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The club has finished fifth in the last two WBBL seasons which has already led to some changes

Andrew McGlashan09-Jul-2021Lisa Sthalekar, the newly appointed list manager for Sydney Sixers, believes the WBBL side have not kept up with the evolution of the T20 game as the club look to rebound from two disappointing seasons.The Sixers, who are currently searching for a new head coach after Ben Sawyer moved full-time to the Australia set-up, have finished fifth in the last two seasons to miss out on finals having previously been back-to-back champions and runner’s up on two other occasions.Significant moves had been made before Sthalekar’s new role was confirmed with the club not re-signing South Africa duo Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk while India opener Shafali Verma is expected to be one of their new overseas players.The Sixers’ game plan has been based around Alyssa Healy leading the scoring rate with Ellyse Perry seen as an anchor through an innings, but that could be one of the elements that changes this season with Verma a logical opening partner for Healy if the deal is confirmed.”I think the issue was that we were really successful at the start and the formula that we put in place, and I was one of the players involved in the first few years, that was how we decided to play cricket,” Sthalekar told reporters. “The game changed and I don’t think the Sixers necessarily adapted towards the change of the T20 format and how it was being played.Related

Sydney Sixers confirm India pair Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav for WBBL

Block, grind, restraint: The rise and rise of Shafali Verma

Lisa Sthalekar and Alex Blackwell join Sydney Sixers and Thunder as list managers

“I know they did a thorough review after the recent WBBL season and things have already been set in motion prior to me coming on board. I think you’ll see a different style of game the Sixers will play this season.”Healy and Perry were far and away the Sixers’ most prolific batters last season. Healy made 402 runs with a strike-rate of 161.44 but while Perry, who was making her way back from a severe hamstring injury, made 390 runs at an average of 48.75 her strike-rate was under a run-a-ball.Meanwhile, Ash Gardner, one of the most destructive batters in the game, only faced 69 balls during the season although that was partly due to suffering another concussion.”I’m talking about trying to find the perfect position for each of the players in their role,” Sthalekar said. “We’ve had the luxury of having Alyssa Healy at the top and Ellyse Perry being that stable person throughout the innings, but is it an opportunity for two players to go hard at the top?”Think that’s something the Sixers will look at for this coming season. Where does an Ash Gardner fit, where does an Erin Burns fit? How do we get the best out of them? Is there an opportunity to change it based on the current situation of the match?”Verma is one of a number of India players expected to join the league with the advantage of them already being in the country for the multi-format series against Australia so having completed their two weeks quarantine.With the continued need to quarantine and the Australian government reducing arrival caps there could yet be challenges getting overseas players in for both the WBBL and BBL with New Zealand a potential source of talent for the former talent due to the travel bubble.”It’s very hard to plan and I think most clubs will have to try to have a Plan B and C,” Sthalekar said. “It helps that they [India] are in the country and have already done the two weeks quarantine. We’ve got to take that into consideration, players doing that hard two weeks is tough…so the fact India will be out here does lead to probably a lot of the clubs trying to target the Indian players.”However, Alex Blackwell, the list manager for Sydney Thunder’s WBBL side who are the defending champions, believes depth of local talent is as important as overseas players.The Thunder will need at least two new overseas signings with Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont unavailable due to England’s tour of Pakistan in October.”It’s not just about the overseas players, one of the strengths of Sydney Thunder is they’ve developed and grown players from New South Wales and from country areas,” she said. “The core of the WBBL squad is fairly stable with a great mix of young players coming through who have had really good opportunity under pressure to show just how good they are.”The overseas players are so important to get the mix right but think they are the icing on the cake for what is a wonderful squad which includes some of our most exciting local players.”

Ruben Amorim has revealed he will block Manchester United players from taking extended holidays during the international break.

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Amorim to block holidays during international breakPart of plan to improve disciplineRashford and Casemiro trips to USA sparked controversyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

During the international break, Rashford and Casemiro opted to take a break from the so far hectic season, visiting the USA after not being called up for their countries. Though Amorim refused to criticise the pair, he is set to crack down on unnecessary breaks while the season is in progress.

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Amorim claimed he was not given authority to stop Rashford and Casemiro racking up the air miles, but will look to review this policy after being fully onboarded as the club's new head coach.

WHAT AMORIM SAID

At a press conference, Amorim said of these holidays, "Would I set a different structure? Yes, for sure. But we cannot put this on the players.

"They told them they have five days off so they can fly anywhere. Because nobody in the club says you cannot fly. So we cannot, this time, put that on Rash or Case. Us as a club have to set the standards and have to manage that.

"It’s my decision if they can have five days, or three days, or three days to rest and you cannot fly. This is something that us as a club have to decide. So this must be started in the club, with us and me being responsible in that area."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MAN UTD?

While Amorim is busy making changes off the field, Sunday brings his first opportunity to show he can impact the club on it. United travel to Ipswich for their inaugural game under the management of the Portuguese coach.

Newcastle United have submitted their first offer to Crystal Palace for Marc Guehi, and reliable journalist Mark Douglas has delivered an exciting hint on what happens next.

Newcastle eyeing new centre-back

Toulouse centre-back Logan Costa was the latest player to be linked with a summer move to St James' Park this week, with the 23-year-old also believed to be wanted by fellow Premier League side West Ham. He started 29 matches in Ligue 1 last season, impressing for his current club and averaging 2.1 aerial duel wins per game in the competition.

Meanwhile, Guehi continues to be mentioned as a leading option at the heart of Eddie Howe's defence, too, as they look to make significant additions in that area of the pitch but face competition from Liverpool. The 24-year-old's performances for England at Euro 2024 have seen his stock rise, and he looks to be a primary option for several top flight sides.

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez has also been mentioned as a target for the Magpies, with the 27-year-old having to settle for a squad role at Anfield in recent times, often in a full-back role. While the thought of regular playing time centrally may appeal to him, it looks as though he is happy to prove himself under Arne Slot, though, meaning Newcastle will have to look elsewhere. Now, a fresh update has dropped regarding their search for a centre-back, with a significant development taking place.

Newcastle not stopping after Guehi bid

Taking to X on Monday evening, the reliable David Ornstein claimed that Newcastle have now submitted an opening bid for the services of Crystal Palace star Guehi. That bid is thought to have been rejected, but talks are continuing and there is confidence a deal can be agreed despite one not being close yet, according to Sky Sports' Keith Downie.

This is a major step in the right direction for Newcastle, confirming the strength of their interest in Guehi, who could be such an exciting signing for the Magpies, but the good news doesn't stop there, as Douglas hints the Magpies could have even more planned before the season kicks off next weekend.

The Tyneside outfit have been strongly linked with signing a new right-sided attacker due to the possible departure – or simply lack of form – of Miguel Almiron, who despite being a fan favourite has not provided enough end product in the last 12 months to cement his spot.

Guehi meanwhile was so impressive for the Euros, coming in for the injured Harry Maguire and arguably proving to be the Three Lions' standout performer in Germany, as his statistics below highlight.

Appearances

6

Starts

6

Minutes played

570

Goals

0

Assists

1

Aerial duel wins per game

2.2

Clearances per game

2.0

Pass completion rate

93.5%

Michael Beale knew Guehi well during his youth team days, coaching him at Chelsea, and he has waxed lyrical over him recently, saying: "He shows a huge amount of confidence to play on the left side and his technical upbringing from Chelsea means he can use his left foot, albeit he is dominant on his right foot. When you see the teams line up, he's not the biggest centre-back but he has a huge leap. Quietly people are realising we have an absolute gem in him."

It is now a case of seeing PIF and Paul Mitchell can get a deal done for the £50,000-a-week defender – if they do, the Magpies could have a fantastic signing on their hands, and it sounds like they will be straight onto the chase for their next signing

The Royals’ overseas roster stands at just five members with Coetzee’s addition

ESPNcricinfo staff01-May-2021South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen, it appears, is not going to join the Rajasthan Royals in India for the remainder of IPL 2021. ESPNcricinfo understands that he got a visa to fly to India but failed to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Cricket South Africa, who cited injury as the reason for this. He was meant to replace the injured Ben Stokes.The Royals, meanwhile, named 20-year-old South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee as a replacement for England batter Liam Livingstone. Coetzee has landed in India and finished his quarantine, and trained with the Royals squad on Saturday.The Royals’ overseas roster has dwindled to just five, including Jos Buttler, David Miller, Chris Morris, Mustafizur Rahman and Coetzee.Coetzee represents the Knights in South Africa’s domestic circuit and has also played two Under-19 World Cups. He has nine wickets and an economy rate of 7.68 in eight T20s.The Royals’ overseas contingent was not at full strength even before the IPL started. Jofra Archer underwent surgery in March and was eventually ruled out of the tournament and three other players – Stokes, Livingstone and Andrew Tye – left India for different reasons. Stokes broke a finger in mid-April, and Livingstone left India citing “bubble fatigue”. Then, Tye also returned home as anxiety about the worsening Covid-19 situation in India built up.The severe state of the pandemic in India is likely to make it hard for the Royals to arrange for replacement players for their internationals. Six games into their season they are placed second from bottom on the points table with only two wins. They play their next game on Sunday, against the bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Estevao Willian has explained why he doesn't like his 'Messinho' nickname while making an emotional Neymar admission ahead of his Chelsea move.

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Estevao to join Chelsea in July 2025Has been often compared to Messi Revealed that he idolises Neymar Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Estevao, who is set to join Chelsea in 2025 for a £56 million ($73.1m) transfer fee, has expressed his discontent over being nicknamed 'Messinho.' The moniker, a nod to Lionel Messi, has followed him since his early days at Cruzeiro when he was just 10 years old. Despite its seemingly flattering nature, Estevao admitted the comparison is more of a burden than a compliment.

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In a conversation with , the 17-year-old revealed: "I confess that I haven’t liked being called Messinho since I was little. Since I was ten when I was playing for Cruzeiro. I don’t like comparisons. For those who don’t know how to deal with it, it can be quite a nuisance. At 17, I don’t have time to waste listening to criticism. I want to be happy, I love playing football, I want to enjoy it to the fullest. Me being Estevao is fine.”

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While Estevao has drawn inevitable comparisons to Messi due to his nickname, it is Neymar who holds a special place in his heart. The young midfielder has hailed his senior compatriot on several occasions, calling the Brazilian superstar his greatest inspiration, and has admitted he will be an emotional wreck when he finally meets him in person.

"With Neymar, it was only once that he reposted me, but I’ve never spoken to him personally," he said. "I think I will cry [when I meet him]. He’s a guy I look up to, I’ve always seen him play, the greatest reference in Brazil is a huge reference for me."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Estevao emerged as a key figure for Palmeiras this season, contributing 13 goals and nine assists across 31 league matches. His remarkable contributions earned him a call-up to the Brazil national team by manager Dorival Junior, marking another milestone in his budding career. In October, he made headlines by breaking a longstanding record previously held by Neymar as a 17-year-old. The teenager tallied 17 goal contributions in a single season, surpassing Neymar’s record of 16 during his 2009 campaign with Santos.

Newcastle United’s efforts to improve the squad before the end of the transfer window are unprecedented, with the Magpies targeting various different players to bolster the squad.

Eddie Howe’s side have been in the market for a centre-back and a right-sided attacker all summer, but with just eight days left in the window, they are yet to secure any of their targets.

Edmond Tapsoba is the latest defender to be linked with a move to St James’ Park, but journalist Keith Downie confirmed this morning that a deal is edging closer for Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi.

As for the forward line, Noni Madueke has constantly been touted with a move to Tyneside, with Chelsea looking to make brutal cuts to their extremely bloated first-team squad.

However, the Magpies could also be about to target a move for a player in a different position, adding even more quality and depth to the midfield department.

Newcastle in move to sign midfield sensation

According to CaughtOffside, Newcastle are preparing a contract offer to sign Adrien Rabiot after the midfielder left Juventus upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June.

However, they aren’t alone in their pursuit of the 29-year-old, with Manchester United and Arsenal also in the race for the Frenchman’s services, as per the report.

The piece states that the Magpies are preparing a lucrative salary package alongside a long-term contract to tempt him into a move to St James’ despite the absence of European football this season.

He’s featured at the very top of European football for the last decade with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juve, having the experience to help Howe’s side mount a push for a return to the Premier League’s top four in 2024/25.

Rabiot would be an excellent addition, allowing one current member of the first team to reach the next level on Tyneside.

Why Rabiot would make Guimaraes for Newcastle

Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has captured the hearts of the fanbase since his £40m move to the club back in January 2022.

The 26-year-old has transformed the Magpies’ midfield, being a real crucial cog in their success which saw the club reach the Champions League group stages for the first time in two decades.

His excellent form hasn’t gone unnoticed, with fellow English sides Manchester City and Arsenal previously touted to trigger his £100m release clause in his contract.

However, now that the clause has expired, he looks set to remain on Tyneside, potentially reaching the next level, should Rabiot make a move to join Howe’s side.

The “world-class” Frenchman, as described by former Juventus striker David Trezeguet, registered 4.1 progressive passes and 2.4 progressive carries per 90 last season – potentially providing Guimaraes with the ammunition to improve on his tally of 15 goal contributions in the Premier League last season.

He may be a box-to-box midfielder, but Rabiot has excelled defensively, winning two tackles and making 0.9 interceptions per 90, allowing the Brazilian to create more frequent opportunities in attacking areas.

Games played

31

Goals + assists

8

Pass accuracy

82%

Progressive passes

4.1

Progressive carries

2.4

Tackles won

2

Interceptions

0.9

Aerials won

1.8

Rabiot’s ability in and out of possession would be hugely beneficial to Howe’s midfield, handing them the added experience and quality needed to mount a pushback towards the top four.

Given the limited funds available due to the PSR and FFP position, he would be an excellent pick-up on a free transfer, providing excellent qualities – whilst also barely affecting the financial situation at the club.

Bargain: Newcastle could land Murphy upgrade by signing £13m sensation

The club are yet to find a new winger to complete Howe’s attack.

ByEthan Lamb Aug 22, 2024

A high-earning Chelsea star is set for crunch talks with manager Enzo Maresca over his future this week, and he could still leave Stamford Bridge, despite the UK transfer window's closure last Friday.

Chelsea splash £271 million on 13 signings in busy transfer window

Once again, Todd Boehly and BlueCo showed they are definitely not afraid to splash cash, having spent around £271 million on 13 new additions, including a reported £51 million move for Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian.

Fabrizio Romano says Chelsea forward is expected to go after deadline day

The Blues could still see an exit for one of their senior attackers.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 1, 2024

Joao Felix, Mike Penders, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Marc Guiu, Renato Veiga, Estevao, Filip Jorgensen, Tosin Adarabioyo, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Omari Kellyman, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho all put pen to paper on moves to Stamford Bridge, and there could've been one more.

Chelsea were in high-profile talks over a deadline day move for Napoli star Victor Osimhen as well, who waiting for the Blues despite agreeing terms on a lucrative contract with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

Appearances

25

Goals

15

Assists

3

Shots per 90

3.86

Key passes per 90

1.05

Successful take-ons per 90

0.73

WhoScored

However, both the Nigerian and Chelsea couldn't agree terms themselves, which has left Osimhen in limbo at Napoli, so he now must wait until January to finally get his big move away from Antonio Conte's side.

"The Al-Ahli offer to Osimhen is a €30m salary on a four-year deal," wrote reliable journalist Ben Jacobs on X.

"There are €40m in bonuses on top taking the total package to €160m. Al-Ahli also prepared to sanction a release clause. Osimhen has agreed to terms but is waiting to see whether Chelsea counter. Al-Ahli offer to Napoli has been accepted. It is €68m plus add-ons taking the total package close to €80m."

Despite the UK window being officially closed, with no more incomings possible, it is still possible that a few more Chelsea players depart in the coming days. The Belgian, Dutch, Saudi, Turkish and Portuguese windows are still open, meaning any interested sides from the aforementioned nations could still conduct business with the west Londoners.

David Datro Fofana is expected to leave Chelsea as one example, according to Fabrizio Romano, and uncertainty still surrounds the future of left-back Ben Chilwell.

Chilwell set for crunch talks with Maresca over Chelsea future

As per GiveMeSport, there is still a chance for the £200,000-per-week left-back to seal a departure in the coming days with a succession of windows still open across Europe.

The Englishman has been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca lately, who seemingly prefers Marc Cucurella as his inverted left-back option for the 2024/25 Premier League campaign.

GMS writes that Chilwell is set for crunch talks with Maresca over his Chelsea future this week, and while he is not pushing to leave at this moment, we cannot definitely rule out the 27-year-old's exit either.

“More or less for me now it’s just about having fun and enjoying however many days I have playing international cricket”

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Jun-2021″It was kind of a shock” for Jason Holder to be relieved from the West Indies Test captaincy, and while he admits to finding it difficult to transition from being the leader to an ordinary member of the team, he wants to focus more on his game, and be a sounding board for youngsters looking for guidance.”Yeah, it’s been difficult. I probably may not show it, but it has been difficult,” Holder told ESPNcricinfo in an interview a couple of days away from the start of West Indies’ first Test against South Africa in St Lucia. “For the last five-six years, I’ve been captaining West Indies, whether that be Test-match cricket or one-day cricket. So now being relieved of both captaincies, it has been a strange transition for me personally.”Related

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'Holder is an integral part of West Indies cricket' – Harper

Kraigg Brathwaite led West Indies in Bangladesh when Holder, as well as a number of other regulars, opted out of the tour because of the Covid-19 situation around the world. West Indies swept the two-Test series, and when it was time to select the squad for the home series against Sri Lanka in March, the team kept faith in Brathwaite. Roger Harper, the lead selector, said at the time that Brathwaite’s role in shepherding the team successfully in the absence of many first-choice players in Bangladesh had played a big role in his appointment on a permanent basis.That meant Holder’s stint as captain, which had begun in October 2015, ended after 37 matches, which included 11 wins and 21 losses. It was a period in which he climbed to great heights as a player, piling on big hauls with the ball and even hitting a double-century with the bat. After 47 Tests, Holder has 123 wickets at an average of 27.41, 2253 runs at an average of 33.13, and the No. 1 spot in the ICC rankings for Test allrounders.Holder played the home series against Sri Lanka, in Antigua, and did well. In the first Test, there was a five-wicket haul (his eighth in Tests) and in the second, there were scores of 30 and 71* – both matches were drawn.

“It’s no longer a time where you’ve got to look to select teams, look at combinations… all these things have just gone through the window. So for me now, it’s just a little bit more detailed as to as to my preparation into myself, particularly, and not having to deal with the team aspect of it.”Jason Holder

“It was kind of a shock. Yeah, still lost for words in regards to that, but I am not dwelling on it. I don’t think it’s something I should dwell on, to be fair,” Holder said. “I am just trying to find ways to move on and transition back to just being a regular player. For me now, it’s about showing a bit more of my character, and being a lot more… I would say outspoken. I am relatively outspoken, but just expressing myself a little bit more and having fun.”I feel as though I have been really, really committed to West Indies cricket – I am still committed to West Indies cricket, but more or less for me now it’s just about having fun and enjoying however many days I have playing international cricket.”Holder is still only 29, and has spent most of his career at the highest level in leadership roles. Without that responsibility, Holder felt he would have to redesign his role in the team.”There is a lot less pressure, a lot less responsibility. It’s just about me now personally… I’m a 100% team man. So I’ll play my part to help the team and if there are other players who are seeking out advice or guidance, no doubt I’ll be here to give them that,” he said. “But it’s no longer a time where you’ve got to look to select teams, look at combinations… all these things have just gone through the window. So for me now, it’s just a little bit more detailed as to as to my preparation into myself, particularly, and not having to deal with the team aspect of it.”I guess my contributions now will be more so in small groups and one-on-one basis with the players. And team meetings obviously I’ll share my expertise, and give as much guidance as I possibly can, but I still think the captain has to be given his leeway to lead the team the way he wants to lead the team, and we’ve got to give him confidence and support that we can as the group.”The first West Indies vs South Africa Test starts on June 10, with the second set for a June 18 start at the same venue.

The MLS franchise is estimated to be worth $470 million

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Whitecaps owners looking to sell upGoldman Sachs retained to find buyersTeam estimated to be worth $470 millionFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

The Vancouver Whitecaps are looking for new owners and intend to sell the club, with Goldman Sachs being retained to advise on sale and transition options. The club which is owned by a group that includes majority holder Greg Kerfoot, executive chair Jeff Mallett, Steve Luczo and former NBA star Steve Nash, brought the club into MLS for a $40 million expansion fee.

The club is now worth $470 million, according to Sportico, which is 27th out of the league's 30 teams.

AdvertisementWHAT THE WHITECAPS SAID

"The owners of Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Greg Kerfoot, Steve Luczo, Jeff Mallett and Steve Nash – today announced the initiation of a process to sell the club. This decision comes after careful consideration of the club's journey and reflection on what is required to ensure its continued growth and success," the club said in a statement.

Speaking on behalf of the ownership, Greg Kerfoot said: “Our group have been committed to transforming our local soccer club into a significant contributor to our community. It is gratifying to see how meaningful the Whitecaps have become to so many, and to have been able to contribute to the growth of a vibrant and thriving soccer community in Vancouver, the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, and beyond. The passionate MLS supporters, Academy development teams and players, the thousands of kids who attend camps, and the groups we support in nurturing the game in so many places have all proven out our belief in Vancouver as a first-class soccer market. The future of the Vancouver Whitecaps is bright.”

WHAT MLS COMMISSIONER DON GARBER SAID

“The Vancouver Whitecaps would not be where they are today without the vision and commitment of this exceptional ownership group. The Whitecaps are a terrific club in a world-class city," Garber said in a statement. "On behalf of everyone at Major League Soccer, I want to thank them for their tremendous contributions and look forward to working with them to identify new ownership for the club.”

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Vancouver is a historic franchise in the North American soccer landscape, with its roots tracing back to the NASL days in 1973. Yet, commercial success has been difficult for the team to come by. The team reportedly made $45 million in revenue in 2023, which was second-lowest in MLS.

Still, the team averages about 26,700 fans at BC Place. Yet, big decisions remain. The club's lease at BC Place ends after next season and despite that, the current owners are prioritizing buyers who want to keep the team in Vancouver.

Sportico reported part of the reason why the team decided to sell is that majority owners Kerfoot and Luczo are in their mid-60s and are looking to offload assets.

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou demanded "more respect" for his work at Spurs amid "dismissive" criticism as he called out pundit Jamie Carragher.

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Tottenham churned out a hard-fought win over Man UtdCarragher was critical of Postecoglou's tacticsThe Australian has now hit back at the former Reds defenderFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Despite leading Spurs to back-to-back victories in recent fixtures, including a thrilling 4-3 win over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, Postecoglou believes his approach is not being given the respect it deserves. The Australian tactician, known for his attacking philosophy, questioned whether some of the scepticism stems from his background and willingness to defy conventional practices in English football.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT POSTECOGLOU SAID

Speaking to reporters, Postecoglou said: "It’s not the first time in my career. You kind of feel that 26 years of hard graft [as a manager] should get you a little more respect and I'm not the only one. I have seen it happen to other managers. I saw it happen to Unai. I saw it happen to Nuno when he was here.

“I said last week that we have crossed the Rubicon in terms of how we treat people sometimes. I get that not everyone will be a fan of the way I do things and even the way I play. People will have different opinions – that’s normal, that’s healthy. But some of it has been pretty dismissive.”

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In the dramatic quarter-final clash against United, Spurs raced to a 3-0 lead only to weather a late resurgence, ultimately emerging 4-3 victors. While the result showcased Tottenham’s attacking prowess, it also reignited debates over their high-risk tactical approach. Carragher, during Sky Sports' coverage, suggested that Postecoglou’s team “never change how they play" irrespective of the game situation.

Carragher said: “My criticism over Tottenham under the manager is they never change how they play no matter what the game state is. I don’t think football should be played the same from minute 1-90.”

In response to Carragher’s comments, Postecoglou remained unshaken, saying, “Jamie Carragher, mate…you can name him, he’ll enjoy that. People tell me he likes me as a person, so that’s important to me.”

The Tottenham boss added that while differing opinions are natural, he does not seek validation for his methods.

"Look, it’s all valid, it’s all valid but I don’t need validation from anybody to do what I do," he said.

"Whether you agree with my approach or not, there is validity in both and I don’t have an issue with that. I love the fact people are talking about our games and analysing our games. I think that is important as well for this football club and I’d rather that than us be anonymous and no one talk about us, or we’re just grinding out an existence. I like the fact and as I’ve always said, you have to be prepared for scrutiny, you have to be prepared for criticism and it’s how you react to that, that is more important.

"I think it is healthy if it’s coming from the right sort of place. Someone like Jamie, he is there to give his opinion and will not stand there and say, ‘I’ve got nothing to say,’ he’ll give an opinion. Some of the other stuff I kind of don’t understand because I think it’s just about getting headlines, but again if you react to that it kind of says more about yourself than anything else.”

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR TOTTENHAM?

Tottenham face a significant challenge on Sunday when they host Premier League leaders Liverpool. They are 10th in the Premier League standings and will look to build on their momentum by registering a third straight victory.