Ashish Enginr

5 Football Managers Who Have Never Been Sacked

Managing a club is a tricky thing that not many can handle, although there are some managers who have managed top tier clubs and have never been sacked.

Here is a list of top managers who have managed not to be sacked.

Pep Guardiola

Pep is arguably the best manager in the game alongside Klopp at the moment. Pep has managed four clubs in his managerial career. He is currently serving at Manchester City. He has won 33 trophies, including 2 UCLs, 4 Premier League trophies, 3 Bundesliga trophies and 3 La Liga trophies. It’s quite an accomplishment.

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane has only managed one club in his managerial career. Zidane managed Real Madrid for 6 years, which happens to be one of the longest periods for any Real Madrid manager to manage the club. In 6 years, he managed to win 9 trophies, including unbelievable 3 UCL titles in a row.

Luis Enrique

Luis Enrique is one of the best to ever do it He started his managerial career in 2008 and is mostly known for managing FC Barcelona, where he won 7 trophies. Currently, he is managing Spain, who are one of the favorites to win the FIFA World Cup.

Didier Deschamps

Like Zidane, Deschamps was both an outstanding player and a great manager. Deschamps got Monaco to the UCL final in his first season as a manager. He then joined Juventus and then he joined Marseille. After that, he managed France and won a World Cup in 2018.

Jurgen Klopp

If a club wants to rebuild the team for success, Klopp should be at the top of their list. Klopp did not have an exceptional playing career, but he is known to have rebuilt clubs like Dortmund and Liverpool to glory. He has won 10 trophies as a manager so far. Liverpool is playing in the UCL final against Real Madrid. Their season is probably going to end in glory.

To have won something that is considered tough in football and to have repeated it proves that these managers know football more than any of us.

Victims Of The Success Of Leo Messi & Cristiano Ronaldo

Players who have never won a Ballon d’Or

Since 2008, Messi and Ronaldo have dominated European football. They managed to win the respected award, the Ballon d’Or, almost every year. There were extraordinary talents who could have won if the deadly duo had not existed. The players whose performances were great but fell short due to the astonishing and unbelievable performence of Messi and Ronaldo.

Fernando Torres

The Spanish CF was on fire in the year 2008 when he played for Liverpool and Spain. scored 33 goals in 46 games at club level. He scored the goal that won Spain the European Championship in the final against Germany. Overall, it can be said that Torres has had a great career, but if there was a year where he could strongly claim his right to this French award, it would be 2008. But it was the year of the Portuguese who played at Manchester United back then.

Xavi

The midfield maestro is considered one of the best midfilders to ever play the game. Xavi would have received at least two ballon d’ors. In the year when the world saw Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona win a treble of the Spanish title, Copa del Rey and Champion League, Xavi finished third in 2009 after scoring 10 in 54 appearances for Barcelona. That year, Messi lifted his first ever Ballon d’Or title, beating Christiano Ronaldo by 240 points.

In the year 2011, Catalan side won both LaLiga and the Champions League titles. Xavi finished in third place. Xavi had 8 assists and 14 goals that season. The midfielder was definitely a strong contender for the French award. Xavi would have finished 2nd if Ronaldo had not scored 55 goals that season and would have been behind Messi, who scored a whooping 73 goals. Xavi was a big part of Barcelona’s dominance over Europe.

Andres Iniesta

Iniesta was regarded as a top contender for the award in 2010 and 2012. Iniesta played a huge role in Spain’s World Cup victory. The midfielder scored a 116th-minute winner in the final against the Netherlands in 2010. At the club, he managed to score nine goals and played a vital role as Barcelona managed to win the Spanish title. In 2012, Don Andres finished 3rd in the Ballon d’Or ranking. The spanish maestro was considered a key figure in Spain’s Euro 2012 title. The Blaugrana managed to win another Spanish title where he scored 8 goals and 17 assists. The majority of them were to Messi, who scored 91 goals in a calendar year that year. The Argentinian won his fourth Ballon d’Or the same year.

Franck Ribery

Ribery had a great season in 2013, and Beyern Munich won a treble. They won the Bundesliga, the German Cup and the Champions League. The French winger found the net 16 times in 39 games. However, the voting deadline for the award was extended. During that extension, Ronaldo scored a hat-trick for Portugal in the World Cup qualifiers, and that sent Portugal further in the competition. Ronaldo also scored 55 goals in 55 games for Real Madrid. Ronaldo won that year, breaking Leo Messi’s streak of four Ballon d’Ors. Ribery was the victim that year.

Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer finished in third place in 2014, behind Messi and Ronaldo. Many argue that the Beyern Munich goalkeeper should have won that year due to his excellent performance that year, especially at the 2014 World Cup. He performed exceptionally and won the tournament that year. Cristiano won that year for his performance and for winning the Champions League and Copa del Rey. Lev Yashin won the Ballon d’Or in 1963, and he happens to be the only goalkeeper to have won the award.

Neymar Jr

During his barca days, him lifting this prestegious trophy seemed obvious. If Ronaldo and Messi were not playing football, the Brazilian would have received an award at least twice. 2015 and 2017 would have been the years for this entertainer. He was ranked third both years. Neymar scored 39 goals and won the Spanish title, Champions League and Copa del Rey at Barcelona, Unfortunate for him so did Messi. The Argentinian scored 58 goals in 54 games and won the French award that year. Neymar’s goal count may have dropped in 2017, but his overall influence in the game was strong. His Ballon d’Or ranking that year was 3rd. He was the most impactful in Barca’s impossible comeback against PSG in the Champions League, scoring twice and providing the winning assist to Sergio Roberto. In the summer he broke the transfer record and left Barcelona for PSG. Neymar is currently 30 years old and he’s got a few seasons ahead. Hopefully he gets to wear the French crown at least once.

Virgil Van Dijk

The Dutchman was behind Leo Messi that year. Van Dijk led his country to the UEFA Nations League final and at club level he won Champiopns League. Messi’s miraculous display that season won him the award, but it certainly was a close call between both. Van Dijk said when asked about who should win the award. he said Messi should win the award as he was the best player. Cudos to him for showing great sportsmanship. Van Dijk has been piller for Liverpool and he was a major part of their winning streak in the 2019/20 season, which led the Reds to win their first title in 30 years.

Robert Lewandowski

12 April 2022, Bavaria, Munich: Soccer: Champions League, Bayern Munich – FC Villarreal, knockout round, quarterfinals, second leg at Allianz Arena. Robert Lewandowski of Munich celebrates his goal for 1:0. Photo: Sven Hoppe/dpa (Photo by Sven Hoppe/picture alliance)

Robert Lewandowski was a leading contender for the award in 2021 , but Leo Messi won. For the past three or four seasons, the Beyern Munich striker has been unstoppable. In the league and Champions League alone Lewa scored 49 in just 37 games. In all the other competitions, he scored 15 more for Beyern Munich. The striker helped Poland qualify for the 2022 World Cup. In 2020, if the ceremony had taken place, Robert would have won it. It was that clear. Even Leo Messi mentioned it in his acceptance speech in 2021.

“I would like to mention Robert Lewandowski. It’s been a real honour to compete with you. Everyone knows and we agree that you were the winner last year
I think France Football should award you our 2020 Ballon d’Or-you deserve it and you should have it at home.”
In france, during his acceptance speech,

Lewa still has not slowed down. He has been performing well, and he is surely a potential Ballon d’Or winner in coming seasons.

This just proves how dominant these two have been throughout the years. What they have achieved just seems unattainable. The consitancy of their outstanding performances vaulted them into the ranks of the greatest football players of all time.

Football Legends Who Had To Leave Involuntarily

There are times where a football player has stayed at the same club for so many seasons but their continuation at the club is questioned. Here is this list of few football legends who couldn’t continue at their beloved clubs.

5) Andrea pirlo

Italian defensive midfielder, Extremely talented. The reason for his departure, as Pirlo, mentioned in his book:

” They were only offering 1 year extension to players over 30 years old. “
Pirlo in his book “Penso quindi Gioco”

Despite having a huge impact on the team, Pirlo’s performance wasn’t enough to convince AC Milan directors. Pirlo then joined Juventus where he was offered a 3-year contract. At Juve, Pirlo won best player for 3 consecutive years.

4) Iker Casillas

Real Madrid Legend, who had to leave his beloved club where he arrived when he was only 9 years old. Casillas stayed in Madrid for 25 years. His coach, Jose Mourinho, sidelined him and his leadership was questioned by club officials. Casillas was forced out by Florentino Perez, who was serving as the club president. The Club’s aim was to sign a younger goalkeeper who could establish himself for the long term. Casillas then joined Porto to finish his career.

3) Luis Suarez

Striker who is known as El pistolero, Luis Suarez who played nearly 300 games for blaugrana with unbelievable stats. The Uruguayan striker was asking for 4 years of extension when he was 34 years old.

” Koeman called me and told me that he wasn’t counting on me anymore. I disregarded the way they acted.”
Suarez on how he felt leaving the club

Suarez was heartbroken and he said publically how he felt. Then Suarez went on to join Atletico Madrid, where he won a league title.

2) Sergio Ramos

Real Madrid captain since 2015, was also pushed out the door where he played for 16 seasons. Centreback was offered a one-year contract with a salary cut. Money was not the problem for him, it was the length of the contract. They offered him one and he wanted two. Said Ramos in a press conference. The president did not want to risk extending 34 years old. Ramos joined PSG for two seasons and £25m annual salary.

1) Leonel Messi

This transfer left the world in shock. The news travelled like fire as soon as club announced the discontinuation of the Great Leo Messi. 778 games, 672 goals, 300 assists and 35 trophies. It all happened at FCB and he still couldn’t continue. Laliga’s rules on the club’s payroll put an end to the megastar’s contract. Leo Messi is currently playing at PSG with his old pal Neymar Jr.

Golden Boy Of Barcelona, Pedri Gonzalez

After playing 70 games in a season for the club and country, Pedri was set to become the new rising star at Camp Nou but 19 years old suffered an injury after the club’s defeat against Bayern Munich. After some time, Pedri made a return against Benfica and got himself injured again.

By the end of 2021, Pedri had only played 4 games.

Pedri returned to play in January to play in El Clasico. The tournament was Spanish Super Cup and the game was semi final and FCB got tossed out by their rivals Real Madrid.

A Week later, Barca were facing Athletic Bilbao in the Copa Del Rey round of 16 but they were eliminated again. At that point, Pedri had just played 6 games in 6 months. Those six games were dreadful for Blaugrana. Four defeats, three eliminations, including their Champions League humiliation.

In the game against Espanyol, only 75 seconds after the first whistle, Pedri scored. That goal was the fastest goal in the Catalan derby in the 21st century. FCB managed a draw before stoppage time. With Pedri back on the field, Barca won the following four Laliga games to be in qualifying position for next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona manager Xavi was delighted with Pedri’s performance and compared him with the great Andres Iniesta.

“He reminds me a lot of Andres Iniesta. If we are talking about pure talent, Pedri is the best [prospect] in the world. He is wonderful player. I haven’t seen many talents like his.”
Xavi

In a knockout game versus Galatasaray, FC Barcelona had to travel to Turkey, needing to win. Galatasaray took the lead in the first half of the game, but Pedri changed it all. Ferran Torres passed the ball to Pedri. He crossed the first defender and the second one desperately slid to intercept the shot but Pedri manages to keep the ball, and finally Pedri looks at the goalkeeper before shooting and shoots into the bottom corner.

Barca are in the quarterfinal of the Europa League and they are going to face Eintracht Frankfurt to reach the semifinal. Pedri’s good form has given Barca fans hope that their season will end in glory.

Revival of Aubameyang

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is many things: a goal threat, a Speedster, but being punctual is not the one.

Thomas Tuchel said, “when we wanted him to be on time, we told him the meeting was 10:45 when it was 11.” Not everyone took this as lightly as Tuchel, specifically not Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

During the rise of covid in 2020 whole Arsenal squad was banned from travelling abroad, but Aubameyang was granted special leave because of his mother’s health issues. Aubameyang had to be back at the latest after a 24-hours travel window. He didn’t make it back in time, and that was the breaking point for Arteta and everyone involved at Arsenal.

Aubameyang training alone after being excluded from squad for their next match

Auba was made to train alone and was informed that he would not be playing in the next game. Later on the following statement was released by Arsenal.

“Following his latest disciplinary breach last week, Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang will no longer be our club captain, and will not be considered for selection for Wednesday’s match against West ham United”
Arsenal statement 2021

Aubameyang did a lot for Arsenal, but he did things on his own terms and some of them were almost in a disrespectful manner. The leader of a squad cannot be a bad example, especially when the squad is filled with youngsters. next thing, Aubameyang received a message saying he cannot continue at Arsenal and he has to look for a new club.

Fast forward to January 31st 2021, the last day of the transfer window. Aubameyang was seen in Barcelona. Next thing, Spanish giants announced Gabonese before the window closes.

Aubameyang with FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta entering Camp Nou for his presentation

Sergio Aguero had just announced sudden retirement and Aubameyang was available. Deal worked out between the club and a player. Question was, will he be able to perform? But now Gabonian striker seems to be on fire. He has scored 9 goals and 1 assist in 11 appearances for the Blaugrana. To put this in context, he had four goals in 14 games at Arsenal. The reason he is performing great at FCB is because at Arsenal he would play on the left wing or as an inside forward, but at Barca he has been stationed as center forward. This means he doesn’t have to carry the ball as much and gets chances to score goals.

Aubameyang performs an iconic front flip after scoring against Valencia.

Can Canada Qualify For The Men’s World Cup?

The Canadian National football team is on the verge of qualifying for the WORLD CUP for the second time, last time they played in the tournament was in 1986.

Currently Canada is leading the table with 25 points. Canadians performed noticeably great in the final round of Worldcup Qualifying stage without suffering single loss until the game played on 25th against Costa Rica who were able to score 1 against Canada.

Canada’s next qualifier game will be played on Sunday against Jamaica in Toronto. If canada draws against Jamaica they will be flying to Qatar. If canada suffers loss they still got game opposite Panama on March 30th which will be last game for them.

Chances of winning for Canadians on Sunday are looking good because Jamaicans haven’t been performing sufficiently, Jamaica only recorded single victory during this stage of the tournament. Although, they managed a draw against Canada last October.

At worst Canada can finish fourth where they will be playing a playoff game which would be their last chance to make it to this grand tournament and this game would take place in June 13th or 14th. Fourth finishing team will be playing against a team from Oceanic Football Confederation (OFC) for the last chance to play in the Worldcup. And the team are mostly going to be New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti or Solomon Islands.

Kudos to Canadian National Football Team for making something historical happen. How far will canada go in the tournament…? Well, Future holds answer to that question but again, what they have done is definitely admirable.