Throughout the remarkable career of Michael Jordan, there were countless memorable moments, challenges, and triumphs. From off-court controversies and the global brand that turned the Jordan name into a worldwide phenomenon, to the extraordinary basketball ability that captivated fans everywhere.
What MJ also possessed was an unmatched competitive drive and an obsession with winning. He had little patience for anyone who stood in his way.
The basketball icon shared a well-documented rivalry with Isiah Thomas, fuelled by his ongoing feud with the Detroit Pistons. Their numerous playoff encounters played a major role in shaping both Jordan’s rise and the Chicago Bulls’ championship journey.
One of the most famous moments came when Thomas declined to shake Jordan’s hand after a playoff defeat, and the relationship between the two never appeared to fully recover. Yet, Thomas was not the player Jordan ultimately selected.
Jordan’s list of rivals stretches back even further than his NBA days. One of his earliest competitors was fellow college star Patrick Ewing, who played for Georgetown before going on to enjoy a successful 17-year NBA career, spending most of it with the New York Knicks while averaging 21 points per game.
Jordan’s North Carolina Tar Heels often got the better of Georgetown, but Ewing’s team consistently provided a tough challenge, and the pair developed a competitive relationship over the years.
Michael Jordan’s Pick For Most Hated Opponent
Despite those notable rivalries and confrontations, Jordan had a different answer when discussing the opponent he came to dislike the most. That distinction went to Indiana Pacers sharpshooter Reggie Miller.
“I don’t really dislike anyone in the league, but playing Reggie Miller drives me nuts. His game is all this flopping-type thing. He only weighs 185 pounds, so you have to be careful; don’t touch him, or it’s a foul. On offence, I use all of my 215 pounds and move him out, but he has his hands on you all the time. I just want to beat his hands off because it’s illegal. It irritates me.”
Miller was also regarded as one of the NBA’s premier trash talkers. Standing 6-foot-7 but weighing only 185 pounds, he knew he could never overpower Jordan physically. However, that approach wasn’t reserved solely for Jordan – Miller used similar tactics against opponents across the league.
While it earned him plenty of admiration, it also created its fair share of enemies. That was simply part of his style. He maximised every advantage available to compete at the highest level, including psychological warfare, and many respected him for it.
Michael Jordan, however, found it far less admirable.
The general consensus surrounding Liverpool’s decision to replace Arne Slot – the Reds’ latest Premier League-winning manager – with Andoni Iraola is that it is a gamble worth taking. Swapping the Dutchman’s slower, more methodical tactical style for the explosive, front-footed approach of Bournemouth’s former mastermind feels much more like a return to the Jurgen Klopp blueprint.
It was that exciting brand of football that earned the Cherries a place in next season’s Europa League, as they went unbeaten throughout the second half of the league campaign. Meanwhile, Slot was struggling to get a tune out of nearly all of his expensive new signings, including British transfer-record arrivals Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, as the fallen champions only just scraped into the top five.
This new era has set the wheels in motion for a fresh start under leadership that should reignite an Anfield crowd which lost most of its spark last season. However, not everyone is convinced by the bold approach. One of Liverpool’s former FA Cup winners has already spoken out, revealing the five alternative candidates he would have preferred to see appointed instead of Iraola.
A journalist claims Liverpool didn’t miss out on Xabi Alonso.
Why Former Liverpool Ace is Against Andoni Iraola’s Appointment
Dean Saunders, who played for Liverpool in the early ’90s and won an FA Cup for his efforts, is not so sure the Spaniard is the right choice, doubting his ability to step up to the pressurised situation of managing an elite club. “Only certain people can manage Liverpool,” Saunders told talkSPORT.
“If I’m the recruitment team at Liverpool and I’ve sacked Slot, they would have thought that this bloke don’t know how to win games every week. For Liverpool it’s a disaster if you draw. At a top club the rules are different. You’ve got to win every single game and you’ve got to know how to do it.”
He added: “You think of people who know how to win football matches and know how to take the game to the opposition. They know how to break parking the bus down every week, they know how to do it.”
Indeed, the 61-year-old, who also had stints at the likes of Aston Villa, Derby County, and Brighton & Hove Albion, has a point. Iraola has never won a major trophy, never managed a club whose ambitions depend on the ultimate currency of success, while you would have to look a fair way back before seeing the last time a manager from outside of the top six joined one and was a hit.
The Five Managers Saunders Would Have Turned To Instead
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola with the Premier League trophy
Needless to say, Saunders’ call for the Reds to try tie Pep Guardiola down to a contract just weeks after leaving his beloved Manchester City is one hell of a sensational call. But the point he was making with his list of alternatives is that he believes Liverpool should have looked towards the tried, tested, and successful head coaches first.
“Liverpool can pay the manager whatever they want. I would think, right we’re going to sack Slot who can we get?” he continued. “Jurgen Klopp, can we get Jurgen Klopp back?
“What about Pep Guardiola? Can we get Pep Guardiola? Honestly! If we get any of them two, we’re going to win games and leagues. Can’t get them. What about [Luis] Enrique? No don’t want to leave PSG. What about Mourinho? Proven winner.
“I would go through the list. [Carlo] Ancelotti, would he leave Brazil at the end of the World Cup and come and manage us? I would go through that list, before I start going into [Xabi] Alonso, [Steven] Gerrard, Iraola, young managers. I would start with the people who know how to win football matches.”
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has given his thoughts on Arne Slot’s exit from Anfield.
The Athletic report that Iraola has verbally agreed a deal to become Liverpool manager and is set to sign a two-year contract at Anfield. It will undoubtedly be a giant step for the 43-year-old, who has a glowing reputation, but has a managerial history of AEK Larnaca, Mirandes and Rayo Vallecano before his three-year stint with Bournemouth.
While silverware will be expected at Anfield, though, it won’t be number one priority next season. The Spaniard’s high-octane style of football should keep his new supporters interested for a while yet anyway, and the red half of Merseyside usually takes a lot of hits before changing their mind on their manager.
Tottenham, meanwhile, will need to strengthen their squad following back-to-back 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League, with new head coach Roberto De Zerbi looking to make quick moves in the window to put together a group he thinks can challenge towards the top of the table, rather than the bottom.
Alex Scott enjoyed a fine season for Bournemouth
World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – England Press Conference – Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain – November 11, 2025 England’s Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
The 22-year-old was a regular starter under Andoni Iraola, only missing the final game of the season, named in the starting lineup for 34 of the 37 other matches in the Premier League. He scored three goals – with another coming in the FA Cup – and made one assist, picking up the Supporters’ Player of the Year award.
GIVEMESPORT senior football correspondent Ben Jacobs said last month: “Tottenham are one of the clubs looking at Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
“He’s on Manchester United’s radar too, but once again, as I’ve said many times, Bournemouth are calm about that situation and are hoping to offer Scott a new deal.”
However, as time has moved on, it may be that Scott is now available to complete a move away from the Vitality Stadium this summer, with a report from the Athletic stating that “an extension is seen as unlikely”.
How much Bournemouth will demand to sell Scott
Alex Scott
The Athletic report goes on to state that United have made inquiries as to the cost of a deal, with Scott having just two years left to run on his current deal on the south coast. It is thought Bournemouth would demand around £60million to even consider selling the midfielder who has been described as “elite” by Nigel Pearson, who was his manager at Bristol City before moving to Bournemouth.
Pearson said: “He’s a unique talent. I’ve heard him compared to lots of players, but Alex is just a top-class young player who has a very level head. He will go on to play for England, I have absolutely no doubt about that. He is destination elite.”
Spurs may hold an advantage over United, should they look to pursue a move, given Scott grew up as a Tottenham fan.
Speaking after scoring against Arsenal, he said: “Yes, I support Tottenham, though that doesn’t have much to do with today. But growing up as a kid, it was definitely a dream for me [to score against Arsenal]. Bournemouth are my team at the minute but I was a Tottenham fan growing up, so as a kid growing up, I would have been really happy with that.”
Kate Mason is joined by Ben Jacobs for a live edition of Market Madness, breaking down the latest chaos in the transfer market and all the biggest stories from across football.
Journalist, author and host of The Athletic’s Walk On podcast, Tony Evans, joins live to discuss a huge summer at Liverpool, including:
– Arne Slot’s departure — the right call or too soon?
– Andoni Iraola’s potential arrival
– Where Liverpool’s season went wrong
– Key areas to strengthen and possible transfer targets
Plus, Ben brings the latest breaking transfer news and answers your questions in his weekly mailbag.
We also hear from England legend Jill Scott ahead of her Sport Relief challenge, as she reflects on life after football and gives her thoughts on the Lionesses’ chances at the upcoming World Cup.
