a month later

Gerrard to manage in KSA tells us he's not a serious manager. Imagine he probably didn't get approached by any European clubs that he felt 'matched his stature'. Bit like when Lampard turned down the opportunity to apply for the Norwich job and then proceeded to do jack shit at (an admittedly dysfunctional) Everton and Chelsea.

    Ancelotti to Brazil next season. Good move for him, if he wins the World Cup for them he will probably be the greatest manager by trophies won

    Don Pacifico Imagine how Villa fans feel, having watched Emery take over and take Villa from 16th to 6th in 19 games. The switch was worth more than a point per game.

    Although I've always loathed Gerrard, he was a terrific player. But even as a player he was the type of guy who'd never change a bad decision, and would embarrass himself fairly regularly. Well, if becoming a manager was one such bad decision, maybe disappearing to Saudi Arabia will spare his blushes for a few years.

    My understanding is Gerrard hasn't even gotten the reins of one of the clubs that's all juiced up with PIF money, so surely he'll suck shit over there as well.

        Burnwinter Emery is an example of someone who had to work hard to get to where he is now in his managerial career. If Gerrard isn't willing to learn by taking a step backwards then he'll fade pretty quickly I reckon. Managing in KSA, I'm not sure what he'll really learn as the league looks a bit of a farce.

          Burnwinter It's quite weird most of the top British CMs flopped as managers while the top Spanish CMs are awesome at them

            The English u21 team is legit impressive. Haven't concede a single goal and playing tiki taka every game. Angel gomes in particular looks a real gem

            England take the lead through a deflection after being outclassed completely the entire half.

            And now a fight broke out as Palmer celebrated in front of the Spanish bench

            Spain are technically a level above but only 1 shot on target

            What an ending. A bogus penalty given after 6mins of stoppage time after dude was lying on the floor for 3 minutes while the game was going on. Keeper saved the penalty and the rebound. Then Spain get a red following that. Gibby White also sent off lol. 11 mins and counting but looks like England has won it..

              What an ending! Spain could play for another 90 mins and not score.

              Big Willie

              guess Man City weren't selling some random goalkeeper for up to 19m pounds to Burnley then 😆

                Big Willie penalty call was correct. Save was incredible. Didn't think Spain were that much better than England, if England had any sort of striker they'd have scored a couple more. Spanish kept the ball well and their long passes connected a lot more often than Englands but they'd no guile in the final 3rd. England carved them open a few times but just lacked a finisher.

                The lack of a good CF could be a real issue for England in a couple of years as Kane ages out.

                    Qwiss because Carsley didn't even play a striker. They have one pretty decent one in Archer but was always used as a super sub

                        Happy for ESR, he needed some football.

                        Having said that, I've never managed to be interested in the u21 tournaments because the best eligible players have moved on to the main national team (Saka and Bellingham for England - Gavi, Fati, Pino, Balde, Pedri and Nico Williams for Spain).

                        We never get to find out which country actually has the best u21 players.

                        Clrnc I've never seen Archer so I don't know how good he is but Carsley not playing a striker is part of my point, they missed one. He obviously didn't feel he had one of the required standard.

                          Turner is absolutely awesome at pens. Have to sub him in the next time we have a shootout

                          6 days later

                          Women's World Cup starts tonight in NZ/Aus. Who is interested?

                          In a good advert for NZ there's been a shooting in Auckland this morning on the day of the first game in the same city. The kind of thing (obviously other than the mass Mosque shooting) that just doesn't happen here.

                          Bit gutted England ended up in a group playing in Australia and all their potential knockout games will be too. Was really hoping to be able to see them as been following them for the last few tournaments and also follow the Arsenal women so know all the players etc. But still going to a couple of Wellington games - USA vs Netherlands next week which could be a good one (repeat of 2019 final) and a quarter final which on paper could potentially be USA vs Norway. Any of you Aussies going to some games?