Juventus Seals Fifth Serie A Title In A Row

Turin based Juventus became Italian league champions for the fifth straight season after closest rivals Napoli lost to a late goal against Roma on Monday.
The defeat gives Juventus an unassailable 12 points lead in the league table with three matches left.

 Juventus----------- 85

Napoli--------------73

Roma-------------- 71

Maxi Allegri's Juventus side started the season poorly with a raft ofnew players struggling to settle in after key players Andre Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez left the club last summer. It resulted in three defeats from the opening five league matches, and it left the Old Lady 11 points off top spot by the end of October.
But a run of 24 wins in 25 league matches, with other ending in a draw has brought
another title for Juventus.

They have a chance to seal a league and cup double when they face AC Milan in May in the Coppa Italia final.

Martial Sends Manchester United to FA Cup Final

FA Cup Semi Finals
Wembley Stadium

Everton 1
Manchester United 2

Anthony Martial scored a last gasp winner for Manchester United to
send Louis van Gaal's side to the club's first FA Cup final since
2007.

The match had swung one direction in the first half when Marcus
Rashford and Martial combined to set up Maroune Felliani to open the
scoring in the 34th minute to set the Red devils on their way.

Despite looking largely subdued, Everton still created some succession
of chances which Romelu Lukaku failed to convert.

The Belgian international had a perfect chance from the spot in the
57th to pull Everton level after Tosu Mensah brought down Ross
Barkley, his penalty kick was saved by David de Gea who guessed the
right way.

Despite the miss, Everton were still in the ascendency as they
eventually got the equaliser 15 minutes from time as Chris Smalling
diverted Deflueoso's cross into his own net.

There was a lull in the game after the equaliser, as neither side
really went close to a winner, until the late intervention from
Anthony Martial who scored the winner when the match was destined for
extra time.

The win is another boost for Louis van Gaal's Manchester United as
they bid to win the first major trophy of the post Ferguson era. They
will now be overwhelming favourite to the win the cup for a joint
record 12th time with Arsenal.

The other semi final holds Sunday between London sides Crystal Palace
and Watford.

For Everton manager, Roberto Martinez, this could have been a last
attempt to savage what has been a hugely disappointing season for the
club. With huge pressure coming from fans of the club, and the change
of ownership of the Everton, he could well be overseeing his last few
weeks as manager of the Merseyside club.

Sanchez Fires Arsenal To Win Over West Brom In Near Empty Emirates

Two first half goals from Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal a comfortable
2-0 win over West Brom at the Emirates. The Chilean has now scored six
goals and assisted three more in his last five games.

He opened the scoring in the 4th minute when he spinned away from
Sandro, and took a shot from 20 yards to opening the scoring for
Wenger's side. It was Arsenal's first goal from outside the box in the
league in 2016.
Sanchez has returned to goal scoring form since being moved to the right wing.

Arsene Wenger made three changes from the match against Crystal Palace
at the weekend with Giroud, Ramsey and Mertesacker coming in for
Welbeck, Coquelin and Gabriel. Despite the German's presence in the
back four, West Brom should have scored from a corner to tie the match
after hitting the bar with Petr Cech beaten.

Alexis Sanchez sealed the match in the 33rd minute to move Arsenal
back into third place two points ahead of Manchester City on 63
points. However, the battle for a top four finish will go down to the
last weeks of the season with Manchester United just four points
Arsenal in fifth place with four matches left.

The match at the Emirates was watched by few supporters, as many
stayed away despite most of the tickets going on general sale few days
earlier. Most fans have been frustrated and disillusioned by the way
the season has panned out. With Arsenal now expected to finish the
season without a trophy, and yet another poor attempt to mount a
sustained title challenge.

Arsenal travel to the Stadium of Light to face relegation threatened
Sunderland in this weekend fixtures.

Mesut Ozil Miss Out On PFA Team Of The Year

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil's name is missing from the season's PFA
team of year. The list is dominated by the two tops teams in the
Premier League race, with Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur
accounting for eight players of the eleven. West Ham, Arsenal and
Manchester United are the other teams with players in the PFA team of
the year.

Leicester City have four players which are Wes Morgan, N'golo Kante,
Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez.

Tottenham Hotspur also have four players. They are defenders Danny
Rose and Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli and Kane.

Manchester United accounts for David de Gea in the list. While Arsenal
and West Ham have Hector Bellerin and Dimitri Payet respectively.

The Full list:

David de Gea, Hector Bellerin, Wes Morgan, Toby Alderweireld, Danny
Rose, N'Golo Kante, Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Dimitri Payet, Dele
Alli, Kane

The ceremony where the winner of the Premier League player's of the
year will on the 24th of this month. Kane, Jamie Vardy and Mesut Ozil
are amongst the nominees. Kane has 24 league goals, Vardy 22, while
Ozil has a league high 18 assist and 3 league goals.

Arsenal Team To Face West Brom

Ahead of the match against West Brom at The Emirates, Arsene Wenger
makes three changes to the starting eleven that played in the 1-1 draw
against Crystal Palace last weekend.

Per Mertesacker comes in for Gabriel in central defence, Aaron Ramsey
replaces Francis Coquelin in central defence, while Oliver Giroud
starts in place of Danny Welbeck in attack.

Full Teams:

Petr Cech, Hectro Bellerin, Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscienly, Nacho
Monreal, Mohammed Elneny, Aaron Ramsey, Alex Iwobi, Alexis Sanchez,
Mesut Ozil, Oliver Giroud.

Subs: David Ospina, Gabriel, Joel Campbell, Francis Coquelin, Theo
Walcott, Danny Welbeck, Calums Chambers.

La Liga Round: Barcelona Score Eight, Atletico And Real Madrid Keep Up Pressure

Barcelona returned to winning waves in la liga with an emphatic 8-0 win over an hapless Deportivo la Carona on Wednesday night. The Catalans had lost their last three league matches to surrender a comfortable lead at the top of the table. But they were in the mood on Wednesday as four goals from Luis Suarez, and one apiece for Lionel Messi and Neymar was enough for Luis Enrique's side to move up to 78 points in the league with just four matches left to play.

Mean while, Atletico Madrid kept up the pressure as they defeated Bilbao in a tight match. Fernando Torres scored his fifth goal in five matches in the 38th minute to give Diego Simeone's side a slim victory over the Basque side. They stay in second place on 78 points behind Barcelona. The Catalans lead the table on their superior head-to-head advantage.

Real Madrid who are just one point behind on 77 points, overcame the tricky tie against Villarreal 3-0 on the night with Karim Benzema, Luca Modric in amongst the goals for Zidane's side.

With just four matches left in the league, it should go down to the closing weeks of the season.

EPL Round Up: Manchester United Close Gap On 4th Spot, Liverpool Continues Winning Streak

Manchester United moved within a point of the Champions League places after a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace in a scheduled match played on Wednesday night at Old Trafford. The first goal came through an own goal from Delaney in the first half, while right back Damien put the finishing touches on the tie with the second goal. Louis van Gaal's side are now just a point behind Arsenal in fourth place, and just two points behind Manchester City who are third. However, Arsenal can extend their lead over the Old Trafford outfit to four points if they beat West Brom on Thursday.

In the Merseyside derby at Anfield, goals from Divock Origi, Daniel Sturridge, Sakho and Coutinho sealed a 4-0 win over Everton for Jurgen Klopp's side. The Reds have continued their late season resurgence as they look to finish the season in a flourish especially with the Europa League semi finals against Villarreal coming up next week. They are now on 54points, just six points from fourth place.

In the last match of the night, West Ham overcame Watford 3-1 in a London derby played at Upton Park.

Enyimba Through To CAF Champions League Group Stages On Penalties After Afelokhai's Heroics

Nigeria League champions and two time African champions Enyimba advanced to the group stages of the Champions League after a tension soaked second leg against Etoile du Sahel in Sousse.

The seven time Nigeria league champions threw away a three goal lead they built up in Port Harcourt from the first leg two weeks ago. The Tunisians were on the attack from the opening stages of the match, as they had a shot cleared off the line as they mounted sustained pressure on the Enyimba
goal. They eventually opened the scoring in the 43th minute after a free kick on the edge of the book wrong footed goalkeeper, Afelokhai.

The People's Elephant caved in the second half as they conceded two more goals to bring aggregate scores to 3-3 on the night. Enyimba could easily have lost the match in normal time, but still, they could have gone through without the need of penalties as Pyagbara missed a great chance to seal passage for Enyimba when he was played through on goal. It met the match went to penalties.

Mfon Udoh missed the opening penalty kick for Enyimba, but it was Enyimba's goalkeeper who was the hero of the night as he saved three penalties, including two kicks that would have sent the Tunisians through to the group stages.

It was left to Peter Onyekachi to score the decisive kick to sent Enyimba through to the group stages for the first time in over four years.

Paul Aigbogun's side would have to improve on their away form if they are to mount a successful campaign in this year's competition. Enyimba have now lost three matches on the road in the preliminary stages of
the competition. Such form might not see them advance beyond the group stages.

The draws for the group stages will take place on 24th May.

NFF lines Up Two Friendly Matches For Super Eagles

The Nigeria Football Federation have annouced two friendly matches for
the Super Eagles that will be played latter this year. The matches
which will be played in May and June. The first match will be against
fellow West Africans, Mali and the second tie will see the three time
African champions engage European minnows Luxembourg.

According to the NFF, the Mali match will be played on 27th May in
Rouen in Stade Robert Dichon. While the match against Luxembourg will
be on 1st June in Luxembourg.

The football house has been rocked with internal crisis following the
judgment of the Federal High Court, Jos Division which granted Chris
Giwa the presidency of the NFF. A situation that threw the Amaju
Pinnick led board into confusion.

With the matter still unresolved, the annoucement on Wednesday that
the Super Eagles will be playing some friendly matches is a welcome
distraction the issues at the football house has created.

Although, it is unclear which coach will lead the team for those two
matches as interim coach, Samson Siasia has gone back to his duties as
coach of the Olympic team.

Santi Cazorla Nears Return

Arsene Wenger addressed the press ahead of Arsenal's premier league against West Brom at the Emirates on Thursday. The match serves as an opportunity for the gunners to move towards securing an automatic Champions League place after Manchester City could only draw 1-1 with Newcastle United on Tuesday at St. James Park.

One player that Arsenal has missed since he got injured in November is Santi Cazorla. The 30 year old has been sidelined with ligament and later an Achilles problem. But Wenger confirmed on Wednesday that the ambidextrous Spaniard has returned to full training. With just five matches left of the current season, the Spanish international would be looking to pick up some match time ahead of the European Championships in the summer in France.

In other injury news, Jack Wilshere is not expected to be part of the squad that will face the baggies on Thursday. The England international scored his first goal in 10 months for the U21s on Monday in his third practice game since his return from an hairline fracture that has sidelined him all season. Arsene Wenger is likely to rotate his squad ahead of the match.

Arsenal and its supporters have endured another disappointing season, despite watching key rivals unable to mount a sustained title challenge, the gunners have buckled under the pressure, and have ended up failing to deliver on the huge expectation that the season promised.

Arsenal Idling In Arsene Wenger's Shadow

Arsene Wenger

Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates mirrored Arsenal's entire season where a lackadaisical performance ended in a lead being surrendered for the umpteenth time this season. The tone for the match was set by the stale possession that was devoid of any penetration as the team lacked any urgency in their play. If anything, it was more or less like a end of season match that carried the air of a now patented finish in the fourth position.


At the beginning of the year, Arsenal were top of the league, but subsequent inconsistent performances since the turn of the year has culminated in the club fighting for a top four finish with just over a month left of the current season. In previous seasons, the team has been able to put together a sustained run together when they under pressure to finish in the top four. However, this team has lurked between idling in front of goal and looking frail in defence.

It is the same collapse that has become evident in any season Arsenal has managed to be called title contenders. Since the move to the Emirates, the few seasons, the club has been involved in a title tilt has resulted in an inevitable collapse at the February mark. This fragility has become a hallmark of Arsenal since the club crossed from their ancestral home to the Emirates ten years ago this summer.

Over the years, the financial landscape of the club has changed, and this has made it possible for certain players to be recruited, ala Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, the likes of whom wouldn't have been at the club. Yet despite their signings over the last three seasons, Arsene Wenger has always left his team short of adequate cover in the event of injury to an first team player. The Frenchman's gambling on player's staying fit backfired spectacularly this season. But before that, it is not just the issue of injury that has affected the team's performance, but Wenger's inability to plug certain holes by using the players available to him to achieve results.

While football has evolved with the way teams are prepared tactically for a match, Arsenal have become stale, with it set up play almost the same way in every match irrespective of the opposition. There is always the odd defensive lapses and space all over the midfield, players seldom respect positioning, opposition players are allowed to waltz through the midfield to run at goal without random fouling. Arsenal remains one of the easiest team to score against, and equally one of the easiest team's to prevent from scoring.

The microcosm of Arsenal as a club is that certain attitude will not change except the manager leaves. the laissez faire approach of treating players like cradles instead of pushing them has repeatedly failed over the years. It is this approach that makes Arsenal to lack any form of organisation and structure in most matches, and they are seldom switched on defensively when they are without the ball

In such approach, having the right players on the field that would take a game by the scuff of the neck by taking the initiative would have made it workable, but Wenger has been reluctant to sign the players that he needs to make this approach work, rather the fragile cohesion which he has repeatedly harped on is now a better belt than making signings that would improve the team according to the Frenchman.

It is clear that Arsenal as a football club is at a crossroad. And Arsene Wenger looks every bit like a manager that has reached the peak of his powers judging by the way his teams has flattered to deceive this season. When the stakes are high, the team collapses. And it is a reflection of a manager's personality if this occurs repeatedly. The buck stops with him to prevent such rot. But with just one month left of a nine month season, Arsenal have not convinced even for one month throughout the season.

There have been the inevitable calls for new players, but Arsenal needs a new manager just as they need new players, because new players has not changed how the team performs which is a evidence of the fact that there is a foundational problem from the managerial position.

Champions League Draws: Man City draws Real Madried, Atletico To Face Bayern Munich

English Premier League side Manchester City have been drawn against
Real Madrid in the semi finals of the UEFA Champions League. While
Atletico Madrid will face Pep Guardiola's Bayern Munich in the other
semi finals.

The first leg of the ties with be between April 26th and 27th, and May
4th and 5th.

The draw raises the possibility of all an Spanish final between two of
Madrid's biggest clubs for the second time in two years. After they
played the 2014 finals in Lisbon.

Real Madrid would be facing Manchester City in the Champions League
for the second time. Both sides met in the group stages of the
competition three seasons ago when Real had the upper hand in the
ties.
For Manuel Pellegrini, it is another return to a club he managed for
one season between 2009 and 2010.
Both sides are better known for their attacking prowess than their
defensive qualities, which could make the tie an open one from an
attacking point of view.

Bayern Munich will face another defensive team after they overcame
Juventus and Benfica respectively. The Italian and Portuguese sides
relied on their counter attacking strengths, but it was not enough and
Atletico Madrid would likely rely on that to get something from the
tie.

The final of the this seasons' Champions League will take place in
Milan's San Siro stadium in May.

Barcelona Eliminated from Champions League

Photo Credit: Sportsmole

UEFA champions league holders Barcelona will not be the first side to successfully defend their crown in the present format after they were eliminated at the hands of Spanish rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night. It is the second time in two years that Diego Simeone's side would be eliminating Barcelona at the quarter final stage. The last time they went on to reach the the finals where they lost to Real Madrid in Lisbon in 2014.

Barcelona came into Wednesday's match after they won the first leg 2-1 with a brace from Luis Suarez, but they were aided by the red card Fernando Torres picked up at the Nou Camp after he opened the scoring. Luis Enrique's side had suffered indifferent form in recent weeks after back-to-back league defeats to Real Madrid and Real Sociedad in the Spanish la liga race which has seen their lead cut to just three points with six matches left.

Atletico Madrid on the other had were riding on the crest of cutting the Catalan's lead in the league to three points, and in French forward Antoine Griezmann, they possess a lethal striker who has consistently scored goals all season. So it was no surprise that he opened the scoring for Atletico in the 36th minute to put the capital side ahead on away goals..

At the half hour mark of the match, Barcelona had completed over 120 passes while Atletico had completed just 29 passes. Diego Simeone's side restricted Barcelona to few chances, and the chances that fell to Luis Suarez was spurned by the Uruguyan striker. Griezmann added to his tally when he scored a spot kick in 88th minute to book Atletico's second champions league semi final in three seasons.

It was another disapponting night for Barcelona and Lionel Messi, the mecurial Argentine missed the chance to score his 500th goal for both club and country. The Catalans were overwhelming favourites going into the match, but after Wednesday's defeat they would now have to concentrate on trying to win a second straight league title, while a chance of winning a league and cup double presents itself when they face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Cup final.
But for Atletico Madrid, another good season could just end up an excellent one.

Manchester United Book Passage To FA Semi Final

                                                       

Marcus Rashford celebrates his goal against West Ham, photo credit: AP

Manchester United booked a semi final date with Everton later this month at Wembley after a 2-1 win over West Ham United in a FA Cup quarter final replay at Upton Park. Teenage striker and rising sensation Marcus Rashford opening the scoring with a beautiful curling effort into the bottom corner in 54th minute, then Maroune Fellani put more gloss on the scoreline with another in the 67th minute. James Tomkins pulled a goal back in the 79th minute to give hope for a late fight back for Bilic's side. But there was nothing of such as the last ever FA cup to be played at Upton Park ended in defeat for West Ham. West Ham would be moving to the Olympic Stadium at the start of next season.

Marcus Rashford curls in the first goal on the night, photo credit: Guardian UK

The tone of the match was set at the weekend after Manchester United lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in a league match at White Hart Lane. A match they conceded three goals in six second half minutes. Phil Jones and Micheal Carrick had emphasised the importance of Wednesday's match after an inconsistent season that has left Louis van Gaal consistently under immense pressure. With the FA Cup the last hope to secure a first silverware in three seasons, the win over West Ham puts Manchester United on a pedestal to end the season on a high after what has been another disappointing campaign once again.

For West Ham United, they started the match as favourite and the 3-3 draw against Arsenal last weekend where Andy Carroll got a hat-trick was a boost ahead of the match, but the England international was largely subdued on the night.

However, the same cannot be said of Marcus Rashford who got his sixth goal in eleven matches. the 18 year's old stock continues to rise, and he has been one of the bright spots of an otherwise poor season for Manchester United.

The Old Trafford Club now look to a date at Wembley later this month.

The Concept Of Giroudology

by Fotbulnary

Football is laced with different concepts that defines how certain managers approach team building and tactics. While these varies according to beliefs and awareness of prevailing circumstances like availability of transfer funds and whether the players be sought are available for transfer. These set of rules if they can be called that are prevalent in virtually all football clubs.

While what might amount to a concept in respect of player quality might differ according to how each person perceives whether such a player is good enough for that team. When it comes to how good a player is, such judgment is always subjective and seldom would you find a common ground in such a situation. No other player defines such a position at the moment than Arsenal and French striker Oliver Giroud. The 29 year old has strongly divided opinion at the London club since he was signed in the summer of 2012.  

On this premise, the concept of Giroudology could be taken to mean a player that is seen as good, but not good enough to shoot a club to the pinnacle of sustained success. 

The short comings of Oliver Giroud would have been an after thought when his debate props up if he was a consistent goal scorer. When the chances that come his way and those he scores are considered. That is where the problem lies with a player that is yet to hit twenty league goals in four seasons at the club, and during that time, he has been the first choice striker.

As suggested earlier, his short comings would have been overlooked if he was a regular goal scorer. These short comings are very obvious. He is a player that lacks pace. And he is not one that moves to open up space as a result of that lack of pace. By this, it is little wonder that his best attributes remains to bring other players into play either flicking the ball, or holding the ball up. His inability to conjure up something special by scoring individual goals is largely due to his lack of pace, he is more a team player that seeks to bring other players into play rather that going for goal. His lumbering figure means he is unable to beat players for pace or move away from players when he is one-on-one. 

His career at Arsenal has be one where he scores in bursts. He can go months without scoring, and vice versa. This season, he has not scored a league goal since January, that is nearly three months. 

The question is will a first choice striker is any of the top clubs across Europe go that long without scoring a goal? Though, the French international continues to divide opinions, it is clear that he is really not of the top, top quality that Arsene Wenger harps about. 
It was last season that Thierry Henry commented that Arsenal cannot win the title without Oliver Giroud, that comment came after he missed several chances in the 3-1 defeat to Monaco in the Champions League. And so far, he has not done anything to turn around that assertion made by his French compatriot.

Oliver Giroud's recent relegation to the bench in the last couple of weeks, with Danny Welbeck now the first choice, means that Arsenal have moved from playing one paced football. With the addition of Alex Iwobi and Mohammed Elneny to the first eleven, it means that Arsenal now have a collection of players that can pass and move at the same time. With the added pace in the final third, Arsene Wenger's side are no longer as predictable as they used to when Oliver Giroud leads the line. The French striker is one that is ease to close down by opposition defenders.

Whatever the opinion that those of Arsenal persuasion have over Oliver Giroud as a striker, what is clear is that his short comings plus the fact that he is not prolific, means he would continue to be a person that divides opinion.

PREMIER LEAGUE GOALS [OLIVER GIROUD]

2012/2013-----------11

2013/2014-----------16

2014/2015-----------14

2015/2016*----------12

*Season Still Ongoing

OTHER GOALS FOR ARSENAL

EUROPE-------11

FA CUP--------11

LEAGUE CUP--2

C.SHIELD-------1

APPEARANCES: 181

GOALS: 78

EPL: A League Congregating Outstanding Managers

by fotbulnary

The English Premier League is expected to take on a new dimension next season with the calibre of managers that would be joining some of the league’s biggest clubs. On Monday, it was announced that former Juventus manager and current Italian national team coach, Antonio Conte would join Chelsea from next season. The Italian signed a three year contract. He joins another world class manager Pep Guardiola who would be Manchester City’s manager next season. And there have been reports that Jose Mourinho could become Manchester United manager next season.

The question that the congregation of these managers raises is what it will bring terms of growth and improvement of the English Premier League. 
Between them, Antonio Conte and Pep Guardiola have six league titles in a combined seven seasons. Bayern Munich manager is expected to add to that number under Pep Guardiola this season; it will increase that ratio to seven league titles in eight seasons. Antonio Conte only left as manager of Juventus in 2014 to become national team coach of the Azurri. Besides, their respective successes in winning domestic leagues, Guardiola has two champions league titles to his resume.

With England’s dwindling fortunes in Europe’s premier club competition, the Champions League [It is now one quarter final appearance in three seasons for the English Premier League clubs]. These managers will at least aid in improving the league's standing in Europe. Pep Guardiola for instance has a record of six consecutive semifinal appearances in the champions league as a manager of both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. He could make that seven if Bayern Munich overcomes Benfica in this season’s champion league quarter finals.

Though, Antonio Conte had less of an impact in Europe as Juventus manager, the Old Lady still made one quarter final appearance under him in three seasons. With the Seria A breathing down England’s neck in the UEFA co-efficient rating which could make England lose one of its four champion league spot, an improvement in Europe under these incoming managers could turn the tide around.

Besides, Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte that have been confirmed as managers of Manchester City and Chelsea respectively for next season, if Jose Mourinho joins Manchester United, It would further raise the bar of competition in the league. The Portuguese boast an outstanding record of eight league titles and two champion league titles as a manager. Despite the disappointing end to his second spell as Chelsea’s manager, he is still regarded as one of the best managers in European football.

The incoming managers would be coming with a huge reputation of their own, yet already in the league, there are managers with huge pedigree.

The likes of Mauricio Pochettino of Tottenham Hotspur has carved a reputation for himself with a young team that is currently second in the league table. The Argentine has managed to build a team in his own image, with his trademark pressing game now fully part of the Lilywhites playing style.  These were also hallmark of his time when he was manager at Espanyol and Southampton respectively.

There is also Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Since his arrival at Anfield in October his gegenpressing style has been on display in Liverpool’s performances. Even though the reds have been inconsistent since he arrived, there is no doubt that the experience he gathered in winning two bundesliga titles as Borussia Dortmund manager could come in handy latter on. He would have his first full transfer window this summer, and an opportunity to build his team.

Then, there is the old war horse and the longest serving manager in the league, Arsene Wenger. The Frenchman will enter his 21st season as Arsenal manager next season. Despite the highs and low of his reign, it is a testament to Arsene Wenger’s staying power that even with the rate of managerial changes in recent times; he has remained Arsenal’s manager.

From next season these will be managers of top clubs in England and their records.

Arsenal-----------------------------------------------Arsene Wenger (three league titles)

Tottenham Hotspur--------------------------------Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester City-----------------------------------Pep Guardiola (Five league titles)

Chelsea-----------------------------------------------Antonio Conte (three league titles)

Liverpool---------------------------------------------Jürgen Klopp (Two league titles)

Manchester United-------------------------------- (Unclear whether Van Gaal would remain as manager)

With the gathering of managers of this calibre, the English Premier League next season should be exciting especially with the spot light that would be on the new managers. With the new television deal coming into effect from next season with the over 8 billion pounds available to clubs over three seasons, this should be reflected in the transfer market.

Does The Super Eagles Need A Foreign Coach?

by fotbulnary

The malaise of the Super Eagles which has resulted in consecutive failures to qualify for Africa’s showpiece football event, the African Cup of Nations has resulted in calls for Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a foreign coach. It is all too easy to forget that most of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the last two cup of nations had more to do with maladministration on the part of the football house as well as the shortcomings of Nigerian coaches.

Firstly, the uncertainty over the future of Stephen Keshi after Nigeria’s participation in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil impacted negatively on the nation’s campaign. Amidst the uncertainty over the coaching position of the team, Congo Brazzaville claimed a 3-2 victory over the Super Eagles in Calabar. That result set the tone for a qualifying campaign that ended in disaster. But the NFF decision to subsequently play the team’s other matches in Abuja and Uyo respectively ended up as a bag of mixed results.

The last match in Uyo where Nigeria needed a win to advance to the tournament, and only managed a draw was one of the bad decision of the NFF that affected the team negatively.  A stadium that was more familiar to the team might have brought about another result. For that qualifying campaign the NFF should take more of the blame than Keshi because of the uncertainty that hanged over his head throughout the qualifying series. 

That the team almost rescued the qualifying campaign after they defeated Congo Brazzaville 2-0 away from home showed that the team under Keshi could have performed better under an atmosphere of certainty.

Secondly, the recent qualifying campaign for the 2017 Afcon in Gabon was again a mixture of insensitive administrative decisions and terrible coaching.

Stephen Keshi started the campaign when the Super Eagles ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Chad in Kaduna. A couple of months later he was sacked as the coach of the team. Sunday Oliseh was brought in on the basis of his punditry work with supersport. It turned out to be a huge gaffe on the part of the NFF as the former Super Eagles captain clearly lacked the temperament and wherewithal to handle the senior national team. Coupled with the fact that the maladministration at the football house where salaries of the coaching crew went unpaid for months caused him to jump before he was pushed.

The few matches he oversaw as coach, showed that he was nothing different from other coaches. His decision to experiment with players against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam prevented Nigeria from building any momentum after opening the qualifiers with a win. Although, Samson Siasia tried to rescue a sailing ship, the damaged had already been done earlier in the campaign.

However, some coaching decisions made by Siasia in the two matches impacted the team on the day. 
In the first leg of the Egypt match in Kaduna, a more tactically astute coach would have brought on at least a defensive minded player to close shop towards the end of the match as Nigeria were one goal up. Instead he brought on both Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi. Although both players  almost combined to get a goal which Victor Moses missed, a better bet would have been to bring in one of the two, while bringing on a defensive midfielder or another defender in Ogenyi Onazi or Elderson Echejiele. This would have prevented Nigeria from being so open despite leading before the Egyptians equalised.

In the second leg in Alexandria, Samson Siasia practically gave the match to Egypt on the day with his bizarre starting lineup. That players like Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon and Kelechi Iheanacho did not start the match was a psychological advantage to the Pharaohs. Instead he opted for a conservative approach which negated the team’s creativity in a must win match. By the time, he decided to play more expansively it was too late as the Egyptian came out victorious.

The decision making of our local coaches really calls into question their level of objectivity and tactical nous. 

The decision of Sunday Oliseh to invite Haruna Lukeman in his first match in charge against Tanzania was one strange decision that cost the Super Eagles. This was a player that had not featured for the team for three years, and he was practically living on past reputation. That he was hauled off less than thirty minutes into that match reflected his pitiable display as well as the bad decision of Oliseh.

Nigeria coaches seldom use objectivity to invite and include players in their squads. For this alone, a foreign coach could come in handy. I doubt if  any foreign coach will start a player struggling for a starting berth in the Portuguese second division over a player in French ligue One.

Besides the ailing administration of football in Nigeria which the football house is the cause, Nigeria have now gone almost six years without a foreign coach after the experiment of 2010 Fifa World Cup. Since then, the team has had Samson Siasia (twice), Stephen Keshi and Sunday Oliseh. In the past there have been Christian Chukwu, Austin Eguavoen and Shaibu Amodu  It is unlikely that another local coach would be up to the job as it stands, except there would be a second coming as in the case of Samson Siasia.