Uncategorized
Beleaguered Maguire says call from Beckham was “classy” and “touching”
Harry Maguire said a surprise call from former footballer David Beckham three weeks ago was “classy” and “touching,” with Beckham offering kind words of commiseration for the beleaguered England and Manchester United defender.
The 30-year-old Maguire has been the target of brutal abuse from angry fans, an experience Beckham knows all too well after his infamous red card during the 1998 World Cup made him perhaps the most hated man in England – the nadir of his mostly illustrious career and a main storyline of his candid Netflix documentary “Beckham”.
Beckham reached out after England’s 3-1 win over Scotland on Sept. 12, when the toxic jeering by Scottish fans had both Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate and Maguire’s mother Zoe lashing out in anger.
“(Beckham’s call) meant everything,” Maguire told reporters on Tuesday after England’s training at St. George’s Park. “I’ve spoken throughout my career about David Beckham being someone I looked up to and watched when I was a young boy. He was a big role model when I was growing up.
“It shows how classy he is to reach out to me. It was something I really appreciate. It was touching really.”
Maguire, who has 59 caps for England, scored an own goal in the Scotland game in an otherwise solid game and is on Southgate’s squad for Friday’s friendly against Australia and Tuesday’s European Championship qualifier versus Italy at London’s Wembley Stadium.
In the four-part Beckham documentary, the former Man United cornerstone and wife Victoria detail the abuse suffered after his World Cup blunder. They received threats to kidnap infant son Brooklyn. A Becks effigy was hung in a pub and rocks hurled at United’s bus. Beckham, now 48, said he fell into a deep depression.
Maguire watched the documentary and said he was taken aback by the level of abuse Beckham suffered. While the 30-year-old was hesitant to divulge much of their conversation, he said “the main thing he did is he reminded me of the career I’ve had to date and the big moments I’ve had in my career.
“I think when you’re going through tough moments you’ve got to go through past experiences and past memories and where you’ve gone in your career and what you’ve been through,” Maguire said.
“Every career is so up and down, especially when you reach what I’ve reached, in terms of being the captain of the biggest club in the world for three-and-a-half years. He’s been in that position and knows what it’s like.”
The much-maligned defender lost his place in United’s starting 11 last season, but he set up Scott McTominay’s winner in their thrilling last-gasp win over Brentford last weekend, a performance that should help silence his critics.
Maguire was linked to West Ham in the transfer window but the move never materialised.
“Regular game time is really important to me. It has been throughout all of my career. The actual opportunity to go to West Ham, it wasn’t agreed really between both clubs and myself … we didn’t get far enough down the line with it.
“My full focus is still on Manchester United, I want to fight for my place, but of course game time is really important to me.”
England top Group C of Euro qualifying with 13 points in five games. Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia have seven points apiece.
-Reuters
An unspecified number of Nigerian journalists travelling to Uyo for Friday’s Nigeria versus Libya’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match have been rescued.
This is contained in a press release by the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN) on Thursday. The association commended the Nigerian security forces for their efforts in the rescue operation.
From the press release, it was gathered that the media men were abducted within the Anambra and Imo states axis.
”SWAN therefore commends the security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed”, reads the SWAN statement.
German coach Juergen Klopp has been appointed head of global soccer for Red Bull, owners of several clubs including RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls, the company said on Wednesday, in his first job since leaving Liverpool earlier this year.
Klopp, who ended his successful nine-year stint with Liverpool at the end of last season, will be starting on January 1, 2025.
“After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” Klopp, who also coached Mainz 05 and Borussia Dortmund, said in a statement.
“The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.”
The 57-year-old joined Liverpool in October 2015 and won the Champions League, their first English League title since 1990, the Club World Cup, FA Cup, League Cup and Super Cup, as well as the Community Shield during his time in charge.
Klopp, who also led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, a German Cup and a Champions League final in 2013, had announced in January he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.
Klopp will not be involved in the day-to-day operations of the Red Bull-owned clubs in Germany, United States, Brazil and Austria, the company said.
“He will provide strategic vision, supporting individual sporting directors in advancing the Red Bull philosophy,” Red Bull said.
Klopp will also support the organisation’s global scouting operation, and contribute to the training and development of coaches.
“I see my role primarily as a mentor for the coaches and management of the Red Bull clubs but ultimately I am one part of an organisation that is unique, innovative and forward looking. As I said, this could not excite me more,” Klopp said.
Some German media reported his Red Bull contract included an exit clause for the post of Germany national team coach.
Klopp has long been linked to that job, especially after his successful stint at Liverpool and with Germany struggling to make an impact on the international stage in the past decade.
-Reuters
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine, from Cape Verde, as referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, close to Benghazi.
He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso as fourth official.
Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be in the role of commissioner, with Malian Dramane Dante as referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria as security officer.
Tuesday’s encounter, which is at the back-end of a double header between both nations, will kick off at 9pm Libya time (8pm Nigeria time).
NFF Communication director unfolds 20 Points of a 20-hour ordeal on Libyan soil
African football legends, Adebayor and Aubameyang condemn Libya’s treatment of Super Eagles
BREAKING! CAF wades into the Libya-Nigeria Airport episode
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Players boycott Libyan national team
-
AFCON5 days ago
Billiat’s penalty seals Zimbabwe’s 1-0 win over Namibia
-
AFCON1 week ago
Eguavoen unfolds Super Eagles’ squad for back-to-back duel with Libya
-
AFCON7 days ago
Facts & Figures as AFCON 2025 qualifiers enter Matchday 3
-
AFCON6 days ago
AFCON 2025 in Morocco: Everything you need to know
-
AFCON5 days ago
Libya’s captain, Faisal Al-Badri alleges poor treatment in Nigeria
-
Uncategorized7 days ago
CAF compels Kwasi Appiah to step down from Ghana FA
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Fastest World Cup final scorer is dead!