waroffutbol

  A number of well-known managers have been in a unique situation by being at the helm of both archrival sides. Each league in the world, whether in Europe or South America, always has two teams that have been involved in a long, heated rivalry. Some even had turned ugly as the diehard fans could be dangerous fanatics off the pitch to show their support to their team. The likes of El Clásico, Argentina’s Superclásico, or Scotland’s Old Firm derby are examples of such rivalries. Their fans could become brutal should they find their star cutting ties with their team and joining their archrival. Perhaps the most notorious one was Luis Figo’s move from Barcelona to Real Madrid in 2000. He had to taste the Catalan fans’ fury in his first return to Camp Nou as a pig’s head was thrown nearby him just before his corner kick. The tale of a player in-between such vengeful rivalry is probably more well-known and exposed to the media than the managers. There have been gaffers who have b...

  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, ...

  Several Dutch managers have been nearly forgotten despite their notable success and contribution. The Netherlands is undoubtedly one of the elite football nations in the world, which has produced a number of well-known and even legendary football managers from time to time. Dutch football made its mark from the development of Total Football, which rose to prominence in the late 1960s and reached its peak in the 1970s. It lays the foundation of modern football.  Since then, Dutch managers have been on the headlines: Rinus Michels , then his disciple, Johan Cruyff, and Guus Hiddink, followed by Louis Van Gaal, Ronald Koeman, Frank Rijkaard, and Erik Ten Hag today. Sadly, the last one was just sacked by Manchester United due to his team’s poor results recently.  On the contrary, another Dutch boss has stolen the spotlight recently. Liverpool's Arne Slot can be regarded as rather underrated compared to Ten Hag. Yet he managed to guide the Reds to the top of the standi...