The Premier League managerial merry-go-round.
Crazy to think that Mikel Arteta is the longest serving manager in the top four divisions.
Six years in the Arsenal job, but it seems to have paid off with them winning last year.
Next best Eddie Howe 4 years, Unai Emery 3, Daniel Farke 3 and only 10 in the job for more than a year.
Current Premier League Managers (subject to change)
Arsenal Mikel Arteta
Aston Villa Unai Emery
Bournemouth Marco Rose (Replacing Andoni Iraola)
Brentford Keith Andrews
Brighton Fabian Hรผrzeler
Chelsea Xabi Alonso (Replacing Calum McFarlane)
Coventry Frank Lampard
Crystal Palace Pierre Sage (Replacing Oliver Glasner)
Everton David Moyes
Fulham รlvaro Arbeloa (Replacing Marco Silva)
Hull Sergej Jakiroviฤ
Ipswich Gary O'Neil (Replacing Kieran McKenna)
Leeds Daniel Farke
Liverpool Andoni Iraola (Replacing Arne Slot)
Man City Enzo Maresca (Replacing Pep Guardiola)
Man United Michael Carrick
Newcastle Eddie Howe
Nottingham Forest Oliver Glasner (Replacing Vรญtor Pereira)
Sunderland Regis Le Bris
Tottenham Roberto De Zerbi
So eight clubs with new managers this season, Iraola and Glasner swapping one for another.
Surprises were Forest getting rid of another manager Pereira who had done a good job keeping them up, and replacing him with Glasner who was doing well at Palace.
Also Ipswich with McKenna leaving after getting them promoted?
Wednesday, 22 July 2026
Monday, 20 July 2026
World Cup 2026
Well that's the World Cup over for another 4 years.
Spain totally outplaying the cheating Argies, only surprise was it took till extra time to score a winner.
The most one sided World Cup final I can remember.
England and France playing out one of the best games of the tournament for the 3rd place, don't think anyone expected that.
Overall a lot better than expected, I thought it might be half empty stadiums due to the exorbitant prices for match tickets, travel, food and drink etc. But obviously there are a lot of rich people in the world.
Not a fan of the Americanisation of it, turning the game into 4 quarters for added advert breaks, the lame 30 minute half time show in the final.
The FIFA, Infantino, Trump, Argentina sideshow was annoying.
But most of the stadiums were brilliant especially Dallas and Atlanta.
The Mexico v England game was incredible, the atmosphere and obviously the result made things memorable.
Cape Verde the shock team, played brilliantly when most expected them to go out with a whimper. Norway showing they are more than just Erling Haaland.
France were looking like winners until they met Spain who just make the game look simple with excellent ball control and passing.
England still a long way short of being World Champions, some great moments but lacked ideas in many of the games.
TV coverage was pretty good, I think BBC win it due to not having adverts or whiny Gary Neville.
So my TV Awards are (in my opinion)
Presenters - (Best) Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman (Worst) Mark Pougash, Kelly Cates
Pundits - (Best) Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff (Worst) Benni McCarthy, Wayne Rooney
Commentators - Not a lot of difference, Guy Mowbray kept giving the wrong names to players.
Co-Commentators - (Best) Alan Shearer, Andros Townsend (Worst) Lee Dixon, Martin Keown
Reporter - (Best) Kelly Somers (Worst) Adam Richman
Spain totally outplaying the cheating Argies, only surprise was it took till extra time to score a winner.
The most one sided World Cup final I can remember.
England and France playing out one of the best games of the tournament for the 3rd place, don't think anyone expected that.
Overall a lot better than expected, I thought it might be half empty stadiums due to the exorbitant prices for match tickets, travel, food and drink etc. But obviously there are a lot of rich people in the world.
Not a fan of the Americanisation of it, turning the game into 4 quarters for added advert breaks, the lame 30 minute half time show in the final.
The FIFA, Infantino, Trump, Argentina sideshow was annoying.
But most of the stadiums were brilliant especially Dallas and Atlanta.
The Mexico v England game was incredible, the atmosphere and obviously the result made things memorable.
Cape Verde the shock team, played brilliantly when most expected them to go out with a whimper. Norway showing they are more than just Erling Haaland.
France were looking like winners until they met Spain who just make the game look simple with excellent ball control and passing.
England still a long way short of being World Champions, some great moments but lacked ideas in many of the games.
TV coverage was pretty good, I think BBC win it due to not having adverts or whiny Gary Neville.
So my TV Awards are (in my opinion)
Presenters - (Best) Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman (Worst) Mark Pougash, Kelly Cates
Pundits - (Best) Duncan Ferguson, Jobi McAnuff (Worst) Benni McCarthy, Wayne Rooney
Commentators - Not a lot of difference, Guy Mowbray kept giving the wrong names to players.
Co-Commentators - (Best) Alan Shearer, Andros Townsend (Worst) Lee Dixon, Martin Keown
Reporter - (Best) Kelly Somers (Worst) Adam Richman
The next World Cup in 2030 is being played in 6 countries
Mostly Spain, Portugal and Morocco with single games in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay supposedly to celebrate the centenery of the World Cup.
Being cynical it might be because FIFA rules about hosting mean that with the 2034 in Saudi (AFC) and the 2030 games covering EUFA, CAF and CONMEBOL it would leave only the OFC and CONCACAF nations to bid for the 2038 edition.
Meaning as Australia is now classed as an Asian country it's more likely to be America again?
R.I.P Kevin Keegan
R.I.P Kevin Keegan
I don't think I really appreciated him until I saw him live playing for Southampton in the early 80's.
He never stopped running and was outjumping players like Alvin Martin and Billy Bonds, even though we won 4-2 I came away thinking it was one of the best individual performances I had seen.
A star player for Liverpool in a double act with John Toshack, went off to Hamburg and twice won European footballer of the year.
Later went to Southampton and Newcastle, and then managed Newcastle, Fulham, Man City and England.
Always a shame that both he and Trevor Brooking were injured in the 1982 World Cup, with both getting just 30 minutes of action in a 0-0 draw with Spain, meaning England went home despite being unbeaten.
A great character who will be missed.
I don't think I really appreciated him until I saw him live playing for Southampton in the early 80's.
He never stopped running and was outjumping players like Alvin Martin and Billy Bonds, even though we won 4-2 I came away thinking it was one of the best individual performances I had seen.
A star player for Liverpool in a double act with John Toshack, went off to Hamburg and twice won European footballer of the year.
Later went to Southampton and Newcastle, and then managed Newcastle, Fulham, Man City and England.
Always a shame that both he and Trevor Brooking were injured in the 1982 World Cup, with both getting just 30 minutes of action in a 0-0 draw with Spain, meaning England went home despite being unbeaten.
A great character who will be missed.
Thursday, 16 July 2026
World Cup 2026 (Part 8) Final and 3rd Place
The final two games of World Cup 2026
France and England both blowing out in the Semi Finals meet on Saturday for the meaningless Bronze medal match.
Maybe a chance for Mbappe, Kane and Bellingham to catch Messi for the Golden Boot, but possibly a couple of reserve teams to play it out.
Sunday is the World Cup Final Argentina vs Spain
Spain have quietly got there without looking anywhere near as good as they did in the 2024 Euros, but are really hard to beat.
Argentina have done just enough to get through the last four rounds, but even the most unbiased fan would say it must have been with FIFA's help, so many fouls by their players going unpunished when everyone else was getting red's and yellow's for less.
Hopefully Spain put an end to it, but you never know?
France v England
Spain v Argentina
England
Got that empty feeling I seem to get every couple of years.
Every tournament I start out hoping England do well, then they get through to the latter stages and hopes start to rise.
After France's non performance on Tuesday, I started to dream of an England win.
An ageing Argentina team who had scraped through the last couple of games, followed by Spain which if we were at our best was a possible?
But once again we blew it.
Tuchel went from hero to zero after 70 minutes, could not understand why he took Gordon off for a defender when he has pace to burn and would have given us and out ball if Argentina started to dominate play.
Then it got worse with Rice and James taken off for more defenders leaving six at the back inviting pressure.
Obviously the game ended up being played in our half with nobody to take the game to Argentina, Kane was knackered, Bellingham couldn't be everywhere and the inevitable happened.
Overall a few great moments, but never looked like World Champions.
The Mexico win was the highlight, the second half against Croatia was good, did just enough in the other games
Bellingham, Spence, Kane, Anderson, Gordon and maybe Stones come out of it with credit.
Saka, Rice and James were all playing with injuries so not at their best.
Watkins got less than ten minutes, Toney got about three, Mainoo didn't get any, and no idea why Challobah was called up to be a bench warmer?
I think things will get awkward for Tuchel from now on, looked like the master tactician when we defended a lead with ten men against Mexico, but trying the same tactics in this game when we still had eleven on the pitch and could have brought on some fire power (Watkins, Rashord, Saka) to take the game to Argentina just seemed like a coach with limited ideas.
I guess I'll go through it all again in 2028 ?
Every tournament I start out hoping England do well, then they get through to the latter stages and hopes start to rise.
After France's non performance on Tuesday, I started to dream of an England win.
An ageing Argentina team who had scraped through the last couple of games, followed by Spain which if we were at our best was a possible?
But once again we blew it.
Tuchel went from hero to zero after 70 minutes, could not understand why he took Gordon off for a defender when he has pace to burn and would have given us and out ball if Argentina started to dominate play.
Then it got worse with Rice and James taken off for more defenders leaving six at the back inviting pressure.
Obviously the game ended up being played in our half with nobody to take the game to Argentina, Kane was knackered, Bellingham couldn't be everywhere and the inevitable happened.
Overall a few great moments, but never looked like World Champions.
The Mexico win was the highlight, the second half against Croatia was good, did just enough in the other games
Bellingham, Spence, Kane, Anderson, Gordon and maybe Stones come out of it with credit.
Saka, Rice and James were all playing with injuries so not at their best.
Watkins got less than ten minutes, Toney got about three, Mainoo didn't get any, and no idea why Challobah was called up to be a bench warmer?
I think things will get awkward for Tuchel from now on, looked like the master tactician when we defended a lead with ten men against Mexico, but trying the same tactics in this game when we still had eleven on the pitch and could have brought on some fire power (Watkins, Rashord, Saka) to take the game to Argentina just seemed like a coach with limited ideas.
I guess I'll go through it all again in 2028 ?
Sunday, 12 July 2026
World Cup 2026 (Part 7) Semi Finals
World Cup Semi-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday.
France through in a low key game against Morocco.
Spain having a harder game against Belgium with a late winner by supersub Merino.
England making us all sweat in the heat of Miami against Norway.
Kept Haaland quiet but had to rely on Bellingham's two great strikes to see us through in extra time.
Argentina also scraping through in extra time against the ten men of Switzerland, after Embolo's two dumb yellow cards. Great winner by Alvarez but less than impressive overall and again aided by some more dubious officiating.
I think England on a good day should be able to beat Argentina, although injuries and fatigue and FIFA's love of Argentina could go against us.
Rice and Saka nowhere near their best, Kane looked shattered against Norway but hopefully 3 days rest will see them recovered.
France still looking the favourites, although Spain who haven't really been in top gear will make it tough.
France v Spain
England v Argentina
France through in a low key game against Morocco.
Spain having a harder game against Belgium with a late winner by supersub Merino.
England making us all sweat in the heat of Miami against Norway.
Kept Haaland quiet but had to rely on Bellingham's two great strikes to see us through in extra time.
Argentina also scraping through in extra time against the ten men of Switzerland, after Embolo's two dumb yellow cards. Great winner by Alvarez but less than impressive overall and again aided by some more dubious officiating.
I think England on a good day should be able to beat Argentina, although injuries and fatigue and FIFA's love of Argentina could go against us.
Rice and Saka nowhere near their best, Kane looked shattered against Norway but hopefully 3 days rest will see them recovered.
France still looking the favourites, although Spain who haven't really been in top gear will make it tough.
France v Spain
England v Argentina
Wednesday, 8 July 2026
World Cup 2026 (Part 6) Quarter Finals
The World Cup winds down as we get to the Quarter Finals starting Thursday at 9pm.
France survive Paraguay's dirty tricks to take on Africa's remaining team Morocco.
Spain haven't really been firing yet but haven't conceded any goals go up against the Trump inspired Belgians.
England who were excellent against Mexico meet Norway who have Haaland so not a certainty.
Argentina with a ref assisted win over Egypt, meet Switzerland who scraped through a dull 0-0 over Colombia to win on Penalties.
France v Morocco
Spain v Belgium
Norway v England
Argentina v Switzerland
France survive Paraguay's dirty tricks to take on Africa's remaining team Morocco.
Spain haven't really been firing yet but haven't conceded any goals go up against the Trump inspired Belgians.
England who were excellent against Mexico meet Norway who have Haaland so not a certainty.
Argentina with a ref assisted win over Egypt, meet Switzerland who scraped through a dull 0-0 over Colombia to win on Penalties.
France v Morocco
Spain v Belgium
Norway v England
Argentina v Switzerland
Monday, 6 July 2026
England vs Mexico
Well that was the most enjoyable and also most stressful England game in many years.
Although I expected (or just hoped) England would win, the various factors involved were arguing against it. High altitude, 90,000 passionate Mexican fans with only a few thousand rich England fans, the fact Mexico had only lost twice in 89 previous games at the Azteca.
Also that England hadn't really clicked in the first four games.
Rice picking up a booking in the first minute didn't bode well, but after that it was a proper performance with Bellingham again the stand out.
Kane, Gordon, Pickford all having top games, and the late subs after the sending off all playing blinders even though having a ten man defence with no one in the Mexican half was nerve wracking for the last 30 minutes.
Quansah had been playing well before the sending off, but I assume King Charles will be on the phone to Infantino to get the red card suspended (as that's the new rule?).
Although I expected (or just hoped) England would win, the various factors involved were arguing against it. High altitude, 90,000 passionate Mexican fans with only a few thousand rich England fans, the fact Mexico had only lost twice in 89 previous games at the Azteca.
Also that England hadn't really clicked in the first four games.
Rice picking up a booking in the first minute didn't bode well, but after that it was a proper performance with Bellingham again the stand out.
Kane, Gordon, Pickford all having top games, and the late subs after the sending off all playing blinders even though having a ten man defence with no one in the Mexican half was nerve wracking for the last 30 minutes.
Quansah had been playing well before the sending off, but I assume King Charles will be on the phone to Infantino to get the red card suspended (as that's the new rule?).
Just got to deal with Haaland on Saturday now ๐
Saturday, 4 July 2026
World Cup 2026 (Part 5) Last 16
Round of 16 time, games running from tonight till Tuesday.
Most of the big hitters still in it, only real shock was Germany losing to Paraguay on penalties!!,
Most of the big hitters still in it, only real shock was Germany losing to Paraguay on penalties!!,
near shock was Argentina scraping through against Cape Verde.
Netherlands going out was a shame, but unluckily drawn against the higher rated Moroccans.
Netherlands going out was a shame, but unluckily drawn against the higher rated Moroccans.
Will miss their colourful fans.
Belgium somehow coming back from 2-0 down with minutes to go after being totally outplayed to beat Senegal.
Croatia robbed of a last minute equaliser against Portugal because the English VAR ref decided to use the cricket style 'Snicko' to rule the ball had brushed the Croatian players hair to prove offside, although when it hit the Portugal player on the back it didn't move?
England less than impressive again, two late goals by Kane getting them through against Congo.
Belgium somehow coming back from 2-0 down with minutes to go after being totally outplayed to beat Senegal.
Croatia robbed of a last minute equaliser against Portugal because the English VAR ref decided to use the cricket style 'Snicko' to rule the ball had brushed the Croatian players hair to prove offside, although when it hit the Portugal player on the back it didn't move?
England less than impressive again, two late goals by Kane getting them through against Congo.
Mexico away looks like a tall order but have to hope.
The logic of calling up Challobah to replace one of the injury prone right backs could cost Tuchel, I'm sure Kyle Walker would have happily jumped on a plane?
Paraguay v France
Canada v Morocco
Brazil v Norway
Mexico v England
Portugal v Spain
United States v Belgium
Argentina v Egypt
Switzerland v Colombia
Think I've blown my effort to beat the AI and the Football "expert" on the predictions, got level after the England game but fell apart in the final 8 games. ๐
(88 Games Played) - BBC-AI 74, Sutton 72, Lee 64
The logic of calling up Challobah to replace one of the injury prone right backs could cost Tuchel, I'm sure Kyle Walker would have happily jumped on a plane?
Paraguay v France
Canada v Morocco
Brazil v Norway
Mexico v England
Portugal v Spain
United States v Belgium
Argentina v Egypt
Switzerland v Colombia
Think I've blown my effort to beat the AI and the Football "expert" on the predictions, got level after the England game but fell apart in the final 8 games. ๐
(88 Games Played) - BBC-AI 74, Sutton 72, Lee 64
Thursday, 2 July 2026
Transfer News
Mateus Fernandes
August 2024 Sporting Lisbon to Southampton - £13 million - Got relegated
August 2025 Southampton to West Ham - £38 million - Got relegated
July 2026 West Ham to Tottenham - £85 million - ?
Really hoping he gets his hat-trick ๐
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