123 days. That’s how long it took for Thomas Tuchel to deliver a European trophy for Chelsea following his appointment as the club’s first team manager. Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Man City in last weekend’s final in Porto demonstrated how far Chelsea have come over the past four months, but the title of European Champions… Continue reading >
After a season of seemingly unending success for Liverpool, it’s hardly surprising that rival supporters are making the most of a series of slip-ups that have now seen the Reds knocked out of two competitions over the space of little more than a week, and also experience defeat in the league to end any prospect… Continue reading >
As Spurs were unceremoniously sent crashing out of this season’s UEFA Champions League, there were comments circulating on social media suggesting that Jose Mourinho is “finished”. It’s a sentiment that is perhaps a little too strong at this point, but there’s little doubt that the two-time European champion faces a difficult task in proving that… Continue reading >
As the UEFA Champions League heads into the final round of matches in the group stage of the competition, there’s a mixed picture for the four competing English clubs. Man City and Spurs guaranteed their places in the next round following Matchday 5, while Liverpool and Chelsea each missed out on the opportunity to progress… Continue reading >
After coming close to missing out on the last 16, Spurs and Liverpool made much easier work of their round of 16 ties. Both teams faced German opponents, with Spurs enjoying the most comfortable nights of their European season over two matches against Borussia Dortmund. Both legs of the tie occurred during a run of… Continue reading >
Even for regular match-attending football fans, there are some games that generate a particular buzz. Liverpool v Roma in 2001 was one such game. Aside from playing one of the best teams in Europe, some of the excitement undoubtedly stemmed from a view that the match represented a return for Liverpool to the really big… Continue reading >
After Man United’s loss to Sevilla this week, Jose Mourinho made a number of strange comments, one of which was to refer to the two occasions on which he has masterminded an aggregate Champions League victory over Man United, courtesy of a successful second leg result at Old Trafford. His main point was, probably, to… Continue reading >
Regardless of the comments or excuses offered by Roberto Mancini, Manchester City’s performance in the Champions League has been dreadful. As is widely reported, City have recorded the lowest points total of any English club in the history of the competition. They were the first English club who have failed to win any of their… Continue reading >
It’s funny how managers are treated so differently in the media. Some are able to do no wrong, regardless of any periods of under-achievement or mistakes they might make. Others can do nothing right, and their achievements are belittled – or credited entirely to someone else. An example of the former is Mark Hughes, who… Continue reading >
Well, Roberto Di Matteo lasted longer as Chelsea manager than some. The Italian’s 262 days in the job make him the fourth longest-serving of the eight men who have held the Chelsea manager’s job since the arrival of Roman Abramovich in 2003. It doesn’t make the decision to sack him any easier to understand though,… Continue reading >