Sports

Carrick Wants Rooney Back After Sacking

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick says the careers of successful players are “irrelevant” when they move into management after his former team-mate Wayne Rooney, was sacked by Birmingham.

Rooney, who appeared alongside Carrick for both Manchester United and England, was dismissed this week after just 15 games in charge of the Championship club.

The 38-year-old won a huge haul of trophies at Old Trafford, including five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He also established himself as record goalscorer for United and England before Harry Kane bettered his international record.

But Carrick, who also boasts an impressive number of medals, knows that counts for little once in the dugout, with contemporaries Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard also having endured difficult starts to their coaching careers.

“It’s not easy, it’s challenging,” he said on Thursday. “Player or no player, it almost becomes irrelevant in some way.

“You are judged for how good or how successful you are or what you’re achieving in the role that you’re in.

“It’s me sitting here now, the boys are playing on Saturday, I’m in a totally different role. It in some ways becomes irrelevant what’s gone on in the past, it’s about what’s next.”

Carrick, whose Championship side host Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, is convinced Rooney has too much talent not to emerge from his disappointment at St Andrew’s and succeed as a boss.

In his first managerial role, Rooney was unable to stop Derby being relegated from the Championship in 2021 after they were hit with a points deduction for financial issues.

He also had a spell in charge of American side DC United, joining in July 2022 and leaving after failing to qualify for the MLS play-offs in October this year.

“I’m bitterly disappointed for Wayne, knowing him as a friend, and I know he’ll bounce back, I know he’ll be a success,” he said.

“He’s too good, he’s too knowledgable and he’s had too much experience to not use that in the right way.”

AFP

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly threatened to quit the national team and return to Turkey.

According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.

Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.

At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.

He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Sports

NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza

Published

19 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a date for the start of the second stanza of the 2025-26 season.

The second stanza will commence on Wednesday, 14 January, 2026.

The fixture will start with mid-week games across all the designated NPFL centers.

The NPFL disclosed this in a letter addressed to all the clubs.

The league body urged clubs to expect fixtures congestion in the second stanza.

Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.

Sports

Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure

Published

19 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

“There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.