Sport

Pep Guardiola signs new two-year deal with Manchester City

Great news for City fans. Less so for everyone else.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 23rd November 2022

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has signed a new two-year contract which will see him stay at the club until 2025.

The Spanish coach has overseen the most successful period in the club’s history, picking up four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and an FA Cup in six years at the Etihad Stadium.

It’s no secret that a big part of why the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich man was brought to the club was to win their first Champions League trophy and now he has at least another two years to get the job done.

Following an official announcement on the club site, the 51-year-old shared this video message to fans, quipping: “I know you want to get rid of me, but I stay two more years”.

Guardiola went on to insist, “from day one I felt something special being here. I cannot be in a better place”, adding that even beyond his tenure, “the next chapter of this club will be amazing for the next decade… it will happen in the next ten years because this club is so stable.”

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Club Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak also expressed his delight at the extension, stating that he is “delighted that Pep’s journey with Manchester City Football Club will continue”, as well as remarking that “he has already contributed so much to the success and fabric of this organisation”.

He went on to conclude that thanks to Pep, the “City style of football is admired the world over” and, “like every City fan, [he is] looking forward to what lies ahead.”

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City currently sit second in the Premier League behind Arsenal, who have been absolutely flying under the tutelage of Pep‘s former right-hand man, Mikel Arteta. However, they still remain heavy favourites to lift their fifth title in six seasons.

As detailed in the club statement, the revolutionary coach has won 271 of the 374 matches he has overseen, boasting a remarkable win percentage of 72.4%, not to mention a total of 921 goals – an average of 2.46 goals per game.

We’re sure Blues will be looking forward to more of the same in the coming years.

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Featured Image — Manchester City

Sport

Manchester’s Club de Padel claps back at ’embarrassing’ copycat ASOS product

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

A local Manchester business has sarcastically pointed out the glaring similarities between a new t-shirt on ASOS and one of its own designs.

Club de Padel has a range of retro-inspired merch with UN:IK, a small independent streetwear brand also based here in Manchester.

Its collection of t-shirts, hoodies, tracksuits, hats and bags often feature a design of an illustrated padel ball (which to the untrained eye is basically a tennis ball) in motion.

But this week a t-shirt appeared on ASOS that also featured an illustrated padel ball in motion, just in a slightly different colour palette.

The ASOS version, which has now been removed from sale, also undercut Club de Padel’s price by £6.

Since Club de Padel took the ’embarrassing’ copycat product public on their Instagram page, ASOS has launched an investigation and taken it off their website.

The sports venture, based at Deansgate Square and the only padel club in Manchester, wrote: “Love the new designs ASOS, kinda reminds us of something though…

The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
The ASOS t-shirt that Club de Padel has said copies their merch. Credit: ASOS
Club de Padel's t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK
Club de Padel’s t-shirt created by Manchester brand UN:IK. Credit: Club de Padel

“Ah. Well that’s embarrassing… We’ve got a new line coming soon with UN:IK Clothing you’re just gonna love ASOS.

“In the meantime we made this for you @asos, save your design team a job.”

An ASOS spokesperson said: “We take intellectual property issues very seriously and have removed this product from sale while we investigate further.”

Of the Club de Padel and UN:IK collaboration, aka the real deal, UN:IK says it has ‘served up a staple for us, retro inspired leisure pieces with Manchester’s first ever padel club’.

Club de Padel in Manchester has gone public to poke fun at ASOS

They wrote: “Inspired by owners after a trip to Spain, Club de Padel has hit the city with a wave and the lifestyle brand we have created with them reinforces the fastest growing sport across Europe.

“Our classic vintage washes and oversized fits, working with independent designs as always on this local independent partnership. Don’t be afraid to the sport, we’ll guarantee you love it as much as these clothes.”

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Featured image: Club de Padel

Sport

Manchester Remembers release unbelievable new kits featuring iconic Manc landmarks for 2024 charity match

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Remembers kits 2024

The Manchester Remembers Foundation have just released the official kit designs for this year’s upcoming charity football match and they’re utterly amazing.

The 2024 Manchester Remembers charity game is fast approaching, with this year’s edition set to take place in July and the excitement is really starting to build – especially with kits as eye-catching as these.

Roping in help from local media and production company Badger and Coombes, as well as getting Lionesses legend Sue Smith involved in the kit launch, the brand new Legends and Celebs kits have finally been revealed in extremely fine fashion.

Lovingly made once again by Oldham-based kit manufacturers, Hope and Glory, and with Salfordian fashion brand Marc Darcy Menswear serving as the main sponsor, the new shirt designs feature incredibly detailed drawings of recognisable locations around Manchester. Just look at them:

The 2024 Manchester Remembers kits have officially been unveiled.

As you can see, iconic Manc landmarks like Old Trafford and the Etihad Stadium take pride of place in the semi-opaque sublimated pattern on both the white and black versions of the kit.

Other noticeable buildings include Manchester Cathedral, the Central Library, Manchester Central (formerly the GMEX) and even a nice little nod to the Metrolink and Bee Network, just to name a few.

The incredibly detailed design pays homage to the city we all know and love and is a big step up from the already very well-received kits from last year’s charity match.

Once again, all the proceeds from the shirt sales go straight back into the Manchester Remembers Foundation and its partnered charities, which raise money for the families of those sadly lost in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.

Celebs strip
Legends kit
You can pre-order the shirts ahead of their release in May HERE and they’re very affordable compared to most footy kits these days.

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With a whole host of exciting names taking part in the 2024 edition of the charitable community-driven event, including ex-Manchester United stars Antonia Valencia and Danny Simpson, local celebs like soap star Adam Thomas, YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’ and many more, it’s going to be a momentous day.

This year marks just the third time the game has been held but the amazing people attached to this non-profit, not to mention the thousands that have turned up to see the wholesome fixture, have already helped raise over £117k for the associated charities. Unbelievable stuff.

Returning to Oldham Athletic‘s Boundary Park for the second year running, tickets for the game on Sunday, 28 July are already available and priced at only a fiver for under 16s and just £10 for adults, it’s one of the most uplifting and affordable afternoons of live sport you’ll find the region.

If you’ve not heard about this truly inspiring annual match until now, you can find out more HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Manchester Remembers Foundation/Badger and Coombes

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