waroffutbol

  Top managers rarely make a leap of faith by taking charge of the minnows in international football and succeed.  Being the top manager is always synonymous with the high demands from the clubs and foreign national teams. The big teams are always more preferable for those top figures as it suits their ambition. They are also accustomed to huge pressure and expectations.  However, some others take more unpopular options by taking the leap of faith with the minnows. Such is never easy, especially considering their lack of modern facilities, local bureaucracy, or, even worse, a limited number of talents. It is a huge challenge they have to face from time to time.  Recently, one of the minnows which could potentially qualify to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Indonesia, has just dismissed Shin Tae-Yong, who is considered one of South Korea’s top managers. He was the former South Korean national team boss in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they crushed the defending champi...

  Several African goalkeepers have managed to thrive in European top leagues with either silverware or individual accolades plus sealing their first choice spot. African goalkeepers have been able to gain more opportunities in European major leagues. Some have even been playing for the elite sides and won major trophies. However, not many of them were able to stay for long and have consistent form.  This season, Manchester United shot stopper, Andre Onana, is undoubtedly one of the best African goalkeepers in UEFA’s major leagues. The Red Devils are his third big club in his career. Previously, he was the key man in Ajax Amsterdam and Inter Milan.  Unfortunately, his stint to Old Trafford has been more notorious for his number of crucial errors. Onana’s future as the number one between the sticks is once again under threat following the series of his below par form leading to his team's defeats. Manchester United has been reportedly eyeing for a new goalie for next ...

  Certain football teams have been known for their domination at the top level in certain decades in history. The 2020s has reached the middle of the decade. Surprisingly, it also marks the beginning of an end for certain dominating teams at the top level. The most obvious one is the declining form of Manchester City. The Premier League reigning champions seem to begin their dark days with the series of defeats this season. Pep Guardiola’s men have suffered eight defeats so far when the competition is still halfway. They were beaten six times in the Premier League plus twice in UCL. Such is unthinkable considering their almost total domination in the English top flight. The 2010s practically almost belonged to the Citizens, as they won the EPL four times, followed by another four in the early 2020s. They simply bettered any other teams from 2012 to 2024. Not to mention their treble success in 2023, plus the FIFA Club World Cup in the same year. Now, they are on the verge of ...

  Saudi players have started to make their mark in Europe as two European clubs signed three names this season. Saudi Arabia has just been named the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, albeit with controversy. Naturally, they begin speeding up their football development, on and off the pitch. The football infrastructure and facilities might be easier to build, but not its sporting side. The KSA national team’s campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers has not been satisfactory. They have even been winless against the minnow, Indonesia . Recently, they were well beaten on the road after being held in a stalemate at home. However, their talents have been recognised at the top level and flourished. This season, three Saudi internationals joined two European sides. The right back, Saud Abdulhamid, signed for Italian Serie A, AS Roma , while the midfielder Faisal Al Ghamdi and forward, Marwan Al Sahafi, moved to the Belgian side, Beerschot VA. They are currently sitting 16th on ...

  Norwegian managers who had stints in Europe’s top leagues have been incredibly rare so far. Norwegian managers are exactly well known for their success abroad. Let alone in the European major leagues, despite their talents. No wonder that their appointment in any of the sides in the top leagues would definitely raise the questions.  Recently, the Ligue 1 side, St Etienne, has just named Erik Horneland as their new boss . He is the first Norwegian manager appointed for a team in six European major leagues (EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Italian Serie A, and Dutch Eredivisie) since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2018. Such is certainly surprising news since he has never had any experience leading the team abroad or playing outside Norway during his playing years.  The 49-year-old gaffer only has Brann Bergen, the Norwegian U-19 team, Rosenborg, and Haugesund in his CV. His most successful stint was with his last club, Brann Bergen, which he guided to win the league in 2022, ...

  A few underrated Dutch goalkeepers had a chance to play for the big clubs in Europe and succeeded. The Netherlands has been famous for producing modern goalkeepers. They do not only excel at shot-stopping but are also good with their feet. For years, Dutch goalkeepers have been considered some of the best in Europe.  The likes of Jan Jongbloed, Hans Van Breukelen, Ed de Goey, and Edwin Van der Sar are probably the most famous ones among the fans. Then, there were Stanley Menzo , Marten Stekelenburg, Jasper Cillesen, Tim Krul, and currently Brighton's Bert Verbruggen, who have had great stints in their clubs and earned respectable international caps.  However, there were a few underrated names between the sticks who surprisingly signed for the big teams and managed to shine during their brief stay there. Here are those forgotten Dutch goalkeepers who once thrived in the European elites. Ruud Hesp (Barcelona) He was one of the fairly unknown names in Barcelona’s...

  Each of Europe's elite teams has their own 'banter era' in modern football, during which they failed to win any prestigious titles. The 'Banter Era' is defined as a period in which a football team goes through difficult years without winning a notable top title, such as a league title or a continental top flight championship. In this era, teams consistently underperform, producing disappointing results and campaigns. In Europe, almost all elite sides and the powerhouses in the top five league, have experienced such a ‘dark age’, except perhaps Bayern Munich. Some clubs managed to end it before deteriorating , whereas others had to struggle for years before finally putting an end to their misery. Recently, more than one elite clubs have found themselves in the midst of such an unwanted era. Italian giant, Juventus, French side, Olympique Marseille, the Dutch powerhouse, Ajax Amsterdam and last but not least, the once great side, Manchester United. Among those...