players, but I suppose Dembele will be favourite. He had a couple of really good moments [in the final]. "He didn't get his goal, but he was very involved in some of the goals, one assist and a pre-assist or something - one of two of those as well. "So, I think he'll probably be favourite now. I mean, [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, as a goalkeeper, might have a slight chance, but goalkeepers [rarely win such awards]. Or even Hakimi." Shearer replied: "Yeah, I would guess that Dembele, even though he didn't get his goal, would be probably the favourite for it, wouldn't he? There are a few in that team that could be in with a shout for it." Lineker quipped: "The two full-backs are absolutely fabulous, aren't they. I mean, gee whiz," while Shearer added: "The way that PSG play, they've got the freedom to go forward. "You just look at Hakimi's record, in the quarters, semis and final, all scoring. I mean that sort of tells you. They are as good as any in world football at what they do. They are an exceptional team." Discussing PSG's upcoming transfer window, Shearer acknowledged that newcomers will face a challenging time securing a spot in Enrique's starting lineup. "I mean, whoever they recruit this summer, if they do - I would imagine they are gonna get one or two in," concluded Shearer. "They are going to have to be exceptional talents, exceptional players to get into that first eleven."
Los Angeles Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Sawdust Festival artists take on teaching in seminar at Sage Hill
Ron Shearer's artistic journey began at home, but it wasn't until decades later that he reconnected with those roots through a chance encounter while abroad. Shearer recalls cutting tile for his mother's mosaic hobby in his youth. While abroad in Italy in 2009, he walked into a shop of a mosaic artist, and it brought those memories back to the surface. 'I didn't foster it then, or I didn't fall in love with it [as a child],' Shearer said. 'I was 8 years old, and I wanted to go out and ride my bike. About 52 years later is when I went to Italy, and I walked into this fellow's shop, and I said, 'Wow.' This reminded me of what I did with my mom.' The Santa Ana native came back from that visit and taught himself how to do mosaic art, using what he observed in that shop and a few of the mosaics he still had from his mother's work in the 1950s. Shearer, who said he has exhibited at the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach for 25 years, started in metal sculpture. He has since rededicated his efforts to mosaic and often teaches classes or works out of his booth while on the grounds. This week presented an opportunity to offer some inspiration to others, as Shearer was one of a handful of Sawdust artists to give students a hands-on experience at Sage Hill School. 'The biggest hurdle that I have to overcome from teaching someone, whether it be kids or whether it be adults, is that it is a deferred gratification,' Shearer said of mosaic art. 'It takes time to do a mosaic, and it's something you can't hurry. A lot of people want to sit down and finish it in an hour and a half, and it's really hard to do. It takes time to do it.' Needing to make the task manageable within school hours, the students worked on mosaic coasters that were approximately 4 square inches on Friday. Shearer came prepared with 10 different colors of cut tile, glue and coasters to serve as makeshift canvases. Students had a chance to cut and arrange tile pieces, then come up with a design before attempting to glue and assemble a finished product. Some packed geometric shapes into stars, while others placed living things such as fish into the body of their design. The workshop was part of the inaugural Sawdust Art Festival Survey, one of nearly two dozen seminars offered to students at the school through the Spring at Sage program. 'Sage Hill and Sawdust Art Festival are natural partners as institutions of creativity and excellence in Orange County,' said Daniel Langhorne, a school spokesman. 'We're very grateful for these professional artists inspiring our students to explore new media and express themselves.' AnnJo Droog, director of art education at the Sawdust Festival, said other participants in the week-long collaboration included Hedy Buzan, Gabe Sullivan and Julie Setterholm. The program also exposed students to copper enameling, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and sketching. There wasn't much work to do in terms of securing artists for the workshops, said Droog, who added, 'Everybody wanted to come.' 'What my job really was to do was to be mindful of what we were going to give the students,' Droog said. 'So try to give them really diverse art experience, so that's why we've jumped from printmaking to painting to mosaics, so they get a taste of a lot. They've had a lot to learn this week, but they're an amazing group, and they're really into it, as well. They're really intent and focused on their work. It's fabulous.' Preserving the artists colony is often a topic of discussion in Laguna Beach, which is home to three art festivals, including the Festival of Arts and Laguna Art-A-Fair. Droog dreamed about the possibility of building the colony with more artists. 'Sharing [art] with the younger generation and getting them enthusiastic,' Droog said. 'If we have created inspiration in somebody in that room who wants to make art a career, 'Wow,' what an achievement.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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. Advertisement 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.' Related: Premier League 2024-25 season review: our predictions versus reality 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. Advertisement '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. Related: Men's transfer window summer 2025: all deals from Europe's top five leagues Advertisement '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.'
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Alan Shearer breaks silence on Match of the Day future after Gary Lineker exit
Gary Lineker waved goodbye to Match of the Day on Sunday night after 26 years presenting the BBC's Premier League highlights show, many of which were spent alongside Alan Shearer Alan Shearer has confirmed that he won't be leaving Match of the Day despite 'amazing friend' Gary Lineker's exit. Lineker hosted his final episode on Sunday, having sat in the presenter's chair for 26 years. Lineker's departure from the programme - which had been planned since November - came amid an anti-Semitism scandal which prompted the 64-year-old to end his contract with BBC 14 months early. Lineker was supposed to front the BBC's coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 season before ending his stint with the broadcast at the World Cup next summer. Shearer and Micah Richards were the pundits sat next to Lineker for his emotional farewell. The trio, who have a podcast together, reviewed the final day of this season's Premier League before Lineker was given a touching send-off. But Shearer won't be going anywhere. Confirming that he'll be staying on, the Newcastle legend told the Mail: "He got a really emotional send off on Sunday, and one he deserved, and he's a brilliant broadcaster, and he's a great friend of mine, and we will all miss him. Shearer added: "It's different for myself and Micah, because it's not as if we're not ever going to see him again. I mean, we've done two recordings of our podcast as well, so we're still going to be sort of working together." The BBC put together a seven-minute montage featuring tributes from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Arne Slot, Virgil van Dijk and Paul Gascoigne. Shearer was among them, saying: "Match of the Day is everything to him. He loves it, it means the world to him. Off air he's very calm, very generous. You are an amazing friend." Signing off on Sunday night, Lineker told viewers: "Let me take the opportunity to thank all the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You've made my job so much easier. "Also, thanks to all those you don't see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort. From the editors to the analysis team, from the commentators to the floor managers, from the producers to the camera operators, from the PAs to the subs. Will Match of the Day be a success without Gary Lineker? Give us your prediction in the comments section. "Thank you all you're the very best. Everyone else did all the hard work and I got the plaudits. It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. It's been utterly joyous. "I'd like to wish Gabby (Logan), Mark (Chapman), and Kelly (Cates) all the best when they sit in the chair The programme is in the best of hands. "My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It's been so special. I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye." 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.
Daily Mirror
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Man Utd U-turn taken as Shearer leaps to their defence leaving Lineker laughing
Alan Shearer has never been afraid of criticising Manchester United, but the Newcastle United legend appeared to perform a U-turn to Gary Lineker's surprise Alan Shearer laughed that he will "never say a bad word" about Manchester United again after their victory over Aston Villa helped his beloved Newcastle United secure a spot in the Champions League. The Magpies clinched fifth place on the final day of the Premier League season, narrowly securing their return to Europe's top club competition. For most of the final day of the campaign, it looked like they were going to have to settle for the Europa League, after falling 1-0 behind at home to Everton. However, when United took the lead against Villa through Amad Diallo in the 76th minute, the Magpies were lifted back into fifth position, despite trailing the Toffees. Ruben Amorim's side went on to secure the three-points through Christian Eriksen, who dispatched a penalty in the 87th minute to double United's lead. Despite eventually succumbing to defeat to Everton, Newcastle players and supporters erupted into celebrations not seen since they won the League Cup at Wembley after it was confirmed that they would be back in Europe's top-tier competition next season. Despite being a vocal critic of the Red Devils in the past, particularly this season, Shearer has promised to keep his criticism of United to himself, to say thank you to his former rivals. While speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, co-host Gary Lineker said: "You had a very nervy afternoon, Alan." Shearer responded: "I will never have a bad word said against Manchester United again," prompting laughter from both. Lineker quipped: "Who would have thought that they'd bail you out?" to which Shearer confessed: "And a certain decision that might've helped." He was referencing the moment of controversy at Old Trafford, which saw a goal from Morgan Rogers disallowed, after he was deemed to have kicked the ball out of the hands of United goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Despite replay footage showing the Turkish shot-stopper had no control of the ball, VAR could not intervene to award the goal, as official Thomas Bramall had blown the whistle before the ball went into the net. The hugely controversial moment prevented Villa from taking a 1-0 lead, and, ultimately, stopped them from qualifying for the Champions League. However, it was a blessing for the Magpies, who will compete in Europe's elite competition for the second time in three years. It may also go some way to retaining star man Alexander Isak, who has been linked with moves to the likes of Arsenal and many others. Talking about the controversial result, Shearer, who had many battles against United during his career, said: "Who would have thought it? Man United doing the Toon a massive favour. "I mean they've been rotten all season, haven't they? They deserved to win yesterday. Villa were really poor and lacked so many things. They couldn't complain in terms of United deserving to win but they could complain against the decision that went against them." Directly after their season wrapped up, United boarded a flight to Malaysia for a post-season tour. Their itinerary includes a match in Kuala Lumpur on May 28 and another in Hong Kong just two days later. The victory over Villa was a positive end to a chastening season for the Red Devils. Their win over Unai Emery's side lifted them up to 15th position, which saw them finish the campaign with 11 victories, nine draws and 18 defeats. Nevertheless, this season goes down as their worst in the Premier League era and as one of the most miserable in their history. Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. 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.
