The Official Soccer, Football, Futbol, and Footie Thread

[CJC626]

That has to be the most dramatic/bizarre/etc. finish to any sporting event I have seen in a long time. And usually that's Fergie's forte. Talk about a change of the guard - a team not named ManU, Arsenal or Chelsea winning the English title. How long ago was the last time that happened?

As a fan of the underdog, I'm glad to see the "noisy neighbours" pull it out. And the latest episode of the Joey Barton show was pretty entertaining too.

[boarderwoozel3]

Unbelievable.

[sonofhal]

Not a fan of sides that buy titles, but today was all kinds of crazy.

[citizenerased]

meanwhile in Italy, Inzaghi scores on his last appearance for Milan. So touching seeing the old guard on the verge of tears. I think Seedorf, Gattuso, and Nesta are retiring too.

[boarderwoozel3]

Not a fan of sides that buy titles, but today was all kinds of crazy.

I'm happy for the City supporters. You could see the crushing agony of playing little brother to United for so many years on the fans' faces in the final minutes. Then, bedlam.

(Agreed about buying titles.)

[sonofhal]

Villarreal got relegated. Crikey.

Also, Malaga in the Champions League. Awesome.

[CJC626]

Is there anyone in the business better than Martin Tyler? Hopefully I can find a longer version of his commentary.

[citizenerased]

Is there anyone in the business better than Martin Tyler?

[TeamCoachellaHellYeah]

Villarreal got relegated. Crikey.

Also, Malaga in the Champions League. Awesome.

I was really hoping Levante was going to sneak through and grab that 4th spot. (my 2nd Choice after it looked like Athletic Bilbao was out of the running)
Villarreal is just shocking. From the Champions League to relagation in a single season.

Football is a cruel mistress.

[nosurprises12]

Jesus Christ, what a crazy day yesterday. I could really care less which Manchester team won the title, although that had to be one of the most dramatic endings to a game I've ever seen. Also, a big thanks to Martin Fulop for giving Arsenal the win and third place in the league - you will always have a place in my heart, and are welcome to play against us any time you'd like.

Congrats to Juventus for completing their own Invincibles season, and my deepest condolences to Villarreal fans - that has to be the most shocking relegation in Europe.

[downingthief]

Not a strong finish for my team, but nonetheless...what a great season. I never thought anything close to Europe was possible, so I will take it. My pessimistic side is scared that Mike Ashley will try to cash in on the likes of Ba, Tiote, etc...I hope that is not the case. There is a great nucleus to build on there. Definitely need a few pieces, and I DO think that if the offer is good, I would be ok (but saddened) to see Ba go. With the addition of Cisse' and the emergence of Ben Arfa, goals should still be there for the taking. I could see Gutierrez parting ways, as well. I love the guy's heart, but I think he took a step back this season overall.
I WAS pretty frustrated with the tactics against Everton, especially in the first half. Everton has size, especially in the back. Yet, every offensive possession from Newcastle was to loft it up in the air to Ba, or Cisse'...with next to no success. There was an adjustment made at half time (and to the shape), but it was too little too late.

As much as I hate to admit it (because I agree with Chris on the buying of titles), City deserved to win the league. The better team, for sure. SAF will have his work cut out for him next season.

[jgafs]

* Villarreal woes:

Rossi getting hurt, as well as Cazorla departure doomed them from the start.

[sonofhal]

It's worth noting that the Man U team on Sunday still cost more than the team that Man City fielded.

[CJC626]

It's worth noting that the Man U team on Sunday still cost more than the team that Man City fielded.

I read this somewhere too. As much as ManC gets trashed on for buying a title, ManU has done it practically the entire past decade (CRonaldo, swiping Rooney from Everton, flashing way too much cash in front of Berbatov to swipe him from Tottenham) and the splurging Chelsea does is clearly evident, if not at a much worse return than ManC's investments. I'd really only say Tottenham or Everton fans should be the only ones showing any real disgust against teams cherry picking top talent. Don't know why Arsenal doesn't spend the dough. From what I understand, they have plenty of it, and its not like they are the poster children of home growing talent.

JMHO

[snagglepuss]

Any of you going to be watching the Championship Playoff Final on Saturday?

[ods..]

I read this somewhere too. As much as ManC gets trashed on for buying a title, ManU has done it practically the entire past decade (CRonaldo, swiping Rooney from Everton, flashing way too much cash in front of Berbatov to swipe him from Tottenham) and the splurging Chelsea does is clearly evident, if not at a much worse return than ManC's investments. I'd really only say Tottenham or Everton fans should be the only ones showing any real disgust against teams cherry picking top talent. Don't know why Arsenal doesn't spend the dough. From what I understand, they have plenty of it, and its not like they are the poster children of home growing talent.

JMHO

Agreed. I couldn't believe the amount of Man U fans on my facebook feed whining about Man City "buying" a team... Really?

This is like Yankee fans complaining that Red Sox bought their team, and vice versa. (I'm a Yankee fan, for what it's worth).

[nosurprises12]

The King is Dead!

Kenny Dalglish leaves Liverpool manager's post

[tigermilkboy]

The King is Dead!

Kenny Dalglish leaves Liverpool manager's post

Huge call by Fenway Sports Group. If they screw up the next appointment they will find the supporters demanding the owners leave.

Ultimately, Dalglish backed a bad cause with Suarez. I think that is what got Dalglish sacked.

My opinion is there is already a fine manager in Liverpool. Trouble is he is at Everton. David Moyes anyone??? Do not go for Bob Bradley, Roy Keane, Gary Neville etc.

[nosurprises12]

The handling of the Suarez situation probably didn't help his cause, but I think his poor player purchases, as well as presiding over the worst season Liverpool has had in the past 10 years, were the biggest reasons he quit/was sacked. As for replacements, I don't think Moyes would ever manage Liverpool - just look at the abuse Alex McLeish got from Villa fans this season. I think the most likely candidates are Roberto Martinez, Paul Lambert, and Brendan Rodgers.

[tigermilkboy]

The handling of the Suarez situation probably didn't help his cause, but I think his poor player purchases, as well as presiding over the worst season Liverpool has had in the past 10 years, were the biggest reasons he quit/was sacked. As for replacements, I don't think Moyes would ever manage Liverpool - just look at the abuse Alex McLeish got from Villa fans this season. I think the most likely candidates are Roberto Martinez, Paul Lambert, and Brendan Rodgers.

Everton to Liverpool (or vice versa) has happened to several players over the years-Beardsley, Ablett, Kevin Sheedy etc. Liverpool fans would be more upset over getting a manager strongly associated with Man Utd than Everton. Villa fans hated McLeish more because he was crap and managed a crap Brummie side that was known for crap football. What Lerner saw in McLeish is anyones guess.

I don't think Martinez, Lambert or Rodgers would be the right move. One thing to save a team from relegation whose only expectation is survival, another to manage a team with expectations. The universal view of people at Liverpool is that Dalglish should have been given another season. They were hovering above relegation when Dalglish came in and took charge. The Suarez fall-out was a massive PR blunder and Dalglish earned a lot of ridicule for his support of Suarez.

[nosurprises12]

Everton to Liverpool (or vice versa) has happened to several players over the years-Beardsley, Ablett, Kevin Sheedy etc. Liverpool fans would be more upset over getting a manager strongly associated with Man Utd than Everton. Villa fans hated McLeish more because he was crap and managed a crap Brummie side that was known for crap football. What Lerner saw in McLeish is anyones guess.

I don't think Martinez, Lambert or Rodgers would be the right move. One thing to save a team from relegation whose only expectation is survival, another to manage a team with expectations. The universal view of people at Liverpool is that Dalglish should have been given another season. They were hovering above relegation when Dalglish came in and took charge. The Suarez fall-out was a massive PR blunder and Dalglish earned a lot of ridicule for his support of Suarez.

Why would Liverpool fans want to give him another season? He had an entire pre-season to work with, had a say in the players which were brought in, and Liverpool still finished poorly. Look at your record after the New Year - it's dismal (18 points out of 57 possible since January 3rd?!?), and shows that, while he's a great motivator, Kenny couldn't make the necessary tactical changes to get the team winning again.

Also, are you saying that it's impossible for managers of teams with limited budgets to do well at bigger clubs? Perhaps Martinez and Lambert are a bit of a stretch, but Rodgers is one of the brightest managerial talents in the Premier League and I think he could be successful at a club like Liverpool. Is it too much of a leap for him on the back of one season in the top flight? Perhaps, but considering what he's accomplished at Swansea - not only in staying up, but by finishing 11th and doing so with an attractive and effective possession-based system - I think he'd be worth the risk.

[tigermilkboy]

Why would Liverpool fans want to give him another season? He had an entire pre-season to work with, had a say in the players which were brought in, and Liverpool still finished poorly. Look at your record after the New Year - it's dismal (18 points out of 57 possible since January 3rd?!?), and shows that, while he's a great motivator, Kenny couldn't make the necessary tactical changes to get the team winning again.

Also, are you saying that it's impossible for managers of teams with limited budgets to do well at bigger clubs? Perhaps Martinez and Lambert are a bit of a stretch, but Rodgers is one of the brightest managerial talents in the Premier League and I think he could be successful at a club like Liverpool. Is it too much of a leap for him on the back of one season in the top flight? Perhaps, but considering what he's accomplished at Swansea - not only in staying up, but by finishing 11th and doing so with an attractive and effective possession-based system - I think he'd be worth the risk.

I am one who believes a manager usually needs at least two full seasons before you can decide whether they are moving in the right direction. When he took over the club it was in a very fractured situation. Dalglish at least brought the supporters back onside.
Everton and Man Utd could have sacked Moyes and Ferguson early on in their reigns. Ferguson has made a number of bad buys at Man Utd-Kleberson, Anderson, Forlan, Bebe, Veron, Djemba, Bellion and last but not least the man dubbed 'the blind Venetian' Taibi. Lets not forget that Man Utd finished 11th in Ferguson's third season and the season after, despite signing a number of expensive players many called for him to be sacked.

I still think the owners of Liverpool will look towards a big name, maybe an offer to Pep or the return of Benitez.

[biggfoot17]

I can see why people think he should have been sacked, but I'm with tiger. He should at least be given two full seasons. A lot of Liverpool's woes this year came from an inability to finish. They had little problem getting the ball in the box and little problem keeping other teams out of it. I'm not sure what a new manager is going to do that would set these guys up for better scoring opportunities. The last 30 minutes of the FA cup final were quite promising. Liverpool was a completely different team with Carroll in while he was playing up to his expectations. Had he played like that all season, Dalglish would still be around. And that's not saying it was all Carroll's fault. Nobody on this team could score. But with Carroll actually being apart of the attack rather than a dude who's just in the way, there's no question Liverpool would have converted more chances.

I'm a little concerned the Fenway Sports Group is going to bury this club

[algunz]

Why can I not get the Galaxy and Seattle match on TV? Am I really that dumb?

[sonofhal]

Van Persie to Man City? Yikes.

[boarderwoozel3]

No. NO. NONONO. ABORT. PULL UP. VEER OFF. PULL OUT. DANGER DANGER DANGER!

[But if he must go, milk those monopoly money mofos for every last penny!! (which of course will only be partially spent on a 20> year-old french-speaking phenom]

Tired of 3rd/4th.

[CJC626]

Van Persie to Man City? Yikes.

The rumor has been simmering for a few months now. I guess they're getting closer to working something out? Talk about an evil empire - though it will be fun to watch Fergie flail on the west side of town over it.

Hopefully this means Tevez and Balotelli are going to become transfer/loan fodder.

[nosurprises12]

Van Persie to Man City? Yikes.

I'd like to think this won't happen, but who knows - it seems every and any successful player is linked with City these days. I think if he's going to leave Arsenal it will be for a team like Juventus, Madrid, or Barcelona (basically, a team in a different country). I suppose time will tell, although our prospects of keeping him are not looking all that great.

Also, my bold CL prediction: Bayern 3 - Chelsea 1.

Finally, congrats to West Ham for getting back into the Premier League.

[citizenerased]

lol Bertrand's starting?

[JustSteve]

what a great final 10 in this champions league final.