Sports
Wayne Rooney Breaks Silence After Birmingham City Sack
Former Birmingham City gaffer, Wayne Rooney broke his silence shortly after he got sacked as the club’s coach.
Naija Latest Gist had earlier reported that the Manchester United legend was sacked as the club’s coach following his poor run as the team’s coach.
Birmingham City announced Rooney’s dismissal on their official website on Tuesday, stating that his performance did not live up to expectations.
Rooney’s dismissal by the EFL Championship club came barely three months after he was employed at St Andrew’s.
Naija Latest Gist understands that during his time as the manager, the ex-captain of the England team faced a disappointing decline in the Championship standings.
Birmingham City’s position has plummeted from sixth to 20th under Rooney, having only managed to secure victory in two out of fifteen matches.
The final game he presided over resulted in a humbling 3-0 defeat against Leeds United on New Year’s Day, leaving the club with a mere six-point advantage over the relegation zone.
However, in response to his dismissal, Rooney stated that he believes he should have been given more time as Birmingham City manager to make the necessary improvements.
Reacting to his sack in a statement on his offical X account, Rooney wrote, “I would like to thank Tom Wagner, Tom Brady, and Garry Cook for the opportunity to manage Birmingham City FC and the support they all gave me during my short period with the club.
“Football is a results business and I recognise they have not been at the level I wanted them to be. However, time is the most precious commodity a manager requires and I do not believe 13 weeks was sufficient to oversee the changes that were needed.
“Personally, it will take me some time to get over this setback. I have been involved in professional football, as either a player or manager, since I was 16. Now, I plan to take some time with my family as I prepare for the next opportunity in my journey as a manager.
“Finally, I wish Birmingham City FC and its owners my best wishes in the pursuit of their ambitions.”
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
Argentine football icon, Lionel Messi, has stressed that he doesn’t care how much movement he makes in a game as people continue to take note of his walking technique.
In recent times, videos of Lionel Messi practically walking while his team are off the ball have kept many football enthusiasts talking. Many believe that it is a technique to prevent being injured, some say he does that because other players are doing the hard work for him.
But in an interview with Clank Media, Lionel Messi who turned 37-year-old earlier today, June 24, 2024, said not running when he is off the ball has been a part of his game from his days at his boyhood club, Newell, in his native country, Argentina.
“When I was at Newell’s, there were two or three times a week we were sent to run around the grounds. I used to hide behind a tree. Running without a ball was never my thing. Heh”, Lionel Messi said.
“I have always been very self-critical. I am the first to know what I do right and what I do wrong. When I walk, I analyse the opponent’s positioning, how we stand when we don’t have the ball, get away from the marker and be able to initiate a counterattack.
“I don’t pay much attention to GPS, statistics or data. I never cared how much I ran in a match.”
Note that Lionel Messi had used his walking technique while off the ball to win virtually everything in world football including 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League, one FIFA World Cup, and a record 8 Ballon d’Or.
In just two matchdays in the ongoing European Championship (Euro 2024), three countries have secured their place in the tournament’s round of 16.
Interestingly, the Three Lions of England and France, seen as the Super favourites to win the Euro 2024, will have to wait until the last day of the group stage to confirm their place.
Earlier today, June 22, 2024, Portugal’s national team, ably led by five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo, defeated Turkey 3-0 to book themselves a place in the round of 16.
Goals from Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and an own goal from Samet Akaydin made all the difference.
Ronaldo provided an assist for Portugal’s third goal, which was his 7th in the history of the tournament, and the all-time highest in the European Championship.
Recall that Portugal defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their opening game in Group F. Hence, the Portuguese side now have 6 points in two games.
Whether or not they beat Georgia in their last group stage game on Wednesday, June 26, the Portuguese side will play in the round of 16. However, they need to win the game to ensure they finish top of Group F.
Other two teams that have already booked themselves a place in the Euro 2024 round of 16 with a game in hand are the hosts, Germany, and Spain.
Germany are topping Group A with 6 points in 2 games, while Spain are topping Group B with 6 points in two games.
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Everybody sha wan trend for this country” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Nengi BBNaija surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“My Kpekus might be wide oo but you will enjoy it” – Nigerian lady assures fans on social media as she shows off her Toto (Video)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She now has a million followers on TikTok” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Buba Girl surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Omo! Na she dey inside the tape oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video of Destiny Etiko surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She has about a million followers on Instagram oo” – Nigerians react as recent knacking video of Black Chully surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“She now is a big celebrity oo” – Nigerians react as knacking video Empress Njamah surfaces the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“Chai! This one na brotherhood knacking oo” – Nigerians react as kpekus video of Candy Bleakz mistakenly leaks on the internet (Watch)
-
Entertainment1 year ago“I will gift a car to anyone who stays up to 10 minutes on this Kpekus” – Nigerian lady shows Facebook fans her Toto as she challenges those who are ready to kanck it (Video)