Pages

Bruised Blues a City concern

Bruised Blues a City concern

LONDON • Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is surprised by Chelsea's revolving-door policy with managers as he prepares for today's League Cup final, the match that could seal the fate of his counterpart Maurizio Sarri.
The Spaniard stated that he enjoyed City's backing in a way the Blues' former manager Antonio Conte never did, and suggested Sarri may encounter the same lack of support.
There has been mounting speculation over Sarri's future in recent weeks, after a mid-season slump best exemplified by the 6-0 humiliation in their league visit to City's Etihad Stadium earlier this month.
Guardiola believes Chelsea should adopt the same sort of long-term view City took when they employed him in 2016.
Comparisons have been drawn with his first season, when City struggled to adapt to his demanding style of play, although he was keen to dismiss the similarities.
"The situation is a little bit different. In my first year, never did the club doubt me. It was never in the media that I'd be sacked if they lose this game or the other game. It never happened," he said.
"I was surprised that when Conte won the title and they lost one or two games at the beginning of the following season, people started to say he was going to be sacked.
"I said: 'Wow, but two or three months ago they won the Premier League.' The situation is completely different."
Sarri is contesting his first final as a manager. City, however, remain favourites after overwhelming the Blues the last time out.
Guardiola, though, feels the 6-0 win counts for nothing as Chelsea will step up a gear in a Cup final.
He said: "I don't like to play a team again in a short period of time, when you've beaten them by so much. They are incredible professional players and they will put in extra (for the final)."
Sarri also cannot understand why his position is under threat.
The Guardian reported that the Blues are even considering hiring their former coach and current England assistant manager Steve Holland to help steady the ship on an interim basis.
Guardiola had a history of success at Barcelona and Bayern Munich and was given time and funds to overhaul City, but Sarri is unlikely to receive the same leeway.
The Italian also pointed to the praise given to Arsenal boss Unai Emery in the Spaniard's first season in the Premier League.
"We are in the first final of the season. We are one point from the top four, the same points as Arsenal, and (people say) Arsenal are doing well," Sarri said. "We are doing a little bit better because we are in a final, and yet our season is a disaster. I don't understand.
"Last season, this team gained 70 points, not 100. Then, in the summer, we changed everything. So there is another problem to solve."
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is not renowned for his patience, and the two transfer-window bans imposed by Fifa on the Blues could not have come at a worse possible time for Sarri.
Even a win today may only delay the inevitable.
THE GUARDIAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

CHELSEA V MAN CITY


Singtel TV CH111 & StarHub Ch202, tomorrow, 12.30am


Last-gasp Mitrovic earns Fulham 1-0 win over Huddersfield. Dec 29 - FULHAM 1 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0. Read more: The Star. Benitez says Newcastle needs 'another miracle' to stay up Newcastle is currently five points above the bottom three after last weekend's goalless draw with Fulham.
Late Aleksandar Mitrovic strike earns Fulham win over


Each had a story to tell about a "good Christian" child, raised in their home and in our church, who had walked away from the faith during the college years. These children had come through our church's youth program, gone on short-term mission trips, and served in several different ministries during their teenage years.
Youth Prisons Don't Work. Here's What Does. | Time
time.com/4543401/youth-prison-reform/
Mishi Faruqee is the National Field Director of the Youth First Initiative October is Youth Justice Action Month, so let's take stock of what we've learned about our juvenile justice system
PDF Guidelines for Ministry to & With Young People


Wayne Rooney received his first red card in the MLS as DC United were thrashed 4-0 by Los Angeles FC.Diego Rossi was the hero at Audi Field with his first career MLS hat-trick, helping lead his
Sports News, 16 Aug 2014 | 15 Minute News - Know the News


LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has accepted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million (S$176.7 million) move is "too cheap
Hard to keep Hazard: Sarri - theworldnews.net


LONDON (REUTERS) - England captain Harry Kane has his heart set on ending his playing career in the United States kicking field goals for a team in the National Football League (NFL).. Read more
Harry Kane wants to end career as NFL kicker - citizentv.co.ke


Warnock on 'most difficult week of career' after Sala disappearance. Cardiff boss Neil Warnock says the disappearance of Emiliano Sala has led to his worst week in football.
Soccer-Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of


Valencia reached the semi-finals thanks to a stunning turnaround against Basel, winning 5-3 on aggregate, despite a 3-0 first-leg loss in Switzerland. And Emery remains wary of his former club's
Champions League: PSG boss Emery cautious despite Barcelona


Get more information about BARRY MAGUIRE at straitstimes.com. Ex-Dutch youth international Maguire seeks soaring start with Geylang Maguire hopes to rebuild career with Geylang
Farid Noor Ali Fazal, Executive Director & Marketing Director


Sterling gets van Dijk's vote for PFA award LONDON • Virgil van Dijk has voted for Raheem Sterling, one of his biggest rivals for the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year award, to win this season's prize in recognition of his improvement at Manchester City.
Sterling gets van Dijk's vote for PFA award, Football News

Spanish girls shine, Football News & Top Stories - The


A second-half strike from N'Golo Kante was enough for Chelsea to beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in the Premier League and send them five points clear of fifth-placed Arsenal.
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea: Rare N'Golo Kante goal saves Blues


A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 28, 2019, with the headline ''Serene' Quagliarella becomes Italy's oldest scorer at 36'. Print Edition | Subscribe
'Serene' Quagliarella becomes Italy's oldest scorer at 36

0 comments:

Post a Comment