The latest from around Wembley and St George’s Park is that the FA have already identified their first choice candidate for the next England manager: Pep Guardiola.
Gareth Southgate stepped down after nearly eight years as the England boss on Tuesday, 16 July, and as bittersweet as his departure may be for lots of supporters across the country, the search to find his replacement is already well underway.
Although other UK names like Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and even Brendan Rodgers have been linked with the job so far, it looks as though the Football Association are prepared to go all in for the Manchester City head coach.
However, as undoubtedly the best manager on the planet right now and a figure who has changed the face of the modern game forever, if/when he does eventually leave City, he’ll be the most in-demand figure in football. Nevertheless, they believe he could be persuaded – but it’ll be a matter of timing.
FA would consider putting in an interim – Carsley – if Guardiola were possible, and he left City at end of next season
Similar approach was used for Wiegman
A lot of complications, though, and Guardiola may not even decide until late in seasonhttps://t.co/YkOlm9b8B3
As reported by the Independent, the FA are “willing to wait” for their window to go after the treble-winning and three-time Champions League-winning Catalan coach and appoint a temporary manager as a stop-gap solution in the meantime.
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While they understand it is outside the realms of possibility that he could be swept away from Man City at this moment with less than a month to go until the new Premier League season, Pep Guardiola‘s contract does expire in 2025 and is yet to announce whether he will be extending his stay or not.
Despite Southgate heaping praise on his assistant coach Steve Holland in his farewell statement, it looks as though under-21s coach Lee Carsley may be chosen as the interim England boss – especially after seeing the trajectory of Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, who just led them to the Euro 2024 title.
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Better still, many fans feel that his domination of club football across Europe (albeit he hasn’t yet taken a job in Italy or France) could make the role seem a more attractive offer to the 53-year-old.
The FA would have to offer Guardiola a very handsome package if they were to lure him into taking what many consider ‘the impossible job’, though if anyone is capable of doing it then it’s surely Pep.
Other names like Jürgen Klopp have also been floated, but it’s unlikely he’d be willing to jump on board so soon after leaving Liverpool and confessing a significant amount of fatigue, so securing his signature might also take some time.
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Whether or not appointing a German to the England manager’s job would also be a big factor, no doubt, as the fan sentiment would surely be something to take into account. Some sources say he’s already snubbed the offer.
Do you really think Pep would take it and, if not, who would you want to see in charge of the Three Lions heading into the future?
Stockport County to introduce safe standing at Edgeley Park
Danny Jones
Stockport County will soon be introducing safe standing at Edgeley Park as part of the pending stadium development plans.
The Hatters may have just missed out on promotion to the Championship, but it’s still been an exciting few years for the club that has seen a fresh surge in young new supporters in addition to their passionate lifelong followers.
In more fantastic news for fans, County have announced that brand new safe standing sections will be installed across the ground.
Confirming the news on Wednesday, the club said: “After receiving all necessary approvals and working closely with safety authorities, we are set to install rail seating in two designated areas of the stadium.
Stockport County is thrilled to announce the introduction of safe standing areas at Edgeley Park ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 season.
Visit the club site for more details on this exciting new development ⤵️#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) May 28, 2025
As detailed on the club website, there will be two new dedicated safe-standing/rail-seated zones – one in each main stand: the back five rows of seats in the Cheadle End’s upper tier and the back two rows of the Vitality Railway End.
With Stockport Council greenlighting plans for League One side to expand their home capacity, this reconfiguration is set to accommodate a total of 849 County fans and/or supporters.
Although this all depends on final approval from the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the aim is to deliver a “vibrant and dynamic environment for both home and away fans at Edgeley Park.”
The official statement goes on to explain that the push for safe standing is not just to provide more matchday options for those in attendance, but in hopes of further “enhancing the atmosphere and improving the overall matchday experience for those who prefer to stand.”
Couty has insisted that “The rail-seating system incorporates a barrier for every seat, ensuring that supporters are protected from a sudden surge or crowd movement.”
Safe standing is part of the larger Stockport County stadium redevelopment plans.
Addressing early concerns in a ‘What This Means for You’ section, they go on to add: “Season ticket holders currently in the affected rows will be contacted directly by the Club over the coming weeks with details on their options, including relocating to a seated area if they prefer not to stand.
“Information regarding new season tickets and matchday tickets in the safe standing areas will be released in due course.
“We believe this is another significant step forward for Stockport County and will further enhance the already incredible atmosphere at Edgeley Park. We look forward to seeing and hearing the renewed energy in these new sections.”
The safe standing plan is set to be introduced for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with the administration hoping to make this their last in the third tier. Do you see them going up next year?
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Press Shot (via SCFC)
Sport
Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Danny Jones -
18th July 2024 
