Atlanta league administrator Venu Pisike won re-election in the other place up for grabs, securing a three-year term as an individual director on the board
Peter Della Penna16-Feb-2020Former USA batsman Srinivas Salver has replaced former national team fast bowler Usman Shuja as male player representative in the lone change in the USA Cricket board after results of the recent election were announced on Saturday night. Atlanta league administrator Venu Pisike won re-election in the other place up for grabs, securing a three-year term as an individual director on the board.Shuja’s loss is a stunning reversal from 2018 when he ran unopposed to win a unanimous vote for an initial one-year term. On this occasion, Salver, 35, won the vote by almost a 3 to 1 margin, claiming 34 votes from current or former players compared to Shuja’s tally of 12. Nine players abstained from voting after having registered. Another 43 players who would have been eligible to vote in the election simply refused to renew their USA Cricket membership in order to be eligible to vote.According to multiple sources, Salver was the preferred candidate among the majority of the current USA squad. Having last represented USA in 2018, Salver has built and maintained strong relationships with most of the current and recent players who have represented USA. Shuja, 41, played his last match for USA in 2014 and could not maintain enough support beyond the previous generation of players.Shuja had been the head of the influential cricket committee when the USA Cricket board was formed in 2018. But in the middle of 2019, he was replaced in that role by Atul Rai. It was around this time that Pubudu Dassanayake resigned as USA head coach and was replaced initially by Kiran More, with strong backing from Rai, before More’s assistant coach James Pamment took over from More in an interim capacity.Pisike’s re-election was expected thanks to a sizeable portion of the registered membership hailing from his Atlanta power-base. Of the 725 registered voters, 203 were tied to either the Atlanta Cricket League or the Atlanta Georgia Cricket Conference. That support went a long way to him claiming a total of 369 votes compared to just 31 votes to Texas candidate Ather Naqi. A total of 325 eligible voters abstained from voting.The voting numbers are a drastic drop-off from the inaugural USA Cricket board elections in August 2018. Approximately 5500 members were eligible to vote for the previous election, but USA Cricket experienced an 87% drop in membership renewals ahead of this election. In 2018, USA Cricket had asked for a $35 annual membership fee before ultimately deciding to wave the fee ahead of the registration deadline to be able to vote in 2018.USA Cricket then lowered the fee to $10 for renewal by July 31, 2019. After extending the renewal deadline until the end of August, the governing body still could not convince members to join or renew in the same numbers as 2018 and instead experienced an 87% drop in membership.The USA board is expected to hold an annual general meeting in New York on February 21. There was no AGM held in 2019 after board elections were delayed six months, from August all the way until February 2020.
Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland are also among the 15 names
ESPNcricinfo staff30-Apr-2020Allrounder Tahlia McGrath has been included among 15 contracts handed out for Australia’s women’s squad alongside the expected inclusions of fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck and allrounder Annabel Sutherland.Top-order batters Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani lose their deals having dropped out of the reckoning over the last 12 months.Following their success in winning the T20 World Cup last month, the major focus for the women’s team over the next 12 months is the 50-over tournament in New Zealand scheduled for 2021 although that could yet be impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.McGrath’s name is the most notable among the inclusions for 2020-21 having last played for Australia in 2017 and it comes off the back of a strong season for Adelaide Strikers and South Australia. Shawn Flegler, the women’s national selector, explained that with Ellyse Perry and Vlaeminck recovering from injuries sustained during the T20 World Cup McGrath would add depth to the all-round resources.”Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland were upgraded to CA contracts last season and were members of Australia’s triumphant T20 World Cup squad. They have emerged as key figures in the team and deserve their place on the contract list,” Flegler said.”Tahlia McGrath had a brilliant season with the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia, winning the Andrea McCauley medal. She’s been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with bat and ball, including the five matches she played for Australia during the 2017 Ashes series.”With Tayla and Ellyse Perry coming back from long-term injuries, Tahlia will add extra depth to our all-rounders, especially with her bowling. We saw that depth come into play during the recent World Cup and we know that will be important with another World Cup scheduled this summer.”Flegler offered hope of a way back for both Bolton and Villani if they can dominate in domestic cricket while said that Erin Burns, who was part of the T20 World Cup squad, was unlucky to miss the cut.”The door is not closed on any of the players who did not receive a new CA contract,” he said. “There will be plenty of opportunities for Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani who both missed out to make their case once cricket resumes. Both are world-class when at their best, so hopefully they can dominate domestic cricket and put their hands up for selection.”Erin Burns was unlucky to miss out having been upgraded to a full contract this season but is highly rated by the selectors. She’s an adaptable player and is still in the mix for future selection. Molly Strano also misses out despite being drafted into Australia’s World Cup squad and playing an important role, but she too is highly rated and will be looked at for future opportunities.”Contract list Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
West Ham United, as a whole, is starting to subscribe to the idea that David Moyes won't be at the helm next season, that change is necessary, essential, even, to the continuing development of this fantastic Premier League club.
For a few more weeks, the Hammers are titled the reigning Europa Conference League champions. Silverware will not arrive at Moyes' door this year but he can hold his head high after bestowing upon east London a special journey, a journey beyond the hopes and dreams of the staunch supporters.
David Moyes
But the Scotsman is out of contract in the summer, he's possibly run his course – and that's okay. Change is part of football's cyclical rotation, and Moyes leaves as a legend, bringing to West Ham the very thing that fans devote entire lives to, to watching players on a pitch, in the hope of attaining that wonderful, elusive flame of joy.
West Ham's search for a manager
West Ham's sporting director, Tim Steidten, has ramped up his outfit's search for a new gaffer after a recent slump in form and long-lasting disgruntlement surrounding Moyes' negative tactics – as the vernacular puts it – and while Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim travelled to London for face-to-face discussions this week, he's not the only manager under consideration.
Indeed, according to TEAMtalk, the Irons are interested in sealing a swoop for Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic, who is considered one of the finest young managers in Europe and previously worked for the Hammers as Slaven Bilic's assistant.
How West Ham would play under Edin Terzic
Terzic, who is 41 years old, is not the rising manager in the German Bundesliga right now but he is demonstrating leadership qualities that could see him thrive at the highest level. He's already leading Dortmund, who are fifth in the league standings, but the allure of the Premier League could see West Ham prevail.
Manchester United are also interested in the German-Croatian, with Erik ten Hag's position at Old Trafford tenuous at best, but West Ham boast a wealth of quality in their squad and could canvass a proposal to continue the fine work done by Moyes and co.
Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic
Given the noise around Moyes' tactics, fans would relish the shift in style that Terzic would bring, having been lauded for his similarities to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
Indeed, passion, fire and fury are staples of Terzic's Yellow Wall squad, boasting a kind of tactical flexibility that often starts with a 4-2-3-1 formation that morphs into a back-three when necessary.
Amorim invariably equips his line-up with a three-man defence to serve his possession-based system, but Terzic's willingness to adapt and bend his system could be a major selling point for Steidten and co.
Bundesliga
30
16
9
5
1.90
Champions League
10
5
2
3
1.80
DFB-Pokal
3
2
0
1
2.00
While Dortmund capitulated at the eleventh hour in the Bundesliga title race last season, the trappings of success are found in every corner at the Signal Iduna Park, having built from the stones of defeat to dispatch Atletico Madrid earlier in April and advance to the Champions League semi-finals, awaiting group stage adversaries Paris Saint-Germain.
Terzic's attacking tactical disposition, warm man management qualities and past experience in English football (with West Ham) make him the perfect fit, one that might just bear fruit for a club seeking the next phase in a prosperous history.
West Ham could forget about Lopetegui by hiring "incredible" manager
Tim Steidten is a huge fan of this attack-focused boss.
The Dutchman showed he can improve the Red Devils' goal shortage with his own striking prowess as well as unlocking his team-mates' potential
Manchester United fans were enduring a stalemate on Friday as the their team's Premier League opener with Fulham entered its final two minutes. But just as the game looked set to end in a 0-0 draw, Joshua Zirkzee produced his pistol and fired his new club to victory.
The Red Devils had lacked sparkle at Old Trafford, and looked particularly toothless up front. Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount were thwarted from close-range by Bernd Leno while Casemiro took five shots, all of which missed the target.
Zirkzee, coming off the bench, showed his team-mates how it was done, prodding home Alejandro Garnacho's cross with a subtle finish in minimal space. Fulham players hit the floor and the Stretford End hit the roof.
Zirkzee, meanwhile, whipped out his pistol fingers in homage to Quentin Tarantino and Jamie Foxx. It is his trademark celebration, one he pulled out 11 times last season with Bologna in Serie A, helping propel them to finish fifth and qualify for the Champions League for the first time ever.
"I got it from the movie Django Unchained," Zirkzee told last season. "There is a point where Django learns how to shoot. That’s what I got it from.”
United fans might not have expected Zirkzee to be the solution to their striking woes, and certainly not so soon, but he has already pulled the trigger and hit the target. If he can keep it up, he will help United fix their biggest problem of all – a lack of firepower.
Getty ImagesOff the mark
Zirkzee needed just 26 minutes to score his first Premier League goal, which is a vast improvement on the last Dutch striker to play for United. Wout Weghorst ended his five-month loan spell at the club without scoring once in the league, despite having 797 minutes on the pitch across 17 games and 10 starts. Weghorst was preferred to Zirkzee by Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman during Euro 2024, which was a little concerning for United fans.
But the 23-year-old shot down doubts about his striking prowess on his debut, making a start more reminiscent of United's best-ever Dutch striker, Ruud van Nistelrooy, who is now Zirkzee's coach. Van Nistelrooy scored on his debut too, also against Fulham at Old Trafford. His two goals got him off to a flying start on his way to 23 goals in his first campaign, which he followed up with a Golden Boot-winning 25.
Zirkzee is a very different type of striker to his compatriot and known more as a facilitator than a prolific striker. But strikers, regardless of their profile or other qualities, will first and foremost be judged on goals. So it was vital that he made a strong start.
AdvertisementGettyMental block
The longer Weghorst went without scoring in the league, the more it appeared to weigh on his mind. Zirkzee's fellow striker Rasmus Hojlund also appeared to have a mental block after failing to score in his first few games in the Premier League. And it was telling that, after Zirkzee's goal had taken care of Fulham, Ten Hag referred to Hojlund's disallowed goal on his home debut against Brighton last year.
Hojlund looked to have equalised against the Seagulls on his first start for United in mid-September, but a VAR review ruled the ball had previously gone out of play. Although the Dane struck in the Champions League that same week, his first Premier League goal did not arrive until more than three months later.
"Remember last season Rasmus scored a first goal and we all waited for two minutes on the halfway line and then VAR decided it was over the line. He was so frustrated," Ten Hag recalled. "So we're very happy for him [Zirkzee], it will encourage him, give him belief. It's good for the fans, good for him, a very good start."
GettyLow scoring, low finishes
With Hojlund still injured and not due back until after the first international break, Zirkzee is shaping up as United's first-choice centre-forward for the trip to Brighton on Saturday and the game with Liverpool the following Sunday.
And now he has the chance to do what Hojlund, Weghorst and even Cristiano Ronaldo failed to do and make United a team that score plenty of goals again. The Red Devils have not managed to score more than 60 times in the league for the last three seasons.
Last season they notched 57, leaving them with a negative goal difference for the first time in 34 years. Their lack of firepower also led to them having their lowest league finish in 34 years and their worst since the Premier League began.
Although their 58 goals conceded was far from ideal and double the amount Arsenal let in, it left United with the fourth-best defensive record in the league, above Aston Villa, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle. All those sides finished above United as they were far more prolific: Villa scored 76, Tottenham 74, Chelsea 77 while Newcastle scored a stonking 85.
Unlike their rivals, United could not compensate in attack for their shoddy defence and subsequently missed out on Champions League football. They cannot afford to do so again. They were more solid against Fulham than last season but still made mistakes at the back and would have been punished by a better team.
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Getty Repeating pattern
Last season's blunt attack was not an exception though, it was merely a continuation of a problem brewing for three years, predating Ten Hag's arrival, and going even further back. United scored 58 goals in the 2022-23 season, a count which was salvaged by them conceding only 43 goals and keeping more clean sheets than anyone else.
In the 2021-22 season, they scored 57, despite having Ronaldo, who scored 18 times. They conceded the same amount, ending with a goal difference of zero and their lowest amount of points in Premier League history.
The previous season, 2020-21, they scored 73 times, finishing second as a result. In 2019-20 they netted 66 goals and came third. They scored 65 goals in 2018-19, while even in 2017-18, when they finished second under Jose Mourinho and amassed 81 points – their best total since Sir Alex Ferguson was in charge – they only scored 68. Mourinho's first campaign, meanwhile, yielded just 54 goals.
But in 2015-16, Louis van Gaal oversaw a campaign of just 49 goals, just one goal more than Sunderland, who finished 17th. By way of comparison, United scored 86 times in 2012-13, Ferguson's final campaign and the last time they won the Premier League title.
For United to get back to where they want to be, they need to score far more goals than they have been lately. And Zirkzee can help them do this in more ways than one.
The downtime hasn’t stopped Australia’s limited-overs captain looking at the challenges to come
Andrew McGlashan26-Jun-2020Despite the sport largely being shutdown since March, cricket has not been far from the mind of Australia’s limited-overs captain Aaron Finch as he thinks ahead to the 2023 one-day World Cup campaign in India as well as the two T20 World Cups that are scheduled to be played before then.It appears highly unlikely that the T20 World Cup set for this October and November in Australia will take place due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a range of options on the table as to when it could be moved to, from early next year to a 12-month delay to pushing it as far as 2022. Under the current schedule, India are due to host the 2021 T20 World Cup in the October-November of that year.As things stand the next 50-over men’s World Cup will take place in February and March of 2023 in India. Following Australia’s semi-final exit in last year’s tournament, when they turned their one-day form around significantly leading into the competition, there is already considerable thought going into how to prepare.ALSO READ: Australians who could have IPL-state cricket clash”I’m a cricket nuffy so you are always thinking about it, especially being captain and with what’s coming up with the T20 World Cup, whenever that might be, and there’s a couple of them and looking forward to the 2023 50-over World Cup in India,” Finch told RSN. “We are just in the processing of nutting out how we go about winning that, what we’ll need to do down the track to be successful in those three tournaments.”In the 50-over space it’s about working back from that 2023 World Cup and really getting a detailed plan of how we think we’ll have to win it, what’s the structure of the side we’ll need in India. Is it going to be two spinners, is it going to be an extra allrounder, and kind of work back from there.”Aaron Finch drives one through cover•Associated PressFinch, who has made clear his ambitions of still being part of Australia’s one-day squad for the next one-day World Cup, said it was important to start identifying new players who could be part of the side now so that they can be given enough game time ahead of the tournament. He suggested the selectors will be looking at around 25 names over the next couple of years being whittling it down to the final squad as the tournament approaches.”[We need to] nut out what resources we’ll need in terms of players. If there’s someone new we identify who could perhaps have a big impact, how many games can we get into them over the next two and a half years to make sure they have enough experience so in a high-pressure semi-final you aren’t going in hoping they’ll do well, you know they have the form and enough experience behind them to make sure they are comfortable with international level.”It’s either working out what the 15, or say 25 players now, what that looks like, does it match our game plan going forward, or do we pick the side the other way round with a game plan in mind and adapt it that way. It’s not rocket science, it’s going through data, a bit of gut instinct of what you feel will be the trends of one-day cricket. Will it be 400, or will it be that 320-mark with some wearing pitches in India and a couple of spinners in your side?”Since their World Cup exit against England, Australia have played seven ODIs with six of those away from home which included being beaten 3-0 in South Africa. They beat New Zealand behind closed doors at the SCG in mid-March before Covid-19 brought sport to a sudden halt.They could return to limited-overs action in September with talks continuing about heading to England for the ODI and T20I matches that were originally scheduled for July. In the 2020-21 home season they are currently scheduled to play two three-match ODI series against India and New Zealand in January.
Newcastle United star Kieran Trippier could join Turkish Super Lig side Eyupspor which is managed by former Barcelona star Arda Turan.
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Trippier linked with a move to TurkeyAgreed terms with Arda Turan-managed EyupsporEarlier linked with a move to Saudi Pro LeagueWHAT HAPPENED?
Per journalist Resat Can Ozbudak, former England international and Newcastle United full-back Trippier has been linked with a move to the Turkish Super Lig. The player has reportedly agreed personal terms with Turkish side Eyupspor – which is managed by former Barcelona and Atletico Madrid midfielder Arda Turan – and is now negotiating his existing contract with the Magpies.
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Trippier, who recently announced his retirement from international football, has entered the final year of his contract at St. James' Park. Earlier, The Athletic reported that the defender was keen to exit the Premier League club this summer and was linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
DID YOU KNOW?
While the summer transfer window in the Premier League closed on August 30, the Turkish Super Lig window remains open until September 18. The English full-back will hope to conclude negotiation with the Magpies in the next few days before completing his move to Turkey.
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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR NEWCASTLE UNITED?
Eddie Howe's side, who have managed to collect four points from their first two matches, will be next seen in action on Sunday as they take Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League fixture.
Liverpool put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon but the emphatic performance came too late for the Premier League title.
The recent slump that has seen Crystal Palace and Everton defeat Liverpool has handed Arsenal and Manchester City a foothold in the title race that now appears insurmountable, with both of the Reds' rivals requiring just one win from their remaining fixtures to end Liverpool's paltry hopes.
Still, the free-flowing display against Spurs highlighted the quality of this Liverpool side and then some, with out-of-sorts Spurs brushed aside after a brilliant hour that had seen Liverpool take a four-goal lead.
Liverpool's Harvey Elliott scores
Naturally, it's never straightforward and defensive frailties were exposed when Richarlison and Heung-min Son halved the deficit in the closing stage, but it was too little too late and a top-three finish in Jurgen Klopp's final season is now confirmed.
But Klopp's legacy will live on, with so many talented players on the Anfield books. Incoming manager Arne Slot will have a mammoth task in succeeding Klopp this summer but with rising stars like Harvey Elliott in the squad, Liverpool are surely set for a lasting position of promise.
Harvey Elliott's performance vs Spurs
Last season, Elliott completed 46 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool and proved himself a high-quality youngster, impressing despite his side's woes and being hailed for his "special" quality by Klopp.
This year, after sweeping changes to the midfield, he's played more of a bit-part role in the Premier League despite featuring prominently in cup competitions, but with displays such as the one against Tottenham, Slot is going to find it hard to offer the 21-year-old anything less than a starring role.
Minutes played
83'
Goals
1
Assists
1
Touches
68
Accurate passes
47/53 (89%)
Shots on target
4
Key passes
5
Dribble attempts
1/1
Duels won
3/4
Tackles
1
It was the definition of an all-encompassing creative display. Elliott was a constant source of supply for his teammates while also demonstrating an improvement in his defensive game, winning three of his four duels. Moreover, his 89% pass success rate bespeaks his technical poise and composure.
That's without even mentioning the stunning strike. Salah collects, head raised, goal in sight. Will he shoot? Probably. No. He's sent it to Elliott, the young gun collecting with coolness and surging across the edge of the box, skipping over Rodrigo Bentancur's lunging challenge with balletic grace. He's ready. Anfield's ready.
The curling strike from range sent Liverpool into rapture and confirmed Elliott's masterful performance at a time of great need. Teammates stared on in awe; Ange Postecoglou looked away and shook his head. When it rains, it pours.
As per FBref, the diminutive ace ranks among the top 1% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 3% for shot-creating actions, the top 6% for progressive passes, the top 3% for progressive carries and the top 18% for blocks per 90.
He's shaping into a rounded player with a range of ways to inflict damage on his adversaries. Elliott will play a prominent part in the new era at Anfield.
Harvey Elliott celebrates at Anfield
He's not the only one to have not been an unwavering presence in the starting line-up in the Premier League however, with Cody Gakpo firing his way into form recently.
Cody Gakpo's performance vs Spurs
Gakpo, like Elliott, has been in and out of the starting line-up since completing an initial £37m transfer to Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in January 2023, after enjoying a breakthrough performance at the 2022 World Cup with Netherlands.
Be that as it may, the 24-year-old has scored 15 goals and added six assists in all competitions this season, despite starting only 29 of his 51 appearances.
Liverpool's Cody Gakpo.
Against Tottenham, he hit a goal and an assist apiece at centre-forward, nodding home Elliott's whipped delivery to make it 3-0 after curling his own cross over Lilywhites defenders to hand Mohamed Salah a much-needed goal after 16 minutes, opening the scoring.
He's not perfect, but the dynamic Gakpo has provided Liverpool with a steady goal threat this season despite his positionally nomaic role within Klopp's squad.
The Liverpool Echo's Ian Doyle was delighted with the £120k-per-week forward's performance and handed him an 8/10 match rating, writing: 'Excellent both in terms of leading the line and bringing others into play, strong on the ball and provided inviting assist for opener, leading to the reward of heading in the third.'
As per Sofascore, Gakpo complemented his goal contributions with 44 touches, hitting the target twice, creating two key passes for his teammates, succeeding with one of two attempted dribbles, winning five of eight duels and chipping in with a tackle.
His interchanging movements with Luis Diaz were especially eye-catching, ensuring that the Tottenham backline was left questioning their hosts' plan of action, keeping many attacking dimensions open, accessible.
With Darwin Nunez benched for the third time in four Premier League matches following poor form, Gakpo has an excellent opportunity to impress his compatriot Slot when he takes to the dugout next season.
How Cody Gakpo could fit in under Slot
Gakpo might just be taking this chance, having been one of Liverpool's most consistent and most influential performers over this recent drab run of results.
Perhaps a victim of his own versatility, the 6 foot 1 star has played four different positions over seven times each throughout the 2023/24 season and while he has been criticised, there are many facets to this sharp skill set that make him perfect for Slot's system.
Cody Gakpo scores for Liverpool
As per FBref, Gakpo ranks among the top 19% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for assists, the top 7% for shot-creating actions, the top 5% for progressive passes, the top 15% for progressive carries, the top 10% for successful take-ons and the top 2% for tackles per 90.
There are few centre-forwards capable of maintaining an impressive rate of scoring who offer such a diversified style of play, and Slot, who plays high-tempo, free-flowing attacking football, will need such a star.
Whether Liverpool decide to move for a new striker at this stage remains to be seen, but Gakpo has all the quality to succeed for years to come on Merseyside, and he might just win Slot over and play a prominent role over the coming campaigns.
Liverpool star who dropped a 9/10 has just revived Klopp's farewell tour
Anfield played to this maverick’s tune as Spurs were dispatched in the Premier League.
Lionel Messi sent a heartfelt message to Luis Suarez as his friend and Inter Miami team-mate called time on his Uruguay career.
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Suarez's international career comes to an endForward made 143 appearances for UruguayMessi paid tribute after final matchWHAT HAPPENED?
It was a day of celebration for Uruguay. Despite their underwhelming 0-0 draw with Paraguay, the fans inside the Estadio Centenario came to say goodbye to one of the country's greatest players, Luis Suarez, and the farewell included a message from his Inter Miami teammate and friend Lionel Messi.
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A goalless draw at home to Paraguay isn't the way Suarez envisioned his farewell. In 143 appearances he scored 69 goals and played a vital role in Uruguay's international tournaments, including in their 2011 Copa America triumph. That is all behind him now and his focus will be on Inter Miami, where his team-mate Messi recorded a message for him to be shown on the big screen after the game.
WHAT MESSI SAID
Messi said: "Hello fatty, I wanted to be present and record this video on such a meaningful day for you, for your family, for the people of Uruguay and for football fans in general because of who you are and everything you have given to the national team and your country. I was lucky to be by your side and I know how hard it was to make this decision because I know how much playing for the Uruguay national team means to you. I just hope you enjoy this tribute they are giving you, which you more than deserve, for everything I have mentioned before.
"For everything you gave to that team. You always gave your all, and until the very last day. You are leaving a great legacy for the people today and for the new generations to come. This is the end of a very important chapter in your career but hopefully there are many more years ahead in football. I am happy that those years will be here (Inter Miami) that we get to be together again on the same team and enjoy each day. I hope you enjoy this night with your loved ones and all the people you've had by your side and wanted close. Big hug, I love you very much, goodbye."
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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR SUAREZ?
It was an emotional evening that saw a Uruguayan legend bow out, but he still plays at Inter Miami. The Florida-based side sit top of the Eastern Conference and he, along with Messi, could bring MLS glory to the Herons this year.
Chelsea are now eyeing a new manager target to replace Mauricio Pochettino, who Man City boss Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on.
Chelsea slammed for parting company with Pochettino
The west Londoners have officially parted company with Pochettino after much speculation over his future in the build up to Tuesday evening, with the club then announcing that he left by "mutual consent".
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The west Londoners need a replacement for the Brazilian.
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The news came as a bit of a shock to critics and supporters alike, especially after Chelsea's fine end to the Premier League season. They won their final five top flight games on the trot, sealing European qualification in the process and finishing just five points outside the top four.
Their end-of-season run saw Chelsea score 16 goals in their last six matches, averaging nearly three goals-per-game, and their electric home form in the latter stages of 2023/2024 was certainly something to build upon.
Chelsea 2-1 Bournemouth
Brighton 1-2 Chelsea
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea
Chelsea 5-0 West Ham
Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
Just when thing were turning a corner under Pochettino, Chelsea decided to part company with the Argentine, leaving little wonder their decision has been heavily criticised by members of the media. TalkSPORT pundit Darren Bent even called Pochettino's Chelsea exit "embarrassing".
“[It’s] embarrassing," said Bent on talkSPORT (via Complete Sports).
"Pochettino has had his critics this season, right, and he finally gets this Chelsea squad, which has been put together, so many players, so much different change, he finally gets them to a point where it starts to look like my team and they get rid of him. No, you have got to give him next season. You cannot let him do that work.
“Like the way they ended the season was incredible. I think they were one of the in-form sides, up there with Arsenal and Manchester City, the last five to 10 games. You can’t get rid of him now. He is now getting a tune out of some of these players. [Moises] Caicedo looks brilliant, scored a great goal. Stick with him.”
Attention now turns to how Chelsea will look to succeed Pochettino, and there have been a fair few managerial candidates mentioned already. Thomas Tuchel has been named as a "concrete" option for Chelsea by Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, while Roberto De Zerbi continues to be admirerd by Stamford Bridge chiefs.
Chelsea express recent interest in hiring Vincent Kompany
A more surprising name being considered, though, is Burnley boss Vincent Kompany. The Man City legend couldn't steer Burnley away from relegation after a regrettable season back in the Premier League at Turf Moor, but the 39-year-old has at least been praised by Guardiola.
The Spaniard said Kompany "has everything", and to be fair, his attack-minded Burnley team were near-untouchable in the Championship over 2022/2023.
He'd bring an exciting brand of expansive, open football, and BBC Sport reporter Nizaar Kinsella writes that for the broadcaster and on X that Chelsea have expressed a recent interest in appointing Kompany.
Nottinghamshire’s winless streak extends by another game after chastening final-over loss
ECB Reporters Network04-Aug-2020Derbyshire 239 and 365 for 7 (Hudson-Prentice 91*, Godleman 86) beat Nottinghamshire 324 (Hameed 68, Patel 63, Nash 59) and 279 (Patel 80, Hameed 52) by three wicketsFynn Hudson-Prentice showed skill and character under pressure to guide Derbyshire to a remarkable three-wicket victory over Nottinghamshire in the Bob Willis Trophy North Group match at Trent Bridge.The all-rounder made a superbly judged unbeaten 91 from 169 balls as Derbyshire chased down a 365 target with one ball to spare to record their highest-ever successful run-chase against a county side.The defeat means Nottinghamshire, who lost fast bowler Joey Evison with a foot injury early on the final day, have not won a first-class game since June 2018.They were favourites to end that barren run when Derbyshire slipped to 234 for 6 but Hudson-Prentice shared half-century stands with Mattie McKiernan and Michael Cohen, on his 22nd birthday, to give a game of changing fortunes one final twist.Both teams went into the final morning with expectations of victory although overcast skies suggested conditions favoured the bowlers. It was gloomy enough for the floodlights to be switched on and Godleman and Madsen had to fight for every run against disciplined pace bowling.Godleman drove Evison to the cover boundary to bring up the century stand just before a short rain delay and when play resumed, the young fast bowler trapped Derbyshire’s captain lbw with a full length ball that he played slightly across.It was his last contribution as he left the field in the same over but despite being a bowler down, Nottinghamshire chipped away and claimed another big wicket before lunch.Leus du Plooy scored a brilliant century in the first innings but this time he moved across his stumps to Steven Mullaney who swung the ball back in to have him lbw for 7.Derbyshire’s hopes now seemingly rested with Madsen who was so intent on survival he scored only 15 runs in the first session and his obdurate innings ended soon after lunch.Madsen had faced 174 balls for 43 but Ball defeated him with a full delivery that caught him in front on the crease and Harvey Hosein had his stumps scattered four overs later.But Critchley reined in his natural attacking instincts and with Hudson-Prentice, dug in to frustrate Notts for 19 overs. The pair added 42 and tea was in sight when Critchley’s concentration wavered as Patel lured him down the pitch and raced away in celebration when Tom Moores whipped off the bails.Notts took the new ball as soon as it became available but the breakthrough did not come with Hudson-Prentice and McKiernan playing calmly as the overs ticked away.Ball came back at the Radcliffe Road End and had Hudson-Prentice dropped on 61 by Mullaney, diving across from second slip but in the same over, he squeezed one through McKiernan’s defence to break a stand that added 65 in 23 overs.But Derbyshire continued to fight with Cohen twice driving Ball to the cover boundary as the target came down to 27 from five overs.Hudson-Prentice pulled the first ball of the next over from Ball for four and then lifted Patel over mid-on to leave Derbyshire needing 13 from three.That came down to five from the final over and Cohen completed a memorable day for him and Derbyshire when he swung the penultimate delivery from Ball to midwicket for the winning runs.