That's my thinking. Can you imagine we win the WC and all we hear for the next 50 years is 'oh wasn't it a German that won it for you'. Rivalries are still here, that is why Klopp to me was a non starter. Maybe I am greedy, I want to win the WC and have the manager & the players singing God Save the King at the final.
Honestly, if we do win the WC the Germans, or anyone else for that matter, can say what they like! Tuchel is a massive upgrade on Southgate tactically and he has plenty of time before the World Cup in 2026 to get his ideas across. The one concern is if it goes the same way as Capello, who alienated pretty much everyone in the end. But I'm happy with this.
I could not give a **** about the England manager's nationality. Ultimately, international football should probably be set up so that the rules around manager eligibility are the same as player eligibility. However, they are not. And we have a great set of players right now. So let's give them the best chance Amazed to see people like Dean Ashton and Danny Mills labelling him as underwhelming, considering the main names linked with the job have been Lee Carsley, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter. I could've accepted Carsley but I'm quite honestly relieved it's not either of the other two
Isn’t Tuchel known as a very negative manager? Wasn’t it him who started a game at Chelsea with 9 defensive players or something, and subbed every attacking player off for Bayern in the CL only to lose to Real Madrid?
He was attacking enough at Dortmund and PSG, so it might be that he has more than one string to his bow, or sets teams up in the way that best suits them.
Any time I've watched his teams which admittedly isn't huge amounts it's been dull as ****. Not arsed by that personally though like I am not with Saints as I don't invest time and money. Only thing I care about is how we do in 2026.
Oh I get that. Remember I am someone who had an Italian mother and an Indian father. I don't have any 'English' blood in me. But I was born here and am English. A foreign national born and bred cannot feel the same patriotism that an English person does. Put it this way. In 2006 when Italy won the WC I was happy. In 2021 when they won the Euros I was not at all. Same with cricket - if India play anyone else I am happy. Playing England there is only one team I want to win. It is in your heart and soul. It is who you are. That said, just frigging let's win something for once.
I travelled by train from the Netherlands down to games WC 2006 in Germany partying all the way such that one of the trains made an unscheduled stop to restock the bar. It was a multination group and 'bombers' was requested several times, we were reluctant at first but it was two German girls who wanted it and joined in loudly once they knew the words.
I think it's a good move only giving a contract to include the world cup. No need for a stupidly long one imo.
Just read about a trial in Premier League 2 to encourage goalkeepers to get rid of the ball quicker, when they have it under control in their hands. They are looking at introducing it into the league system from next season. Basically the keeper will have 8 seconds to release the ball, once they have it in their hands, and the ref will countdown from 8 but raise his hand in the air to indicate when there are 5 seconds left, counting down with his fingers. Failure to release the ball within the time frame will see the opposition given a corner, on the side of the pitch closest to where the keeper is standing. I suppose this would stop the keeper from catching a ball and then collapsing to the floor and wasting time, as happens now, but you could probably put forward an argument for time wasted at throw ins, with the throw being reversed if not taken within the same amount of time as the keeper is given to release the ball.
I was under the impression that had always been a rule but it was 6 seconds and the punishment was an indirect free kick. Have I completely imagined that?!
