Author: Rowan Clarke

The mood inside Scotland’s World Cup camp has shifted dramatically following their historic victory against Haiti in Boston on Saturday. Assistant coach Steven Naismith joked that head coach Steve Clarke was “doing cartwheels down at breakfast” after Scotland claimed their first World Cup win in 36 years. Naismith was speaking in jest, but the comment captures the genuine change in atmosphere that has taken hold among players and staff alike. Clarke himself has openly admitted he “didn’t enjoy” the first two major tournaments he led the country through, vowing this time to “soak it up” stateside. That message has clearly…

Cape Verde made history at the Atlanta Stadium as goalkeeper Vozinha kept a clean sheet against European champions and World Cup favourites Spain. The 40-year-old was in tears at the final whistle as the magnitude of what his nation had achieved began to sink in. Thousands of Cape Verde supporters erupted in the stands, hugging, dancing and celebrating what is the most remarkable result in their country’s football history. Even neutral spectators had been swept up in the occasion, with many celebrating alongside Cape Verde fans by the time the referee blew for full time. Vozinha, born Josimar Dias, became…

Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Pierre Sage as their new head coach, signing the Frenchman on a three-year deal. The 47-year-old arrives at Selhurst Park after an impressive spell at Lens, where he was named Ligue 1 manager of the year. Sage replaces Oliver Glasner, who departed the Eagles at the end of the 2025-26 season following two and a half years in south London. The Austrian left behind a remarkable legacy, having guided Palace to three trophies during his tenure at the club. Glasner’s achievements included the FA Cup in 2025, the Community Shield, and the Conference…

Twelve games into the 2026 World Cup, clear tactical patterns have emerged that reveal how international managers are adapting to unique pressures on football’s biggest stage. The influence of the Premier League and Champions League means many nations are borrowing ideas directly from club football when constructing their World Cup approaches. One of the most striking trends has been the unexpected resurgence of the classic 4-4-2 formation, a shape that defined Premier League football in the early 2000s. Teams including Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Brazil, Haiti, Scotland and Japan have all used a 4-4-2 out of possession at various points…

England head coach Thomas Tuchel is looking to replicate the set-piece success of Premier League champions Arsenal ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States. No club supplied more players to England’s World Cup squad than Arsenal, making it a natural decision for Tuchel to lean into the Gunners’ well-documented strengths at dead-ball situations. Mikel Arteta’s dedication to perfecting Arsenal’s set-piece routines has clearly caught Tuchel’s attention, with the England boss impressing on his players the importance of exploiting these situations in a tournament environment. Arsenal landed their first Premier League title in 22 years in May and…

It was a humid Sunday evening at Fenway Park in Boston, and the Red Sox were trailing by three heading into the seventh inning. “A few weeks ago, fans came to watch with bags over their heads, they were that disillusioned,” one supporter explained from the seat behind. Then, cutting through the east coast accents and the chatter of the old main stand, a familiar song suddenly cranked through the speakers above. “Mister, your eyes are full of hesitation…” — and with that, Fenway Park became something it had never been before. The ground opened the week the Titanic sank,…

Liverpool’s new head coach Andoni Iraola is using the World Cup as a personal fact-finding mission, assessing inherited players and potential signings to revive a struggling squad. The Spaniard replaced sacked Arne Slot and arrives from Bournemouth with a clear mandate to rebuild a Liverpool side that endured a miserable defence of their Premier League title last season. Day four of the tournament gave Iraola plenty to consider, with several Liverpool players and reported targets all in action across multiple fixtures. Florian Wirtz arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen last summer for a then-British record £116m, yet fell well short…

Manchester United winger Amad Diallo proved to be the match-winner as Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador 1-0 in Philadelphia. The Manchester United forward scored a superb 90th-minute winner to settle the contest in dramatic fashion at the death. Amad has been one of the more exciting young wingers in European football, and his ability to influence games in big moments was on full display here. The goal arrived right at the death, denying Ecuador any opportunity to respond and securing all three points for the Ivory Coast. It was the kind of decisive contribution that will only strengthen Amad’s reputation on…

England’s opening World Cup fixture against Croatia on Wednesday will be officiated by French referee Clement Turpin, a man their own head coach once brutally criticised. Thomas Tuchel labelled Turpin a “Grade E” official following a fiery Champions League quarter-final second leg between Bayern Munich and Manchester City in April 2023. Turpin sent Tuchel to the stands that night at the Allianz Arena after showing the then Bayern boss two yellow cards during the heated contest. The match was a turbulent one for Turpin, who issued five yellow cards in the first half alone before a red card controversy took…

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has played a central role in a remarkable chain of managerial moves spanning Real Madrid, Benfica and Fulham. Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid from Benfica set off a sequence of events that could see former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa arrive in west London. With Mourinho heading back to the Santiago Bernabeu following Florentino Perez’s re-election as Real Madrid president, Benfica were immediately left searching for a new manager. Marco Silva had already attracted attention after being shortlisted by Chelsea, and he subsequently emerged as Benfica’s primary target to fill the vacancy. Benfica secured Silva’s services despite…