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Key events
As the season comes to a close, a few random stats. No wonder Darwin is a frustrated and frustrating figure.
Most offsides in Premier League
33 Darwin Nunez
28 Nicolas Jackson
23 Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jean-Philippe Mateta
Most hit woodwork in Premier League
9 Darwin Nunez
5 Jarrod Bowen
4 Carlton Morris, James Garner, Ollie Watkins, Son Heung-Min
Thanks Yara. Yes, all very surreal. You can follow all the Scheffler shenanigans on our live US PGA blog.
That’s all from me for now. Dave is back (all caught up on the golf drama, I presume) and will take it from here. Thanks for joining me.
An email!
Oliver writes:
“As a coach (U8s/U9s), I’ve got to say I think the rules changes regarding heading and pass-ins are at best unnecessary and, at worst, ridiculous.
What benefit is there to teaching kids to take a pass-in rather than a throw in? And how is that at all reflective of what they’ll then go home and watch at 3pm on a Saturday? Why teach them something completely different to actual football?
As for heading, I understand and appreciate the risk and need to mitigate it – but at the same time do we really need to punish a child when, on the rare occasion they do head a, normally slow moving, football, they make a strong and high quality defensive or offensive header? It feels overly burdensome and unnecessary to do so.”
Interesting to hear the perspective of someone who works in grassroots.
Do you have thoughts on the new rule changes? Send over an email, which you can find at the top of this blog.
Here is a reminder of the issues the Tottenham manager said were at the club earlier in the week.
Tottenham: Ange Postecoglou has relaxed a bit after a frustrating match against Manchester City, but says the issues at the club have not been fixed.
The manager was very frustrated in the dugout during the loss against City and in his subsequent post-match interviews he called out fans and people working internally at the club for wanting to throw the game just to deter their rivals, Arsenal, from winning the league.
Postecoglou now says that Tuesday was “the worst managerial experience of [his] life” and he did not want anyone to question his integrity if City won comfortably.
I think, as I said at the time, we have some work to do. It is clear and evident and that is what we need to focus on.
I have been determined from day one. Nothing has changed. I haven’t been deterred, if that’s what people are worried about.
When you accept the role you accept what comes with it. Nothing has changed in terms of how we go about that. But you have to know where you are at.
On if the issues he was upset about on Tuesday had been resolved:
No, not in two days. We’ve got some work to do. It’s clear and evident and that’s what we’ve got to focus on.
Manchester City: Here is the reaction straight from Pep Guardiola when asked if he thinks his team is well liked.
“Do you think people like your football team?” 💭
Not sure anyone expected that reaction from Pep 😭😂 pic.twitter.com/BUx4eiat8t
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 17, 2024
Chelsea: Mauricio Pochettino recognises that it is a results-based job but believes it is still important to have the backing of the club’s owners.
Pochettino’s relationship with the London’s club board has constantly been questioned given how much money they invested in the transfer window and how tumultuous the season has been on the pitch.
It’s important to have backing from the owners, in the end they are the bosses. We know coaches are judged on results in a very short period, but it’s important to feel the backing of the owners.
We are happy with the way we are finishing the season. One or two months more [on this form] and we could be close to the top positions, so we are also a little disappointed [the season is ending now].
On feeling love from the fans:
They need to trust in us. The only way that they can trust in us is the results because the process and work we are doing inside is difficult for them to analyse because they don’t know what we are doing every single day.
I’m going to show my respect to the fans. We always try to be very respectful.
On the possibility of scrapping VAR next season:
I like the VAR. The way we need to improve is how we use VAR.
We need to be open and to welcome the new technology. I think it’s good for football, [we only need] to decide the best strategy to improve in the way we use VAR.
And on Reece James, who was sent off against Brighton in the midweek game:
It was a really difficult season but now we need to help him to move on and then to accept punishment that will be there in the next few days.
He needs to be ready for pre-season to start to train to build his fitness and then the talent is there.
For sure next season he is going to be one of the best players in the Premier League.
Manchester City: Pep Guardiola does not know what the people think about his football team but believes his side will receive full credit if they pull off an unprecedented fourth Premier League title in a row.
I don’t go knocking the door of every person and ask: ‘What do you think about us?’ It does not matter. I don’t know. Honestly. The fact is, if you ask all the Premier League teams where they wanted to be at the start of the season, we are in the best position. That’s for sure.
The Manchester City manager was also asked about his opponents on the final day, West Ham,
We would like to be 3-0 up after 10 minutes but it’s not going to happen. I saw enough West Ham games in the past three days. They have a few things we have to control.
They will be ready to beat us. I don’t have any doubt about that. It was the same with Aston Villa two years ago – they were in the same position, they didn’t have anything to play for – and we know what happened.
Don’t talk about the consequences, just what you have to do to win, to control it, the transitions, the coolness, the set-pieces, the long balls – how you defend every single ball.
On David Moyes:
He will not retire. He will be back. That is my feeling. With his age and experience, he cannot be at home. My first game in the Premier League was against Sunderland and David Moyes was there. Always an honour to see him.
On the possibility of winning the title:
We want to experience it again and we have to perform. You can’t think ‘we want to win it’, you have to do something to [earn] it, you have to be resilient in the bad moments.
Thanks Dave and hello all! Before we get to Pep Guardiola’s press conference ahead of the final day of the season, here is some more on Jürgen Klopp and Emma Hayes before the final games at their respective clubs.
Andy Hunter sat down with Klopp and the outgoing Liverpool manager reveals all in this Q&A including his feelings during his first presser, his favourite game at the club and which opposition player is a ‘fucker’ for how they performed against his side.
Meanwhile Sophie Downey broke down Hayes’ best moments during her time in the dugout. And trust me, there is quite a few: beating rivals at Wembley, domestic doubles and turning over the best team in the world at their home ground.
Righty, while I go and read more about Scottie Scheffler being arrested, here’s Yara El-Shaboury to guide you through the early afternoon.
Hayes fears decline in female coaches
Departing Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is concerned that the number of female coaches in the Women’s Super League will dwindle. Hayes ends her trophy-laden 12-year career at the Blues with a trip to Manchester United on Saturday while on the same day Carla Ward waves farewell to Aston Villa, who host Manchester City. Both are parents.
Speaking at a press conference today ahead of the trip to Old Trafford, Hayes said: “I’ve been an advocate of not just the women’s game but how to do the best for women in the game and I still think we’re wide of the mark with that.
“I think there will be declining numbers of female coaches for sure, because of the demands. And if you’re a parent, forget about it, unless we have an openness and a willingness to consider different things. It’s really, really difficult to be a parent and full-time in this industry, which isn’t nine to five, it’s seven days a week.
“So I think being open to doing things differently – I’d love to see a co-coaching team, females coaching the game, maybe two mums. I think we have to consider those things.”
Hayes, who won six WSL titles with Chelsea, is becoming the new head coach of the United States.
Klopp’s doing one. So is Tuchel. Ten Hag could be on his way. So how about Xavi? Here’s Fabrizio Romano on goings on at Barcelona.
🚨🔵🔴 Internal talks ongoing right now at Barça, tense situation with president Laporta unhappy with Xavi.
Xavi’s recent words on financial situation and also on Vitor Roque, key points.
🆕 Rafa Márquez remains high on club’s list, still waiting for final decision on Xavi. pic.twitter.com/z9mTxqKUQo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2024
FA to phase out heading in youth grassroots football
The Football Association has announced a plan to phase out deliberate heading in matches involving players under the age of 12 over the next three seasons. The move follows the successful completion of a two-year trial instigated by the International Football Association Board (IFAB).
Implementation of the rule will be a gradual process starting with U7 to U9 levels from next season, followed by U10 level from 2025 and U11s from 2026. It will apply to all affiliated grassroots youth football, and will be supplemented by support for young players as they adapt to heading the ball during their U12 season.
Under the new rule, a deliberate header will be punishable by an indirect free-kick. If the ball is deliberately headed out of play, the opposing team will be awarded with a ‘pass-in’ or ‘dribble-in’, instead of a throw-in. The FA was the first national association to adopt the IFAB heading trial in 2022, and it was subsequently adopted by over 16,000 teams and 107,000 players. The introduction of the rule follows a series of consultations with representatives across the grassroots game, and has been approved by the FA Board and FA shareholders.
The FA said in a statement: “We first introduced the IFAB trial with the aim to help positively shape grassroots youth football – and to ensure that matches at this level are aligned to our current heading guidance for training.
“This was established in 2020 following consultation with the grassroots game, coaches and other experts across football, and recommends that heading is removed or restricted at this level. The gradual introduction of the new rule over the next three seasons will support the players’ journey as they adapt from deliberately heading the ball in grassroots youth football matches.”
(PA Media)
Jürgen Klopp has been talking in his press conference about silverware and whether he thinks he won enough of it during his eight and a half seasons at Liverpool. The tally of eight trophies includes one Premier League title after a 30-year wait and the club’s sixth success in the Champions League. He closes out his final campaign with just one trophy, the Carabao Cup, despite somewhat fanciful hopes of a quadruple at one point.
“I really think it was the absolute opposite of a waste of time. We used absolutely everything and tried to make the best out of everything and tried to enjoy it as much as somehow possible,” said Klopp.
“For me it is absolutely fine [the trophy haul]. I know we could have won more but I cannot change that. We could have won less, that’s possible as well.
“Not becoming champion for a point [second to Manchester City with 97 points in 2019 and 92 in 2022] is not a great experience but it is an experience which shows you that you are really good.
“That will not be in the history books, obviously. And the nearly-wins won’t be there, that’s life. When you are in it you cannot see it like that. I couldn’t have done anything different in these moments.”
Eddie Howe has been reflecting on Newcastle’s season as he delivers his final press conference of the 2023/24 campaign. Currently in seventh, the Magpies could finish sixth with a win at Brentford on Sunday as long as Chelsea lose at home to Bournemouth. But they could also slip to eighth if Manchester United (away at Brighton) better their result. Seventh would leave them without European football next season if Erik ten Hag’s men win the FA Cup.
Howe said: “I think we’ll look back with a tinge of ‘what could have been’ in many aspects, whether you’re talking the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup, the Champions League, the Premier League. I think we’ve done OK, I think we’ve done well – but it could have been so different, it could have been even more memorable, so that will be a frustration that will live with me.
“Before the last two games, we had the initiative and now we don’t and it’s not in our hands any more, but we have to deal with it. We can only control now our performance and our result against Brentford and we have to do everything we can to do our part because what you don’t want is for the other teams to make a mistake and we’re not there to capitalise on it.”
Team news: Newcastle hope to have Callum Wilson back from illness but will make a late decision on Anthony Gordon, who suffered an ankle injury in the 3-2 loss at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has been named Heerenveen head coach, his first first managerial post.
The 40-year-old, who has spent this season in charge of the Dutch side’s Under-18s, said: “I would like to continue my development and the role of head coach fits in perfectly with that goal. I am therefore pleased with the opportunity that Heerenveen offers me.
“Heerenveen is a very nice Eredivisie club with a rich tradition and loyal supporters. It is a fantastic challenge to contribute to the sporting ambitions and development of the club as head coach.”
Suzanne Wrack
Jonas Eidevall has said he understands why there are a “lot of raw emotions” after the announcement that the WSL record goalscorer, Vivianne Miedema, will leave Arsenal at the end of the season having not been offered a new contract. The 27-year-old forward is believed to be joining Manchester City and a layer of Arsenal fans have been vocal in their displeasure at the decision to let her leave.
Eidevall called it a “unified club decision” but said he would not go into the details of why they made it. “It’s a unified club decision; we obviously took a lot of care in making that decision and we had to weigh a lot of different factors in that decision and what’s best for the club,” he said. “I don’t think it would be worth me sitting here and explaining why or why not we go in certain directions, because I think it would be overshadowing what has been a truly remarkable story with Vivianne Miedema and Arsenal.”
The manager praised the connection “between the team and the supporters and the club and the supporters” over recent seasons and said it was only natural that these feelings would extend to individual players.
“I understand that football is emotions and decisions like this leave a lot of raw emotions as well. My message would be that, when we are working, when we are taking decisions like this, it’s to build Arsenal as strong as possible for the future and we want nothing more than to be as successful as possible on the pitch. That’s the direction we want to go as a club … We’ll hopefully also have positive and encouraging news here in the coming weeks in how we’re strengthening the squad and the set-up around the team.”
Skinner extends stay at Man Utd
Manchester United boss Marc Skinner has signed a one-year contract extension with the option for a further 12 months.
The 41-year-old former Birmingham manager succeeded Casey Stoney at United in the summer of 2021. The team, who were launched in 2018, finished fourth in the WSL in 2021-22, then second last season, as well as being FA Cup runners-up.
They are currently fifth in the table and Skinner has faced some fan criticism, but the news of his extension comes five days on from him overseeing United win their first major trophy, beating Tottenham 4-0 in the FA Cup final.
Skinner said in a statement from the club: “It’s an honour to extend my stay at Manchester United. I’ve always felt at home here, with our excellent players, staff, and fans. Being able to secure the team’s first major trophy at Wembley was a real career highlight for me and another sign of our continued growth, on and off the field.
“Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this journey, and I look forward to creating many more winning memories together.”
Matt Johnson, interim head of women’s football, said: “Everyone at Manchester United is delighted to see Marc continue as women’s team head coach and build on the success of the team’s historic FA Cup win. Congratulations to Marc on his contract extension and we all wish him and the team the best of luck going into the new season.”
United, who were eliminated in the Champions League qualifying rounds early in their 2023-24 campaign, conclude it on Saturday by playing Chelsea at Old Trafford in their final league game.
(PA Media)
An Arsenal fan (Ben) writes… “I don’t want to just rail against all the claims of ’bottle jobs’ and the like. This Arsenal team have made some amazing strides over the last few years. Their accomplishments should be celebrated, not discarded because we didn’t win the league. For a young team to be challenging City all the way to the end, when about three years ago we were struggling to even get into Europe, is an amazing turnaround. Especially when the one other manager to do that over recent years has admitted it is all too much and voluntarily stepped out.”
It’s not quite done yet, I suppose. Imagine if Paquetá, Bowen and Kudus use the City game as a big audition and really turn it on. A team in claret and blue nearly took it away from City two years ago. Okay, I’m clutching at straws. Man City 4-1 West Ham.
Tuchel confirms Bayern exit
Thomas Tuchel has confirmed he will leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season after failing to reach an agreement with the club to stay on as coach after talks this week. Good news for Manchester United? The German is favourite in the ‘next United manager’ betting, although an uncertain one at 7/2 ahead of 9/2 Gareth Southgate and 6/1 Thomas Frank.
Full details from Reuters below…
Tuchel took over last March and steered them to the Bundesliga title last season but Bayern will finish the current campaign without any silverware for the first time in more than a decade. Bayern bosses had informed Tuchel in February he would not stay on for the last year of his contract and would leave at the end of the season.
But after several prospective successors, including Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick and Xabi Alonso, decided to remain in their current jobs, Bayern turned to Tuchel to discuss the possibility of him staying on.
“This is the last press conference here. The February decision remains,” Tuchel said. “There were talks again with the club in the past week but we did not reach an agreement on a continued cooperation so we stick with the February decision. We did not agree but I won’t go into individual points. That all happens behind closed doors.”
The Bavarians, who travel to Hoffenheim on the last matchday of the season on Saturday, are battling to hold on to second place in the table and are two points ahead of VfB Stuttgart. They crashed out to third-tier Saarbruecken in the German Cup and were eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals, ending the campaign without a trophy despite spending a league-record 100 million euros ($108.41 million) to sign striker Harry Kane.
“The decision for me to leave was taken in February so you can imagine that my head, after processing, was 1000% behind that decision,” Tuchel said. “There was the theoretical possibility of a 180 degree turn now and the initiative came from the club. The reasons why it did not happen, I don’t know, are minimal. Maybe the reasons are not clear, also for the decision in February, but it is what it is,” Tuchel said.
Norwich sack Wagner
Ben Fisher
Norwich City sacked David Wagner hours after they were thrashed by Leeds in Thursday’s playoff semi-final second leg, with the club keen to embark on a fresh approach. Defeat abruptly ended Norwich’s hopes of a return to the Premier League.
Wagner, who led Huddersfield to promotion to the Premier League in 2017, was appointed in January 2023, replacing Dean Smith. He guided Norwich to 13th in the Championship last season.
Wolves’ bid to get VAR in the bin from the start of next season has a supporter, even though he can’t vote. Anyone know Arne Slot’s views? Wolves need 13 other top-flight sides to join them in voting in favour of their motion at next month’s Premier League AGM.
🔴🖥️ Klopp on vote for VAR: “How it’s used is definitely not right, how they use it… I would vote against VAR”.
“These people cannot do it properly. VAR is not the problem, you cannot change the people so I would vote for scrapping VAR”. pic.twitter.com/6kpFdAdA1M
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 17, 2024
Some related Messi content. A look at the MLS’s top earners.
Talking of forgotten footballers, whatever happened to Christian Benteke? Well, we’ll tell you what: he’s only the joint-top scorer in the MLS this season having found the net 11 times for DC United. That’s one more than Messi. How and why? It’s all here in Joseph Lowery’s latest MLS power rankings.
Brazil will host the Women’s World Cup in 2027 after seeing off a joint Belgium-Netherlands-Germany bid by 119 votes to 78. It’s the first time the tournament will be held in a South American country.
Not too far north, Mexico played host in 1971, a tournament that had seemingly been forgotten until recently.
Arsenal could get to 89 points on Sunday and still not win the title. Little sympathy from Liverpool fans who racked up enormous points tallies of 97 (2019) and 92 (2022) and were still pipped by Manchester City. Here, Guardian Sport looks at the fine margins that look set to cost the Gunners their first Premier League title since 2004.
Let’s revel in some more Klopp. Andy Hunter sat down with the Liverpool boss to reflect on the German’s Anfield career that delivered seven major trophies and made him a club legend.
The general view on life in Liverpool is very similar to mine. I’m ready to fight for the right things. Do I think I deserve everything? No, and it’s fine that other people should have things as well. I’m not a socialist but I do come from there and I understand life like that. I fitted so well. I didn’t have to change a bit – that was the biggest blessing. Just be myself. That’s why it worked out so well in my relationship with the people.
Will Leeds be back in the Premier League next season? Well, they’re only one step away after reaching the Championship playoff final at Wembley on Sunday week thanks to a 4-0 gubbing of Norwich at Elland Road last night. Louise Taylor was there.
More quotes from Klopp soon as his unforgettable reign at Anfield comes to an end. In the meantime, let’s break off from the chin wobbling stuff with a solid and meaty dose of ‘Ten things’.
And more tears in Liverpool circles. It’s also farewell to Thiago Alcantara, the Reds’ silky but very injury-prone Spanish midfielder. Thiago, whose father won the World Cup with Brazil, made 98 appearances over his four seasons with the Reds after signing from Bayern Munich, sometimes looking their best player but too often watching on from the bench.
The 33-year-old has done an Instagram to say goodbye.
Appreciation and gratitude – they are two words that come to mind on the day I have to say goodbye to all of you, Reds. Thankful, too.
Thankful for the opportunity to have been a part of this city, this club and this community. The continuous support I have received since day one has been incredible: Anfield cheering, the Kop chanting… amazing, overwhelming. A very unique fan base for a unique club.
These past four years have been a time of learning for me and my family. Some wins, some defeats, but without a doubt, a life-changing experience.
Teammates, coaches, staff and club employees: you were all part of it. And to the fans, I don’t have the words. Just know you will have my deepest gratitude forever. Thank you, it was an honour. All the best always, Liverpool FC.
Matip bids goodbye to Liverpool
Farewell Joel Matip. Liverpool’s centre-back is leaving the club after eight seasons with the Reds. The 32-year-old was among the first signings made by Jürgen Klopp in 2015, snapping the Cameroon defender up on a free transfer from Schalke 04. He went on to make 201 appearances, scoring 11 goals and setting up the second goal in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League final win over Spurs.
Klopp has been fulsome in his praise of the defender, whose mazy dribbles towards opposition territory helped secure cult status with the Anfield crowd.
In all the years that I have been involved in football, I am not sure I have come across too many players who are more loved than Joel Matip. I’m not even sure it would be possible to say anything bad about him,” said Klopp.
A wonderful professional, a wonderful footballer and a wonderful human being – we have been blessed to have him with us for as long as we have and now all we can do is wish him well as he heads off in a new direction.
Joel’s qualities as a player are there for all to see and as a club we have benefited from them since the first moment that he joined. I don’t think he has had too many headlines over the years but he has only ever been a very famous figure within our group.
I have said before that if there was one person who wouldn’t care if he was underrated it would be Joel, but the truth is we could not have rated him more highly. Not only has he set the standards for himself, he has set them for others and this is one of the main reasons why his time here has been so successful.
If I had to choose one moment from his time here it would definitely be his assist for Divock Origi at the Champions League final in Madrid,” added Klopp. “This was the touch that detonated an explosion in the LFC family. What a moment. What a player.
We wish Joel and his family the very best for the future.
Preamble
And for the final time in the 2023/24 Premier League season, matchday 38 of 38, we bring you hot build-up to all the top-flight weekend action.
By weekend, we mean Sunday: all 10 games kick off at the same time, 4pm. And by ‘hot’ we, erm, mean the race for sixth.
Okay, there’s still a title race to complete but Manchester City are 1/12 with the bookies to get the home win over West Ham that would leave Arsenal fans performing a collective ‘what more could we have done’ shrug. “Not lost at home to Villa,” says a Spurs fan out of the side of his mouth. And if Luton win 25-0, or something like that, they could still survive on goal difference and send Nottingham Forest down.
So, yes, it’s all to play for. Come on, you won’t get another of these until August so jump aboard, see what the managers have got to say and look for the clues that will help decide who will finish higher out of Brighton (10th) and Bournemouth (11th).
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