With Tottenham Hotspur now out of chances to win a trophy yet again this season, pundits and football fans are once again discussing what this could mean for the future of Harry Kane.
The Spurs and England star has been one of the best players in Europe, let alone the Premier League for some time now and while he has beyond shined at his boyhood club, he is still yet to win a trophy in his competitive career and the worry is that he is now running out of time to do so.
Following his team’s exit from the Champions League earlier this week, the question of ‘what’s next for Harry Kane?’ is once again being asked and although he could very well stay at Spurs and go down as a one-club man, recording goalscorer and legend, he wants to win trophies.
That being said, it seems as though many feel he now has only one destination left to turn to if he did choose to depart and the consensus seems to be, almost resoundingly, that it’s Manchester United.
🚨 Jamie Carragher and Thierry Henry have their say on the future of Harry Kane at Tottenham.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) March 9, 2023
Speaking after the loss to AC Milan on Wednesday night, CBS Sports’ Kate Abdo asked the punditry panel whether they think Kane will finally leave this summer and, as you can see, the answer was not only quick but definitive.
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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher said that is a “now or never” moment for Kane, insisting that he believes if the England captain “doesn’t leave this summer, he will then stay at Tottenham for the rest of his career”.
While he conceded he does still stand a chance of a domestic cup at Spurs, he believes that he’s far too good to settle for that and went on to say that he thinks “the only place he can go realistically is Manchester United” simply because of the strikers already in place at his team and Manchester City.
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Moreover, Carra and his fellow panellists also seemed to agree that any potential move has to be this summer, with Kane now 29 and soon leaving the ‘prime years’ and moving towards the latter stages of his career. United legend Rio Ferdinand and former Spurs striker Peter Crouch seemed to agree.
Ferdinand said that given Spurs don’t look to be anywhere near “touching distance” of winning anything, Kane should be “looking to pastures new” and after everything that he’s achieved at the club, recently breaking legend Jimmy Greaves’ goal record, fans couldn’t begrudge him leaving.
Rio also noted that part of the frustration for supporters is that after multiple speculative transfer windows, Kane hasn’t necessarily gone out of his way to make it crystal clear that he will be staying or going and could make it clear that he is “Mr. Spurs” or, indeed, that the time has come to go.
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As Crouch sees it, like Carragher, although he doesn’t want to see Kane join United for obvious reasons, it seems as though it may be the best fit for him. “I personally see him at United”, said Crouch, even comparing him to Teddy Sheringham and already envisioning the impact he could have there.
Gary Neville is another figure who has long made it clear that Kane needs to move on if he is to stand a chance of winning silverware, reiterating last week even before the Milan game that “the time is right” for him to leave, especially given the fact that “United are desperate for a centre-forward.”
Another thing all the ex-players involved in the discussions above also seemed to agree on is that if he finally decides to leave, wherever he goes he will want to stay in the Premier League so he can go on to break Alan Shearer‘s all-time record (260), which he is currently 60 goals short of.
Keeping that and the fact that City have Haaland, Liverpool have brought in multiple new forwards and he simply cannot join current league leaders and fierce rivals in Arsenal, it really does feel like there’s only one other option left: United.
Having picked up their first trophy in six years with the EFL Cup win and still in two other competitions, not to mention back up near the top of the league table and in need of an elite, out-and-out striker to properly challenge for titles, this might be both the perfect time and the only time for him to join United.
Featured Image — Harry Kane (via Instagram)/BT Sport (via Twitter)
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Tributes pour in for chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, Tommy Muir
Danny Jones
Tributes are pouring in following the death of Tommy Muir, the long-standing chairman of Manchester City’s ‘Cheadle Blues’ supporters club, at the age of 71.
News of Muir’s death broke on Thursday, 21 November, with countless Man City fans learning of his tragic passing online and proceeding to pay their respects.
The Cheadle Branch boss, lifelong supporter and well-known club figure is said to have died following a period of illness, with a member of the popular Bluemoon Forum claiming he suffered from the progressive disease pulmonary fibrosis for some time.
Numerous messages of sadness, love and support have been shared on social media already.
Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends. https://t.co/8rLcL10N2Ipic.twitter.com/dkEmCSU1vl
Just heard a top blue Tommy Muir has passed away. Met Tommy years ago, he helped me out with tickets down the years, we shared a few laughs and pints. He gave me this plaque after he rescued it from Maine Road and is something I'll always treasure. RIP Tommy #trueblue 💙⚽ pic.twitter.com/jfbFLfZCKS
By all accounts, Muir will be remembered as a much-loved leader of City’s Cheadle Branch, as well as a generous character with a great sense of humour.
There are countless messages from people who know him from the local area or through helping sort spare tickets for matchdays and as the familiar face around Maine Road back in the day and on the bus to the Etihad Stadium for many years.
Tommy was also one of the official supporters group members who were treated to a visit by Man City themselves, naming him honorary Life Vice President of the Official Supporters Club and bringing the Treble trophies to his doorstep back in July 2023.
Muir, an ex-Royal Mail worker, also served as the landlord of The Kenilworth pub back in Cheadle, Stockport, where fans would regularly meet pre-match before heading to watch the game.
Local author and historian of Manchester sport, Gary James, wrote on Facebook: “I’ve just seen this news… Sad to hear the news that Tommy Muir has died. A wonderful person who first helped me with my research decades ago. A dedicated MCFC fan. My thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Speaking to The Manc, General Secretary of City’s Official Supporters Club, Kevin Parker told us: Tommy was a blue through and through and 100% committed to The Supporters Club at Cheadle and its members.
“I have known Tommy for over 30 years and no one deserved the recent success the club has had more than him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and fondly remembered. He will still be watching our wonderful club from the Blue Stands in the Sky telling anyone who disrespects his Club to ‘do one'”
Known to so many throughout the fan base, even supporters who never met him personally have been sharing their condolences on various platforms. Those who knew him well have nothing but heartwarming memories to share.
Fan forums like Bluemoon have been awash with people mourning Muir’s passing. One person told the story of meeting him at the age of 17 and following him when moved to The George and Dragon pub – another popular City haunt before games.
Another wrote: “I got to know Tommy when I joined the Cheadle Supporters branch. Tommy loved being branch secretary. He was absolutely dedicated to his position as branch secretary […] The branch meetings were serious affairs, getting through what had to be discussed, but in between was humour and laughter brought about by Tommy.
“Tommy had a huge sense of humour, and his one-liners were famous amongst the branch members, which would have everyone laughing throughout the meetings. The coach trips to the away games were never dull. They were always full of cheer, drinking, laughter, and City songs.”
“Keep on watching your beloved City from above. Rest in peace, Tommy.”
Losses like this within a fan base are always tough to take. Our thoughts go out to his family, friends, the Cheadle Branch and all the Blues whose lives he touched. RIP Tommy Muir.
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet named coach of the year after historic quadruple-winning season
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors boss Matt Peet has been named coach of the year by the Sports Journalists’ Association Committee (SJA) following his record-breaking season with the champions.
Peet led the Greater Manchester side to four Grand Slams in a single calendar year, a feat never seen before in the Super League era, achieving the historic feat with a Grand Final win over Hull KR at Old Trafford last month.
In recognition of his incredible 2024 campaign in charge of the Warriors, the Wigan-born local hero was awarded the SJA Committee Award, handed over to the most outstanding coach each year, on Wednesday, 20 November for the second time in his career.
The 40-year-old won the prestigious accolade during his first season with the club back in 2022 but it’s fair to say this one will feel even more special.
🏆 Congratulations to Matt Peet who has received the Sports Journalists' Association Committee Award which is given to the coach of the year.
The Warriors began the season by defeating Penrith Panthers at The Brick Community Stadium to lift a record-equalling fifth World Club Challenge before success in the Betfred Challenge Cup Final saw Wigan beat fellow North West outfit, Warrington Wolves, at Wembley Stadium in June.
Having sealed the League Leaders’ Shield following a final-round win against local rivals Salford Red Devils, the Warriors then went on to beat Hull – who were competing in their first Grand Final – to become the first team of the Super League era to lift all four trophies within the space of just 12 months.
Speaking on the award via an official club statement, Peet said: “I’m very proud and very grateful to be selected by the committee. It reflects really well on our organisation, our club, players and rugby league in general.
“We never set out with an ambition to win the quadruple, we just set out to improve and learn. It’s not an award rugby league is synonymous with, so to know our sport is getting some recognition, it makes me very proud to be at the forefront of it.”
He went on to tell Sky Sports that it was the “energy and the atmosphere” of Wigan that helped get them across the line after so many games, insisting that they “had the whole town behind [them]”.
🗣️ "Very grateful to be selected"
Head coach Matt Peet has won the SJA committee award after steering Wigan Warriors to all four trophies in 2024 🏉 pic.twitter.com/5AsDS4Cb15
It’s a truly fantastic achievement and to have the award brought home to Greater Manchester once again is wonderful news no matter who you support.
The fixtures for the 2025 Super League season are set to be released tomorrow (Thursday, 21 November), with the action getting underway in February as usual. The Summer Festival of Rugby Leaguewill also return after a year off with a blockbuster May Bank Holiday weekend in Newcastle.
Not only will it be a decade since the event was first held in the Toon but it also marks the Magic Weekend’s 18th birthday.
As for SJA coach of the year Matt Peet and the Warriors, it’s looking like a question of just how many titles can they defend next year.
Danny Jones -
10th March 2023 
