Sports
Sam Allardyce Names the ‘Most Annoying’ Manager he Ever Shared a Touchline With
Sam Allardyce has revealed his pick for the ‘most annoying’ football manager he ever shared a touchline with during his 31-year career in the Premier League. Over that time, ‘Big Sam’ earned a reputation as the ultimate survival specialist, consistently taking on jobs that came with immediate jeopardy.
In fact, the 71-year-old famously maintained an unbeaten record in relegation battles across 15 seasons, helping steer clubs such as Bolton Wanderers, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, and Crystal Palace away from danger – often by relying on a safe, direct, and defensively focussed approach to turn form around.
For that reason, Allardyce himself could easily be considered among the most frustrating managers in Premier League history, given how often his pragmatic style disrupted opponents chasing success. However, when making his own choice, he focused purely on touchline antics – and there was no hesitation in his answer.
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Allardyce Didn’t Hesitate When Naming ‘Most Annoying’ Manager He Faced
Appearing on a recent episode of ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Football’ podcast, Paddy McGuinness wanted to know who Allardyce felt was the most annoying manager to share the touchline with. Expecting a more considered answer, the one-time England manager had clearly already thought about his answer previously. He said (watch the full segment below):
“Rafa[el Benitez]. I had a lot of fall outs with Rafa and Arsene Wenger, but [I have] total respect for them as managers and what they have achieved, so it wasn’t anything else, but I just can’t be doing what they try to do to me. Try do something to me, and you’re not going to win. Or I’m going to try not to let you win. I’m going for you.”
After Paul Scholes mentioned Benitez had previously said something about Allardyce’s long-ball tactics, the inactive manager – having last had a short stint with Leeds United in 2023 – recalled that the Spaniard once made a two-hour video complaining about it. He also then put the former Liverpool boss on blast for the contradictions he made about time-wasting, claiming every manager did it.
Rafael Benitez’s Time in the Premier League
With time-wasting back in vogue in the Premier League this season, Rafael Benitez would no doubt have found a few more managers to wind up – that much feels certain. The Spaniard was never everyone’s cup of tea (just ask Allardyce or Jose Mourinho, with whom he shared plenty of fiery touchline battles over the years).
But for what he achieved with Liverpool in the 2005 Champions League final, Benitez will always be a legend on the red half of Merseyside. His spells at Newcastle United and Everton never quite lived up to those lofty standards, though his struggles at Goodison Park were viewed by some Reds fans with a sense of irony – as if his brief tenure there somehow worked in Liverpool’s favour.
The 66-year-old’s Premier League record is distinguished yet mixed. Across six seasons at Liverpool (2004-2010), he posted an impressive 55% win rate and came closest to the title with a second-place finish in 2008/09. He later took charge of Chelsea in an interim role, as well as Newcastle and Everton, recording a 58% win rate at Chelsea and 43% at Newcastle.
His time with the Toffees, however, lasted just 22 games, yielding a 32% win rate and only one victory in his final 13 league matches – bringing a turbulent chapter to a swift end.
Sports
Club Open To Tottenham Player Sale For £26M After Contact Made
Tottenham have been handed a boost in their pursuit of one transfer target, but could face a battle to land him over their rivals in the coming weeks in the market.
It’s part of a busy summer for Spurs, as Roberto De Zerbi and the recruitment team have already shifted focus towards rebuilding the squad to avoid a repeat of the consecutive 17th-placed finishes the club have suffered from.
Two deals have already been sealed in the backline, while moves are also being made to sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke in swift fashion.
Other targets are in mind too, with an open race to land a particular forward.
Antonio Vergara Transfer Battle
Tottenham have been linked with a move for Napoli forward Antonio Vergara, as CalcioNapoli24 claims that the club are monitoring a move for the 23-year-old.
Spurs aren’t the only team in the mix, as Como are also eyeing a move as they look to add more homegrown talent to their squad ahead of their move into the Champions League next season.
It’s claimed that the Serie A side have already made contact for the 23-year-old, as the two teams position themselves for a possible deal in the market.
Napoli are believed to be open for a switch in the region of £26 million, which could prove to be a bargain, if Tottenham are able to agree a switch.
It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi’s side will formalise their interest, as Como appear to be pushing ahead with their own move for the forward.
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How Good Is Antonio Vergara?
A move for Vergara could add more attacking depth to the Tottenham forward line, but there are question marks over how well he would adjust to the Premier League.
The 23-year-old can play as both an attacking midfielder and as a right-winger, but he has often been used as a squad player since returning to Napoli from a loan spell at Reggiana.
Last season, Vergara made 19 appearances across all competitions, scoring three goals and assisting four times, with just under 1,000 minutes to his name.
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The former Italy youth international saw his season interrupted by injuries, which certainly didn’t help his case to be a regular starter under Antonio Conte.
At 23, there is room to grow further, but it’s unclear whether Tottenham can take such a risk when they have a squad filled with potential but a lack of quality for the here and now.
Sports
Man Utd Chiefs Now Confident They Will Sign Elliot Anderson
Manchester United are optimistic they will beat their rivals to a key signing this summer, according to The Guardian, as the next phase of the squad rebuild moves into effect.
For Michael Carrick, the summer offers a chance to reflect on a successful stint so far, having returned the Red Devils to the Champions League, before pushing on and finding areas to improve upon.
The recruitment team are already putting plans into place for some key additions to the squad, with the midfield being the main area of focus so far.
Ederson is set to join the club from Atalanta, as Manchester United have agreed the terms of a move and are moving closer to the deal being finalised.
The midfield interest doesn’t stop there, however, as the Red Devils continue to monitor other options, which includes a potential move for Elliot Anderson.
Elliot Anderson To Man United Latest
Anderson appears to be one of the most-wanted stars in the Premier League this summer, after the Nottingham Forest midfielder has shown his class for both club and country – leading to rave reviews and an “elite” description of his performances.
A move appears awkward for a few clubs, after Forest placed a price tag in the region of £100 million on the star, as they brace for interest elsewhere.
Manchester City have already made an offer, which has been rebuffed, as it seemed as though everything was moving towards Anderson joining them.
However, it appears as though there could be a twist in the tale, as the Guardian claims that the Manchester United executives are optimistic that a deal for the midfielder can still be completed.
As it stands, Man City seemingly remain the favourites, but there is belief that the Red Devils will be able to convince the England international that they are the right destination for him.
Perhaps even more importantly, the report claims that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is willing to fund the wage demands of the 23-year-old in the summer window.
It all comes down to whether United can fully convince Anderson that Old Trafford is the ideal destination, even if the project still needs time to build.
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Anderson Is Perfect For Man Utd
As Man United look to improve their midfield ranks, a move for Anderson would appear perfect to help try and set the club up for the short-term and long-term future.
The England star is a generalist, someone who is good at a bit of everything, which is the exact profile that could take the Red Devils to the next level.
The 23-year-old is comfortable evading pressure when building up from deep, has the creative instinct and vision around the box in the final third, and has an engine that allows him to put in a shift when out of possession.
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Much like how Declan Rice helped transform Arsenal, Anderson could end up doing the same for Man United, giving a player who platforms everyone else.
It will be costly, but it could accelerate the project at Old Trafford by a few years.
Sports
Tottenham Want Jean-Matteo Bahoya In Transfer Switch
Tottenham are stepping up their interest in transfer targets, as a report from BILD claims that a winger is back on the club’s radar for this summer.
Spurs have already wasted no time in trying to strengthen Roberto De Zerbi’s squad, adding the free signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while progress is being made to try and sign Savinho and Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, after the head coach claimed that “only ten to 12” players were good enough to play for the Lilywhites, there is still work to be done.
That is why Tottenham continue to push forward with a few other key moves, with a winger seemingly on the shortlist for a switch this summer.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya Transfer Move
According to a report from BILD, via Sports Witness, Tottenham are described as “particularly interested” in a move to sign Jean-Matteo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
It comes as the Bundesliga outfit are looking to raise funds in the transfer market, with the 21-year-old winger listed as one of three players who could be available in the coming weeks.
North London rivals Arsenal were linked with a potential move for Bahoya, but the report suggests that the Gunners may well have walked away from a move.
The French winger has impressed over the past season, with promising performances in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, suggesting he could become even better in the future.
Bahoya has been described as “unbelievably fast”, potentially adding an injection of pace that Tottenham need in the forward line moving forward.
That said, it remains to be seen whether an offer will be lodged in the coming days and weeks of the market.
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Tottenham Transfer Challenge
While Bahoya may be a promising option for Tottenham, the priority has to be on improving the base quality of the team, not the potential for the future.
Spurs have plenty of young players who could become great, but miss that consistent quality that can often be found with the stars who have experience, particularly in the Premier League.
This approach in signing the likes of Robertson, Senesi, and Van Hecke shows that the club know this, but the same must come from the forward areas.
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Manchester United used this effectively last year, with the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha for the forward line.
While Savinho has some experience, he still lands more on the side of potential, meaning that Spurs should look to land more immediate forward quality.
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