Saturday, April 20, 2013

SB: "No One's Ever Gonna Win England!"

"No One's Ever Gonna Win England!"
Well with those word's from SB its official - both SB and JM will be headed back to Spain, where SB will take up his former role with Barcelona and JM will also resume at Real Madrid.

"My time in England has been a good one, however we had been dealt some difficult cards, and lost many hands." JM spoke to packed media conference in Madrid.

"I always spoke of my love for Real Madrid and hoped I would return one day - I am glad this opportunity has presented itself and we plan to do big things next season."

It is officially a one year deal both JM and SB have signed and it is suggested they will then return to England however both refused to confirm this.

"I will keep my options open - but yes I definitley have unfinished business in Manchester."

Real Madrid new coach José Mourinho holds a press conference at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid new coach JM holds a press conference at the Bernabéu
SB was welcomed back where he won a treble with Barcelona what seems like a million years ago - however optimism is now high he can repeat the performances of several years ago.

Barcelona's coach Pep Guardiola, center, is flanked by the president of the club Sandro Rosell, left, and the sport director Andoni Zubizarreta, right, during a press conference where he announced his resignation in Barcelona, Spain, Friday, April 27, 2012. Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola will not continue as coach of the Spanish club after this season and assistant Tito Vilanova will take over. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
SB announces his home coming to great media attention in Barcelona today

It has been almost forgotten SB still has an FA Cup season to finish with a possible 1st ever trophy in England on offer between the two rivals. Although bookies have Chelsea at a very outside chance of taking the title since his Barcelona appointment was announced.

The Clasico is back - SB and JM will resume a rivalry in La Liga





Man City win another EPL Title

Once again it was not to be for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United as they were left looking at a season which promised so much yet delivered so little.

Manchester City and Liverpool were left to fight out another season, and it was Man City who emerged the victor. Well deserved after leading for more than a majority of the year.

However with this result, the questions were immediately raised to the big boys from Chelsea and Man Utd - would they continue on in England despite yet another failure.

Rumors immediately after the final EPL game of the season suggest both managers could be back on their way to Spain - and their former clubs seem the most likely of destinations.

Although nothing official at this time - it would certainly appear a sad end to their time in England.

Champions: Manchester City celebrate winning the Premier League
Man City celebrate winning the EPL title

Friday, April 12, 2013

EPL League update

With only 13 games remaining, the EPL looks almost certainly a 2 horse race now. It would take a minor miracle for any team other than Manchester City or Liverpool to take the title at this point.

Although, it does appear Chelsea and Man Utd have found themselves on something of a roll - and if either team could win it from here - well, it just might just go down as one of the greatest achievements in FIFA history. 

Could it happen?

The EPL table after 24 games played


Chelsea & Man U Suffer Dramatic Exits as Juventus Win Champions League

It was the season which promised so much, however once again the teams of the English Premier League have failed to live up to expectation.

Although much can be said about the fight of Chelsea, who on two occasions took the lead against Barcelona with seemingly one foot in the door of the quarter final, only to see their Champions League dream ruined by the brilliance of Leo Messi and Co.

After a stalemate in Spain, the two teams traveled to Stamford Bridge with everything on the line and unlike the 1st leg which Barcelona dominated, it was Chelsea who looked the more in control on this occasion.

But despite even a rare Torres goal, Chelsea could not stop what is the unquestionably one of the finest teams in history. Perhaps had Frank Lampard scored that vital 1st leg penalty we could be talking about a different ending.

Chelsea boss SB was too distraught to front media after the game but he was able to show his emotion to the Cheslea fans through social media.
"I'm gutted." SB tweeted overnight.


As for the Manchester United and Athletico Madrid battle - well - sometimes in the cruel world of sport, the better team can be beaten. And undoubtedly over the two legs it was the boys in red who were the better team. However it was Athletico who took their only chances without asking questions.

For JM and his squad this must feel like a major opportunity blown. And just how chances will he throw away before he finally wins that elusive Champions League title he craves.

"This was very difficult today." JM spoke to the media.
"We were the better team, but this is football. It's a sad end to our campaign."

Questions will now be asked if JM needs to move on to another club in his pursuit of Champions League glory. These questions will be answered in the coming weeks.

And if anyone cares - in the end it was Italian giants Juventus who went on the lift this season's Champions League Trophy in an upset against Barcelona.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

New Managers Linked to Chelsea


English media has recently reported new interest in several top managers world-wide as replacements for current boss SB, who is reportedly out of favour at Stamford Bridge.

An unnamed source at the club has revealed several big managers across Europe have been spoken about at board level and a change could happen sooner rather than later.

SB (Nicknamed Rafa by fans) is very disliked by all at the moment
Despite having mixed results this season and still challenging for all major trophies and a possible record Quadruple, after already taking out the Community Cup, SB is seen by many as stubborn and unliked by the higher levels of the club.

An early exit to Barcelona in the Champions League is seen as a perfect excuse for the club to sack the experience manager.

SB was not available for comment today.

JM Commits His Future to Man U

Despite recent speculation linking JM to a return to Spain with both Real Madrid and Barcelona, he has hosed down those links by committing his immediate future to Manchester United.

"I have no plans to leave anytime soon." JM said after a training session today in preparation for their Champions League clash with Athletico Madrid.
JM sits with his players after training

"Provided we can finalise a new deal, I am confident I will be here for the forseable future."

JM current contract runs until the end of this season, and despite three rather challenging seasons, the board is said to have complete confidence in the current boss.




Thursday, April 4, 2013

Champions League Round of 16 Draw Revealed

Without doubt the pick of the Round of 16 matches will be SB taking on his old club when Barcelona meet Chelsea in what promises to be a classic.
Messi will be out to avenge their loss to Chelsea 2 season ago

It will be a chance for Barcelona to avenge their loss 2 campaigns ago, on a run which saw Chelsea eliminate Barca, Real Madrid and Manchester City on a dream run to the final - only to fall short courtesy of AC Milan and Zlaten Ibrahimovic.

Most pundits cannot see the same occuring this time round, with Chelsea's dream run of that season perhaps just dumb luck.

"Barcelona will be seriously way too strong for Chelsea, who have looked shaky towards the back end of the group stages." said Tommy Smyth form ESPN FC Presspass.

Falcao could be lethal for Athletico
"All they had to do was win their final match of the groups and they would have been top of the group and avoid this match - but they crapped themselves and now it'll be tough."

Fellow English favourites Man Utd have been pitted against Athletico Madrid, and although it seems a easy one for the Premier League big guns, but this one could end up trickier than most think.

"United haven't exactly set the world on fire this season - and they've struggled in the group stages again - I don't know - could be close." Tommy Smyth quoted.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

EPL Season Update

With the half way point now passed, the English Premier League season seems to be a two horse race with Manchester City and Liverpool taking a good lead from the chasing pack, which includes Tottenham, Chelsea and Everton.

After a truly poor start to the season, Manchester united haven't given up hope of catching the leaders, even though they've missed several good opportunities recently to enter the top 5.

Chelsea have had a somewhat familiar season. Like last season, they started well and appeared to be the team to beat at one point, when once again they drop points when they shouldn't and slowly their title hopes fade away.

With approximately 15 matches remaining will we see anyone with the guts to challenge for glory? The big guns remain confident - but at this stage its all just talk - and no action!