Former England star and Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan has said he doesn’t “like ladies talking about men’s football” in a recent interview.What year are we in again?…
Referring to international football being covered by those who used to play professional women’s football, specifically, Keegan said: “I don’t like to listen to ladies talking about the England men’s team at the match because I don’t think it’s the same experience. I have a problem with that.”
The 72-year-old’s quotes were taken from his own self-titled talk, ‘An Evening With Kevin Keegan’, held in Bristol last week and although he did claim to be a big supporter of the women’s game, he is apparently nnot so keen on female footballers talking about the male sport.
How could women ever hope to match such Kevin Keegan insights as "football is easier when you have the ball" and "Argentina won't be at Euro 2000 because they're from South America" https://t.co/fEMPtaVNmwpic.twitter.com/S6W0g2sEnf
Ah yes, Kevin Keegan, the font of all footballing knowledge.
The OBE-awarded ex-pro and reitred coach reportedly went on to add, “The presenters we have now, some of the girls are so good, they are better than the guys.
“But if I see an England lady footballer saying about England against Scotland at Wembley and she’s saying, ‘If I would have been in that position I would have done this’, I don’t think it’s quite the same — I don’t think it crosses over that much.”
We have never winced at the word ‘lady’ so much before. The article also claims that these comments were met with applause from large sections of the audience.
The reaction online and in the media on both sides has also led to another former manager coming out to give this two cents on Keegan’s remarks, as Harry Redknapp appeared on TalkTV to say he was “brave” to come out with these opinions and that he “can see where he’s coming from a little bit”.
"He's very brave for saying it… I can see where he's coming from!"
Harry Redknapp gives his take after former England manager Kevin Keegan said 'lady footballers' are not qualified to express opinions about the men’s international game.@Iromg | @Redknapppic.twitter.com/D59KTh9Zgh
“It’s a great time for the ladies. When I was England manager [February 1999-October 2000] I went to coach the England ladies and I had this perception of what the quality would be like and they were so much better than I thought they were going to be.”
He even joked about being surprised when he was nutmegged by a female professional during a training session. Wow, a professional athlete showing up an aging ex-pro for no other reason than their own sporting ability, we’re stunned…
Even when Keegan did trying to speak more positively on “good lady presenters”, stating that he was set to be working with Gabby Logan in two days time, instead of acknowledging her as the seasoned sports presenter, pundit, former GB gymnast and household name we all know, he instead referred to her simply as “Terry Yorath’s daughter”.
Honestly, how are we still hearing condescending rubbish like this in 2023? Also, why should, say, Jill Scott’s opinion — an individual who has actually won a major trophy at international level — not count for just as much (if not more) than the countless male ex-pros then get on to talk about every tournament?
Featured Image — Manchester City/Lionesses (via Instagram)/Sky Sports
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Manchester City set to re-sign former youth keeper James Trafford
Danny Jones
Manchester City look set to re-sign their former academy goalkeeper, James Trafford, just over two years after he left the club.
The Burnley shot-stopper was signed by the Lancashire side back in June 2023 after he impressed in two consecutive seasons on loan at Bolton Wanderers.
Now, just a few transfer windows later, it looks like Man City are set to fend off interest from other Premier League outfits for the chance to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is already in place for him to return to Manchester in the next few days.
🚨🔵 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City agree deal to sign James Trafford as new goalkeeper, here we go!
Deal in place with Burnley under value of £40m buy back clause. Trafford said yes to Man City as Pep Guardiola wanted him.
According to Romano, the Cockermouth-born and Carlisle-blooded keeper, who joined the City youth setup at the age of 12, will be signed once again for a fee below the previously reported £40m price tag.
Although the details of the contract are yet to be fully confirmed, it is said that City maintained the option to match the bid of any other team that came in within three days as part of the stipulation.
Backed up by The Athletic‘s David Ornstein, it seems the club have done just that, entering a matched price of £27m (before add-ons) after an offer was made by Newcastle United.
Once again, the wages he will earn upon returning to the Etihad remain undisclosed, but you can assume they have promised a more attractive package than Newcastle; you would expect some assurances surrounding playing time, too.
Although Ederson is the first-choice goalkeeper on paper, he and backup keeper Stefan Ortega have been increasingly rotated across multiple competitions, and the 22-year-old said in an interview back in 2021 that he believes he has the potential and talent to become “Manchester City’s number one.”
Here are some of the highlights from the previous term.
Having impressed at youth level for England and most notably keeping 29 clean sheets – conceding just 16 goals in all 45 league fixtures in 24/25 – with Burnley securing automatic promotion as one of the best defences in the EFL, he’s not just a young prospect any more: he’s a sought-after shot-stopper.
It seems only a matter of time before his comeback is officially announced by the clubs, with Trafford preparing to sign a five-year contract with his old employers and where the bulk of his youth development took place.
The question is, Man City fans: can you see him pushing Ederson and Ortega, who have both been linked with moves away themselves, for the starting gloves?
Meanwhile, although Pep might be looking to phase in a new go-to between the sticks, another member of his senior squad who has struggled to nail down a consistent spot in the first XI could, conversely, be on his way out the exit door.
Jack Grealish linked with Serie A switch as Manchester City star reportedly wants a move away
Danny Jones
Manchester City star and England international, Jack Grealish, has been linked with leaving for a possible Serie A switch as the midfielder is reportedly eyeing an exit from the Etihad Stadium.
The 29-year-old is already being monitored by a number of clubs here in England and in mainland Europe, but it appears that Italian champions Napoli have emerged as the latest and seemingly strongest suitors looking to add Jack Grealish to their growing roster.
A number of outlets are reporting interest from the ‘Gli Azzurri’, who have already signed former Man City talisman Kevin De Bruyne this summer, and look to be continuing with a productive period of recruitment ahead of defending their fourth league title – the second in the space of three seasons.
It wouldn’t be a change in colour or even in position, apparently, as they have identified him as a number of left-sided targets this summer, according to the likes of Corriere dello Sport.
🚨 Jack Grealish remains on a list of wingers still being considered by Napoli, @CorSport claim 👀🩵
The former Aston Villa favourite was left out of the FIFA Club World Cup after Pep Guardiola revealed the pair had shared “honest” discussions regarding his future in Manchester, but did reassure that it was the “best” decision for him and is not ruling out a resolution before the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
The Telegraph‘s Matt Law states that Grealish has returned to City but only to train alone and will remain apart from the rest of the team until an outcome has been decided.
Other clubs that are said to be keen on tapping up the dynamic winger and attacking midfielder include Spurs, West Ham, Newcastle and even Everton are thought to be exploring a potential approach.
Guardiola‘s squad are expected to resume training on 28 July following a much-needed break post-tournament, which they crashed out of in the round of 16 following a shock defeat to Saudi side Al-Hilal.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that the England star has already flown to Naples.
As per Manchester Evening News (MEN), Grealish’s driver, Salvatore, told the ‘Radio Goal’ show on native station Kiss Kiss Napoli that the footballer is already training privately on the Amalfi Coast.
The outlet also recently wrote that the 29-year-old would be available if the right offer came in, with Man City supposedly wanting around £40 million for his prospective sale.
Jack Grealish is now considered well within his traditional ‘prime years’, and arguably soon to exit this crucial period for any athlete, so he will no doubt be pushing hard for a move this summer if his place with the sky blues is still undecided.
Despite being a well-regarded talent and regularly picked for his national team, the Brummy-born footballer has struggled to cement a spot in the starting XI under Pep, so perhaps leaving City might be the best for both Grealish and City, who are continuing to rebuild with new personnel.
He’s not the only Manchester-based star looking to the continent for a new lease on life.
Danny Jones -
5th October 2023 
