Archive for the ‘Managers’ Category

Bob Bradley signs new contract with US team

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Bob Bradley

USA coach Bob Bradley has agreed to stay on as national team coach for another four years, which includes the 2014 World Cup, U.S. Soccer said this week. The 52-year-old, who steered the U.S. to the last sixteen at this year’s World Cup finals in South Africa where they were eliminated by Ghana, will retain the job until the end of 2014 after agreeing to a four-year contract extension. This announcement puts an end to the widespread rumours linking Bradley with the vacant position at Aston Villa.

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History repeats itself for Argentina

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

Muller goal

Once again, the result of Germany vs. Argentina has sided with modern history. I eluded briefly to the history behind this fixture in a preview to the quarter finals and like in 1990 and 2006 it’s the Germans who have emerged victorious. Germany continued their superb form through to the quarter final match and won 4-0 with goals from Muller, Klose (x2) and Friedrich. Germany seem to have the game one in every area of the pitch.

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The English Problem – discuss

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

England

This assessment comes in three parts: vs. Germany; the tournament as a whole; and the future. As with my last post, I am very keen to get a discussion going at the bottom of the article. As I have experienced this afternoon, everyone has an opinion on what has happened and where to go – there is no right answer, so have a read of what I think and then I want to see what the World Cup Statistic’s readers think. We’ve been accustomed to England Football Jokes over the years, now we want to know what you think!

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What a weekend of football, drama and handbags!

Monday, June 21st, 2010

Domenech

That weekend felt draining. I don’t think I’ve experienced so much footballing information in such a short space of time. Saturday started with the England hangover. Everyone has their own opinion as to why England continued their poor form with another failure. England fans weren’t the only ones feeling angry. The USA’s fans awoke to their own frustrations. They felt, quite rightly, that their side had been denied a 3-2 victory against Slovenia which would have capped an excellent turnaround having been two goals behind. Maurice Edu’s late goal was harshly ruled out by the referee.

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Capello to blame for England shambles?

Saturday, June 19th, 2010

Fabio Capello

As the World Cup started I agreed on a (slightly bold and rushed) statement with my housemate: ‘if England don’t win the World Cup it’ll be down to the players and not the coach’ – that statement doesn’t stand so true anymore. After the USA game I attacked the England players individually with some player ratings. Post-Algeria I don’t see any point to individual assessment. Everyone was poor. The team must be examined as just that – a team.

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Gonzalo Higuain scores a hattrick against Korea

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

Gonzalo Higuaín

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuaín scored the first hat-trick of the World Cup as Diego Maradona’s Argentina overcame South Korea in Soccer City today. Argentina went 2-0 with goals through Higuaín and an own goal from Park, CY. However Argentina notched their first goal from open play as Higuaín scored his second and third from moves inspired by Ballon D’Or winner Lionel Messi and Maradona’s son in law Sergio Agüero.

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Dunga: I want to see more from Brazil

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Dunga

World cup winner and Brazilian coach Dunga believes his side are capable of so much more after a nervy 2-1 victory of minnows North Korea. The five times World Champions found it tough going against a side that have only qualified for one finals before, over forty years ago. Korea lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, although did counter attack well at times in the first half.

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Denmark coach relaxed about current form

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

Denmark lose to Australia

Denmark manager Morten Olsen has downplayed criticism about his misfiring team ahead of the their opening Group E game against Holland on June 14th. The Danes were soundly beaten 1-0 by South Africa in their final warm-up game on Saturday, having also failed to score in the previous match against Australia. Denmark are competing the World Cup for the first time in eight years having missed out on qualification for the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

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Laurent Blanc to be new France boss

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Laurent Blanc

Former Montpellier, Barcelona and World Cup winner Laurent Blanc will be the new manager of France after the World Cup finals and will replace Raymond Domenech. Blanc was part of the 1998 World Cup winning side, although missed the final through a controversial suspension. Blanc scored a vital golden goal winner against Paraguay and has since led Bordeaux to the French Championship in 2009. Blanc is replacing Raymond Domenech, who has been extremely unpopular with the Les Blues crowd, especially considering France scrapped through the playoff stage after a controversial handball from Thiery Henry.

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Guus Hiddink to manage Ivory Coast at World Cup

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Guus Hiddink

Former Russia manager Guus Hiddink will be heading to the World Cup after all as he will lead Ivory Coast in South Africa. This will be Hiddink’s fourth World Cup finals tournament after leading his country of birth Holland in 1998, South Korea in 2002 and Australia in 2006. Russia failed to qualify for what would have been their third World Cup finals (as Russia) after their defeat to Slovenia in the playoff round last November. Hiddink had recently been linked in a move to Liverpool, however the 1988 European Cup winner will now manage Turkey as they build for Euro 2012.

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