Sports

Just in: Finally, Manchester Utd fires manager Ten Hag

Published

4 weeks ago

October 28, 2024

Manchester United have fied manager Erik ten Hag following the club’s poor start to the season.

Ten Hag’s final game was Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by West Ham that left the club 14th in the Premier League with just three wins from their opening nine matches.

United are also 21st of 36 teams in the Europa League table, having drawn their three opening fixtures.

Ruud van Nistelrooy, who joined the club as Ten Hag’s assistant last summer, has been named as interim manager.

The club said Van Nistelrooy would be in charge “while a permanent head coach is recruited”.

Ten Hag was informed of the decision by the club’s board on Monday morning, following the club’s defeat by West Ham at the London Stadium.

The club triggered a one-year extension in Ten Hag’s contract following May’s FA Cup final victory over Manchester City but just over three months later he has been dismissed after overseeing United’s second worst start to a Premier League campaign.

United are now seeking their sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Former Ajax boss Ten Hag, 54, took charge in the summer of 2022 and led the club to third place in the Premier League in his first season.

He also guided United to their first piece of silverware in six seasons with a 2-0 win against Newcastle United in the 2023 Carabao Cup final and finished runners-up in the FA Cup final, losing 2-1 to Manchester City.

His second season in charge started poorly, with United finishing bottom of their Champions League group in the autumn but they picked up a trophy, beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group bought a 27.7% stake in the club in December 2023 and the British billionaire told BBC Sport in February the club’s problems extended far beyond the role of the manager.

“In the past 11 years, Manchester United have had a lot of coaches and nobody has been successful in that environment,” said Ratcliffe. “That says to me there is something wrong with the environment.”

But a poor start to the campaign, which has seen United win just one of their past eight matches in all competitions, has forced the board to act.

More to follow.

BBC

Sports

NPFL: Rivers United return to summit, Remo Stars fall

Published

16 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Rivers United reclaimed top position in the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, after a 1-0 victory over Abia Warriors.

Former Akwa United striker Ndifreke Effiong netted the winning goal for Finidi George’s side in the 58th minute.

Rivers United top the standings with 25 points from 13 points.

Azeez Falolu and Boslam Dawi scored both goals as Katsina United defeated Remo Stars 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

Shooting Stars returned to winning ways courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Bayelsa United. Anthony Okachi scored the decisive goal after 16 minutes.

Former champions Plateau United claimed a 2-0 victory over Nasarawa United in Jos. Shina Kumater scored an own goal in the 51st minute to hand Plateau United the lead. Olawale Doyeni doubled the home team’s advantage nine minutes from time.

Sports

EPL: Amorim begins Man Utd stint with 1-1 draw at Ipswich

Published

16 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim began his stint at the Premier League club with a 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town.

The 39-year-old began work officially on November 11 and waited for the international break to be over before his first game.

Marcus Rashford gave the Red Devils a dream start with a goal within the opening two minutes.

But the hosts responded before the break with a stunning finish from Omari Hutchinson.

Ipswich had chances from Liam Delap to claim a second, but ultimately settled for a draw at Portman Road.

Amorim’s next league game will be against Everton at Old Trafford.

Sports

EPL: Leicester City sack manager Steve Cooper

Published

17 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

English Premier League club, Leicester City, has announced the sack of Steve Cooper as the team’s manager with immediate effect.

The club announced on Sunday in a statement on its website, titled, “Leicester City Part Company With Steve Cooper.”

Cooper’s sack comes after the Foxes lost 2-1 at home against Chelsea in the league on Saturday.

The Foxes’ run in the domestic league has been poor, managing only two wins, four draws and six losses.

They currently sit in the 16th position — two points above relegation zone.

Cooper, an ex-Nottingham Forest boss, joined the Foxes on a three-year deal in June 2024 but failed to convincingly deliver with a five-game winless run in all competitions.

He took over from Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca who guided Leicester to last season’s Championship title before joining Chelsea.

“Assistant Manager Alan Tate and First Team Coach and Analyst Steve Rands have also left the Club. Steve, Alan and Steve depart with our thanks for their contribution during their time with the club and with our best wishes for the future.

“Men’s first team training will be overseen by first team coach Ben Dawson, supported by coaches Danny Alcock and Andy Hughes, as the club begins the process of appointing a new manager, which we hope to conclude as soon as possible,” the statement added.

Cooper, 44, guided England’s U17s to victory at the 2017 World Cup. He’s the second EPL manager to lose his job this season following Manchester United’s dismissal of Erik ten Hag last month.