Sport
The FA are ‘willing to wait’ in order to make Pep Guardiola the next England manager
They believe he can be persuaded.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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?
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Featured Images — Terry Kearney/The Laird of Oldham (via Flickr)/Steffen Prößdorf
Sport
England head coach Shaun Wane quits ahead of 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Danny Jones
England head coach Shaun Wane has stepped down from his role as the national team setup after more than half a decade in the post.
His resignation comes as the Rugby Football League (RFL) looks to pivot and set out a long-term vision ahead of the World Cup later this year.
The Wigan-born former Warriors manager’s replacement is expected to be merely a part-time appointment as future planning begins.
Announced on Wednesday, 14 January, Shaun Wane’s tenure has ended “effective immediately”.
Sharing an official update online, the RFL wrote: “Wane, who has led England since February 2020, has taken time to reflect on the programme and believes the timing is right for new leadership to guide the team into the next phase, including the upcoming World Cup.
“During his tenure, Wane oversaw memorable series victories over Tonga in 2023 and a star-studded Samoa a year later, as well as a semi-final in the World Cup. He finishes with 14 wins from 19 matches.”
Crediting him as one of “a very small elite number of coaches to have won the full suite of domestic club honours and achieved World Club Championship success”, hailing his experience and longevity both as a player and as a coach.
As for Wane himself, he said: “It has been the honour of my life to coach England Rugby League over the last six years, but after careful reflection, I believe the time is right to step aside and allow the programme to move forward into its next chapter.
The 61-year-old ex-pro goes on to add, “The privilege of leading my country in a World Cup, an Ashes Series on home soil and securing victories over Tonga and Samoa will live long in the memory.
“I’m incredibly grateful to all the players, coaches and staff I’ve worked alongside during that time; their commitment and professionalism made those moments possible. I wish everyone involved with England Rugby League the best going forward and for the World Cup later this year.”
According to the latest reports online, St Helens boss Paul Rowley is now said to be the favourite to take over in the interim.
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup is still months away (scheduled to take place in October and November), but the governing body will want to get the new setup and coaching in place as soon as possible to prepare for the tournament.
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Featured Images — Fleets (via WikiCommons)/England Rugby League (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Manchester City Women finally secure transfer target after months of pursuit
Danny Jones
Manchester City Women’s team have finally secured their long-sought-after new signing, Sam Coffey, after months of courting her.
She is Andrée Jeglertz’s first new addition of the January transfer window.
The American midfielder joins Man City Women on a three-and-a-half year contract after having been with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) outfit, Portland Thorns, for the best part of four years.
Officially arriving at the Joie Stadium and wider Etihad Campus this week, she will wear the 17 shirt.
Already a well-established US international, the 27-year-old helped her now former team to the playoff semi-finals as club captain last term and has featured in the NWSL’s team of the season for the last four campaigns running.
The club went after her this past summer but was ultimately unable to get an agreement over the line.
Sam Coffey came through the youth academy ranks in New York, going on to play her college football in Boston and then at Penn State before making her full senior debut for the Thorns back in 2022.
Fast coming on 50 caps for her country and having won Olympic Gold and a SheBelieves Cup in 2024, she pulls on the sky blue of Jeglertz’s current league-leading side, having already won silverware.
Man City never hesitate when it comes to bringing in top talents to further increase their title chances, and an acquisition like this could help them stay the course towards their first-ever Women’s Super League (WSL) trophy.
Commenting in an official club statement, Coffey said: “It’s a club with so much history, so much success, so much influence in the city. Manchester is not somewhere I’ve been before, but there’s something about it that I felt I was led to and called to.
You can find her first full interview as a City women’s player down below.
She goes on to add: “I think it’s also a place that has just proven its investment in women’s soccer and being a part of this movement that is going on.
“Seeing the facilities, the support the team gets, and all the efforts they’re putting in for the women’s side is such a huge and positive side and something I’m honoured to be a part of.”
City face Bournemouth next in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, 18 January, before facing fellow title contenders and serial domestic winners Chelsea in the League Cup next week; it remains to be seen when her first appearance will come.
Happy with the business, Blues?
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Featured Images — Hameltion (via Wikimedia Commons)/Manchester City Women’s Football Club
