Interview with the impressive @NuriSahin

🟡 Studying sport at Harvard
🟡 Coaching in the ninth division
🟡 Klopp’s man-management
🟡 Mourinho misconceptions
🟡 Dortmund return explained

“I fell in love with the tactics board.”skysports.com/football/news/…

For a while, Xabi Alonso’s achievements appeared hugely impressive because he was doing all of this at Bayer Leverkusen.

Now, we need to be talking about it as one of the great seasons in the history of European football — full stop. skysports.com/football/news/…

Douglas Luiz has thrived under Unai Emery at Aston Villa, enjoying the extra freedom that comes with a more attacking role. But Boubacar Kamara’s injury has created a challenge for him and his coach. A look at that, in conversation with Emery.

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What would Rúben Amorim bring to Liverpool? Spoke to his rival coaches in Portugal to find out what makes him so good, tactically and psychologically.

▫️ ‘Good mentality’
▫️ ‘Shapes diamonds’
▫️ ‘Tactical flexibility’
▫️ ‘Big ambitions’

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Love talking football with Unai Emery.

Plenty about Aston Villa and his work on improving their defensive build-up but he is great value when discussing other coaches — just loves football.

On Xabi Alonso, Thiago Motta, Mikel Arteta, García Pimienta…

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Interview with Claudio Pizarro.

🔺 How he was still scoring at 40
🔺 What he taught Lewandowski
🔺 When Alonso was his ‘coach’
🔺 Who was his toughest opponent
🔺 Why he bought Ozil a watch

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From Mark Clattenburg’s role at Nottingham Forest to Rennes analysts adapting tactics and even selections to the particular traits of the referee, this has been a reminder that media scrutiny is nothing compared to what’s going on inside clubs. Column.
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Wataru Endo won over his team-mates in Belgium by cracking the code in an escape room. He is already a popular figure at Liverpool with players, supporters and especially his manager. On the man from Japan and the stat that shows his influence on the team. skysports.com/football/news/…

Interview with Toti Gomes, who is having quite the season. Came into the Wolves team for the win over Man City and has become a key player, earning his Portugal cap and a new deal.

Here’s how, with additional insight from Gary O’Neil and Nelson Semedo. skysports.com/football/news/…

Just because… a look back to when Real Madrid’s Galácticos lost the title to Rafa Benitez’s Valencia.

Spoke to people in both camps for this piece about the lessons learned. Classic example of the importance of the team over the individual. skysports.com/football/news/…

Estoril were in the relegation zone when Vasco Seabra arrived but he has since taken his young team out of it and to their first cup final in 80 years.

Nice chat about his work with Diogo Jota, managerial inspirations and more. A coach to keep an eye on. skysports.com/football/news/…

Malmö coach Henrik Rydström is one of the most tactically innovative coaches in Europe, rejecting the game that he was taught in preference for a different way of doing things.

“It goes against everything that is logical.”

Enjoyed this interview. skysports.com/football/news/…

When Erik ten Hag talks of developing his style once he has the players, it does feel like the argument has already been lost.

That isn’t really how coaching works at the highest level these days. And why does he keep talking about United’s DNA? Column. skysports.com/football/news/…

The stats show that Bournemouth’s Ryan Christie is a pressing machine but the eye test reveals much more.

“I could imagine how Pep Guardiola felt seeing Lionel Messi,” says John Hughes, who gave him his professional debut. Been great under Andoni Iraola. skysports.com/football/news/…

You only need to see Kobbie Mainoo once to realise that he is the real deal.

But why is that? Enjoyed talking to former Man Utd coach @PaulMcG8 about “the arrogance of timing” and how Mainoo creates space and time.

“Like a magician doing an illusion.”skysports.com/football/news/…

VfB Stuttgart were bottom of the Bundesliga when Sebastian Hoeneß arrived in April. Now set for the Champions League after making a profit in the summer. How?

Asked sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth to help explain one of the stories of the season.skysports.com/football/news/…

Saw Nelson Semedo described as overrated recently, which is daft. A ball carrier, quick, great touch, he’s been very good for a long time now.

Sat down with him to discuss his form, his role, and Gary O’Neil’s Wolves.

“I love this team.”

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Bit on Savio. Went to see him play in Girona recently and he was terrific. Interesting valuation by Twenty First Group in this piece too. skysports.com/football/news/…

Man City didn’t beat Chelsea but owed the draw to Rodri. They weren’t great. He was magnificent. What a player.

Talked to Pep Guardiola about Rodri’s passing stats, why he doesn’t get the individual awards, and what he’d do if he had two players like him.skysports.com/football/news/…

Interview with Pep Guardiola on why letting unhappy players leave is the only way to go.

Think the work that goes into maintaining the right culture is an underrated aspect of sustained success.
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