All posts by h716a5.icu

It is all change at Tottenham Hotspur at boardroom level.

Last month, it was announced that Daniel Levy was stepping down as the club’s executive chairman after a quarter of a century in the role.

Levy certainly divided opinion among Spurs supporters, but will, undeniably, forever be one of the most influential figures in the club’s history, overseeing the construction of the new training ground and stadium, catapulting the club into the ‘big six’, something that would have been fanciful a decade or so ago.

Now, Peter Charrington has succeeded him as non-executive chairman while Vinai Venkatesham, formerly of Arsenal, was appointed chief executive officer in April.

It will be interesting to see what these changes mean for Spurs going forward, while another noteworthy appointment, or should we say re-appointment, was made this week.

Fabio Paratici's Tottenham return

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Fabio Paratici has returned to Tottenham Hotspur as sporting director.

He previously held the role between June 2021 and April 2023, before serving a 30-month ban from all footballing activities handed to him by FIFA, one of 11 Juventus executives punished in this way following the plusvalenze scandal, also given a suspended 18-month sentence.

Despite this, Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport believes his re-appointment is a major coup, considering his excellent reputation, boasting ‘one of the most extensive contacts books in the game’.

Paratici will be joint sporting director alongside Johan Lange, stating “I’m convinced that working in partner­ship with Johan we can build a special future for the club and our supporters.”

The table below documents all the players signed when Paratici was in situ the first time.

Bryan Gil

£21.6m

43

Pape Matar Sarr

£14.6m

113

Emerson Royal

£25.8m

101

Rodrigo Bentancur

£15.9m

123

Cristian Romero

£42m

133

Dejan Kuluševski

£30m

146

Pierluigi Gollini

Loan

10

Clément Lenglet

Loan

35

Pedro Porro

£40m

116

Arnaut Danjuma

Loan

12

Fraser Forster

Free

34

Ivan Perišić

Free

50

Yves Bissouma

£25m

100

Djed Spence

£19m

51

Richarlison

£60m

101

Destiny Udogie

£15m

74

As the table documents, many of Paratici’s Spurs signings made little impact in North London; looking at you Bryan Gil!

Others though remain key figures in Thomas Frank’s team to this day, including Richarlison, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, Destiny Udogie and more.

However, one in particular was infamously not wanted by then-manager Antonio Conte, but Paratici can feel truly vindicated by his decision to sign him.

Paratici's greatest transfer market triumph

Back in July 2022, Djed Spence joined Tottenham Hotspur for a reported fee of £19m.

The full-back had been an integral part of Nottingham Forest’s promotion-winning team during a very memorable loan spell from Middlesbrough, leading to Daniel Taylor of the Athletic describing him as the best loan player he’d ever seen at the City Ground.

Despite this, upon his arrival, manager Conte instantaneously labelled him an “investment of the club” and “not my signing”, which Spence later revealed “shattered my confidence”.

Thus, following loan stints at Stade Rennais, Leeds United and Genoa, he made his first start for Spurs away at Southampton last December, 881 days after signing for the club.

Well, since then, the 25-year-old has not looked back, starting 24 of Spurs’ last 30 Premier League fixtures, as well as both in the Champions League so far this season.

A hugely versatile asset, given that Spence has been deployed in both full-back positions, Ian Wright also describes him, at his best, as a “swashbuckling” presence. In the words of Harry Redknapp, he’s been a “revelation” in north London.

Meantime, current manager Frank asserted that Spence is “exceptionally good” is one-on-one defensive situations adding, “he’s a great type, can play both sides… big credit to Djed. He truly deserves it. It has been a tough”.

The Tottenham manager was referencing Spence’s international breakthrough, making his senior England debut against Serbia at Stadion Rajko Mitić last month, replacing Reece James for the final 20 minutes or so in Belgrade.

This month, Spence started both of England’s matches against Wales and Latvia, with Three Lions captain Harry Kane giving this emotional speech when presenting his team-mate with his maiden cap.

Given Thomas Tuchel’s dearth of left-back options, Myles Lewis-Skelly the other leading contender for that spot, it is far from inconceivable that Spence will be starting at the World Cup next year.

Back at Tottenham, his exponential improvement over the last 12 months is vindication for Paratici, who always believed in him, and proves that all it takes is the right environment for a player to thrive, one that clearly did not involve Conte.

Paratici already handed Frank the next Mbeumo in "incredible" Spurs star

Tottenham Hotspur have hit the jackpot on one star who could be Thomas Frank’s next Bryan Mbeumo.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 17, 2025

Hefty 229 not sufficient as Somerset pile through to five-wicket win

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay12-Jun-2025Sean Dickson marked his return to Somerset’s team with top score of 76 as they made it four wins from as many Vitality Blast group games with a five-wicket victory over Middlesex in a Taunton run-feast.Middlesex ran up 229 for five – the highest ever Blast total by a visiting side at the Cooper Associates Ground – after losing the toss, Max Holden striking 87 not out off 47 balls and Ben Geddes a career-best 69 from 32 deliveries, including seven sixes.In reply, Somerset reached 235 for five with four balls to spare, Dickson, back after a broken finger, hitting five sixes and six fours in his 38-ball knock and Lewis Gregory making a rapid 58 not out.Middlesex were given a brisk start by Stephen Eskinazi and Kane Williamson, who posted 39 in less than four overs before Eskinazi was bowled by Riley Meredith attempting a scoop.Williamson was visibly frustrated to fall for 28 off 17 balls, caught at deep square off fellow Kiwi Matt Henry to make it 58 for two in the sixth over.From then on, the innings was all about Holden and Geddes, both of whom greeted left-arm spinner Lewis Goldsworthy with sixes in taking the total to 103 for two at the halfway stage.Craig Overton had impressed in his opening three overs before Geddes struck him for a straight six into the River Town and pulled another maximum at the end of his stint.Geddes went to a majestic 25-ball half-century, clearing the ropes for a sixth time, off Gregory, and then sent another ball into the river off Ben Green before Holden moved to an equally impressive half-century off 30 deliveries.Their partnership ended when Geddes was caught at long-off, Meredith striking again with his next ball as Leus du Plooy was brilliantly caught at long-on by Overton. A pulled four by Holden off Gregory brought up the 200 in the 18th over and Jack Davies hit the 12th six of the innings in the final over.Somerset lost Will Smeed to the fifth delivery of their innings, bowled by Noah Cornwell. Tom Kohler-Cadmore cleared the ropes three times before Tom Banton fell to Ryan Higgins to make it 41 for two in the fourth over.Kohler-Cadmore quickly followed to Cornwell and it was 88 for four in the ninth over when Tom Abell slog-swept a boundary catch off Luke Hollman to depart for 24.But Dickson was starting to blossom, producing a wide range of attacking shots in moving to a 24-ball fifty, reached with a reverse-swept six off Zafar Gohar. Gregory was caught off a Hollman no-ball as 18 came off the 13th over and the home side still had hope.Dickson smashed Cornwell for a straight six and Gregory rode his luck further when dropped on the boundary by du Plooy off Gohar, hitting three sixes in the same over. After Dixon holed out to long-off, the Somerset skipper hit his fifth maximum to reach a 21-ball half-century.Ben Green was dropped in the closing overs, du Plooy again the guilty fielder, before another Gregory six completed a remarkable victory.

Aston Villa are leading the race to sign an “amazing” new forward, who has now told his club he wants to leave, amid a poor start to the season.

Emery wants more from Villa despite recent resurgence

Unai Emery has silenced the speculation over his future as manager by guiding Villa to five wins on the bounce in all competitions, but the Spaniard still wants more from his players, despite the recent resurgence.

Speaking after the 2-1 victory away at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, Emery said: “There is still work to do. Players need to increase their level, some of them have been injured.

“When we can have more players to choose from, it is better for the coach and our performance.”

Morgan Rogers is certainly rediscovering his best form, starting the Villans’ comeback against Tottenham with a remarkable strike, while Donyell Malen has also started to put in some much better performances, bagging a brace in the 2-1 win against Burnley earlier this week.

Despite improved displays from their attacking players, Aston Villa are still looking to strengthen their forward line, according to a report from Spain, which states they are the club best-positioned to sign Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo.

Villa have taken the lead in the race for Kubo’s signature, and there is a feeling a deal could be possible in the January transfer window, given that the forward has told the Spanish club he wants to leave, amid a very disappointing start to the season.

With Real Sociedad currently in the La Liga relegation zone, the Japanese attacker has made it clear he sees his future elsewhere, and there is a feeling he would command a fee of at least €30m (£26m).

Aston Villa now looking to sign £26m assist king, Emery thinks he's perfect

The Villans have joined the race for a new midfielder, with Unai Emery personally a keen admirer.

ByDominic Lund Oct 20, 2025 "Amazing" Kubo could be risky signing for Aston Villa

The 24-year-old has received praise for his La Liga performances in the past, being dubbed “amazing” by football scout Jacek Kulig, but he could be a risky signing for Aston Villa, having not exactly set the world alight in recent times.

The Japan international has registered just one goal and zero assists in La Liga this season, although he has impressed with his dribbling over the past year, placing in the 92nd percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.

Opta also revealed the Sociedad star has been one of the Spanish side’s most influential attacking players since the 2022-23 campaign.

As such, Kubo clearly has the talent to succeed at Villa Park, and signing him could be a gamble worth taking for a fee of around just £26m.

Mahika Gaur claims 3 for 15 to limit visitors but Lancashire comes unstuck before thrilling finale

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Jul-2025Alana King hit the last ball of the match for six as Lancashire Thunder and Somerset signed off their Vitality Blast campaign with a thrilling tie at Blackpool CC.Mahika Gaur produced a T20 career-best of 3 for 15 to spearhead a destructive start by the Thunder that reduced Somerset to 43 for 5 in a 17-overs-per-side game that started an hour late after some Thunder players became caught up in severe traffic congestion on the north-west motorways. Sophie Luff and Alex Griffiths mounted a rescue act with a 56-run partnership that took the visitors to a more prosperous 114 for 7 with Somerset skipper Luff making 36 and Griffiths finishing 29 not out.Lancashire looked to be in good shape at 57 for 1 in the tenth over of their reply but Griffiths snared Seren Smale for 25 before two wickets in two balls by Amanda-Jade Wellington in the 13th over pegged back the Thunder to 78 for 4. Wellington struck a third time to remove Ailsa Lister for 17 at the start of the 16th over and with 13 needed off the last and seven from the final ball Somerset looked set to win a second Blast game of the season. King swung the final ball from Mollie Robbins over the backward square leg ropes to produce a most unlikely tie.Eve Jones and Smale had made a positive start to the Lancashire Thunder run chase taking 34 from 28 balls, Jones twice driving Robbins for four but then skying a catch off Ellie Anderson to wicketkeeper Bex Odgers for 18.Smale reverse pulled and then swept Wellington for four in the ninth over to break the shackles exerted by some tight bowling, but hit the third ball from Griffiths to Wellington at mid-off for 25 in the next to have Lancashire 57 for 2 needing 58 more from 43 balls.Wellington built on that breakthrough with two wickets in two balls having Tilly Kesteven, who earlier had driven the first two balls she faced for four, stumped for 19 and Fi Morris bowled by a ball that spun and kept low. That left Lancashire needing 37 off 28 balls with 20 runs chipped away by Ellie Threlkeld and Lister before the latter edged Wellington to Olivia Barnes at short third for 17.With 13 runs needed off the last over, Robbins bowled Threlkeld for 11 with the first ball and had Tara Norris caught by Luff from the second. Two dropped catches followed with King and Darcey Carter scampering six runs to leave seven required from the last ball before King’s astonishing six squared up the game.After the delayed start to the match, Thunder captain Threlkeld opted to bowl first and the first over proved eventful with Odgers hitting Tara Norris for six over square leg, then dropped at gully off the next ball, but caught by Carter at extra cover two balls later.Gaur then struck twice in three balls immediately after the 5.1 over powerplay ended, bowling Niamh Holland for 8 with an inswinger while Fran Wilson was caught in spectacular fashion by Eve Jones at cover. When Ruby Davis chipped King to a diving Lister at short extra cover for 12, Somerset were in early difficulties and their situation worsened when Wellington, having driven her first ball for four, tamely chipped the next one from Gaur to Grace Potts at mid-on to leave Somerset 43 for 5 after 8 overs.Luff and Griffiths stemmed the clatter of wickets with a vital 56-run partnership, although Griffiths was fortunate to escape when dropped on 4 off Carter.Luff was the chief instigator, easing Carter for four over extra cover and bringing up the fifty partnership from 39 balls with a fierce drive for four off Potts before she was well caught next ball by Norris diving forward at mid-off having made 36 off 30 balls.Griffiths struck some late runs to finish unbeaten on a run-a-ball 29 with 11 runs coming from the final over to give Somerset a total of 114-6 that had looked unlikely earlier in the afternoon. The tied result was an even more unlikely outcome in a thrilling finale.

Manchester United star Harry Maguire has revealed how his childhood nickname led to him legally changing his birth name because his "mum didn't like it". Once the most expensive defender in football history, Maguire arrived at Old Trafford in 2019 for a staggering £80 million from Leicester City. The world came to know about 'Harry Maguire', but only a few knew that his name was different when he was born.

How did Jacob become Harry?

In a revealing interview on TNT Sports, Maguire sat down with his sister to discuss something that has remained largely unknown throughout his career. Harry Maguire wasn’t actually born Harry.

"My mum decided to call me Jacob Harry [Maguire] when I was born. Then, after three months, people started calling me Jakey," he said. "She didn’t like it, so she swapped it around to Harry Jacob [Maguire]. But she couldn’t change it by passport until I was 18. As soon as I was 18, I changed it around, so it’s actually officially Harry Jacob now."

In a twist of fate, Maguire’s legal name change coincided almost perfectly with the beginning of his professional footballing journey. Just one month and seven days after turning 18, the freshly renamed Harry Jacob Maguire made his senior debut for Sheffield United in the Championship against Cardiff City in 2011. From that day onward, he’s been known to the football world simply as "Harry". Very few outside his family circle ever knew that the name Jacob was once printed on his birth certificate.

AdvertisementGettyWhich footballers have changed their names?

The revelation about Maguire’s name has drawn comparisons with other footballers who’ve changed their identities for personal reasons. Jordan Pickford, England’s No.1, was originally born Pigford, before his father altered the family name to spare him playground teasing, according to . Joe Hart, another England keeper, was born Charles Joseph John Hart but shortened his name to "Joe" early in his career. 

Meanwhile, Dele Alli famously dropped his surname in 2016, saying, "I wanted a name on my shirt that represented who I am. I have no connection to the Alli surname."

Even Ryan Giggs, one of United's greatest ever players, was born Ryan Wilson before adopting his mother’s maiden name following her separation. Giggs recalled his teammates’ shock when his passport was read out for the first time during a youth tournament. 

"I'd always been Wilson through school," he said. "United were in Italy for a youth tournament, and I'd just had my passport done, and the referee came in, and he read out all the passports, and he read my name out, and I said, 'Yeah, that's me,' and everyone just went, 'What?'"

Will Maguire extend his contract at United?

For all the goodwill surrounding him, the question of Maguire’s future remains unresolved. With just eight months left on his United contract, the 32-year-old will be free to negotiate with foreign clubs from January. When asked whether the club planned to extend his stay, Amorim chose his words carefully.

"We are really happy with Harry but it is not the time to talk about that," he said. "That gives the idea that we are thinking really far away, we need to think about now. We are really happy with Harry, he is really important for us but we just need to focus on the next game."

The transformation of Maguire under Amorim has been noteworthy. Cast aside under Erik ten Hag and stripped of the captaincy, Maguire could easily have walked away. Instead, he fought back. His latest winner at Anfield against Liverpool has turned him into something of a cult hero at Old Trafford. This was United's first win in the red half of Merseyside since Wayne Rooney's goal sank Liverpool back in January 2016. It was his 17th strike for the Red Devils and fifth under the Portuguese manager. 

"Harry Maguire is really important for us and was today," said Amorim. "He is a great example, everything he has been through, a great example for every kid."

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPAmorim wants more from Maguire

Amorim is content with Maguire's output, but he demands more from the England international. 

"It was good for him to play with three centre backs, I think he feels more comfortable," the manager began. "Because he plays in the centre, he does not need to go to the side so much so sometimes you help players with the way you play. Sometimes it is the opposite with some players. I am really pleased. He is not young but he can learn a lot, he can improve.

"I think he can be so much better with the ball because he has that quality and he needs to show that. Nowadays with the set pieces that you see, the amount of men that you put in the box and every cross from the opponent – everyone is playing like that. He is a massive player for us, I am really happy but that game is in the past, that goal is in the past and now let's look forward to the present and the future."

Maguire will be back in action against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday in the Premier League, as the Red Devils will look to avenge their Europa League final loss in North London.

The Los Angeles Dodgers will not be playing pitcher Clayton Kershaw in this postseason as he deals with bone spurs in his big toe, an injury that has kept him out since August 31.

There was speculation that Kershaw might be considering retirement as the 36-year-old barely competed this season. His first start was on July 25 after undergoing shoulder surgery last offseason, and he only played for about a month before landing on the injured list.

But, Kershaw doesn't plan on hanging up his glove for good yet.

Would this next surgery on his toe keep him from returning in 2025, a player option year for him?

“Mentally, I feel great. I had shoulder surgery last offseason, and my shoulder and elbow, everything, my arm, feels great," Kershaw told the Fox pregame show team on Monday. "Obviously, I had some tough luck with my foot this year. But I want to make use of this surgery. I don’t want to have surgery and shut it down. So I’m gonna come back next year and give it a go and see how it goes.”

Kershaw's been with the Dodgers his entire MLB career, which began in 2008. In that span, he's been named a 10-time All-Star, won three NL Cy Young Awards, was the NL MVP in 2014 and won a World Series title in 2020.

Lionel Messi has suggested that he finds life in the United States with Inter Miami a little more palatable because the pressure is different and less intense to what he used to face in Europe with Barcelona, and then Paris Saint-Germain. It was previously the case that the 'day to day grind' would leave him in a bad mood, unable to enjoy life with his family quite so much as he does now.

Messi: Miami similar to 'home' in Barcelona

Messi left PSG after just two seasons, opting to skip the option in his contract for a third season. Many assumed that he struggled to settle in Paris, having lived 20 years in Barcelona, which he denies is the case and insists it was solely football-related. In Miami, however, he says that life is very similar to what the family previously knew in Castelldefels, the town 12 miles outside of Barcelona he called home.

"It also seems like Paris was a nightmare, but it wasn't. When I say I didn't have a good time, it's because I wasn't happy with what I was doing and what I love to do – playing football, the day-to-day routine, training, matches – because I just wasn't feeling good," he told . "But then, honestly, we had a really great experience as a family. The city is spectacular, we enjoyed it. It was the first time we'd left Barcelona, and everything was new to us, which made it very difficult, because it wasn't an injury; it just happened that way. But the truth is, I wasn't happy with what I love to do on a daily basis.

"And here [in Miami], yes, we're doing well, we're enjoying the city, our daily life. As I was saying, it's a very similar life to what I had in Castelldefels, with the club nearby, the kids' school very close too, everything within easy reach, convenient. We live away from the city, which is beautiful, but the traffic is terrible."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportLife with Inter Miami more relaxed

The intensity and scrutiny Messi experiences now is different, out of the harsh European spotlight.

"And that's it, we enjoy each day, and in a different way, because it's more relaxed, without so much pressure, without the obligation – although I always wanted to – to win and achieve all our goals," he explained. "Obviously, we still want to, but the pressure is different, and that makes life more relaxed, and we enjoy our family more, the kids, being able to come to training, being able to go to the games, spending much more time at home, getting home and not thinking so much about football and thinking more about other things. And that, whether you like it or not, makes you live differently because it often happened to me that the results and the day-to-day grind would get to me, and well, sometimes I'd get home in a bad mood, and it was different, so we're happy here."

European football is draining

Messi isn't the only player to suggest that the pressure in Europe can sometimes get out of hand. It's been particularly evident in coaches, with Xavi calling it a "cruel, unpleasant job" to be Barcelona boss in 2024, while Pep Guardiola had a full year off when he left Camp Nou in the summer of 2012. Jurgen Klopp walked away from Liverpool in 2024 and is yet to return to a club management role.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

Getty Images SportMLS Cup glory awaits

Miami are searching for a first MLS Cup title since entering the league in 2020 and hope Messi will take them there. The club collected the Supporters' Shield in 2024 for winning the regular season, only to then exit the playoffs frustratingly early.

Despite dropping back to third in the Eastern Conference in 2025, Miami have already eclipsed last year by reaching the Conference semi-finals and will take on FC Cincinnati on November 23. If they are successful, one of New York City FC or Philadelphia Union awaits at the end of this month, before the MLS Cup is scheduled for December 6. The longer Miami stay alive, the longer it also keeps alive the illustrious careers of Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, who will retire at the end of the season.

Harmanpreet Kaur also rose ten spots to move to 11th on the list for batters

ESPNcricinfo staff29-Jul-2025England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt has displaced India opener Smriti Mandhana to become the No. 1-ranked ODI batter in the world.She was the highest run-scorer with 160 runs at 53.33 average in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against India.While Mandhana slips one position to second in the latest ODI rankings, there is a notable jump for India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is up ten spots to 11th on the batting charts after making a total of 126 runs in the series. Jemimah Rodrigues also rose two spots to 13th on the list.Harmanpreet didn’t start the ODI series well, but finished with 102 in the last match, which helped India seal the series 2-1. She also became the third India women’s batter to breach the 4000-run mark during the course of her seventh century.Rodrigues managed 101 runs in three games, with a highest score of 50 in the final game and 48 in the first.Full rankings tables

Click here for the full team rankings

Click here for the full player rankings

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt is third in the rankings, while Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry and Australia captain Alysa Healy round out the top five of the list in ODIs.There was also some movement for the Ireland players following their 2-0 ODI series win over Zimbabwe. Allrounder Orla Prendergast rose 12 spots to move to joint-22nd on the ODI batters list after an unbeaten 67 in the second ODI. She also rose ten places on the bowlers’ list and moved to tenth position on the allrounders list.England spinner Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the ODI bowling list after finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the ODI series against India with five wickets. Ashleigh Gardner, Meghan Schutt, Deepti Sharma and Kim Garth round out the top five of the bowlers list.

Football really is a cruel game that can change in the blink of an eye, as Vitor Pereira has recently found out.

Indeed, back in the middle of September, Pereira was handed a new three-year contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Old Gold chairman Jeff Shi even calling for a period of “stability” with the former Al-Shabab boss remaining at the helm.

Clearly, though, Wolves’ continued woes in the Premier League forced Shi’s hand into having to dismiss Pereira just 45 days on from his vote of confidence, with the West Midlands side stuck at the very bottom of the division on a measly two points.

James Collins and Richard Walker, who both work in the Wolves youth set-up, have since been handed interim duties for Saturday’s league clash with Chelsea.

This looks to only be a temporary measure, though, with new emerging reports now suggesting the relegation-doomed outfit has entered into talks with a number one candidate to succeed Pereira.

Wolves enter talks with EFL manager

Again, the beautiful game’s rapid speed is clear for all to see.

Sky Sports’ Lyall Thomas had revealed that a move for Rob Edwards to leave Middlesbrough behind to manage the club he previously played for was “unlikely.”

However, according to Football Insider, the Premier League’s basement club had entered talks with the ex-Luton Town boss. Journalist John Percy added further fuel to the fire by asserting that Wolves will make a formal approach for the Telford-born head coach to try and clinch his services.

Yet, this is a move that now looks unlikely with Boro so far rejecting an approach from the Old Gold.

Labelled as a job opportunity Edwards would find “hard” to turn down owing to his prior Molineux loyalties, according to journalist Graeme Bailey, it will be intriguing to see whether the 42-year-old does desert the Riverside Stadium for a chance back in the top-flight with Wolves.

After all, his valiant efforts at the helm of the Hatters in the Premier League surely mean he’s a standout Pereira successor, with Wolves resigned to crashing back down to the Championship with a whimper, if they hadn’t pulled the plug on the 57-year-old when they did.

Why Edwards can be a perfect Pereira successor

Of course, Edwards will know he has his work cut out for him if he does take on the vacancy at Molineux, with certain sectors of the media already claiming that Wolves’ drop to the EFL is “inevitable”.

Yet, the current Boro boss has had this inevitable tag hanging over him previously when he was in charge of Luton, with Edwards managing to turn the Hatters into a gutsy and tough-to-beat proposition, regardless, even as they competed near the foot of the daunting division all season long, during the 2023/24 campaign.

Nottingham Forest

17th

32

Luton

18th

26

Burnley

19th

24

Sheffield United

20th

16

At the end of the day, Edwards’ underdogs would only fall victim to relegation towards the latter stages of the campaign, when many expected them to be the Premier League’s basement club for the entirety of the season, with only six points separating the Hatters from Nottingham Forest in 17th spot.

The then Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp would even hail the job Edwards had done, under the pressure of being the top-flight’s noticeable minnows as “insane”, with the German also noting that the players at Edwards’ disposal had been “obviously top, top coached.”

The 42-year-old would surely love another shot at steering a sinking Premier League ship to safety, therefore, in the form of the Old Gold, having stated – towards the start of his fledgling days as a manager – that he wanted to be “like Pep [Guardiola] or Jose [Mourinho]”, as relayed by Luke Steele.

He would certainly be held in very high esteem, like the very successful Spaniard, if he were to somehow guide Wolves to safety, having also been boldly labelled as “one of English football’s brightest and best young coaches” in the past by pundit Adrian Clarke.

Edwards hasn’t done his managerial reputation any harm at the Riverside, either, with an impressive seven wins picked up in charge of Middlesbrough this season.

Yet, there must be a fire in his belly to come back to the Premier League and finally be a saviour-style figure he very nearly had in his grasp at Luton, with Wolves definitely better placed to try and beat the drop with Edwards at the helm, over sticking by Pereira.

Wolves decide on interim manager for Chelsea trip as three names crossed off shortlist

Wolverhampton Wanderers have decided who will take charge of their next game.

ByJames O'Reilly Nov 6, 2025

Rafael Devers has not backed down from his desire to be the Boston Red Sox's third baseman in 2025, a position he's played throughout his entire career.

The Red Sox signed reigning AL Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman during the offseason, and while there had been some expectation that he would take over in the hot corner, the team may end up deploying him at second base amid Devers's unwillingness to change positions.

The situation has developed into somewhat of a controversy ahead of spring training, and franchise legend David Ortiz is the latest to weigh in with his thoughts on the matter. Speaking to Z101 Digital, Ortiz sided with Devers in the debate, suggesting the Red Sox should allow the 28-year-old to remain at third base.

"You are not talking about just another ball player, you are talking about Rafael Devers, the current David Ortiz-type player the Red Sox have. Listen to me, that's the team's best player. Bregman might have better defensive numbers, I'll give you that. But you are not talking about a 'Mickey Mouse' type of player, you are talking about Rafael Devers," Ortiz said, translated by MLB insider Hector Gomez.

It's not characteristically different from what current teammate Triston Casas had to say.

Ortiz indicated that risking making Devers disgruntled by forcing him to change positions would not be in the best interest of the team. Ortiz compared Devers' stardom to that of his own during his 14-year career in Boston and suggested that he's earned the right to continue manning the hot corner for the team.