Liverpool’s owners have made today a statement of intent. The morning headlines ran wild with the news that New England Sports Ventures (NESV) had turned down a $35M bid for Fernando Torres from rivals Chelsea. Many think this must have been a difficult decision given that the striker has been under-performing and is most-likely less valuable than the proposed price tag.
In refusing the offer, NESV made it clear that they intend to pull the club up by its boot-straps back into the realm of world-class competition.
To put an exclamation point on this statement, the club has just released the news that they have finalized the uncertain signing of Luis Suarez from Dutch club Ajax.
Suarez impressed the world with his dazzling striking prowess this summer at the FIFA World Cup 2010, but all of this was cast in a shadow by his use of the Dark Arts:
Filed under: 6) Rumor & Scandal, 7) Sackings & Signings, Manchester United
After days of turmoil and an ever-growing saga, Wayne Rooney has decided to end the drama. Sick of the management at Manchester United and possibly in the doghouse with fiery manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the star striker has decided to cut his ties with the team. He walked out today. Done. Finished. Finito! Wayne Rooney will never set foot in Old Trafford ever again!
Wait.
I’m sorry… what was that?
A 5-year contract?
ROONEY?!?
WHA????????????????????????????
This just in, Wayne Rooney has just penned a new 5-year deal with Manchester United.
“I am signing a new deal in the absolute belief that the management, coaching staff, board and owners are totally committed to making sure United maintains its proud winning history – which is the reason I joined the club in the first place.
“I am sure the fans over the last week have felt let down by what they have read and seen.
“But my position was from concern over the future.
“The fans have been brilliant with me since I arrived, and it’s up to me through my performances to win them over again.”
Wow. Wow. Wow.
This is nothing short of shocking. After the jump, breaking news from Sky Sports… and video of Wayne Rooney speaking about the deal.
Mexico captain Rafa Marquez has reconnected with former Barcelona teammate Thierry Henry by signing with the New York Red Bulls this week. Though he kept his cards close to his chest throughout transfer negotiations, he expressed excitement at his unveiling:
“I’m very excited to be joining the Red Bulls… I think American football is growing and the national team are now a big team — they did good work in the last World Cup.
“Despite having the opportunity to fulfill my contract with Barcelona, coming to New York and playing in Major League Soccer was a chance that I could not refuse.”
<<WATCH MORE – Click here to watch a translated interview with Marquez. >>
With this signing, New York continues to strengthen an already-healthy lineup… and the MLS continues to grow it’s global audience. Both are moving onward and upward, providing further assurance that soccer in the US is on the right path.
Suddenly, the Red Bulls are nearly as glitzy as the LA Galaxy. Donovan, Beckham, & Buddle vs. Henry, Angel, & Marquez… Can you smell a rivalry a-brewin’?
Press Conference Unveiling Rafa Marquez:
MARQUEZ SPEAKS – Click here to continue watching the Press Conference, beginning with Marquez’s statement.
Raul, the leading goal scorer of both Real Madrid and the UEFA Champions League, announced today that he is leaving the Spanish giants after 16 years of memorable and dedicated service.
In an emotional press conference, the long-time captain revealed:
“Today is a day of intense feeling for me, I want to thank everyone… I would like to tell the fans that in every run, every tackle, I’ve always given everything. I’ve always given 100% for this club.
“Schalke is interested in me and I have had very deep discussions with them… In a few days I will know whether I’ll be going to the Bundesliga, but there are other teams that are also interested. What is clear is that my future lies in Germany or England.
“Today is a new start for me. 16 years ago I pulled on the white shirt for the first time. My heart will always be with Madrid. Real Madrid is my life and my home.“
A tribute to Raul:
Filed under: 7) Sackings & Signings, 9) Video (Misc.), A) Major League Soccer (MLS), NY Red Bulls
<<ESPN VIDEO>> Click here to watch Soccernet Press Pass’s exclusive interview with Thierry Henry.
In watching Le Bleu conversate with Derek Rae and Shaka Hislop, you might be left with the lingering question:
Why the HELL do you want to come to the MLS, Thierry???
When phrases like “I wanted to come a year ago” and “I always had a dream to play in the U.S.” slip out of his mouth, one must wonder… Why?
When Beckham came a few years back, he seemed to be arriving in the spirit of growing the league. He seemed like an investment and an ambassador. And whether you agree or disagree with whether it was a good use of money on the part of the MLS, there’s never been a slimy feeling associated with Becks.
Henry’s arrival just feels different. No world-class footballer has ever “had a dream to play in the U.S.” They just haven’t. In a dream world, they will someday. But, not now.
So, why are you here, Monsieur Henry? Is it the easy money? the spotlight? the pizza???
Please don’t trouble us with your heavy paycheck and light trotting. We’ve got too much growing to do.
After a disastrous season, Liverpool have reason for hope. New manager Roy Hodgson — who just led Fulham to the Europa League final — is doing his best to right the Red ship.
His plan for the team’s future has impressed want-away captain Steven Gerrard so much that he has both voiced his satisfaction to the public and convinced England teammate Joe Cole to join the team. (Cole officially put pen to paper today.)
Further, want-away striker Fernando Torres failed to impress on the world stage this summer in South Africa, making him a less attractive purchase than he seemed a few months ago. That combined with his being quite prone to injury leaves room for speculation that he may find himself still on Merseyside come the new season.
There’s still plenty of time for both Gerrard and Torres to move away to teams competing in the Champions League, but at the moment , there is a glimmer of hope in the collective Liverpudlian eye.
A glimpse at what Joe Cole will bring to the Reds:
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — ESPN is keeping broadcaster Martin Tyler for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“We have a deal with Martin for 2014,” Jed Drake, the executive producer of ESPN’s World Cup coverage, said in an interview at the network’s office overlooking Soccer City.
Tyler is regarded as one of the top soccer announcers in Britain, where he broadcasts the Premier League and Champions League for Sky Sports. He is part of ESPN’s all-British play-by-play crew for this year’s World Cup matches, joined by Adrian Healey, Derek Rae and Ian Darke.
“That was all the talk coming in,” Drake said late Tuesday. “Once they got on the air, that’s gone away.”
Tyler was hired for this year’s tournament following criticism of Dave O’Brien, the network’s lead announcer during the 2006 World Cup.
(Above: Tyler calls the unreal ending of the 1999 Champions League Final.)
Tyler, whose brother-in-law lives in the Detroit area, hasn’t overly targeted his broadcasting to the U.S. For him, it’s still “football” and not “soccer.”
“The question I’ve been asked the most is, ‘Well, what are you going to change for the American audience?’ My answer has been the same, which is: ‘I’ve been signed for what I am, not what they want to make me,”’ he said. “I hope I am sensitive enough from my time in the States to know there might be a time not to be too colloquial, not to get a bit Cockney.”
The 62-year-old Englishman, who led Fulham to the Europa League final last season, was confirmed by Liverpool as the replacement for Rafael Benitez. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
Benitez left Liverpool to join Inter Milan after the 2009 Premier League runner-up slumped to seventh place last season.
“This is the biggest job in club football and I’m honoured to be taking on the role of manager of Britain’s most successful football club,” Hodgson told the Liverpool website. “I look forward to meeting the players and the supporters and getting down to work at Melwood.”
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard backed Hodgson as the right man to succeed Benitez.
“The club have made a good appointment in Roy Hodgson,” Gerrard said. “He is hugely experienced and I believe he is the right man for Liverpool.”
“I think it’s been worth the wait and I’m sure he’s just keen now to get on with it and start to quickly put in place his plans for the new season.”
As reported on FANunited earlier this week, Rafa Benitez and Liverpool parted ways on mutual terms. It may not be true in historic terms, but in current reality, the Spaniard just wiggled himself into a MAJOR upgrade. Run a world class club into the ground — failing to even qualify for the Champions League — and then get handed the reigning European champions?
Not a bad deal.
Welcome to Inter Milan, Rafa!
An extremely well-done farewell from a Liverpool fan:
