The Football Thread - Page 2657

**Devius** · May 26th, 2024, 05:35 PM

Leeds United 0-1 Southampton

Quote:

Southampton beat Leeds in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate return to the Premier League and the £140m to go with it.

Saints' 11-year spell in the top flight came to an end after a wretched campaign last time out but, despite finishing one place and three points behind Leeds in fourth, it is they who join Leicester and Ipswich in going up.

Adam Armstrong scored the decisive goal with a clinical finish after being put clear by Will Smallbone.

Leeds substitute Dan James clattered a bouncing ball against the crossbar late on as they pushed for an equaliser but Russell Martin's men saw out almost 12 minutes of time added on.

Defeat for Leeds consigned them to another season in the Championship and meant they have now lost their past three finals at Wembley without scoring and been unsuccessful in all six of their play-off campaigns.

Saints' promotion means that all three play-off finals this year were won by the team who had finished lower in the league table, with the team who had finished higher failing to score in all three.

Full article:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd11vdnwwjdt

**pierrelm** · May 27th, 2024, 04:34 AM

We're sticklers for tradition. Take us to Wembley and we underwhelm, underachieve and ultimately don't show up.
The vultures are circling over LS11 already: after watching Summerville fail on the big day, there's already talk of his exit but with a reduced fee, ditto Willy Gnonto.
Farke did a remarkable job fashioning a decent side from bare bones at the start of the season, but doubt remains over his ability to manage his side to be winners - we could and should have finished second in the league, but had some dreadful performances on the run in. One great game against a clearly bewildered Norwich sparked an ember of optimism but deep down we all knew...

**Motorboater** · May 27th, 2024, 02:00 PM

I was disappointed Leeds didn't get through. I was hoping their promotion was the start of a sustained period in the PL. Even if they were to yo-yo for a bit, come back for most of a 20 year period.

**pierrelm** · May 29th, 2024, 06:09 AM

Meanwhile, condolences to the Plymouth Argyle Green Army, as decent a bunch of supporters as you'll ever be likely to meet.

Apparently the somewhat bewildering appointment of Rooney, W. as manager has quite a bit to do with the owner being scouser bezzies with the former England tournament underachiever. And thus bugger all to do with his recent abject management failure at Brum.

Thoughts and prayers...

**tsunamiSD** · May 29th, 2024, 11:24 AM

Copa 71 trailer

Told by the pioneering women who participated in it and built from archives unseen for fifty years, this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women’s Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history – until now. It is August 1971. Teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered in Mexico City for a watershed soccer tournament: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and over 100,000 roaring fans turning the historic Azteca Stadium into a cauldron of noise while a fawning media treated the players like rock stars. This was the greatest show on Earth but, despite being one of the most ground-breaking moments in soccer history, you’ve probably never heard of it. And why? Because the players were all women, and the heroic event that unfolded, had been sidelined from history – until now. COPA 71 is the extraordinary story of an extraordinary tournament – told through the voices of those who lived it: fearless women from across the globe to whom today’s players, be they superstar like Megan Rapinoe, Lucy Bronze and Marta, or a young girl playing in her local park, owe so much. The tournament was the flame that lit the touchpaper for the explosion of women’s soccer around the globe – the catalyst that led to the 2015 Women’s World Cup final gaining TV audiences in America larger than the NBA final. In spite of the fact that the blazer-wearing men of soccer associations around the world waged a war on women’s soccer from the 1920s, and that soccer’s governing body tried to stop Copa ’71 from happening at all, this remarkable event is believed to be the highest-ever attendance for a women’s sporting event – and at 100,000+ it is a record that will likely never be broken. Through recently uncovered and never-seen archive and compelling contemporary interviews, the film revels in the excitement, passion and humour of this inexplicably well-kept secret. With cinematic flair, an original score, and thumping 70’s soundtrack driven by female singer songwriters including Carol King, Nancy Sinatra, Kiki Dee, Koko Taylore and Lara Saint Paul, COPA 71 sets the players’ personal stories within the context of omen’s liberation movement in the 60s through to present day in England, Italy, France, Argentina, Denmark and Mexico.

**Motorboater** · May 31st, 2024, 01:10 PM

Such a long season has gone and a few things personally have distracted me that you forget the CL final is on this weekend.

**Motorboater** · June 2nd, 2024, 07:42 AM

It was a fascinating final. I loved Dortmund in the first half. I wasn't bothered so much that they didn't score because I thought they'd carry on and win.

But Real Madrid, with know-it-all Ancellotti unperturbed on the sideline, just squeezed Dortmund like a python, and the bang, bang, the final is over.

**Devius** · June 3rd, 2024, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Devius

Pochettino leaves Chelsea after one season
21 May 2024, 19:21 BST

Breaking news:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c1ww8xw8nywo

Related...

Chelsea appoint Leicester's Maresca as manager

Quote:

Chelsea have appointed Leicester manager Enzo Maresca as their new boss on a five-year contract with the option of an extra year.

The Italian replaces Mauricio Pochettino, who left by mutual consent on 21 May after just one season at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca, 44, took charge of the Foxes in June 2023 and led them to the Championship title last term.

"To join Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is a dream for any coach," he said. "It is why I am so excited by this opportunity.

"I look forward to working with a very talented group of players and staff to develop a team that continues the club's tradition of success and makes our fans proud."

Maresca, who will begin his new role on 1 July, is Chelsea's sixth managerial appointment in five years and the fourth since American investor Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital bought the club in May 2022.

Chelsea endured a mixed 2023-24 but won their final five games to end the campaign in sixth and qualify for the Europa Conference League.

The Blues also finished runners-up in the Carabao Cup and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Several candidates were on a shortlist following Pochettino's departure, including former Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi, Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna and Brentford's Thomas Frank.

Chelsea's co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart said Maresca "deeply impressed us in our discussions leading up to his appointment" and his "ambitions and work ethic align with those of the club".

The Chelsea players not on international duty this summer are scheduled to return to the club for pre-season under Maresca on 4 July as they prepare for a tour of the United States.

Maresca's coaching staff at Leicester, including former Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, will work alongside him at Stamford Bridge.

Full details:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cyxxnve9g23o

**Motorboater** · June 4th, 2024, 01:25 PM

That's fair enough.

Kompany going to Bayern Munich is an interesting move.

edit: It's annoying with the repeat posts.

**pierrelm** · June 4th, 2024, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboater

Kompany going to Bayern Munich is an interesting move.

If it works - if they're not 6 points clear by the New Year, interesting may be underplaying the situation.

I wonder what No-Trophy Arry K is thinking?
" hmm this might be just the right time to take a punt on an 'interesting' outsider..."
I think not! Meanwhile Arsenal are yet to sign a striker...it's in the tea-leaves, I tells yer...

footnote -
Red Bull have chucked some cash into the Elland Road kitty. They've tried before to get a foothold at LS11 and were more than mildly surprised at the reception the name change proposal to 'RB Leeds' received. Two chances of that, fat and slim. We do have some standards. No, really.

May 29th, 2024, 11:24 AM	#26565
tsunamiSD Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 53,844 Thanks: 644,242 Thanked 650,721 Times in 53,927 Posts	Copa 71 trailer Told by the pioneering women who participated in it and built from archives unseen for fifty years, this is the extraordinary story of the 1971 Women’s Soccer World Cup, a tournament witnessed by record crowds that has been written out of sporting history – until now. It is August 1971. Teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered in Mexico City for a watershed soccer tournament: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and over 100,000 roaring fans turning the historic Azteca Stadium into a cauldron of noise while a fawning media treated the players like rock stars. This was the greatest show on Earth but, despite being one of the most ground-breaking moments in soccer history, you’ve probably never heard of it. And why? Because the players were all women, and the heroic event that unfolded, had been sidelined from history – until now. COPA 71 is the extraordinary story of an extraordinary tournament – told through the voices of those who lived it: fearless women from across the globe to whom today’s players, be they superstar like Megan Rapinoe, Lucy Bronze and Marta, or a young girl playing in her local park, owe so much. The tournament was the flame that lit the touchpaper for the explosion of women’s soccer around the globe – the catalyst that led to the 2015 Women’s World Cup final gaining TV audiences in America larger than the NBA final. In spite of the fact that the blazer-wearing men of soccer associations around the world waged a war on women’s soccer from the 1920s, and that soccer’s governing body tried to stop Copa ’71 from happening at all, this remarkable event is believed to be the highest-ever attendance for a women’s sporting event – and at 100,000+ it is a record that will likely never be broken. Through recently uncovered and never-seen archive and compelling contemporary interviews, the film revels in the excitement, passion and humour of this inexplicably well-kept secret. With cinematic flair, an original score, and thumping 70’s soundtrack driven by female singer songwriters including Carol King, Nancy Sinatra, Kiki Dee, Koko Taylore and Lara Saint Paul, COPA 71 sets the players’ personal stories within the context of omen’s liberation movement in the 60s through to present day in England, Italy, France, Argentina, Denmark and Mexico. __________________ Fortitudo, Fidelitas, Decus I can re-up all my celeb posts, most of my funny posts, and many of my misc funny posts.

June 4th, 2024, 01:25 PM	#26569
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,414 Thanks: 42,770 Thanked 39,992 Times in 4,388 Posts	That's fair enough. Kompany going to Bayern Munich is an interesting move. edit: It's annoying with the repeat posts. Last edited by Motorboater; June 4th, 2024 at 01:34 PM..

May 27th, 2024, 04:34 AM	#26562
pierrelm Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Midst the fen mists Posts: 5,471 Thanks: 55,938 Thanked 73,298 Times in 5,443 Posts	We're sticklers for tradition. Take us to Wembley and we underwhelm, underachieve and ultimately don't show up. The vultures are circling over LS11 already: after watching Summerville fail on the big day, there's already talk of his exit but with a reduced fee, ditto Willy Gnonto. Farke did a remarkable job fashioning a decent side from bare bones at the start of the season, but doubt remains over his ability to manage his side to be winners - we could and should have finished second in the league, but had some dreadful performances on the run in. One great game against a clearly bewildered Norwich sparked an ember of optimism but deep down we all knew...

May 27th, 2024, 02:00 PM	#26563
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,414 Thanks: 42,770 Thanked 39,992 Times in 4,388 Posts	I was disappointed Leeds didn't get through. I was hoping their promotion was the start of a sustained period in the PL. Even if they were to yo-yo for a bit, come back for most of a 20 year period.

May 29th, 2024, 06:09 AM	#26564
pierrelm Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Midst the fen mists Posts: 5,471 Thanks: 55,938 Thanked 73,298 Times in 5,443 Posts	Meanwhile, condolences to the Plymouth Argyle Green Army, as decent a bunch of supporters as you'll ever be likely to meet. Apparently the somewhat bewildering appointment of Rooney, W. as manager has quite a bit to do with the owner being scouser bezzies with the former England tournament underachiever. And thus bugger all to do with his recent abject management failure at Brum. Thoughts and prayers...

May 31st, 2024, 01:10 PM	#26566
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,414 Thanks: 42,770 Thanked 39,992 Times in 4,388 Posts	Such a long season has gone and a few things personally have distracted me that you forget the CL final is on this weekend.

June 2nd, 2024, 07:42 AM	#26567
Motorboater Vintage Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 4,414 Thanks: 42,770 Thanked 39,992 Times in 4,388 Posts	It was a fascinating final. I loved Dortmund in the first half. I wasn't bothered so much that they didn't score because I thought they'd carry on and win. But Real Madrid, with know-it-all Ancellotti unperturbed on the sideline, just squeezed Dortmund like a python, and the bang, bang, the final is over.