Category Uncategorized

There has been plenty of speculation over who the next Celtic manager will be at Parkhead since Brendan Rodgers decided to resign from the role last month.

The Northern Irish head coach decided to move on from the Glasgow giants after a defeat to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership left his side eight points adrift of first place.

Rodgers won the league title in both of his seasons back at the club, as shown in the graphic above, and it will take some doing to find an upgrade on the former Liverpool manager.

The latest on Celtic's manager search

The Daily Record claims that interim boss Martin O’Neill held talks with Dermot Desmond on Friday to discuss his future, and that he is willing to stay on longer if required.

Manager Focus

Who are the greatest coaches in the land? Football FanCast’s Manager Focus series aims to reveal all.

Expand Collapse

However, the report adds that the experienced manager has told the club that the sooner they find a long-term replacement for Rodgers the better, because of how important the January transfer window will be.

The outlet reveals that Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen was in the running to land the job – he was even reported to be a frontrunner – but that the tactician is now ‘likely’ to sign a new contract with the Norwegian side.

Meanwhile, the Daily Record’s latest update claims that the club are in talks with Columbus Crew boss Wilfried Nancy as their number one target to take the role, with the Hoops hoping to snap him up before the end of the international break.

It was recently reported that Club Brugge head coach Nicky Hayen is on Celtic’s radar as a possible replacement for Rodgers, and he could be the club’s own version of Knutsen if they decide to go down that route instead of getting a deal done for Nancy.

Why Nicky Hayen would be Celtic's own Kjetil Knutsen

Stripping style of play and formations aside for a moment, the Bodo/Glimt boss would have been an exciting appointment because of his domestic and European success.

Knutsen has won 39 of his 79 games in Europe, per Transfermarkt, and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League and the quarter-finals of the Conference League. On top of that, the Norwegian boss has won the Eliteserien title in four of the last five seasons, which shows that he can win titles and progress a team in Europe.

Hayen, meanwhile, qualified for the league phase of the Champions League this season, something Celtic failed to do, and reached the semi-finals of the Conference League in the 2023/24 campaign.

European football

Nicky Hayen

Kjetil Knutsen

Matches managed

30

79

Wins

15

39

Draws

4

15

Losses

11

25

Points per game

1.63

1.67

Best finish

Conference League semi-finals

Europa League semi-finals

Stats via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, Knutsen and Hayen have a similar record and set of achievements at European level, which suggests that they would both help the Hoops to compete in Europe.

Like the Bodo/Glimt boss, the Belgian tactician has had domestic success with one Pro League title in two seasons, whilst his team currently sit second in the division after 14 matches, per Transfermarkt, in his third campaign in charge.

The 4-2-3-1 manager, who was described as “unbeatable” by one scout on X, also won the Belgian Cup last season and the Super Cup in the current term, per Transfermarkt, which shows that he knows how to win domestic trophies.

Therefore, Hayen could come in as Celtic’s own version of Knutsen because he would arrive with a similar pedigree, as they are both managers who have had similar levels of domestic and European success with their current clubs.

Related Celtic hold talks to hire "talented" manager who's like a young O'Neill

With Kieran McKenna seemingly unlikely to leave Ipswich Town, Celtic have reportedly held talks over appointing a “very talented” young EFL manager.

Posts ByBen Gray Nov 13, 2025

Whereas, Nancy has only ever managed in the MLS with Montreal and Columbus Crew, which means that he would not bring the same experience and proven track record in European football that Hayen would.

Josh Philippe’s unbeaten 123 off 87 balls and Liam Scott’s 81 continued Australia A’s dominance on day two of the first four-day game against India A in Lucknow.With Sam Konstas also making a century on the first day, Australia A declared their innings on 532 for 6 in just 98 overs, having scored at a run rate of 5.43. In reply, India A lost opener Abhimanyu Easwaran for 44, but N Jagadeesan remained unbeaten on 50 before rain brought an early end to the day.Resuming on 337 for 5, Australia A went into overdrive on the second day. Play started half an hour early at 9am to make up for overs lost to rain on the opening day. Philippe was dropped on 26 by wicketkeeper Jagadeesan off Khaleel Ahmed and cashed in, bringing up his half-century off 55 balls. He added 81 runs for the sixth wicket with Scott, who hit 81 off 122 deliveries before falling to fast bowler Gurnoor Brar.Philippe then had an unbroken 118-run stand off 62 balls with Xavier Bartlett, contributing 78 off 38 to the partnership. He smashed left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey for a six and three fours in the 93rd over and then went after offspinner Tanush Kotian in the 94th, taking him for two fours and a six. He took 77 balls to reach his century, getting there with a quick single to cover”I just looked to be positive. It was a pretty good wicket and Scotty batted beautifully, Philippe said after play. “Then, Xavier came in and we had a nice little partnership at the end. And when we’re told we’re probably declaring soon, it requires attacking against the spinners. I played them naturally. I like to try and take the game on and look to put pressure back on them straight away.”While Philippe hit 18 fours and four sixes in his century, Bartlett smashed five fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 24-ball 39. Australia A thrashed 195 runs in just 25 overs on the second day before declaring their innings.India A openers Easwaran and Jagadeesan responded quickly too, adding 88 runs for the first wicket in 21.1 overs. Easwaran was bowled by Scott but Jagadeesan reached his fifty and had B Sai Sudharsan for company on 20 when stumps were called. Only 55 overs were bowled on the second day, with no play possible after tea.”I think it’s still a pretty good wicket,” Philippe said. “There’s some signs that there’s a bit of spin from us today. Not sure what’s going on with the weather, but hopefully as the game gets on, it continues to deteriorate and our spinners can take charge and get some poles.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A meia Aline Milene lamentou a derrota do São Paulo por 4 a 1 diante do Corinthians na final do Paulistão Feminino. As Soberanas venceram o duelo de ida por 2 a 1, mas forram superadas na Neo Química Arena e ficaram com o vice-campeonato estadual. A camisa 7, no entanto, enalteceu a campanha do Tricolor e reafirmou o desejo em continuar fazendo parte da história do clube.

RelacionadasCorinthiansCorinthians goleia o São Paulo e é campeão do Paulistão FemininoCorinthians26/11/2023São PauloTranquilo no Brasileirão? São Paulo ainda luta por bolada milionária no campeonatoSão Paulo26/11/2023São PauloSão Paulo x Cuiabá: onde assistir ao vivo, horário e prováveis escalações do jogo pelo BrasileirãoSão Paulo25/11/2023

+ Corinthians goleia o São Paulo e é campeão do Paulistão Feminino

– É difícil jogar contra o Corinthians, todo mundo sabe disso, é uma grande equipe com um projeto muito vencedor. Mas o que fica é a linda trajetória que a gente criou. Estou triste, é fato, difícil falar… Agora é colocar a cabeça no lugar – disse Aline.

– Ser vice, chegar na final vale muito também, precisamos ter noção de tudo que a gente superou. Fico feliz e triste ao mesmo tempo. Estou feliz em ver que o São Paulo está chegando e quero continuar fazendo parte dessa história – acrescentou.

Apesar do ano sem títulos, a meia-campista tricolor pregou confiança no novo trabalho do técnico Thiago Viana. A atleta confirmou que fica no elenco para o ano que vem e projetou a disputa por títulos na próxima temporada.

– A gente vem crescendo, é um trabalho novo e com certeza terá frutos. Devem manter a base da equipe, eu continuo (para o ano que vem). Vamos lutar tanto no Brasileiro quanto no Paulista – concluiu.

+ Tranquilo no Brasileirão? São Paulo ainda luta por bolada milionária no campeonato

Com a derrota, as Soberanas seguem sem conquistar nenhum título desde 2019, quando a diretoria são-paulina retomou as atividades do futebol feminino do clube. Vice-campeão, a premiação do Tricolor será de R$ 500 mil.

He was also due for a brief stint in MLC in the gap between the WTC final and the opening Test in the Caribbean

Andrew McGlashan14-Jun-2025Steven Smith has avoided surgery on the compound dislocation he suffered on the third day against South Africa at Lord’s but still faces a race against time to be fit for Australia’s upcoming Test series in West Indies.Smith went straight to hospital after leaving the field when he sustained the injury to his right little finger, spilling a sharp chance offered by Temba Bavuma.The wound was cleaned, stitched and the finger placed in a splint and it’s understood he will be able to bat if he can tolerate doing so with the splint, which he will need to wear for up to eight weeks although the wound itself is expected to heal in around a fortnight. The impact on him in the field would also need to be assessed and it could hinder his ability to field in the slips.Related

Smith on track to return and reclaim No. 4 spot in Grenada

Australia's batting issues: questions surround Khawaja, Labuschagne, Konstas and Green

Injured Doggett out of West Indies Tests, Abbott called up as replacement

Khawaja has Ashes backing, but Labuschagne's spot uncertain

Introspection beckons as Australia leave Lord's less clear of a path forward

Australia’s first Test in West Indies starts on June 25 in Barbados, which would appear an unlikely timeframe, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica in July. Smith had also been due for a brief stint for Washington Freedom at Major League Cricket (MLC) between the end of the WTC final and the first Test.”He’s positive,” Pat Cummins said. “I think it’s somewhere around the 10 days to two weeks. Then maybe you try and bat with a splint and see how that looks.I think it’s a bit of a wait and see. I’d say first Test, maybe unlikely, and then kind of go from there. It’s a bit early just to tell.”It would be a significant boost for Australia if Smith was able to play a part in the series given there is uncertainty over the top order after the struggles of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green in the World Test Championship final.Khawaja’s lean outing continued his difficulties against pace bowler over the last 12 months while Green faced just five balls in the Test, falling twice to Kagiso Rabada, in his first time batting at No. 3. Labuschagne made two starts of 17 and 22 having been moved to open but did not make a convincing case to be retained in the role.Sam Konstas is waiting in the wings for a potential recall while Josh Inglis is the other spare batter in the current squad.

USWNT midfielder Lily Yohannes announced her arrival on the Champions League stage with an extraordinary long-range strike for OL Lyonnes, scoring from 57 yards in a commanding 3-0 victory over Austrian side St. Pölten on Wednesday. The 18-year-old scored her first Champions League goal just hours after being named to Emma Hayes' USWNT roster.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A moment of pure inspiration

  Standing near the halfway line at Groupama Stadium, Yohannes appeared to be surveying her passing options as OL Lyonnes built another attack against St. Pölten. Instead, the teenage midfielder spotted goalkeeper Schlüter slightly off her line.

  Without hesitation, Yohannes unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that traveled 57 yards before dipping perfectly under the crossbar and into the net. The audacious strike came in the 51st minute with Lyonnes already leading 2-0, effectively ending any hopes of an Austrian comeback.

Advertisement

• Watch the video

• From American prodigy to European star

  Yohannes developed through Ajax's youth system and made history in November 2023 when, at just 16, she became the youngest player to start a Women's Champions League group stage match. Her performances in the Netherlands earned her a high-profile transfer to eight-time Champions League winners OL Lyonnes this past summer.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Perfect timing

  Just hours before kickoff, Yohannes was included on Emma Hayes' 26-player USWNT roster for the upcoming October international window. The U.S. will play Portugal on Oct. 23 and Oct. 26, followed by a match against New Zealand on Oct. 29.

Chelsea’s transfer strategy has seen them sign and sell an enormous number of players over recent years, and while it has worked, they’ve also lost out on some brilliant talent.

For example, FA Cup winner Marc Guehi was sold to Crystal Palace for just £18m in 2021, and has since become one of the very best defenders in the Premier League.

He has also become a key player for England, starting both games during the international break and scoring his first international goal against Serbia.

However, there is another Cobham graduate who was sold too soon, someone arguably more exciting than Guehi and who looks destined to become an England star.

Ex-Chelsea players to play for England

Due to the sheer number of players Chelsea have sold or released over the last decade or more, it’s hardly surprising that there are quite a few who have gone on to play for England.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

For example, Declan Rice was famously a part of the group of Cobham gems that included Mason Mount, but was released at 14 years old and ended up joining West Ham United.

The 26-year-old would go on to make 245 appearances for the Hammers and captain them to Conference League glory before joining Arsenal for £105m two years ago.

He made his debut for the national team in March 2019 under Gareth Southgate and has since become one of the most important players for the side, accumulating 68 caps during which he has scored six goals, provided six assists, and played in two European Championship finals.

Other former Chelsea players who have pulled on the Three Lions after leaving Stamford Bridge, but aren’t as crucial to the teamlike Dominic Solanke, who made his debut while playing for Liverpool.

While none of those players have gone on to be stars for the national team, another Cobham graduate, who might be more exciting than Guehi, appears to be on track to be one.

The Cobham gem primed to be an England star

While Guehi received plenty of attention for his impressive performance on Tuesday night, and rightly so, there was another former Cobham gem playing alongside him: Tino Livramento.

The Croydon-born full-back joined Chelsea as a child and made quite a name for himself coming up through the academy, even winning the player of the year award in the 20/21 season.

However, after failing to agree on terms on a deal, the Blues sold him to Southampton for around £5m, where injuries would limit him to just 34 appearances in two years.

Yet, those 34 appearances were still impressive enough to convince Newcastle United that he was a player worth signing, so in August 2023, they spent around £32m rising to £40m to bring him to St James’ Park.

Since then, the 22-year-old has gone from strength to strength, making 83 appearances for the Toon, in which he’s produced four goal involvements, averaged 1.77 points per game, played on both sides of the defence and most importantly, helped the club with their first silverware since the 50s.

All of this was enough for him to win his first senior cap for England under Lee Carsley last November, and then this international break, Thomas Tuchel played him in the first game and started him against Serbia.

Moreover, it looks like he could become a star for the side, as according to some reports, the German has told his staff he views the Toon ace as someone who can become his ‘first-choice left-back.’ Theo Walcott has even stated in the past that he believes Tuchel may have a “future England captain” at his disposal, such is his presence.

Finally, on top of passing the eye test and still having plenty of time to develop, another reason why the former Cobham gem might be even more exciting than Guehi is the fact that his underlying numbers are already stellar.

According to FBref, he ranked in the top 4% of full-backs in the league last season for ball recoveries, the top 6% for long pass completion, the top 11% for passes blocked, the top 13% for progressive passes and more, all per 90.

Ball Recoveries

5.86

Top 4%

Pass Completion % (Long)

63.5%

Top 6%

Passes Blocked

0.81

Top 11%

Pass Completion %

86.1%

Top 12%

Progressive Passes

5.26

Top 13%

Total Carrying Distance

207.66

Top 13%

Progressive Carrying Distance

111.68

Top 14%

Progressive Carries

2.73

Top 17%

Passes Attempted (Short)

29.13

Top 18%

Pass Completion % (Medium)

87.2%

Top 18%

Carries into Penalty Area

0.50

Top 18%

Passes Completed (Short)

26.53

Top 19%

Ultimately, while it’s challenging to predict how a youngster will develop, it feels like Chelsea made a significant mistake in allowing Livramento to leave in 2021.

The Chelsea academy star turning Maresca's head after Nicolas Jackson praise

Chelsea’s manager is keeping a close eye on him.

ByEmilio Galantini Sep 11, 2025

It is fair to say that Celtic’s actions on deadline day at the end of the summer transfer window did not go down very well amongst a large section of the fanbase.

Such was the reaction to the club’s work on deadline day, the Scottish Premiership champions felt they needed to release a statement explaining their processes and why they failed to bring in any strikers before the window slammed shut.

One interesting line to pick out from the statement is the following: “The Club plans our recruitment and player trading strategy responsibly and consistently, ensuring the squad can be strengthened for the short, medium and long term, while also seeking to ensure the development and progression of our Academy players. Our objective is to create Champions League players.”

This is an interesting line to pick out because the Hoops opted to cash in on Adam Idah on deadline day, despite the fact that they had failed to sign a high-calibre number nine to that point.

Celtic then had to dip into the free agent market to sign Kelechi Iheanacho the day after deadline day because they were unable to sign a replacement for Idah before the window closed.

These decisions have left the Hoops in a position where their squad looks much weaker in the short-term than it did at this point last summer, which brings the aforementioned part of the statement into question.

Why Celtic have a problem in the number nine position

Celtic have sold Idah and Kyogo Furuhashi in 2025, raking in up to £17m in the process, but have only spent £1.5m on striker signings in that time.

Shin Yamada was brought in from Kawasaki Frontale for a fee of £1.5m this summer as the only senior striker who was not signed on a free transfer by the club in 2025.

The Japanese centre-forward scored two goals in 21 matches in the J1 League in 2025 before his move to Celtic, which shows that the club did not sign a player who was in form and ready to hit the ground running.

That has proven to be the case. Yamada has failed to score in five appearances for the Scottish giants in all competitions so far this season, per Sofascore.

League football in 2025

Iheanacho

Yamada

Kenny

Appearances

16

23

10

Goals

2

2

2

Big chances missed

2

10

3

Big chances created

0

2

1

Assists

2

1

1

Stats via Sofascore

As you can see in the table above, all three of Celtic’s natural number nine options have struggled for league goals in 2025, as all of them have failed to score more than two goals and missed more ‘big chances’ than they have scored goals.

These statistics show that the Hoops have a clear problem in the centre-forward position in the short-term, at least, after they allowed Kyogo and Idah to depart without replacing them with ‘Champions League players’.

Kenny, who scored his first goal for the club against Aberdeen, has shown promise with two goals in ten appearances and one start in the Premiership to date, but he was an unused substitute in both games against Kairat, which suggests that Brendan Rodgers does not fully trust him yet.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Expand Collapse

Looking back, therefore, Celtic may regret their decision to sell Hyeon-gyu Oh to Genk in the summer of 2024, because his current form suggests that he would have been an upgrade on Idah and could have solved their attacking woes at Parkhead.

Why Celtic should have kept Hyeon-gyu Oh

Rodgers sanctioned a deal to sell the number nine to Genk for a fee of £2.3m in order to facilitate the permanent signing of Idah from Norwich City for £9.5m.

As you can see in the graphic above, the Ireland international was unable to replicate his prolific loan spell during his time as a permanent player at Parkhead, which led to him being sold to Swansea for a deal that could reach £7m.

That immediately suggests that Rodgers and Celtic made the wrong call to sign Idah on a permanent deal, particularly for the finances involved, because they were then willing to take a loss on him after just 12 months.

Oh’s form since moving on from the Hoops last summer only adds further evidence to that case, as he has been a huge success in Belgium with Genk, and caught the eye for his country.

The 24-year-old marksman delivered a goal and an assist for South Korea in a 2-2 draw with Mexico during the international break. That led to Korean football account Fighting Stripes Football claiming that Oh “has the potential to be Korea’s best ever striker” because of his technical qualities and his top-class mentality.

It is now down to the striker to go on and fulfill that potential, but a goal and an assist against a very respectable footballing nation in Mexico is a good way to start.

Oh’s form in Belgium for Genk also shows that the striker has been on fire since his move away from Celtic, and that he could have been an upgrade on Idah if the Hoops had kept him in Glasgow.

24/25 season per 90

Oh (Pro League)

Idah (Premiership)

xG

1.03

0.71

xG on target

1.31

0.86

Goals

1.33

0.68

Shots on target

3.10

1.90

xA

0.18

0.14

Assists

0.30

0.00

Stats via FotMob

As you can see in the table above, the South Korea international delivered more goals, more shots on target, more xA, and more assists per 90 than Idah at league level in the 2024/25 campaign.

Oh scored nine goals from 6.95 xG in 684 minutes of football for Genk in the Pro League, per Sofascore, which shows that he was incredibly clinical in front of goal and more than made the most of the minutes that he got on the pitch.

Such was the impressive nature of his performances for Genk, Stuttgart were reportedly set to clinch a £24m deal for the striker, before they backed out of a move after the medical brought up a red flag over an old ACL injury.

Whilst the move did not go through, the fact that Stuttgart were willing to pay £24m for a player who was let go by Celtic for £2.3m last year shows that the club made a mistake when they cashed in on him in 2024.

Related Isak thinks he's "fearless": Celtic are now brewing their next Matt O'Riley

Celtic are brewing their next Matt O’Riley with this versatile attacking star at Parkhead.

Posts ByDan Emery Sep 11, 2025

Therefore, Celtic messed up by selling Oh last year because he could have offered more to the team than Idah and been the striker that Rodgers is now sorely lacking.

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has won plenty of admirers around north London after what was a high-stakes, ambitious first transfer window at his new club.

Mikel Arteta was backed with the signing of a new back-up keeper, two centre-backs, two proven centre-midfielders, a winger, a star number 10 and a prolific striker who scored 97 goals over 102 appearances at his last club.

We are, of course, talking about Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Viktor Gyokeres — who cost the Gunners a combined fee of over £250 million.

Kepa Arrizabalaga

£5m

Martin Zubimendi

£60m

Christian Norgaard

£15m

Noni Madueke

£52m

Cristhian Mosquera

£13m

Viktor Gyokeres

£55m

Eberechi Eze

£67.5m

Piero Hincapie

Loan

While Arsenal haven’t got off to a perfect Premier League start, losing their first game of the season against fellow serial spenders Liverpool last weekend, Berta’s contingent of new arrivals is at least expected to help compete with Arne Slot’s champions till the bitter end.

Arteta didn’t have it all his own way when it comes to recruitment, and Berta was key to this.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that Berta helped to convince Arteta and other members of the Arsenal hierarchy to move for Gyokeres instead of Benjamin Sesko, owing to the 53-year-old’s growing influence behind-closed-doors.

Berta was also hesitant to pay Joan Garcia’s £21 million release clause, despite him being a top target for Arteta personally — resulting in Arsenal signing Kepa instead for just £5 million as the former moved to Barcelona instead.

The Italian is a fascinating figurehead and has already made a significant mark at Arsenal, despite being there for just six months, with Berta also now looking to expand his own team of recruitment officials (The Athletic).

Berta was seriously praised for his handling of what was a difficult deal for Gyokeres too, and one which may well be crucial as Arsenal seek to end their two-decade-long wait for a Premier League title.

Berta’s reputation as a transfer guru has only intensified, and according to The Athletic’s James McNicholas, he’s even earned a nickname.

What insiders call Andrea Berta in scathing Arsenal nickname

According to the outlet, there is criticism surrounding Berta by some people, who narrow his skills as a sporting director solely down to transfers — without taking into account other responsibilities of the role.

McNicholas reports that insiders have nicknamed Berta a “club agent” in a subtle dig towards him, but for the time being at Arsenal, is that really such a bad thing?

The former Atlético Madrid chief has done precisely what critics and supporters alike expected of him, and when the north Londoners needed it most following their disappointment of a 24/25 campaign.

Arteta, meanwhile, was impressed almost immediately after meeting Berta — even if the pair weren’t always in total agreement on transfers this summer.

Weah has been inconsistent under Mauricio Pochettino, but the move to Marseille meant to create opportunities

Tim Weah did everything right. He started his run from deep, drew an extra man away from the ball. As Mason Greenwood surged through the middle, Weah peeled off to the right – creating the narrowest of passing lanes for his teammate. Greenwood obliged.

The pass was weighted nicely, the finish was even better – Weah smashing Thibaut Courtois with such ferocity that the Belgian goalkeeper couldn't react. 

Weah's only fault, in fact, was a brief slip on the Santiago Bernabeu turf as he careened off in celebration. But even that had a certain charm to it. The goal seemed significant – and it significant. It gave Marseille an unlikely 1-0 lead against European giants Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday (a result that would harshly be overturned due to a dubious refereeing decision).

But it also made Weah the first American to score at the Bernabeu – and just might have ignited a season that had sputtered to start. The U.S. international's story has been interesting of late. Weah was rather frozen out, even misused at Juventus. He followed that by impressing only in brief moments for the USMNT.

And now, with one goal and a starring performance to boot, Weah has shown a glimpse of what could yet happen, an opportunity for a talent once full of promise to realize his potential. 

• Getty
  

  Leaving Juventus

  Weah probably had to leave Juventus. There was honor, it seemed, in fighting for his spot, and trying to crack into the XI at his preferred position. But the couldn't offer it. What didn't help is that Weah might not have even known himself.

  Originally, he was a winger. Then we were told he could play through the middle. For long stretches, Max Allegri used him as a fullback. Piece it all together, and Weah played in four different positions last season, and wasn't markedly effective in any of them.

  Sure, there is something to be said for finding a role – and being entrusted with plugging gaps that others could not. But Weah wasn't a guaranteed starter. He needed to go somewhere that would let him do just that. Enter Roberto de Zerbi's Marseille. The French side had become an island of misfits of sorts, picking up scraps from all over Europe to form a solid side.

  Weah, forced out of the picture at Juve and all, seemed to fit that mold. Thus far, it has been an overwhelming success.

  "It's super intense," Weah said. "I mean, just the group alone, we get into so many fights together, in trainings, in the locker rooms, that people think we're crazy at times. But it's just because everyone is so passionate."

  And perhaps Weah needed that. There was a sense of a footballer going through the motions at Juve. Weah was 25, the memories of the much-hyped kid at PSG fading away. 

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  USMNT chances (at first)

  Still, there were a few skeptics. Seven career goals for Juve didn't exactly inspire confidence. And even if Marseille wonderfully recreated George Weah's photoshoot from when Tim's father was at the club in 2000, he still had a point to prove.

  Weah had been left at home as Juventus traveled to the United States for the Club World Cup. A Premier League move to Nottingham Forest was reportedly available. Weah turned it down. Meanwhile, his agent and Juve clashed in the media, with allegations of dishonesty about the player's future slung on both sides. 

  But the early signs with Marseille were good. Fans met Weah at the airport, and recreated the chant they used to bellow for his father 25 years before. The opportunity to play Champions League football was a draw. That meant high-profile games, but also extra minutes to go around.

  And even if De Zerbi had developed a reputation as a difficult character, his tactical acumen simply could not be questioned.

  "He's a players coach. He was one of the main reasons I came to the club," Weah said.

• Imagn
  

  Struggling to impress Pochettino

  The USMNT, though, was different. Mauricio Pochettino, appointed in September 2024, was handed less than two years to prepare the team for a home World Cup. The early returns were good, as he played it mostly safe with his squad. Weah was among the selections, and a wonderful goal against Jamaica – after a tactical switch saw him moved to the left wing – showed promise. 

  But he also played both fixtures as the U.S. lost to first Panama, and then Canada in the Nations League finals – and was remarkably ineffective in 180 minutes of play. A Gold Cup omission – brought about by conflicts in his Juve future and the Club World Cup – delayed any sort of renaissance that might have been on the cards.

  It was also immensely frustrating, Weah admitted.

  "Being back after not being with them in the summer is just an amazing feeling," he said of the recent USMNT camp. "And you know, anytime I'm here, I try to keep that vibe. I'm trying to keep the positivity in there."

  Backing that up with performances on the pitch, though, wasn't so simple. The USMNT as a whole struggled against South Korea earlier this month, outcoached and outplayed by a superior side. And Weah could do little to affect the outcome. He managed just 62 minutes before leaving with a hamstring issue. Weah didn't appear in the next game, a 2-0 win over Japan. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

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

• Getty Images Sport
  

  A new era?

  It all leaves his USMNT future slightly uncertain. Sure, Weah will certainly get more chances to impress under Pochettino (he has only played three games for the manager, who has admitted that he will now look to fine tune his squads for the World Cup). But now, the real competition begins.

  If Pochettino is to stick with the 3-4-3 formation that was successful against Japan, it might require a different approach from Weah. After all, he is a winger, and that formation, quite simply, doesn't utilize them. Perhaps, then, he could be used as a wing back. It's a position, ironically, that he was rather misused at during his time at Juve. 

  Pochettino, in fact, admitted that he was somewhat frustrated to see Weah play at that spot.

  "He's a player that can be very aggressive in an offensive way," he said. "But we need to create the habit again, because he loses this habit a little bit when he plays fullback. It's another focus in your game, another demand. And then you need to change in few days and to transform that player whose main mindset is defensive into an offensive player."

  Versatility, for the USMNT, might be a good thing.

كشف الإعلامي خالد الغندور، تفاصيل جديدة بشأن المدير الفني المنتظر للنادي الأهلي، وكواليس اتفاق محمود الخطيب رئيس القلعة الحمراء مع سيد عبد الحفيظ بعد الاستقرار على عودة الأخير للعمل بالنادي.

وقال خالد الغندور في تصريحات عبر برنامج “الحريفة” على إذاعة “أون سبورت إف إم”: “أريد أن أتحدث عن ملف المدير الفني الجديد للنادي الأهلي، النادي بدأ إعلاميًا يطرح اسم مدرب دنماركي سبق له تدريب فريق ميتلاند، ويمتلك خبرة تصل إلى 20 عامًا، حقق بطولة الدوري الدنماركي مع ميتلاند، كما درب إمام عاشور في تلك الفترة، ثم حصل على بطولة الكأس، لكن طوال مسيرته لم يحقق العديد من البطولات، باستثناء بطولة دوري الدرجة الثانية في الدنمارك”.

وتابع: “فجأة وجدنا أن هذا المدرب انتقل إلى تدريب فريق بولندي، ثم قيل إنه ليس المقصود، ومع ذلك، ما زال هناك حديث عن أن المدير الفني القادم دنماركي، خاصة في ظل وجود أسامة هلال، مدير التعاقدات، في الدنمارك حاليًا”.

وأضاف: “المدير الفني الذي يُتوقع الإعلان عنه بعد مباراة القمة، يوم الأربعاء المُقبل، هو جيس ثوروب، وُلد في 21 فبراير 1970، ويبلغ من العمر 55 عامًا، بدأ مسيرته التدريبية مع منتخب الدنمارك تحت 21 عامًا، ثم تولى تدريب نادي إيسبيرغ من 2013 حتى 2014، قبل أن ينتقل لتدريب ميتلاند ويحقق معهم لقب الدوري موسم 2014-2015”.

وأردف: “بعدها تولى تدريب جينت البلجيكي من 2018 حتى 2020، ثم درب جينك لفترة قصيرة جدًا في 2020، بعدها أصبح مدربًا لفريق كوبنهاجن من 2020 حتى 2022، كما درب لفترة وجيزة فريق هيرتا برلين الألماني، ومنذ ذلك الوقت لم يتولَّ تدريب أي فريق آخر”.

طالع أيضًا | شوبير: أزمة كبيرة تواجه الأهلي.. وثلاثي الزمالك “الأخطر” في القمة

وواصل: “في مسيرته التدريبية، خاض 512 مباراة، فاز في 265 منها، وتعادل في 113، وخسر 134، بنسبة فوز تبلغ حوالي 52%. هذا هو المدرب الذي سيُعلن عن توليه تدريب الأهلي، وسيأتي برفقة خمسة مساعدين”.

وأشار: “المدرب سيحصل مع جهازه المعاون على راتب يصل إلى 230 ألف دولار، أي ما يعادل تقريبًا 11 مليون جنيه مصري، هو ليس صاحب سيرة ذاتية كبيرة للغاية، لكنه أيضًا ليس ضعيفًا، مدرب عادي، وليس كما توقع البعض أن يأتي اسم مثل برونو لاج”.

وأضاف الغندور: “في الجهاز المعاون سيكون الكابتن عادل مصطفى موجودًا، بينما سيتولى وليد صلاح الدين منصب مدير الكرة، أما عماد النحاس فيتم الآن البحث عن دور مناسب له داخل النادي بعد مباراة القمة”.

واستطرد: “معلوماتي أن الكابتن سيد عبد الحفيظ جلس مع الكابتن محمود الخطيب، وتم الاتفاق على أن يكون عبد الحفيظ هو المشرف العام على فريق الكرة، الخطيب سيبتعد عن هذا الملف تمامًا، خصوصًا إذا قرر خوض الانتخابات المقبلة”.

واختتم: “قد يفكر سيد عبد الحفيظ في إلغاء لجنة التخطيط التي يترأسها الكابتن مختار مختار، على أن تكون له صلاحيات كاملة في إدارة قطاع الكرة بالنادي الأهلي، إلى جانب وجود وليد صلاح الدين كمدير للكرة، والكابتن محمد يوسف أيضًا في المنظومة”.