Newcastle United: With the club’s head of recruitment, Dan Ashworth, being courted by Manchester United, it’s no surprise the subject was high on the agenda at Eddie Howe’s press conference ahead of his side’s game against Bournemouth at St James’ Park tomorrow.
“It’s been in the news a lot and usually that means something is going to happen but we’ve had no contact,” said Howe. “It’s an unusual situation, usually there is transfer speculation on players. This is different. Whatever happens, we want a quick resolution.
“It’s a difficult one, you need longevity in that role to see the fruits of your labour. It’s a long-term position. The people that have done it best in the Premier League have always had a period of stability. Change takes a long time at a football club to get the processes how you want them to be. Dan’s had a short time here. But let’s see what happens.
“Football always moves on quickly. I’d say that regarding the manager position so Newcastle are a huge football club and will continue to work in an efficient way regardless of who is here. We’ve got some very capable people here in all departments. We’d carry on smoothly.
“There has to be a succession plan, players and managers, there is a strategy from above. They have run the football club very well.”
Newcastle United head of recruitment Dan Ashwroth is reported to be loyal to Newcastle but also intrigued by the prospect of helping to transform Manchester United’s fortunes. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA
Arsenal: With Kylian Mbappe set to leave Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season (stop us if you’ve heard that one before), Arteta was asked about speculation linking the Real Madrid-bound striker, who is almost certainly off to Real Madrid, with Arsenal. ““When there is a player of that calibre, we always have to be in that conversation,” he says. “But it looks in a different way, that’s what I would say.”
Arteta’s assistant coach Carlos Cuesta is currently being linked with a move to Norwich City during the summer, with other Championship clubs also reported to be interested in recruiting the 28-year-old Spaniard, who speaks six languages, as their manager. “That’s great,” said Arteta. “Not just with coaching staff but other staff with other clubs coming to get them. It shows they are doing a good job.”
Arsenal: Following their 6-0 thrashing of West Ham last Sunday, the Gunners head to Turf Moor hoping to inflict similar pain on struggling Burnley. Ahead of his game, Mikel Arteta has been discussing his relationship with his opposite number Vincent Kompany.
“We know each other really well,” he says of the Belgian. “I have huge respect for him, we had a good relationship when we played together. I have huge admiration for him. He has a special aura around him, he’s well-articulated and has great ideas on how to play the game. He has the courage that I love in a coach and a player. No matter what it is, he gets his sleeves up and keeps going.”
Jürgen Klinsmann has been sacked as South Korea’s head coach after the team’s semi-final exit at the Asian Cup and amid criticism of his leadership.
The 59-year-old German leaves the job after just a year in charge, despite his contract running until the end of the 2026 World Cup. South Korea were beaten by Jordan in the semi-finals at the Asian Cup last week, meaning their 64-year wait for the title goes on.
Flanked by seven fellow blazers, South Korea Football Associaction chief Chung Mong-gyu announces that Jurgen Klinsmann has been relieved of his duties as the national team’s head coach. Photograph: YONHAP/EPA
On the verge of being handed his P45 before taking ill at Crystal Palace training yesterday morning, Roy Hodgson is now expected to step down from his role as Crystal Palace manager in order to make way for former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Oliver Glasner.
Hodgson, 76, was accompanied to hospital by Palace chairman Steve Parish yesterday and is reported to be in a stable condition after undergoing tests, but has been ruled out of taking charge of his side’s game at Everton on Monday night. Guardian reported Ed Aarons reports that his assistants Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy are likely to prepare the players and take charge of the game, even if Glasner is appointed in the meantime. All at Guardian Towers wish Roy a speedy recovery.
Another Premier League weekend is upon us and as is customary, we’ll bring you the latest as assorted top flight managers attend to their favourite part of the job – the pre-match press conference.
From questions as mundane but critical as “any knocks?” to queries about the Tory by-election defeats in Wellingborough and Kingswood, no subject will be off limits as assorted men in monogrammed training tops and puffer-jackets sit in front of rectangles festooned with gambling adverts to air their thoughts on the issues – footballing and otherwise – of the day. Read on …
