8 h. ago Which footballers defied a manager’s tactics – and what were the results? | The Knowledge

Plus: the original long-throw specialists, an even earlier early-season pitch invasion and moreMail us with your questions and answers“It’s clear that regardless of personnel, Ruben Amorim will not shift from his 3-4-2-1 even if the pope were to force him,” notes Paul Vickers. “This got me thinking: has there ever been a case of players actively defying a manager’s instructions, not by downing tools and giving up, but by taking up self-devised, alternative tactics and positions that they consider better suited to their abilities and the needs of the team? And what was the outcome of any such defiant player self-management in terms of the immediate result and then the subsequent fate of the manager and the players?”A cracking question, to which we’ve received plenty of answers, so let’s proceed directly to The Insubordination Files. Continue reading...

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3 d. ago More than 500 Scots police officers cannot be deployed due to expired training

Training includes conflict management, de-escalation and tactical communications in addition to training in operational safety measures.

Events

4 d. ago Liverpool out of tune but Arne Slot working on finding better rhythm

More defensive opponents making life hard for champions but manager says Wirtz and different tactics will bear fruitDon’t panic. Stay calm. The advice from Virgil van Dijk and Curtis Jones was Zen-like in its reassurance in midweek as Liverpool digested back-to-back defeats for the second time under Arne Slot.Slot remained relaxed and upbeat on Friday too, sprinkling his press conference with several unprompted reminders that the team he was defending from rare criticism are top of the Premier League. Again. But behind the soothing messages and positive league table there are undeniable issues with Liverpool’s form that, according to Slot himself, run deeper than the opening 10 games of the campaign. Continue reading...

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9 d. ago Modric smiles and De Bruyne simmers as remoulded Milan hold out against Napoli | Nicky Bandini

Despite going down to 10 men, Massimiliano Allegri’s side held on and went top of Serie AThe league billed Milan v Napoli as a showdown between two “Masters of Midfield”, Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne, defining talents of a world football generation who each chose Serie A this summer. Players who have won a combined 58 trophies in their careers, including Champions League, La Liga and Premier League triumphs.Past their prime? Certainly. But over the hill? Hardly. Modric, at 40 years old, had started Milan’s first four league games, taking more touches (329) and creating more shooting opportunities (19, per fbref.com) than any teammate. De Bruyne, at 34, was the only Napoli player with more than one goal so far this season, having struck in wins over Sassuolo and Fiorentina. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago White House tells agencies to prepare for firings if government shuts down

Democrats accuse Trump of intimidation tactics after memo outlines much more aggressive step than previous shutdownsThe White House is telling federal agencies to prepare large-scale firings of workers if the government shuts down next week in a partisan fight over spending plans – prompting the Democrats to accuse Donald Trump of intimidation tactics.In a memo released on Wednesday night, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) said agencies should consider a reduction in force for federal programs whose funding would lapse next week, is not otherwise funded and is “not consistent with the president’s priorities”. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Pep Guardiola defied his Man City critics with Arsenal changes

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola showed positive signs with his team at the Emirates with their unusual set-up

Politics

2 w. ago England defender Lucy Bronze's new ALIGNE collaboration is the hottest drop of AW25

It's been another shining summer for the England Women's Football Team. They defied all the odds to become European Champions - the first senior footballing team to win an international tournament overseas - while continuing to lobby for equality in women's sport and more encouragement and funding for young girls.

Politics

2 w. ago The OnlyFans pimps exposed: These male 'managers' flaunt lavish lives. Now SARAH RAINEY reveals their toxic tactics, the sites where women are sold like cattle

Posing at the wheel of his Porsche, flying a helicopter over a Greek island, lounging on a private yacht... to many young men, it looks like 'Tony' is living the dream.

Society

3 w. ago Ange Postecoglou's defiant message to Nottingham Forest dressing room after Arsenal defeat

Nottingham Forest were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday, with new head coach Ange Postecoglou watching on from the stands at the City Ground

Politics

3 w. ago Football Manager 2026 release date confirmed – and it's just weeks away

Football Manager 2026 will be released across platforms from November 4, setting the stage for football fans to define their destiny by taking them to the heart of the beautiful game.

Economics

4 w. ago Wales manager Craig Bellamy likens Premier League players to ‘cyborgs’

Bellamy says game is becoming increasingly physicalWales play Canada in Swansea on TuesdayCraig Bellamy compared Premier League players to “cyborgs” as he discussed the growing physicality in the game after Thomas Tuchel said long throws and direct tactics were in vogue.The Wales manager said he handpicked friendlies against Canada on Tuesday and England next month – two higher-ranked nations – to provide a barometer of his team’s progress and believes facing the latter at Wembley will be the perfect warm-up for hosting Belgium in a crunch World Cup qualifier four days later. Continue reading...

Sport

last month Wayne Rooney SNUBS Sir Alex Ferguson when naming the best tactical manager he worked under at Man United, who was 'streets ahead of anyone', years on from his fall

Rooney spent most of his career playing under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, making over 400 appearances under the legendary manager.

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