LONDON: Thomas Tuchel is set to be named England’s new manager after agreeing a deal with the Football Association, The Times reported on Tuesday.
Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
Sky Sports also said Tuchel was in “pole position” to become Gareth Southgate’s long-term replacement.
The FA declined to comment on the reports but said that CEO Mark Bullingham will provide an update on Wednesday at Wembley Stadium.
Tuchel fits the remit of a “world-class coach who has won trophies,” which was outlined by England interim manager Lee Carsley after Sunday’s 3-1 Nations League win over Finland.
He has managed a number of Europe’s top clubs, also including Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, but his greatest success came during his time in English football at Chelsea.
Tuchel led the Blues to Champions League glory just months after taking charge in 2021 and also won the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup with the London club.
He was sacked in September 2022 in a bold early move by Chelsea’s new ownership group that did not pay off.
Just six months later he was appointed Bayern boss and led them to a 11th consecutive Bundesliga title.
However, Tuchel also oversaw the demise of Bayern’s dominance of German football in a first trophyless campaign last season for 12 years.
Carsley was put in temporary charge in August following Southgate’s resignation shortly after reaching the final of Euro 2024.
However, the 50-year-old, who stepped up from his role as under-21s manager, has since given mixed messages about whether he wanted the job on a permanent basis.
Carsley’s case was further damaged by a 2-1 Nations League defeat to Greece last week and he backed the idea of appointing a foreign coach if they are the right candidate.
“We’ve seen in the past that we’ve had different nationalities coach the team. The best candidate should get the job,” said Carsley.
“I think we’d be putting ourselves in a corner if we didn’t, and we didn’t open our minds a bit.”
Tuchel will inherit a richly talented generation of players, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer, that will be among the favorites for World Cup glory in 2026.
Southgate led the Three Lions to back-to-back Euros finals, plus a World Cup semifinal and quarter-final in his four major tournaments in charge.
England, though, are still yet to win a major tournament since the 1966 World Cup.
Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports
https://arab.news/mfv7e
Tuchel ‘agrees deal’ to become England manager — reports
- Tuchel, 51, has been out of work since leaving Bayern Munich at the end of last season.
- The German would become just the third foreign manager of the Three Lions after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello
Pakistan football team to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for AFC Asian Cup qualifier camp
- Pakistan will face Syria in AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture on Mar. 25 in Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahsa
- Green shirts to resume training camp in Saudi Arabia under Head Coach Stephen Constantine
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's national football team will travel to Saudi Arabia tomorrow, Thursday, where they will resume training for the upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifier fixture against Syria, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said in a statement.
Pakistan will kick off their AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification campaign against Syria on Mar. 25 at the Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
The green shirts concluded their training session in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday night, the PFF said.
"The team is set to depart for Saudi Arabia tomorrow night, where they will continue their training under the guidance of Head Coach Stephen Constantine," the PFF said.
Earlier this month, Pakistan reappointed Constantine, who previously served as the country's head coach from late 2023 until mid-2024, as head coach for the Syria fixture.
Pakistan's inclusion in the qualifier was made possible after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) lifted its international suspension against the country earlier this month.
FIFA hit Pakistan on Feb. 6 with a third international suspension in less than eight years after the federation rejected its electoral reforms. Following the suspension, the PFF unanimously approved FIFA's proposed constitutional amendments in an extraordinary meeting in Lahore this month.
Pakistan are placed in Group E of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers alongside Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar.
PAKISTAN PROBABLES
Goal-Keepers: Yousuf Butt, Saqib Hanif, Abdul Basit and Adam Khan
Defenders: Abdullah Iqbal, Easah Suliman, Haseeb Khan, Junaid Shah, Mamoon Moosa, Mohammad Fazal, Abdul Rehman and Waqar Ihtisam
Midfielders: Alamgir Ghazi, Ali Uzair, Ali Zafar, Muhammad Umar Hayat, Rahis Nabi, Toqeer ul Hassan, Umair Ali and Moin Ahmed
Forwards: Fareedullah, Harun Hamid, Imran Kayani, Mckeal Abdullah, Abdul Samad, Shayak Dost and Muhammad Adeel Younas
Rangers ‘embarrassed’ by racist banner charge from UEFA
- The Scottish club were also hit with other UEFA charges, including the throwing of objects and blocking passageways
- “For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful,” Rangers said
GLASGOW: Rangers have reacted with “embarrassment” after being charged by UEFA for a “racist and/or discriminatory banner” displayed by fans in last week’s Europa League tie against Fenerbahce.
Banners reading: “Keep woke foreign ideologies out — defend Europe” were held up by fans as Rangers progressed to the quarter-finals on penalties on Thursday against the Turkish giants.
The Scottish club were also hit with other UEFA charges, including the throwing of objects and blocking passageways.
“For the club to be charged with such a matter in 2025 is shameful, and the disdain for those responsible will be shared by the overwhelming majority of our supporters,” Rangers said in a statement.
“This charge will bring consequences for the club, while the club is also working to identify those responsible and will ensure they also face consequences.
“For the avoidance of doubt, if you do not believe in 2025 that absolutely everyone is welcome to follow Rangers whether at Ibrox or away, then Rangers is not the club for you, and you should disassociate yourself with the club immediately.”
Rangers also criticized “two individuals” for using pyrotechnics after Sunday’s league win over local rivals Celtic which could impact future ticket allocations.
The 2022 Europa League finalists will face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League last eight next month.
Bento’s refreshed UAE to go all out for a historic second World Cup appearance
- Paulo Bento’s team face Iran at Azadi Stadium on Thursday, before taking on North Korea at Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium
DUBAI: Destiny’s call bellows increasingly louder for a refocused and retooled UAE set to restart a World Cup 2026 qualification quest imbued with fresh momentum.
Heroics were required for November’s clashes — and Paulo Bento’s men emphatically delivered with a 3-0 beating of Kyrgyzstan and an epochal 5-0 rout of perennial rivals Qatar. The interregnum between Group A activities for the third-placed side may have included December’s winless early exit from the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup, but nothing can distract from their mission to earn just a second-ever berth at the globe’s premier sporting event.
The Whites’ prospects transformed from waning to tangible in the space of two matches. A consolation prize of a fourth-round slot is now almost secured, yet second-placed Uzbekistan in the final automatic-qualification berth are tantalizingly in range on 13 points to the UAE’s 10 points.
Arguably Asia’s sternest test awaits away at Iran’s cavernous Azadi Stadium on Thursday when the penultimate window kicks off, before a trip into the unknown against bottom-placed North Korea at Riyadh’s Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.
These exacting challenges will be tackled with another wave of newly naturalized ADNOC Pro League stars in 2017 FIFA Club World Cup Silver Ball winner Caio, Sharjah club-mate Luan Pereira, pacey Al-Wasl loanee Jonatas and granite Al-Wahda center-back Alaeddine Zouhir.
For local talents, outstanding 21-year-old Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club goalkeeper Hamad Al-Meqebaali presses for a debut and metronomic Al-Jazira midfielder Abdullah Ramadan returns from serious injury.
Rise, once again, to the occasion this month and history could be close at hand. There is no risk of getting carried away under the circumspect Bento’s care.
“We are striving for a better position in these qualifiers, and we are working towards that, one match at a time and step by step,” he told reporters, according to Emarat Al Youm newspaper. “As for me, I am happy with the players, especially since they are performing well.
“I expect a very strong match against the Iranian team, which is one of the strongest teams in the group and also one of the strongest teams in Asia. We have suffered in previous matches against these teams, but we have learned from that and will do our best.
“In some matches, the team did not deserve to lose.
“The current camp is the shortest compared to previous national team camps, as it is always better to prepare in sufficient time. But we must deal with the situation.
“We are working to get the national team players fully prepared. We started the camp with a specific group of players, but training continued after all the players had joined.”
The failure of a “Golden Generation” headlined by Omar Abdulrahman, Ahmed Khalil and Ali Mabkhout, plus their successors, to successfully navigate recent cycles ensured skepticism enveloped ambitions of playing at an expanded World Cup 2026.
Blowing this away has been Bento’s aim since his summer 2023 arrival. The ex-Portugal and South Korea boss has exhibited singular focus on this global target to the detriment of forgettable Gulf Cup and Asian Cup campaigns.
A good problem exists about how, and when, to integrate stellar introductory call-ups.
Caio is the unquestionable standout addition. The multifaceted 30-year-old has produced 14 goal contributions in 17 top-flight runouts as Sharjah cling on in the title race.
A mouth-watering prospect exists of an interchangeable attack in Bento’s 4-2-3-1 formation, with Caio at the fulcrum plus a selection taken from Shabab Al-Ahli flyers Yahya Al-Ghassani and Harib Abdalla, and Brazil-born options Fabio De Lima, Caio Canedo, Bruno Conceicao and Jonatas.
Six-goal international marksman Sultan Adil is also surprisingly in the mix, despite playing zero club minutes throughout the 2024-25 season.
Wasl talisman Ali Saleh’s international absence since November’s injury issues has continued. A tally of nine goals in 18 league runouts for an evergreen Mabkhout at Al-Nasr did not prove enough to be reintegrated.
Pressure is also applied to Jazira center-back Khalifa Al-Hammadi’s continuing starting spot by Wahda pair Lucas Pimenta and Zouhir. Al-Ain’s Kouame Autonne is a lock.
Getting the blend right between new options and old ones is crucial. A solid third round to date could deliver an exceptional ending, returning the UAE to the World Cup for the first time since 1990 and avoiding the lottery of potentially multiple future qualification stages.
They attack these fixtures in the wake of this stage’s joint-second-biggest victory (5-0 versus Qatar). Only resurgent Iraq (four goals) and all-conquering Japan (two goals) have conceded fewer.
June 5’s meeting with Uzbekistan looms large. A dream return of four points from six this month would make Group A’s runners-up feel the heat from the UAE’s dogged pursuit and hold off a chastened Qatar in fourth.
The Whites, certainly, cannot afford a repeat of October’s dreary 1-1 draw with North Korea at this juncture.
Setting the platform now for future glory is the goal Bento and his recalibrated UAE are dedicated toward.
November’s emboldening results mean legendary status is within reach. They must seize it in March.
5 things to look out for in Saudi Arabia’s World Cup qualifiers
- Herve Renard’s Green Falcons take on China in Riyadh on Thursday before next week’s away clash in Japan
LONDON: Qualification for the 2026 World Cup enters a crucial phase in the next few days as Saudi Arabia host China at home on Thursday in Riyadh and then head to Japan for Tuesday’s clash.
After six games of 10 in the third round of qualification, Japan are nine points clear, leaving the other five countries chasing the other automatic spot.
The battle is fierce, with just one point separating Australia in second and China in sixth, with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in between.
There is much to talk about, but here are five things to look out for in the coming week.
China match a must-win for Saudi
There’s no getting around the need for victory. Saudi Arabia have won just one of six games so far in Group C and hopes of automatic qualification are very much in the balance. The good news for coach Herve Renard is that rivals for second spot have also been stumbling. There is still time for a team to make a break for North America and leave the others behind.
The other good news for Renard is that China are the only team that the Green Falcons have beaten so far, thanks to a last-minute header from Hassan Kadesh. Saudi Arabia are clear favorites to win, but the pressure is on.
China will be delighted with a point but know that if they can keep things tight and frustrate the home team — and given that Saudi Arabia have not scored in the last four qualifiers since that Kadesh goal then this is a real possibility — then the atmosphere in Riyadh could become anxious quite quickly, providing the visitors with an opportunity to go home with a win. Somehow, the home team need to start taking chances.
Renard has been bold and picked players in form
The Frenchman returned in October to take over after a poor start during Roberto Mancini’s stint as coach of Saudi Arabia. His first game back was a fighting 0-0 draw in Australia that was followed by a 2-0 defeat in Indonesia that has made things difficult.
Renard has made a number of changes to the squad since that traumatic night in Jakarta and added new faces — players like Jehad Thakri, who has been impressive in defense with Al-Qadsiah and Muhannad Al-Saad who has been in action for Dunkerque in the French second tier. Intriguingly, there may be a debut for 32-year-old striker Abdullah Al-Salem. The powerful forward has been in form for Al-Khaleej, reaching double figures for the club in the lower reaches of mid-table.
Picking players who are playing well for clubs is always a good idea but not always that common in international football. If one of the new players can step up and repay Renard’s faith, then it may just make the difference.
A trip to Japan is as tough as it gets but …
In October, Japan came to Jeddah to win 2-0 in a clinical display. It was already clear then that the Samurai Blue were on their way to the World Cup as Group C winners. It is highly likely that the team will beat Bahrain at home, they won 5-0 in the away fixture, to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
That can be good news for Saudi Arabia. Going east to face a Japan desperate for points would be the toughest task possible in Asian football, but if the hosts have already qualified and in something of a party mood, then there is hope.
Saudi Arabia finished above Japan in qualification for the 2022 World Cup and while that is not going to happen this time, there is always a chance in a one-off match.
The stars need to step up on long trip
It remains to be seen if in-form midfielder Mohamed Kanno is fit to face China after picking up an injury, although the Al-Hilal star will be hoping to make the long trip east and take the pitch at Saitama Stadium. His energy, drive and experience will be needed.
There may be some necessary new blood in the squad but Saudi Arabia will also look to Salem Al-Dawsari, the talisman, to make something happen with a moment of magic. The same with Saud Abdulhamid. Japan are a team full of European-based stars but the right-back has some form with Roma.
It is not just about dealing with the 90 minutes on the pitch, but the whole trip. It is unfortunate that while Japan have two games in the same stadium and can rest and relax, Saudi Arabia face China in Riyadh and then face a long journey across six time zones. Such is life in Asian football, but the stars have been here before and need to show how it is done.
Whatever happens, it’s not over
Even if there are a pair of wins in the coming days, there is still work to do, and the same would be true with two defeats. There are two more qualifiers in June in Bahrain and then a final clash against Australia. There are two automatic spots, one almost certainly reserved for Japan and one other, but there is another route. The six teams that finish third and fourth in the three groups will advance to another stage to compete for two more World Cup spots.
Of the five teams in the hunt for second, Australia and Saudi Arabia would consider finishing third as a disappointment, but Bahrain, China and Indonesia would almost certainly feel differently. That adds an extra dimension to the coming games. Whatever happens, Saudi Arabia need to ensure that they do not slip out of the top four while they battle for a place in the top two.
Clippers rally to beat Cavaliers, Warriors and Celtics win
- Los Angeles Clippers hand the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers a second straight defeat
- Golden State’s Stephen Curry was a spectator as the Warriors beat the Milwaukee Bucks in San Francisco
LOS ANGELES, United States: Kawhi Leonard scored 33 points and Ivica Zubac added 28 on his 28th birthday on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Clippers rallied to hand the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers a second straight defeat, 132-119.
The Cavs, the runaway leaders in the Eastern Conference, got off to a hot start as they launched a five-game road trip in Los Angeles, scoring 45 points in the first quarter on the way to a 73-68 halftime lead.
But the Clippers, with coach Tyronn Lue absent because of back spasms, held the Cavs to 46 points in the second half in a gritty performance that saw Cleveland drop a second successive game for the first time since January.
Max Strus scored 24 points to lead the Cavaliers, whose 16-game winning streak was ended Sunday by Orlando.
“It’s my birthday, I had to bring it,” Zubac said, adding that the Clippers “wanted this one bad” as they chase the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves for sixth place in the West and direct entry into the playoffs.
Golden State star guard Stephen Curry was a spectator as the Warriors rebounded from a Monday loss to Denver with a 104-93 victory over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in San Francisco.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said his “exhausted” superstar needed some rest after a lackluster performance in the loss to Denver.
In Curry’s absence, Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, Brandin Podziemski added 17 as he started at guard, and the Warriors thwarted the Bucks’ second-half comeback bid.
Draymond Green scored just three points but was a defensive force. He had three of his four blocked shots in the first quarter and finished with two steals to go with his 10 rebounds.
“Draymond, that defense tonight on Giannis was incredible,” Kerr said. “To hold him to five field goals — Draymond showed why he’s one of the great defenders in the world.
“It wasn’t just the defense,” Kerr added. “It was the leadership, the energy.”
Kyle Kuzma led the Bucks with 22 points, Antetokounmpo scored 20 and Damian Lillard added 16.
Trailing 58-44 at halftime, the Bucks took a six-point lead late in the third quarter as the weary-looking Warriors coughed up 10 of their 19 turnovers.
But Butler’s three free throws to end the third put the Warriors up by two going into the fourth quarter and the Bucks couldn’t get back in front again.
The Celtics were also short-handed in Boston, where Kristaps Porzingis and rookie Baylor Scheierman stepped up as the reigning champions shook off the absence of star duo Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to beat the Brooklyn Nets 104-96.
Porzingis scored a game-high 25 points with 13 rebounds, a steal and three blocked shots.
Scheierman scored 12 of his career-high 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Celtics finally pulled away in a game in which they struggled to find their offensive footing without Brown and Tatum — both rested with nagging knee injuries.
It gave Scheierman a chance to shine, and he took it. He connected on seven of eight shots, including six of seven from three-point range.
His three-pointer to end the third quarter sent Boston into the final period with a 71-70 lead.
The 30th pick in the NBA draft drilled back-to-back threes midway through the fourth that gave the Celtics a four-point lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“Probably a top-three environment I’ve ever been a part of,” said Scheierman, who left the court to a huge ovation. “It’s just special.”
The playoff-bound Celtics notched their 50th win of the season. Trailing only the Cavs in the East they have a comfortable lead over the third-placed New York Knicks.
