waroffutbol

  Only a few Nordic clubs have had the best campaign in European competitions, and one of them was under the tutelage of the late Sven-Goran Eriksson. The departure of Sven-Goran Eriksson, one of the best Scandinavian managers in history, this week certainly marks the great loss in Nordic football. He was able to lift up the level of the Scandinavian club's reputation during his early managerial career in the 1980s, inspired by Bob Houghton, who introduced and instilled English football in the country in the 1970s. Unfortunately, there have not been any other Nordic clubs replicating such success ever since. In fact, no more teams from Northern Europe have been able to go through the further stages in any continental competitions but one side, FC Copenhagen, in the Europa League 2020. It is very likely that such a trend would continue unless they could stun the top sides in the newly formatted Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. It is a long shot, but there ...

  Sven Goran Eriksson, who has just departed recently, had Benfica as the only club he led twice in his managerial career. The world mourns as another former top manager has passed away in less than a week. After the departure of German gaffer Christoph Daum , now it is the turn of Sven Goran Eriksson, the former England manager during their so-called ‘golden generation’. He is always remembered as one of the best Nordic football managers in history. During his long managerial career, the Swede boss might have been more well-known in Italy and England, beside his own homeland, as he spent the longest tenure in the Italian top flight by taking charge of four teams: AS Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria , and Lazio. In his 16-year stay there, he managed to snatch one league title only, four Coppa Italia trophies, plus the Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Meanwhile, his time in England marked him as a centre of attention on and off the pitch, from his failure to guide England’s best squad...

  Christoph Daum, the German manager who recently passed away, had exceptional glory days at VfB Stuttgart in his notorious near-miss in his managerial career. The name Christoph Daum might not have been as famous as Otto Rehhagel or Ottmar Hizfield in German football back in the 1990s. The two Rehhagel were identical to Werder Bremen ’s success, while Hizfield was an integral part of Dortmund’s silverware in the decade. However, Daum had been equal to Rehhagel-Hizfield in terms of the Bundesliga title. He managed to lift the trophy in the 1991–92 season, toppling his two rivals and finishing ninth and second, respectively. It remained his only major silverware on the home soil. Yet, it did not stop DFB from targeting him to take the reins of the German national team after their devastating campaign in EURO 2000. Eventually, he did not get the job due to the cocaine controversy, which was proven following the rumour of his dark lifestyle rolled by the press. The former Bayern...

 A number of the first goalkeepers in their club had to wait for years to gain their spotlight after the main shot stopper’s retirement. Being the second fiddle on the national team for a goalkeeper is rather frustrating. One might have limited opportunities to hit the pitch in the major competition, especially when the first choice seems unstoppable. Such is even worse if the managers never consider rotating the men between the sticks. The second goalies have often been touted as the second best for far too long and would never have a chance to take the spot on the first team unless the first shot stopper hung his gloves. Such is what happens to Marc-Andre ter Stegen today. The Barcelona shot stopper has been regarded as good as Manuel Neuer for the Germany national team. Yet, Neuer always got the first nod in the line-up until the Bayern skipper himself finally decided to retire. Ter Stegen is expected to be the first choice in the upcoming major tournament, the 2026 FIFA Wo...

  Turkish clubs have been struggling to even qualify in European competition, including the Champions League. Turkish clubs were once known as the fiercest dark horse in Europe. The likes of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas in turn made the European elite sides difficult from the 1990s to early 2010s. Unfortunately, things have gone downward ever since. They are struggling to even qualify for the Champions League group stage.  Last week, Jose Mourinho 's Fenerbahce failed to go through the playoff round after losing 3-2 to Lille on aggregate. This week, Galatasaray is taking on BSC Young Boys in the Champions League playoff stage. They are expected to seal one berth in the preliminary round, which will be held in a new format this season. However, Okan Buruk’s side could still stumble and fail to progress too, judging from their dismal form in the Turkish Super Cup. They were hapless and slumped to a heavy loss of 5-0 against Besiktas.  So, why are Turkish club...