Everything Soccer

[CTIDANDREW]

Looks like Pep is leaving in 2023 (when his contract expires), taking a break, then eyeing international coaching.

https://www.espn.com/soccer/manches...rdiola-plans-to-leave-manchester-city-in-2023

The guy deserves a break from the daily grind of club football, I have no idea how some of these guys have/had been doing it for 40+ years. Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, etc..
It would be a major disappointment if he doesn't win the champions league at City in the next two seasons, but we will cross that bridge if we come to it.

I pray that for whatever reason, he thinks about managing the USMNT for the 2026 world cup cycle. (It's a pipe dream, but it would be amazing.)

 

[IHateMarkMay]

The guy deserves a break from the daily grind of club football, I have no idea how some of these guys have/had been doing it for 40+ years. Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, etc..
It would be a major disappointment if he doesn't win the champions league at City in the next two seasons, but we will cross that bridge if we come to it.

I pray that for whatever reason, he thinks about managing the USMNT for the 2026 world cup cycle. (It's a pipe dream, but it would be amazing.)

I think anybody who is a USMNT fan has that pipe dream, regardless of they feel about City.

 

[Rogue219]

I don't know if Chelsea signing Lukaku takes them out of the Haaland race or not. None of this really seems to matter anymore. Real and Barca's financial situations along with Covid have turned the market on it's head. It's really hard to say where these guys will go versus a few years ago prior to the pandemic. I think for most guys it comes down to the manager and wages. Haaland is going to likely want well over $200K a week. One year from now, is Ole at United and if he is what kind of slack is he being given?

This Ronaldo to City thing seems to have some legs. Interesting that Qatar’s club sign Messi and now Abu Dhabi’s will sign Ronaldo. United fans are going to have strokes if Ronaldo wears the City shirt.

I think most of these clubs have a simple plan: sign more wingers than you need, sell shirts and tickets, lawyer up to go against FIFA and UEFA when the time comes. There really are no rules at this point.

Guardiola as an international manager would be interesting. The maternity wards of the nation being managed determines the roster.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

This season is some sort of alternate Universe. Ramos and Messi playing on the same team. Ronaldo possibly playing for City....

 

[NorthDakota]

The guy deserves a break from the daily grind of club football, I have no idea how some of these guys have/had been doing it for 40+ years. Alex Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti, etc..
It would be a major disappointment if he doesn't win the champions league at City in the next two seasons, but we will cross that bridge if we come to it.

I pray that for whatever reason, he thinks about managing the USMNT for the 2026 world cup cycle. (It's a pipe dream, but it would be amazing.)

Can't imagine him doing well with the US anyway. Dude underperforms with all-star teams, what's he gonna do with..... the USMNT lol

 

[Rogue219]

This season is some sort of alternate Universe. Ramos and Messi playing on the same team. Ronaldo possibly playing for City....

The Beautiful Game. It explains the world in many ways.

Barca did things a certain way and it worked for them. They saw City, Chelsea, PSG doing things a different way and decided they needed to do that in order to move forward. Now here they are in financial ruin and without the greatest player in a generation who they cultivated.

As for Guardiola managing the USMNT, I'll pass, and I'm guessing so will he.

 

[Rogue219]

 

[notredomer23]

Getting Ricardo Pepi is big as he was leaning Mexico according to reports for a while. He’s about to have some big European suitors. 9 goals in MLS so far this season at 18 is impressive by any standard.

No clue how they situate the CBs. With no Cannon likely due to his transfer situation, Yedlin and Dest are locks for the outside backs.

Excited for a finally healthy Adams-McKennie pairing. Two UCL quality mids that will wreak havoc.

whatever FC Dallas is doing with their academy, everybody needs to mimic it.

 

[Rogue219]

So I made two bets with a friend this week (Arsenal supporter). Liverpool would draw an away match against a Premier League side in the League Cup. CHECK.

Liverpool would draw Athletico Madrid in their Champions League Group. CHECK.

 

[Rogue219]

Love it.

 

[Rogue219]

Ronaldo has left Juventus' training center. It's pretty much done. Citah.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Ronaldo has left Juventus' training center. It's pretty much done. Citah.

I'm not as butt hurt as a lot of United fans. He has astronomical wages, he'll only be at his next stop for two years, it would hinder Greenwood's progress, and it would probably ensure Haaland go elsewhere (not saying he's going to United, but if United is serious about him already, they need to think that far out). He'll do well at City, he's done well everywhere.

 

[Rogue219]

I'm not as butt hurt as a lot of United fans. He has astronomical wages, he'll only be at his next stop for two years, it would hinder Greenwood's progress, and it would probably ensure Haaland go elsewhere (not saying he's going to United, but if United is serious about him already, they need to think that far out). He'll do well at City, he's done well everywhere.

Not so fast. United have entered into the picture.

The longest loan spell in the history of football may soon be over.

Ronaldo and Bruno or Ronaldo and Grealish. Diving Champions of 21/22 will be decided in these next hours ahead.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Not so fast. United have entered into the picture.

The longest loan spell in the history of football may soon be over.

Ronaldo and Bruno or Ronaldo and Grealish. Diving Champions of 21/22 will be decided in these next hours ahead.

HAHA, yeah. It'll surprise me if he goes United. He cares more about his legacy and if he goes to City, wins the Champions League, he adds to that legacy. United won't win the CL with him or without him. The benefit of him being there is for the younger ones to look up to (his work ethic and nutrition are top notch), which doesn't add to a legacy, it just makes you a good guy. Give me Cavani, Martial, and Greenwood this year. Go all in on Haaland next year when Cavani walks (or sell Martial and try to keep Cavani for another season).

 

[Rogue219]

HAHA, yeah. It'll surprise me if he goes United. He cares more about his legacy and if he goes to City, wins the Champions League, he adds to that legacy. United won't win the CL with him or without him. The benefit of him being there is for the younger ones to look up to (his work ethic and nutrition are top notch), which doesn't add to a legacy, it just makes you a good guy. Give me Cavani, Martial, and Greenwood this year. Go all in on Haaland next year when Cavani walks (or sell Martial and try to keep Cavani for another season).

United is nuts if they do this. They need a number six. Why blow the budget on Ronaldo when they NEED a Declan Rice? I personally hope they do it. And keep Ole at the Wheel for years to come.

Ronaldo to City

Mbappe to Real

Haaland to PSG

Tis the tea leaf direction as of this morning. It's madness.

 

[notredomer23]

He's not going to City, they couldn't come to a transfer fee it sounds. Juve wanted 30+ and Man City wasn't willing to go that high.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

United is nuts if they do this. They need a number six. Why blow the budget on Ronaldo when they NEED a Declan Rice? I personally hope they do it. And keep Ole at the Wheel for years to come.

Ronaldo to City

Mbappe to Real

Haaland to PSG

Tis the tea leaf direction as of this morning. It's madness.

Exactly, DCM is a mess. Fred and Matic need to get out. McTominay needs more games, but Neves, Rice, Saul, or Camavinga (won't happen, he wants PSG) are necessities. Ronaldo is a luxury.

 

[Rogue219]

This modern game is all about the signing of the player. The performance of the player, winning trophies, none of that is at the forefront anymore. Signing the player is the prize. Transfers are not the means to an end. It is the end. You have Citah and Petrol Saint Germain trying to get a Champions League but apart from that what is really the end game anymore?

What is Real's plan for Mbappe? Left wing? Center Forward? What does either Manchester club intend to do with Ronaldo? He plays where and how he wants. Is he going to press? You have to build the team around him. Guardiola with Ronaldo in his side? If he goes to United, it is without question the act of signing him that is going to matter.

It just doesn't seem like these clubs think this through anymore. Way too many clubs are just signing guys for the sake of doing it. There's no real plan other than the act of the transaction.

 

[notredomer23]

Here's my prediction of today's events:

Man United and Juve won't agree to a fee
Mbappe to Real becomes official
PSG buys Cristiano.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

I feel like Ronaldo to United is more because the Glazers want him than anybody else wanting him. I'd like to see Notredomer23's predictions come true, even if it means super team PSG.

 

[Rogue219]

Sounds like Ronaldo is going back to United. Fee plus ad ons.

Bruno is off of PKs now. We are all winners.

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Sounds like Ronaldo is going back to United. Fee plus ad ons.

Bruno is off of PKs now. We are all winners.

Yeah, all the journalists, reputable and not, are reporting it. I wonder if this means Cavani is free to play in WCQs because he'll miss half the season or if they have an offer for Martial (hoping the latter).

A lot of reports saying Bruno was texting him a ton last night telling him to come. Will be interesting to see how we line up with him.

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, all the journalists, reputable and not, are reporting it. I wonder if this means Cavani is free to play in WCQs because he'll miss half the season or if they have an offer for Martial (hoping the latter).

A lot of reports saying Bruno was texting him a ton last night telling him to come. Will be interesting to see how we line up with him.

The plastic Liverpool supporters on Twitter are completely bent that they're not out spending crazy money like everyone else. I think it's kind of funny that recently drawn to Southampton Manchester United are buying a 37 year old that hasn't played in England for over a decade and supposed Liverpool supporters think Liverpool have no chance this year. Sure. Now that the referees are just "letting them play", this is a wonderful time for Ronaldo to come back to England when Burnley are executing rugby tackles and suplexes at Anfield last weekend.

I'll admit that I am a little disappointed to see targets like Cunha, Malen and Daka go off the board this summer but at the same time the club is rewarding players with new contracts who won them a European Cup and a Premier League title. They also have the best manager they've had in a generation. It will sort itself in the end and there are plenty of other targets for summers to come.

Too many people think that real life is the video game. I say let them play the actual matches and see where it's at come June.

 

[Rogue219]

Co-Worker who is a United fan: "We have the best Portuguese duo in the Premier League!"

Me: "Fuck, Liverpool sold Jota to United?"

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Jota is a badass and I have no issue saying that as a United fan. I don't think Ronaldo is a wise move, but I'll still support the club and hope he does well. I also hated the Mourinho appointment, but here we are. The Glazers probably just feel like they'll get the fees back in shirt sales (or Adidas ponied up some cash because they get a big percentage of those sales).

Gotta get rid of Martial (apparently United said Cavani is staying) and Lingard now. At least Martial could net us a good chunk and we could give that cash and Lingard in exchange for Rice.

 

[Rogue219]

I think United and many others are bringing on debt on top of debt they already have. It’s a shitty model. Look at Barcelona.

There has to be a long term plan to sustain the club. Some clubs know this by having learned the hard way.

The Liverpool supporters whining on social media should go back to their FIFA and tissues. Not long ago it was Hogsdon, Hicks and Gillett. United bringing back Ronaldo is Liverpool bringing back Fowler. Still need to play the games.

 

[NorthDakota]

Heading to the Liverpool bar in the east village. Amped for the first big premier game of the year.

We've conquered all of Europe.......

 

[Rogue219]

That first half was as electric and fun as any match since pre-Covid.

Liverpool and Chelsea have beef. Nature is healing.

 

[Rogue219]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1432235813811757058[/TWEET]

The timing of this news is rather curious.

 

[Rogue219]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1432743082160803840[/TWEET]

So PSG won't sell Mbappe to Real knowing he'll walk for free in a year, so Real does this. Takes a top PSG target (was also coveted by Man United, but whatever).

And honestly, that fee is a steal, even with add ons. Wow. Most expensive teenager ever.

Hardcore.