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Spectator
3 days ago
- Sport
- Spectator
What Marcus Rashford gets right – and wrong
Marcus Rashford, formerly of Manchester United, now of Barcelona, has opened up about his time at Old Trafford in a podcast interview with Gary Lineker (and an excitable Micah Richards) ahead of the start of the Spanish and English seasons on Friday. Despite Lineker interceding as often as possible to talk about his glory days in Spain (did you know he once played for Barcelona? and got a hat-trick against Real Madrid?) Rashford managed to get in some astute and revealing comments about the modern game and how topflight clubs (and one in particular) are often their own worst enemies. It is refreshing to hear such honest and forthright views, expressed seemingly without so much bitterness as frustration Rashford, who more than any other player witnessed the psychodrama of the post-Alex Ferguson Manchester United, pulled at the threads of the Gordian knot of his former club's seemingly interminable malaise (United finished 15th last year losing 18 games in the process). Rashford seems to lay on the blame on a 'reactionary' (meaning reactive) mindset which saw managers fired before they had had sufficient time to establish any sort of system. Rashford saw nine different managers (full and caretaker) come and go and it seems to have been dizzying: for example Louis van Gaal wanted to play with flair, his successor Jose Mourinho just wanted to win at all costs and wouldn't criticise or offer advice to Rashford on his off-days if United had still managed to win. 'People say we've been in a transition, but the transition hasn't started yet', Rashford continued, using the present tense for his former club (he is still a fan). 'You have to make a plan and stick to it. We've had that many different managers and that many different ideas that you end up in no man's land… if your directions always changing, you can't expect to win the league'. He highlighted the importance of having 'principles', such as existed during the fabled Fergie era and which permeated throughout the entire club, but, he believes, no longer do. Another part of the problem it would seem is the at times hysterical denunciations of former players. Rashford took a swipe at the old pros (surely Gay Neville and Roy Keane) who have made a habit of seemingly unfiltered clickbaity rants about current players and teams. Rashford said he would never do that and had no interest in being a pundit post-retirement, despite Lineker's rather unctuous assurances that he would make a great one. Some might suggest a degree of inconsistency in Rashford's argument. Managers may be dispensed with far too quickly but it could be argued that Rashford was given ample chances, perhaps even too many. He played 426 games for the club scoring 138 goals. At times he threatened to be the answer to the club's prayers for a consistent bang-them-in-every-week striker in the mould of a van Nistelrooy, van Persie or Andy Cole, without ever quite nailing the role. He was finally farmed out to Villa last year from whence he has moved onto Barcelona in what many see as a somewhat generously offered and possibly final chance at the very big time. Rashford perhaps doesn't appreciate the enormous commercial pressures that top clubs face, with massive rewards and penalties for failing to secure a Champion's League place, finishing in the bottom half of the league or God forbid relegation. With literally hundreds of millions at stake the pressure to fire a manager and possibly revitalise a team and thus save the season must be immense – and it wasn't quite like that in the Fergie era. In that light, the decision to keep United's current manager Ruben Amorim despite a nightmare season seems positively enlightened – Europa cup-winning Angelos Postecoglou was shown the door. The average tenure of a Premier League manager (according to a study by Issuu) is 1.42 years. Still, it was refreshing to hear such honest and forthright views, expressed seemingly without so much bitterness as frustration, from a player who been criticised for lacking commitment but seems to have moved on. There was no mention of changing the world, his previous obsession, and Rashford looked to be fully focused on his career. He admitted to sometimes playing disappointingly at Manchester United and seemed committed to a fresh start (including language lessons) in Spain and cementing his place in the England squad ahead of next year's World Cup. As evidence of this, when Linker suggested Rashford had been overly criticised in the past because of his skin colour, Rashford refused to take the bait, preferring to stick to football matters. At a time when the FA has finally begun to unwind it's long and lamentable association with Stonewall, and taking the knee, rainbow laces and arm bands appear to be on the way out, it was a further signal of a welcome change in the football zeitgeist. As for Lineker, he will apparently soon present a quiz show called The Box. Many will be wishing all that woke baggage which he so enthusiastically championed could be put in one, which would then be securely sealed, and we could all get back to just talking about football.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Arne Slot made mission impossible look like a walk in the park
Liverpool manager Arne Slot celebrating after Luis Diaz scores their first goal in a 5-1 English Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on April 27. PHOTO: REUTERS – Twenty-four hours after Jurgen Klopp's emotional Liverpool farewell, Arne Slot was handed the seemingly impossible mission of trying to fill the void left by the charismatic Kop idol. Klopp's high-octane football and his passion for the city, not to mention the seven major trophies he delivered in his nine years on Merseyside – including the Champions League and a first English title in 30 years – elevated him alongside the likes of club icons Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Slot would have been only too aware that succeeding serial trophy winners at England's biggest clubs can be a poisoned chalice; just ask David Moyes who began the post-Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United or Unai Emery, the man who replaced Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Neither lasted long. But Slot has made the transition look like a Sunday morning stroll in Stanley Park. Tasked with turning what had been a two-horse race for the past two seasons between Manchester City and Arsenal into a three-horse race, expectations of the relatively under-the-radar Slot from those outside the club were low. When BBC Sport's army of pundits were asked before the season which club would win the league, none of the 30 responders opted for Liverpool. Yet any doubts about Liverpool's decision to recruit Slot from Feyenoord were erased in the season's opening weeks. With Klopp's squad, barring the signing of Federico Chiesa who has hardly featured, Slot won eight of his first 10 English Premier League games in charge – the best start by a new manager in Liverpool's history. Helped by City's drastic decline in form and Arsenal's levelling off, a clinical Liverpool have been top of the table for all but one week since Sept 28, losing only two games. They capped that off by winning the title with four games to spare, following a 5-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. One criticism that could be levelled at Slot is an FA Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Plymouth Argyle and a disappointing League Cup final loss to Newcastle United. They also lost to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in an enthralling Champions League last-16 tie. But delivering a 20th English title to match the record held for so long by rivals Manchester United is what the fans desired most and means Slot now joins an elite club. Only five managers have won the Premier League in their debut season in English football – the others being Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea). Crucially, after inheriting a squad full of world-class players, Slot's quiet self-confidence meant he could resist any temptation to re-invent the wheel, instead calmly going about putting his own stamp on Klopp's blueprint. 'He hasn't tried to impersonate Klopp in any way,' former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said, when asked how Slot has made the transition so smooth this season. 'There has been a calmness about him, and the club. He didn't think he needed to buy anybody. There's been a lot of turmoil around other big clubs, but at Liverpool this season it always feels like they have been in control.' Forward Mohamed Salah has thrived under Slot, given more licence to remain in dangerous areas and conserve energy in the knowledge that those in the engine room were working overtime. When asked if Slot had made him a better player, he said: 'You see the numbers (33 goals and 23 assists in 48 games), it seems so! Now I don't have to defend much... 'He was very honest. He's Dutch, the Dutch are quite tough, but he made our lives easier because he asked immediately what he wanted you to do, which is what we did.' Virgil van Dijk continues to be a colossus for Liverpool at the back, as does Alisson Becker in goal. New heroes have stepped out from the shadows under Slot too. Hungary's all-round midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai runs himself into the ground week in, week out, while the emergence of holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as arguably Liverpool's most influential player is testament to Slot's man-management skills. While Liverpool have cruised to the title this season, Slot will be fully aware that standing still is not an option and, while the fact that Salah and van Dijk have agreed new contracts is a huge boost, squad strengthening will need to happen. 'There is a big job to be done in the summer. He will really put his imprint on this team next season,' Carragher said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
TimesLIVE
27-04-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Liverpool boss Slot made mission impossible look like a walk in the park
Twenty four hours after Juergen Klopp's emotional Liverpool farewell, Arne Slot was handed the seemingly impossible mission of trying to fill the void left by the charismatic Kop idol. Klopp's high-octane football and his passion for the city, not to mention the seven major trophies he delivered in his nine years on Merseyside, including the Champions League and a first English title for 30 years, elevated him alongside the likes of club icons Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Slot would have been only too aware that succeeding serial trophy winners at England's biggest clubs can be a poisoned chalice, just ask David Moyes who began the post-Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United or Unai Emery, the man who replaced Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Neither lasted long. But Slot has made the transition look like a Sunday morning stroll in Stanley Park. Arne Slot's Liverpool are Champions of England 🏆 — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2025 Tasked with turning what had been a two-horse race for the past two seasons between Manchester City and Arsenal into a three-horse race, expectations of the relatively under-the-radar Slot from those outside the club were low. When BBC Sport's army of pundits were asked before the season which club would win the league, none of the 30 responders opted for Liverpool. Yet any doubts about Liverpool's decision to recruit Slot from Feyenoord were erased in the season's opening weeks. With Klopp's squad, barring the signing of Federico Chiesa who has hardly featured, Slot won eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge — the best start by a new manager in Liverpool's history. Helped by City's drastic decline in form and Arsenal's levelling off, a clinical Liverpool have been top of the table for all but one week since Sept. 28, losing only two games. Mohammed Salah extends Liverpool's lead and overtakes Aguero on the Premier League's all-time scorers list 🔥 📺 Stream #LIVTOT on DStv: — SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 27, 2025 One criticism that could be levelled at Slot is an FA Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Plymouth Argyle and a disappointing League Cup final loss to Newcastle United. They also lost to Paris St Germain on penalties in an enthralling Champions League last-16 tie, but delivering a 20th English title to match the record held for so long by arch-rivals Manchester United is what the fans desired most and means Slot now joins an elite club. Only five managers have won the Premier League in their debut season in English football — the others being Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea). Those being churlish may hark back to the Klopp era and suggest that Slot's disciplined side lack the same style, flair and ability to create glorious chaos on the field. Alexis Mac Allister with a rocket of a left foot 🚀 📺 Stream #LIVTOT on DStv: — SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) April 27, 2025 Not that Slot would care too much about that and that Liverpool have registered two or more goals in all but five of their 34 league games and top the scoring charts makes a mockery of accusations they have been dull to watch. Crucially, after inheriting a squad full of world class players, Slot's quiet self-confidence meant he could resist any temptation to reinvent the wheel, instead calmly going about putting his own stamp on Klopp's blueprint. 'He hasn't tried to impersonate Klopp in any way,' former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said when asked how Slot has made the transition so smooth this season. 'There has been a calmness about him, and the club. He didn't think he needed to buy anybody. There's been a lot of turmoil around other big clubs, but at Liverpool this season it always feels like they have been in control.' Forward Mohamed Salah has thrived under Slot, given more licence to remain in dangerous areas and conserve energy in the knowledge that those in the engine room were working overtime. Virgil van Dijk continues to be a colossus for Liverpool at the back, as does Alisson in goal. New heroes have stepped out from the shadows under Slot too. Hungary's all-round midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai runs himself into the ground week in, week out, while the emergence of holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as arguably Liverpool's most influential player is testament to Slot's man management skills. While Liverpool have cruised to the title this season, Slot will be fully aware that standing still is not an option and while that Salah and Van Dijk have agreed new contracts is a huge boost, squad strengthening will need to happen. 'There is a big job to be done in the summer. He will really put his imprint on this team next season,' Carragher said.
CNA
27-04-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Slot made mission impossible look like a walk in the park
Twenty four hours after Juergen Klopp's emotional Liverpool farewell, Arne Slot was handed the seemingly impossible mission of trying to fill the void left by the charismatic Kop idol. Klopp's high-octane football and his passion for the city, not to mention the seven major trophies he delivered in his nine years on Merseyside, including the Champions League and a first English title for 30 years, elevated him alongside the likes of club icons Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Slot would have been only too aware that succeeding serial trophy winners at England's biggest clubs can be a poisoned chalice, just ask David Moyes who began the post-Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United or Unai Emery, the man who replaced Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Neither lasted long. But Slot has made the transition look like a Sunday morning stroll in Stanley Park. Tasked with turning what had been a two-horse race for the past two seasons between Manchester City and Arsenal into a three-horse race, expectations of the relatively under-the-radar Slot from those outside the club were low. When BBC Sport's army of pundits were asked before the season which club would win the league, none of the 30 responders opted for Liverpool. Yet any doubts about Liverpool's decision to recruit Slot from Feyenoord were erased in the season's opening weeks. With Klopp's squad, barring the signing of Federico Chiesa who has hardly featured, Slot won eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge - the best start by a new manager in Liverpool's history. Helped by City's drastic decline in form and Arsenal's levelling off, a clinical Liverpool have been top of the table for all but one week since Sept. 28, losing only two games. One criticism that could be levelled at Slot is an FA Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Plymouth Argyle and a disappointing League Cup final loss to Newcastle United. They also lost to Paris St Germain on penalties in an enthralling Champions League last-16 tie, but delivering a 20th English title to match the record held for so long by arch-rivals Manchester United is what the fans desired most and means Slot now joins an elite club. Only five managers have won the Premier League in their debut season in English football - the others being Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea). Those being churlish may hark back to the Klopp era and suggest that Slot's disciplined side lack the same style, flair and ability to create glorious chaos on the field. Not that Slot would care too much about that and the fact that Liverpool have registered two or more goals in all but five of their 34 league games and top the scoring charts makes a mockery of accusations they have been dull to watch. Crucially, after inheriting a squad full of world class players, Slot's quiet self-confidence meant he could resist any temptation to re-invent the wheel, instead calmly going about putting his own stamp on Klopp's blueprint. "He hasn't tried to impersonate Klopp in any way," former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said when asked how Slot has made the transition so smooth this season. "There has been a calmness about him, and the club. He didn't think he needed to buy anybody. There's been a lot of turmoil around other big clubs, but at Liverpool this season it always feels like they have been in control." Forward Mohamed Salah has thrived under Slot, given more licence to remain in dangerous areas and conserve energy in the knowledge that those in the engine room were working overtime. Virgil van Dijk continues to be a colossus for Liverpool at the back, as does Alisson in goal. New heroes have stepped out from the shadows under Slot too. Hungary's all-round midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai runs himself into the ground week in, week out, while the emergence of holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as arguably Liverpool's most influential player is testament to Slot's man management skills. While Liverpool have cruised to the title this season, Slot will be fully aware that standing still is not an option and while the fact that Salah and Van Dijk have agreed new contracts is a huge boost, squad strengthening will need to happen. "There is a big job to be done in the summer. He will really put his imprint on this team next season," Carragher said.
Reuters
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Slot made mission impossible look like a walk in the park
April 27 (Reuters) - Twenty four hours after Juergen Klopp's emotional Liverpool farewell, Arne Slot was handed the seemingly impossible mission of trying to fill the void left by the charismatic Kop idol. Klopp's high-octane football and his passion for the city, not to mention the seven major trophies he delivered in his nine years on Merseyside, including the Champions League and a first English title for 30 years, elevated him alongside the likes of club icons Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley. Slot would have been only too aware that succeeding serial trophy winners at England's biggest clubs can be a poisoned chalice, just ask David Moyes who began the post-Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United or Unai Emery, the man who replaced Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Neither lasted long. But Slot has made the transition look like a Sunday morning stroll in Stanley Park. Tasked with turning what had been a two-horse race for the past two seasons between Manchester City and Arsenal into a three-horse race, expectations of the relatively under-the-radar Slot from those outside the club were low. When BBC Sport's army of pundits were asked before the season which club would win the league, none of the 30 responders opted for Liverpool. Yet any doubts about Liverpool's decision to recruit Slot from Feyenoord were erased in the season's opening weeks. With Klopp's squad, barring the signing of Federico Chiesa who has hardly featured, Slot won eight of his first 10 Premier League games in charge -- the best start by a new manager in Liverpool's history. Helped by City's drastic decline in form and Arsenal's levelling off, a clinical Liverpool have been top of the table for all but one week since Sept. 28, losing only two games. One criticism that could be levelled at Slot is an FA Cup exit at the hands of second-tier Plymouth Argyle and a disappointing League Cup final loss to Newcastle United. They also lost to Paris St Germain on penalties in an enthralling Champions League last-16 tie, but delivering a 20th English title to match the record held for so long by arch-rivals Manchester United is what the fans desired most and means Slot now joins an elite club. Only five managers have won the Premier League in their debut season in English football -- the others being Jose Mourinho (Chelsea), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea). Those being churlish may hark back to the Klopp era and suggest that Slot's disciplined side lack the same style, flair and ability to create glorious chaos on the field. Not that Slot would care too much about that and the fact that Liverpool have registered two or more goals in all but five of their 34 league games and top the scoring charts makes a mockery of accusations they have been dull to watch. Crucially, after inheriting a squad full of world class players, Slot's quiet self-confidence meant he could resist any temptation to re-invent the wheel, instead calmly going about putting his own stamp on Klopp's blueprint. "He hasn't tried to impersonate Klopp in any way," former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said when asked how Slot has made the transition so smooth this season. "There has been a calmness about him, and the club. He didn't think he needed to buy anybody. There's been a lot of turmoil around other big clubs, but at Liverpool this season it always feels like they have been in control." Forward Mohamed Salah has thrived under Slot, given more licence to remain in dangerous areas and conserve energy in the knowledge that those in the engine room were working overtime. Virgil van Dijk continues to be a colossus for Liverpool at the back, as does Alisson in goal. New heroes have stepped out from the shadows under Slot too. Hungary's all-round midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai runs himself into the ground week in, week out, while the emergence of holding midfielder Ryan Gravenberch as arguably Liverpool's most influential player is testament to Slot's man management skills. While Liverpool have cruised to the title this season, Slot will be fully aware that standing still is not an option and while the fact that Salah and Van Dijk have agreed new contracts is a huge boost, squad strengthening will need to happen. "There is a big job to be done in the summer. He will really put his imprint on this team next season," Carragher said.
